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GWM
Tank 300
1st gen·
2023-2026
suv-4wd
Price (AUD)
$40k-$62k
Body styles
5-door wagon
Drivetrain
Part-time 4WD (dual-range, locking rear diff) - petrol/diesel/PHEV, Full-time 4WD (torque-on-demand, dual-range, F&R diff locks) - HEV
Origin
China
Built in
China
Overview
GWM's retro-styled boxy mid-size 4WD wagon, sold in Lux and Ultra grades and aimed squarely at the Jeep Wrangler and Suzuki Jimny. Unusually for a budget 4WD it's a genuine ladder-frame, dual-range, lockable part-time 4WD with a 'Tank Turn' brake-vectoring trick and a 7-year/unlimited-km warranty. Launched in 2023 with the 2.0L turbo-petrol and a 2.0L turbo-petrol HEV hybrid; a 2.4L turbo-diesel arrived in 2024, and the Hi4-T plug-in hybrid (115km EV range) landed in early 2026. It is a clever, well-equipped, comfortable thing for the money, but it is brand-new technology from a maker without a long Australian reliability record - early issues are software, electrical (12V battery drain, infotainment, fiddly soft-touch indicator stalk), and an independently-documented heavy-braking trait where the rear can go light. Service network and parts supply are still maturing. Buy on warranty and a thorough PPI; this is a value-and-features play, not a proven-300k-km tourer.
Engines & variants
2.0L GW4C20 turbo petrol
Engine
2.0L turbocharged direct-injection petrol I4
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
1998cc
Power
162kW @ 5500rpm
Torque
380Nm @ 1800-3600rpm
Drivetrain
Part-time 4WD (dual-range, locking rear diff)
0–100
~9.0s
Economy
9.5 L/100km combined (claim); 11-13 L/100km real-world urban
Tow (braked)
3000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
8AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Cheapest way into the Tank 300, simplest powertrain
- 162kW/380Nm is competitive with the diesel on paper and revs more freely
- 8-speed auto (ZF-derived) is generally smooth on the highway
- No DPF, no hybrid high-voltage complexity
- 7-year/unlimited-km warranty
Cons
- Thirsty for a 2.0L - real-world 12-13 L/100km in town, well off the claim
- Throttle/transmission can feel laggy and hesitant off the line
- Modest payload (~400kg) vs the diesel's ~600kg
- Small-capacity turbo engine working hard in a heavy ladder-frame 4WD
- Long-term durability unproven in Australia
Known problems
medium
Throttle lag / hesitant low-speed drivability
Owners and reviewers report a noticeable delay between throttle input and response in stop-start traffic, plus occasional hesitation or a jerky shift as the turbo and 8-speed auto sort themselves out. It's a calibration trait of a small turbo engine in a heavy vehicle rather than a hard fault.
Fix: Dealer software/transmission-adaptation updates can improve it; otherwise drive around it. Confirm the latest TCU/ECU calibration is loaded.
low
Heavy real-world fuel consumption
The 9.5 L/100km claim is optimistic; owners commonly see 11-13 L/100km in urban use and ~10 L/100km only on a gentle highway run. The small turbo petrol works hard hauling a ~2.1t ladder-frame wagon.
Fix: Not a fault. Buyers wanting economy should look at the diesel or PHEV.
low
Carbon build-up risk (direct injection, long-term)
Like most modern direct-injection turbo engines, intake-valve carbon build-up is a plausible long-term maintenance item; too new in Australia to be widely documented yet.
Fix: Quality oil and on-time servicing; intake clean / walnut blast if drivability deteriorates at high km.
