By Sala Masindane

The festive season is a time for family and traveling to destinations that may require vehicles that can accommodate more everyone. This is why it made sense for us to host the Tank 500 for an extended period for us to traverse the country to spend time with family across different regions.

Attention-grabbing looks

The Tank 500 is a large and tall three-row adventure SUV. Exterior design and styling highlights include a striking, large chrome grille, animated full-LED head- and tail-lights, 20-inch chrome wheels, a tailgate-mounted full-size spare wheel. It’s designed to make a statement wherever you go.

Luxurious adventure SUV

Inside, the cabin of the Tank 500 is all about comfort and tech. Standout features include premium materials all-round, a massive 14.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, heated and cooled seats, and a configurable 12.3-inch digital cluster with a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, second-row window blinds, electronically controlled third-row seats and a swinging tailgate.

Drive and Performance

Under the hood, a 255kW hybrid engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission delivers 648Nm of torque, ready for both city streets and off-road trails. The 2.0L turbo-petrol hybrid engine carried the big body with relative ease even with seven occupants and luggage. It was comfortable in most terrains though we did not do any off-roading. We did however visit towns that have corrugated roads. Our travels were filled with highway and city driving where our fuel consumption averaged 12.6 L/100km.

Final Word

The GWM Tank 500 commands attention everywhere it goes, and for good reason. Its bold, muscular stance and imposing presence make it a standout on any road. Adding to its charm are the sleek, sliding side steps, which not only enhance its functionality but also complement its ruggedly sophisticated design.

This 7-seater SUV seamlessly blends luxury and comfort, offering heated and cooled seats with massage functionality for the front passengers, along with reclinable rear seats for ultimate relaxation. The spacious interior provides ample legroom for all three rows, ensuring every passenger travels in comfort. A sleek 14.6-inch touchscreen anchors the minimalist design, simplifying control of key features at times we were frustrated by the lack of physical buttons for things that are crammed inside the infotainment. The space across the cabin is quite generous with everyone seating comfortably even in the third-row rear seats. Our time with the Tank 500 made the festive season seamless.

The GWM Tank 500 is priced at R1,222,900.