GWM Tank 300 v Toyota Prado 2023 Comparison

How much do the GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado cost?

The 2023 GWM Tank 300 Ultra is easily the price leader here, checking in at $50,990 drive-away. The Toyota Prado Kakadu is priced at $87,468 plus on-road costs.

There are four Tank 300 models. Two are 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and two are 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrids. Yep, no diesel. Each comes as a cheaper Lux or more expensive Ultra. The $60,990 drive-away Lux hybrid is the most expensive model in the range.

The Kakadu is the flagship in the Toyota Prado line-up. There are four models in the best-selling range, all with the same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine. Prices start at $62,830 plus on-road costs for the cheapest GX.

Of course, an all-new 250 Series Toyota Prado arrives in 2024, promising a complete overhaul of the current vehicle.

In the traditional 4x4 way, both Tank and Prado are based on ladder frames and come with automatic transmissions and permanent 4x4 systems with low-range. The Prado exploits its larger size by including a third row of seats, expanding capacity to seven passengers versus the Tank’s five.

What equipment comes with the GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado?

The value for money stuffed into the 2023 GWM Tank 300 becomes apparent via the standard equipment list.

It rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels and includes exterior features such as side steps, roof rails, a powered sunroof and a side-hinged tailgate. Keyless entry reveals Nappa leather seat trim with power operation, ventilation and heating for both front passengers. The driver also gets a massage function.

The steering wheel comes with leather trimming and heating. The 300’s air-conditioning is a dual-zone system.

Externally, the Prado comes with 19-inch alloys as well as illuminated side steps, roof rails, a sunroof (although Toyota calls it a moonroof) and keyless entry. Inside, there are leather-accented seats with power in row one and three, heating in row one and two (outboard) and ventilation in row one, woodgrain-look steering wheel trim, a coolbox and tri-zone climate control.

Both cars come with a full-size spare tyre but in the case of the Prado it can be fitted on the side-hinged tailgate or under the floor.

Opt for the latter and you get an opening window in the tailgate but the fuel tank capacity is cut from 150 litres to 87L. This is an important consideration if you are interested in long Outback trips.

The Tank 300 comes protected by a seven year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, five years’ roadside assistance and 12-month/15,000km service intervals. GWM’s capped-price service plan comes out at $2000 over the first five years.

The Prado simply can’t match this coverage. It comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, two years’ free roadside assist and short 10,000km/six-monthly service intervals. Over three years you’re going to go to the dealer six times and it will cost $1740.

How safe are the GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado?

What an interesting question this is! In theory at least, the 2023 GWM Tank 300 has a decisive advantage. It has a 2022 five-star ANCAP rating and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS).

The 2023 Toyota Prado Kakadu is now unrated by ANCAP because it was last tested so long ago in 2011. And its aged platform doesn’t have the capacity to run a bunch of the ADAS the Tank boasts.

But here’s the vexed question. Our driving of the Tank has established a very concerning tendency for it to misbehave when its lane centring and keeping aids are activated. Feann Torr first experienced this scary phenomenon when he assessed the Tank earlier this year and every carsales road tester has been able to replicate it as well.

This is one of the more frightening and concerning examples of poorly calibrated driver assist systems we’ve come across lately, but certainly not the only one, which explains why ANCAP is taking action.

The point is, it’s all well and good to tick the equipment box, but not much help if it doesn’t work properly.

The Tank’s ADAS list starts with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with a 5-150km/h spread and the capacity to detect cyclists and pedestrians. To that you can add adaptive cruise control, lane centring, aforementioned lane keeping, departure warning and lane change assist, front and rear cross traffic alert with braking, blind spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition.

The Prado offers AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and keeping, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.

It doesn’t have a lane centring function so it tends to pinball slowly across the lane if left (briefly) to its own devices. Thankfully, these aids are easily switchable if you find them annoying.

Both have a full suite of airbags – the Tank gets middle-front, the Prado’s curtains extend to row three – as well as top tethers and ISOFIX mountings for child seats, 360-degree surround-view cameras and front and rear parking sensors. Only the Tank ups that with automated parking assistance.

The Prado has LED headlights that can direct high beam to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. They provide excellent illumination, outdoing the Tank.

What technology features in the GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado?

At first glance, the 2023 GWM Tank 300 Ultra has the edge over the aging Toyota Prado Kakadu when it comes to technology.