2.4L GW4D24 turbo diesel
Engine
2.4L common-rail turbo-diesel I4 (with DPF)
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
2400cc
Power
135kW @ 3500rpm
Torque
480Nm @ 1500-2500rpm
Drivetrain
Part-time 4WD (dual-range, locking rear diff)
0–100
~10.5s
Economy
7.8 L/100km combined (claim); ~8-9 L/100km real-world
Tow (braked)
3000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
9AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Best economy of the conventional engines (~8 L/100km real-world)
- 480Nm and the highest payload (~600kg) - the pick for touring/towing
- Long highway range from a diesel tank
- 9-speed auto gives relaxed cruising
- 7-year/unlimited-km warranty
Cons
- Only 135kW/480Nm - down on power vs 160kW+ rival diesels (Everest, MU-X)
- Noticeable throttle lag off the bottom before the torque band
- DPF/EGR/AdBlue-era after-treatment dislikes short urban-only trips
- Brand-new diesel with no long-term Australian reliability track record
- Maturing service/parts network for a relatively new powertrain
Known problems
medium
DPF soot loading on short trips
As a modern emissions diesel the GW4D24 has a diesel particulate filter that needs regular highway running to passively regenerate. Short, cold, low-speed urban-only use loads the DPF with soot, triggers forced regens and can raise back-pressure on the turbo and EGR over time.
Fix: Drive it on the highway regularly to allow regeneration; address active-regen warnings promptly. Not a city-only car.
medium
Throttle lag / low-rpm response
Reviewers describe genuinely frustrating lag off idle before the 1500rpm torque band arrives, with the 9-speed auto sometimes slow to respond in traffic. In its band there's real pull and it cruises well.
Fix: Latest dealer ECU/TCU calibration helps; otherwise an adaptive-driving trait rather than a fault.
low
EGR / intake soot build-up (projected)
Common-rail diesels with EGR accumulate soot in the intake over time, especially on stop-start duty; too new in Australia to be widely confirmed but a known class issue.
Fix: Keep up servicing and highway running; intake/EGR clean if airflow-related symptoms appear.
2.0L turbo petrol HEV hybrid
Engine
2.0L turbo-petrol I4 (180kW/380Nm) with single electric motor in a 9-speed hybrid auto
Config
I4 turbo + electric motor (series-parallel hybrid)
Displacement
1998cc
Power
258kW combined (engine 180kW + motor ~78kW)
Torque
615Nm combined
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (torque-on-demand, dual-range, F&R diff locks)
0–100
~7.0s
Economy
8.4 L/100km combined (claim); ~9-11 L/100km real-world
Tow (braked)
3000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
9HAT (9-speed hybrid auto)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (petrol engine)
Pros
- Strongest conventional outputs - 258kW/615Nm, genuinely quick
- Better economy than the pure petrol with more performance
- Electric assist smooths the petrol engine's low-rpm lag
- Full-time torque-on-demand 4WD with front and rear diff locks
- 7-year/unlimited-km warranty
Cons
- High-voltage hybrid system adds complexity and was subject to a recall
- Heaviest and most expensive of the non-PHEV variants
- Still uses 9-11 L/100km real-world - not a frugal hybrid
- Modest payload (~400kg)
- New, complex powertrain with no long-term Australian durability data
Known problems
high
High-voltage wiring harness grounding (recall)
GWM recalled Tank 300 HEV (and other hybrid models) in Australia because a manufacturing defect could leave the shielding ring in the high-voltage wiring harness improperly grounded, an electrical safety risk.
Fix: Confirm the recall has been completed against the VIN before purchase; rectification is free at a GWM dealer.
medium
12V battery drain / 'excessive power usage' warning
A common Tank 300 complaint: the dash warns of excessive power use when 12V battery charge drops below ~12.5V. Causes include the key fob sitting too close to the car, poorly wired aftermarket accessories (dashcams), or body-computer/software quirks.
Fix: Reset by disconnecting the battery overnight; ensure accessories are wired correctly; dealer software update / battery check. Keep the fob away from the parked car.
low
Jack adjusting-rod recall (2023 HEV)
Recall campaign 88242C2 covered 2023 Tank 300 HEV vehicles whose jack adjusting rod was of incorrect specification and might not operate the jack as intended.
Fix: Free dealer replacement of the jack rod; verify it's been done.
