GWM Tank 300 Diesel 2025 Review

GWM continues to offer a pair of petrol-powered Tank 300s as before, with the 2.0-litre turbo petrol opening the range in Lux and Ultra grade trims priced from $46,990 drive away and $50,990 drive away respectively. Above that, the Tank 300 Hybrid is on offer in the same two levels of specification, costing $55,990 drive away and $60,990 drive away respectively.

The new diesel variant follows the same specification trend but is priced just $1000 more than the entry turbo-petrol. Jumping into the Lux costs $47,990 drive away, while the more generously equipped Ultra is priced from $51,990 drive away.

With identical levels of specification to the other Lux Tank 300s, the new diesel gets equipment highlights including a 12.3-inch central screen with wireless Android and Apple smartphone mirroring, nine-speaker sound system, LED exterior lighting, synthetic leather upholstery, electric adjustable front seats, digital driver’s instrument cluster, underbody protection, locking rear diff, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Stepping up to the Ultra adds heaters for front seats and the steering wheel, ventilated front seats, climate control with remote engine start, automatic headlights with self-levelling, Nappa leather upholstery, sunroof, and 18-inch alloys, to name a few highlights.

While equipment remains identical in comparison, the transition to diesel brings with it a number of mechanical upgrades. Instead of the eight-speed automatic transmission, the diesel has a new GWM-developed nine-speed automatic with full-time 4x4.

There are also about 20 other components that have been replaced or upgraded, including uprated brakes, front wheel bearings, knuckle joints, the prop shaft, and the diff casing.

As the Tank 300 diesel is almost identical in all except drivetrain, we’ll focus on the oily bits and changes here. For all other information, check out one of our previous reviews, which cover all our favourite unchanged elements such as its decent on- and off-road ride, standard technology, off-road ability and general fit and finish.

While it might seem like a bit of a weird fit for a large SUV, the turbo-petrol and turbo-petrol hybrid engines that were introduced in 2023 were not at all bad under the bonnet of the Tank 300. Yes, the entry 162kW unit was a little breathless, but it was smooth and refined, while the hybrid is still the performance hero with 258kW and 615Nm.

Regardless, there’s no denying the better matching of a straightforward diesel engine for a large SUV with off-road promise – at least in the eyes of a majority of Australian buyers. Fortunately, the engine GWM is offering stands up well against countless comparisons.

Ford fans will be quick to highlight the Everest with its V6 engine, but a more than $20,000 premium over the GWM is a big pill to swallow. The Tank 300, though, is a bonafide off-roader with a ladder chassis and live axles, so direct comparisons are hard to draw.

Jeep’s Wrangler is one and it would certainly win an outright off-road contest, but Tank 300 occupants would be the true winners during the road trip to and from any all-terrain adventure, enjoying a far less punishing ride. The Tank owner’s bank balance would also win.

Rather than dominate one particular realm, the GWM proposition is more about balance and the new diesel engine only strengthens the argument.

Firstly, it’s reasonably quiet inside and out of the cabin. It does get a variable-vane single turbocharger, but the rest of the engine is pretty simple, being a 2.4-litre four-cylinder unit with common-rail injection.

If you want something a bit more complex you can consider the impressive hybrid, but there’s a significant cohort of Tank 300 enthusiasts that will appreciate the peace of mind offered by purely diesel power (or at least the perception of it), especially when hitting the trails less travelled.

Its torque delivery is consistent and strong, while the new gearbox pairs naturally to the four-cylinder with reasonably good calibration.

There’s the occasional strange clunk from the transmission when switching from forward to reverse on uneven ground, but for the most part it’s a slick unit and its permanent but variable four-wheel drive makes day-to-day life a breeze, especially for anyone who lives on the land.

Finally, fuel economy is also a highlight. Granted, the hybrid can also return excellent economy, but throw in some long drives and some off-road work, as we did with the diesel, and the new engine is the pick.

A full review will be required to determine just how close it gets to the maker’s claim of 7.8L/100km, but after our time with the Tank 300 the computer was indicating only a small margin higher. Not bad for a trip that included some traffic and off-road work.

GWM says the single variable-vane turbo creates the feel of two staged or fraternal twin turbos. It doesn’t, with some notable lag from a standing start, followed by a decent dollop of torque dropped at just 1500rpm. It may sound thrilling, like an old 1980s hot hatch, but it’s not what you want when trying to pull away smoothly.

It’s much better in gear, with minimal rolling lag and good performance. That healthy figure of 480Nm is available up to 2500rpm. It’s a narrow window, but the close-ratio and very smooth auto does a good job of keeping this strong unit in the sweet spot.

It’s only when off-road that the in-house transmission reveals a strange quirk, holding on to gears with high revs when a grab of the gearshift paddle drops the engine back into a more useful rev range. It’s great for steeper descents and when you want more engine braking, but curious nonetheless.

The throttle calibration is also a little lively in one of the Tank 300’s off-road modes, making smooth torque delivery and modulation at the pedal a bit harder than it should be.

While the increased towing capacity of 3000kg is certainly welcome, it’s not up to the hero 3500kg limit to which some rivals can lay claim, even if three tonnes will likely prove sufficient for most owners.

And although it carries over unchanged from the other petrol models, a 400-litre boot in something with such blocky exterior dimensions feels meagre.

We admire the bold move by GWM to introduce not one but two petrol-powered large SUVs when it launched the Tank 300 locally. It was a courageous move and one that saw GWM rewarded with better sales than perhaps even it was expecting.

However, the new diesel simply makes more sense. Its balance of torque and real-world fuel efficiency more than justify the negligible cost over the entry turbo-petrol variant, while the respectable levels of smoothness and refinement are the icing on the cake.

If you’re after a Tank 300 for mostly road-bound duties the performance champ of the range, the hybrid, would still be our pick. But for any hard work including towing or heading off the beaten trail, the new diesel is a very easy choice.

2024 GWM Tank 300 diesel at a glance:
Price: $47,990 drive away
Available: Now
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 135kW/480Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 205g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: 5-star (ANCAP 2022)

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