It alone offers wireless smartphone charging, a full digital and configurable 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touch-screen with multiple layers of seemingly endlessly configurable settings.

Some of it is really interesting and further proof – if it were needed – that design and presentation is a Chinese strength. The fuel consumption graphic with its scrolling line like the popularity worm from a political debate is just one original touch.

Both cars come with cabled Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connection, as well as Bluetooth.

But the Prado has some wins. It has a more potent 14-speaker JBL audio system (versus the Tank’s nine-speaker Infinity system) and adds DAB digital to AM/FM radio bands both cars come with.

The Prado also gets standard satellite navigation (no phone, no maps in the Tank) and a drop-down Blu-ray screen for rear seat passengers.

The Tank was also let down by a CarPlay text function that produced gibberish messages: “Hello how are you” became “my hovercraft is full of eels” sort of stuff. The touch-screen also froze a couple of times.

What powers the GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado?

The 2023 GWM Tank 300 comes powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that makes 162kW at 5500rpm and 380Nm between 1800-3600rpm.

Further down the driveline you’ll find an eight-speed automatic transmission that hooks up to part-time 4x4 with low-range gearing.

Completing the set-up are locking differentials on both the front and rear axles.

The Prado is powered by the familiar 1GD-FTV turbo-diesel four-cylinder 2.8-litre engine that also sees service in the HiLux ute and Fortuner SUV.

The engine makes 150kW at 3000-3400rpm and 500Nm from 1600-2800rpm.

It mates to a six-speed auto, a permanent 4x4 system with low-range gearing and includes a locking centre and rear diff.

How fuel efficient are the GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado?

The 2023 GWM Tank 300 Ultra is officially rated with a combined fuel consumption claim of 9.5L/100km. It has a start-stop function that helps achieve this.

The Prado chimes in at 7.9L/100km.

But in the real world over an identical 145km test loop, with a small amount of low-range off-roading mixed in, the Tank climbed dramatically to 14L/100km, while the Prado recorded 10.8L/100km.

The Tank has a 75-litre tank and the Prado on test with the flat tailgate, 87 litres. This delivers a big range advantage to the Toyota for Outback cruising even before the option of the sub-tank is factored in.

What are the GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado like to drive?

Driving the 2023 GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado Kakadu is to appreciate what a difference tuning and calibration makes.

The Tank 300 has a peppier, smoother and quieter engine and a more manoeuvrable base thanks to its lighter weight (see below) and smaller footprint.

But owing to some lag in throttle response and a combination of poor ride isolation, feel-less electric-assist steering and a larger turning circle – officially 12m versus 11.6m, but the discrepancy seems more than that in real life – the Tank fails to capitalise on its potential advantages.

Instead, the Tank 300 progresses roughly and sometimes uncomfortably across roads the Prado smooths out.

Don’t forget, it is stuck in 4x2 on bitumen compared to the Prado’s permanent 4x4, so it can also get a bit more flighty on bumpy corners and greasy, wet roads.

The Toyota feels more ponderous due to its vague steering and body roll. But 14 years of in-service tuning and the ability to adjust it through different drivetrain and suspension modes have certainly brought the Prado Kakadu to the best state that can be expected in terms of both drivetrain civility and dynamics.

It is a marvellous cross-country tourer: quiet, comfortable and capable. It is confidence-inspiring, if not inspiring to drive.

The so-so tune of the Tank’s mechanicals – even taking into account a family off on- and off-road driver-adjustable modes – is compounded by its annoyingly intrusive driver assist systems.

We’ve already mentioned the lane centring, but almost as bad is the cruise control’s speed governing in corners.

It’s so conservative it often requires an override by the driver for fear of following traffic making a rear-end visit.

Both vehicles offer a high and generous viewing platform, while the Tank’s smaller size delivers unbeatably in urban areas such as car parks and narrow streets. Cameras with startling clarity aid its progress even further.

How good are the GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado off-road?

There is no doubting the capability of the 2023 GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado off-road.

Both have the driveline (as detailed above), the ground clearance and wheel articulation to clamber over challenging obstacles.

Both vehicles can tailor their drivetrain to suit the terrain, have hill start assist and hill descent control (the Toyota’s is unbelievably noisy) and off-road cruise control functions.

Features restricted to the Tank include the aforementioned locking front diff and a painful-looking turn assist that locks the inside rear wheel to tighten the turning circle off-road.

