2026 GWM Tank 300 Ultra PHEV Review

This Tank 300 hybrid comes with a plug, allowing for emissions free commuting while still having all the hardware and range needed for proper adventuring. Is it worth the money?  

Five years ago, if you told someone you had bought a hybrid 4×4 SUV that could not only get you to a remote campsite, but also power it, they’d think you’d have spent well over six figures.

And if you were shopping within the mainstream legacy brands, you’d still struggle to find anything that fits the bill for five figures. But that’s where GWM’s new Tank 300 PHEV enters the picture. As the name suggests, the Tank 300 PHEV is a new plug-in hybrid version of the brand’s affordable off-road SUV. 

This PHEV model starts from $62,990 for the Lux model, but we recently spent some time with the range-topping Ultra, which goes for $67,990. Even without stepping foot in the PHEV, the proposition almost seems too good to be true. 

Standard Kit: a hefty list 

 Under the Tank 300 PHEV’s bonnet is a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder engine. This is paired with a 120kW electric motor. Total output for this system sits at an impressive 300kW and 750Nm of torque.  

A nine-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels in its standard driving mode, but it also features 4H and 4L driving modes.

This hybrid drivetrain makes use of a 37.1kWh NMC battery that provides an electric-only range of 115km according to NEDC testing.  

Despite the electrical nature of the drivetrain, the PHEV retains a full mechanical four-wheel drive system with a low-range transfer case. This Ultra model also gets front and rear electronic locking differentials. 

It’s rated to a braked towing capacity of 3000kg, and a payload of 610kg.  

It gets two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, which are wrapped in 265-wide Michelin tyres. These are very road-friendly tyres, so anyone who’s looking to properly venture off the beaten track should replace these with more serious rubber. There’s also a full-size spare wheel on the tailgate.

The hefty fitout continues inside with a 12.3-inch digital cluster, and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto are both standard with this system. There’s a premium nine-speaker sound system, a wireless phone charger, and USB connections in both rows.  

This Ultra model gets Nappa leather-accented seats that are heated, ventilated, and have a massaging function in the front row. 

Premium packaging 

 Though the Tank 300’s boxy aesthetic makes it look large, it’s not as big as traditional off-road SUVs. It’s obviously a fair bit bigger than a Suzuki Jimny, but only around 20mm shorter than a four-door Jeep Wrangler. 

As it sits beneath the Tank 500 in GWM’s local line-up, it doesn’t have as much space inside, nor does it offer a seven-seat configuration, but it does feel reasonably roomy.

Standing at 1.9-metres high, headroom isn’t an issue, and there’s enough space in the second row for a couple of adult passengers. Stacking three across the rear could get cozy, but the lack of a large transmission tunnel means there’s more space than you’d expect in the middle seat.

The boot follows a similar theme, as there isn’t a massive amount of depth, and the load level is set high. This is something we have come to expect from plug-in hybrid vehicles as the battery is usually stored beneath the boot, which sacrifices space. The fact it comes with a full-sized spare wheel on the rear tailgate is a massive bonus in my eyes, even if it’s a side-hinged door.

The interior is a mash-up between affordable luxury materials, and what you’d expect to find inside a Wrangler. It feels premium for its price point, but you aren’t going to be mistaking it for a Defender anytime soon. The faux leather seats are comfortable, but the switchgear feels plasticy. 

The 6kW V2L capability is a nice bonus as well, and only adds to the impressive abilities of this Tank. 

An impressive all-rounder 

Despite the tough Jeep-like looks and military-derived moniker, the Tank will spend most of its life on the road, and that’s what it does best. 

There isn’t a lot to compare this plug-in Tank to currently, as nothing really sits further into the venn diagram of power output, fuel economy, and off-road ability. The closest thing that comes to mind is the Hemi V8-powered Jeep Wrangler 392 in the States, but that obviously falls well short on the economy front. 

With 300kW/750Nm, the Tank will hit 100km/h from a standing start in around 6.3-seconds. And while this isn’t fast by modern standards, it’s more than enough grunt to get it moving on the open road.

As mentioned, it is rear-wheel drive as standard, and it doesn’t take much throttle application to overwhelm the rear wheels on the road. In saying this, the traction and stability control systems work well together, so it’s less of a safety concern, and more of a lesson in self control.

It’s refreshing to see GWM has moved towards a less-is-more approach to the driver assistance systems. While the Tank still gets every modern amenity, they aren’t as in-your-face as other Chinese systems. The driver monitoring system will sound an alert if your attention strays too far from the road ahead, but I wouldn’t call it punishing.

Once on the move, the Tank is a solid cruiser. Road noise isn’t terrible, and the squared-off body seems to cut through the air better than other similarly shaped off-road SUVs.

With a decent amount of charge in the battery, achieving GWM’s claimed combined economy figure of 1.9L/100km isn’t hard to do. But in saying this, most owners will find themselves using exclusively electric power for the daily commute.

I was also impressed with how well the Tank handled itself on more twisty roads. As a ladder-frame chassis vehicle, it’s never going to be particularly athletic on back roads, but it’s better than I thought. Body roll is definitely present, but with a decent amount of grunt on hand, it makes for quite an entertaining drive.

With road-friendly rubber on our Tank test car, we were limited in how far off the beaten track we could take it. Also given the fast-approaching Cyclone Vaianu, I didn’t fancy getting stuck somewhere too remote. I ended up heading towards South Head to put it through some soft sand tracks and test the off-road drive modes.

With 750Nm of torque available, gaining momentum in the rough stuff isn’t an issue, and whenever the petrol engine seemed to show signs of bogging, the electric motor pushed things along.

The electronic locking differentials are also immensely helpful purely from the perspective of being able to engage them on the fly as you leave the asphalt.

As a whole, the Tank went well off-road for what it’s working with. It doesn’t feel as refined in its ability to handle tough terrain as the more expensive players in the segment, but for under $70,000 it’s very impressive. 

The value proposition 

There’s no denying the price point of this Tank 300 PHEV is its biggest selling point. While it isn’t perfect, there isn’t too much to compare it with in the off-road segment.

Opting for anything from a legacy brand such as a Land Cruiser, Wrangler, or Defender will have you shelling out tens of thousands of extra dollars, and compromising to a Jimny means you miss out on a lot.

Off-road ability aside, this Tank is just a cool family wagon that makes more sense as petrol prices rise. It’s got room for everything you need, looks the part, and comes with the added bonus of not relying on petrol pumps for the daily commute.  

GWM Tank 300 Ultra PHEV
$67,990  /  1.9L/100km  /  43g/km
0-100 km/h 6.3s
Engine  1998cc / IL4 / T / EFI
Max power  180kW@5500rpm
Max torque  380Nm@1700rpm
Motor output  120kW / 400Nm
Battery  37.1kWh
Range  115km
Hybrid System Output  300kW / 750Nm
Drivetrain  9-speed auto / switchable 4×4
Front suspension  Wishbones / sway bar
Rear suspension  Solid axle / sway bar
Turning circle  12m (3.25 turns)
Front brakes  Ventilated discs (316mm)
Rear brakes  Discs (300mm)
Stability systems  ABS, ESP
Safety  AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB
Tyre size  f/r-265/60R18 
Wheelbase  2750mm
L/W/H  4750 / 1930 / 1903mm
Track f-1608mm  r-1608mm
Fuel capacity  70L
Luggage capacity  360L
Tow rating  750kg (3000kg braked)
Service intervals  12 months / 15,000km
Warranty  7yrs / Unlimited km
ANCAP rating  ★★★★★ (2022)
Weight (claimed)  2615kg