Hi4-T 2.0L turbo PHEV plug-in hybrid
Engine
2.0L turbo-petrol (180kW/380Nm) + 120kW/320Nm electric motor + 37.11kWh NMC battery, 9-speed hybrid auto with low range
Config
I4 turbo + electric motor (plug-in hybrid)
Displacement
1998cc
Power
300kW combined
Torque
750Nm combined
Drivetrain
Part-time 4WD (2H/4H/4L, dual-range, electric rear diff lock)
0–100
6.3s
Economy
~1.8 L/100km combined (PHEV claim, charge-depleting); 115km EV-only range
Tow (braked)
3000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
9HAT (9-speed hybrid auto)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (petrol engine)
Pros
- 300kW/750Nm - hugely strong, 6.3s 0-100km/h
- 115km EV-only range covers most daily commutes with no fuel use
- Up to 6kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) - run tools/camp gear off the battery
- Retains dual-range 4WD, low range and rear diff lock - a real off-roader
- 7-year/unlimited-km warranty
Cons
- Most complex and expensive Tank 300 - large 37kWh battery and HV system
- Heavy; economy collapses to petrol-hybrid figures once the battery is depleted
- Brand-new PHEV technology with zero long-term Australian reliability history
- Subject to the same hybrid HV-harness recall family as other GWM hybrids
- Charging/servicing ecosystem for GWM PHEVs still maturing
Known problems
high
High-voltage system / hybrid electrical recalls (class)
GWM's hybrid models in Australia have been recalled over high-voltage wiring-harness grounding/electrical defects. As a brand-new PHEV sharing this HV architecture, the Hi4-T should be checked for any open recalls and HV-system software updates.
Fix: Verify all recall and software campaigns are completed against the VIN at a GWM dealer before and during ownership.
medium
Drained battery / 12V and software gremlins
Tank 300s are prone to 12V battery-drain warnings and infotainment/body-computer software quirks; the added PHEV charging and HV management layers give more software surface area for early-build niggles.
Fix: Keep software up to date at the dealer; correct any 12V drain (fob proximity, accessory wiring); battery/charge-system check under warranty.
low
Charging and EV-range expectation vs reality
EV range and fuel claims assume a charged battery; without home charging the heavy PHEV reverts to thirsty hybrid running and you carry ~37kWh of battery mass for little benefit.
Fix: Not a fault - only buy the PHEV if you can charge regularly (AC ~6.5h, DC 30-80% ~24min).
Common problems (all variants)
high
Rear wheels go light under hard emergency braking
Independent Australian testing (Auto Expert) documented the rear axle becoming heavily unweighted - rear wheels momentarily leaving the ground - during full ABS emergency stops from highway speed, reducing rear braking effectiveness and risking yaw/instability, particularly on slopes. Described as mirroring the Jeep Wrangler's suspension shortcoming.
Fix: No fix from GWM; drive accordingly, maintain following distance, and brake test the specific vehicle. A known characteristic to be aware of before buying.
medium
Infotainment / body-computer software faults
Owners report stereo, screen, control and body-computer glitches - audio dropping out, controls unresponsive, features misbehaving - usually resolved by a reboot or dealer software update under warranty.
Fix: Dealer software update / system reboot; covered by the 7-year warranty while in period.
low
Soft-touch indicator stalk confusion
The electronic soft-touch indicator stalk doesn't self-cancel/return like a conventional stalk, leading some drivers to signal the wrong way or struggle to cancel. GWM says it passes Australian standards and has no plans to change it.
Fix: Acclimatisation; no recall or fix. Try it thoroughly on a test drive.
medium
12V battery drain warnings
A widely reported Tank 300 issue across variants: the car flags excessive power usage when the 12V battery falls below ~12.5V, often triggered by the key fob being parked near the car, poorly wired accessories, or body-computer behaviour.
Fix: Disconnect battery overnight to reset; correct accessory wiring; keep the fob away from the parked vehicle; dealer check if persistent.
medium
Maturing dealer/service network and parts supply
GWM is still expanding its Australian dealer and parts network. Owner experiences with warranty claims vary - some excellent, others reporting delays, parts waits and reluctance to rectify. Long-term parts availability for a new brand is an unknown.
Fix: Buy from an established GWM dealer, keep full service records, and lean on the 7-year/unlimited-km warranty.
low
Unproven long-term durability (new brand/platform)
The Tank 300 is too new in Australia to have a high-km reliability record. Engines, transmissions, hybrid systems and electronics are all recent designs from a maker without the decades-long local track record of Toyota or Nissan.
Fix: Treat the warranty as the safety net, service strictly to schedule, and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection on used examples.