The Tank also has a camera view to show what’s going on underneath the vehicle as well as around it (the Prado does the latter also).

The Kakadu is the only Prado fitted with KDSS, which uncouples the front anti-roll bar to aid wheel articulation. It then couples up on-road to reduce body roll in corners and improve handling.

While both vehicles have independent double-wishbone front suspension, the Prado opts for adaptive dampers all-round and driver-adjustable air springs with its live-axle rear-end. The Tank employs coil springs.

The Tank claims 224mm of ground clearance, a 33-degree approach angle, 23.1-degree breakover angle and a 34-degree departure angle, thanks to an ultra-short rear overhang.

The Prado doesn’t do quite as well. It has 220mm of ground clearance, an approach angle of 30.4 degrees, a breakover angle of 21.1 degrees and a departure angle of 23.5 degrees.

How much can the GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado carry?

The 2023 GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado Kakadu both claim braked towing maximums that fall short of the best-in-class 3500kg.

The Tank manages 2500kg and the Prado 3000kg.

The Tank weighs in at 2155kg (kerb), has a 2552kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) and a 5052kg gross combined mass (GCM). Tow at the max number and you’ve got little available payload once the tow ball weight is accounted for (around 250kg).

The Prado has a hefty 2355kg kerb weight, a 2990kg GVM and a 5990kg GCM. Towing at the claimed maximum means you’ll have about 335kg for payload, once the tow ball down weight of around 300kg is accounted for.

What are the GWM Tank 300 and Toyota Prado like inside?

The contrast between these two vehicles inside, considering they are brand-new, is profound.

The 2023 GWM Tank 300’s two 12.3-inch screens dominate the dash, while the Prado makes do with an orthodox analogue instrument panel and a much smaller 9.0-inch touch-screen with muddier screen resolution.

The Tank is all doo-dads and gizmos with a gear lever that could be relocated next to a Melbourne freeway as an art installation, exposed Jeep-like hex head bolts, Mercedes-Benz-style air-con vents, ambient lighting that can change from sharp white to bright orange and a metallic sheen to its plastic trims.

The Prado is much less worried about imagery and more focused on the utilitarian. Its leather trim looks nothing special, but is comfortable enough.

The Prado betrays its age with too many knobs and buttons scattered about on the dashboard, especially relating to drivetrain controls for off-roading.

It also lacks the storage options of the Tank up front and has single USB-A compared to both USB-A and USB-C connectors for the Tank.

But the Toyota has simpler access to air-con controls and effort-free powered reach and rake steering column adjustment.

It also has an indicator stalk that works properly. The Tank’s would sometimes not switch off after a corner. The soft-activation function often produced an over-reaction, so the Tank would progress down a straight road alternately signalling left then right.

The driver’s seat in the Prado is a bit larger and not as supportive as the Tank’s. But the 300 Ultra’s driver’s seat has height adjustment that pivots off the front and feels too steep if the back is tilted too high.

The Prado’s extendable sun visors are a small but appreciated touch, enabling you to block out side sun completely as it rises or sinks low in the sky.

A convex mirror where the sunglasses holder would have been helps see into the second and third rows without craning the neck

Head to the second row and the Prado’s sliding bench seat is another neat touch. But even with it set to its rearmost point, the Tank matches and maybe even betters it for legroom.

There is no doubt both vehicles offer generous space for two passengers in the rear seat – three not so much. The third row of the Prado is kids-only.

The Toyota’s climate controls and Blu-ray screen deliver it a feature advantage, although the Tank does have adjustable vents and dual USB-A connectors.

There’s no comparison when it comes to boot space. The Tank offers only 400 litres with row two in place.

The Prado has only 120 litres of space with all three rows in place but that grows to 620 litres with the kiddy seats (glacially) power-folded. It expands to a huge 1833 litres with only the front seats in place.

Should I buy a GWM Tank 300 or Toyota Prado?

The number of people who are going to shop a 2023 GWM Tank 300 Ultra against a Toyota Prado Kakadu is probably quite limited.

However, this is still a worthwhile exercise in helping us understand what the new wave of mainly Chinese manufacturers are offering us.

In this case, it’s a tempting yet incomplete package that would be one of the great bargains of its 4x4 genre if it was just tuned properly.

Get rid of the turbo lag, fix the sloppy ride, calibrate the intrusive driver assist systems and/or end the pain of repetitiously turning them off and the Tank would be tempting.

Given its significant off-road capability, pricing and equipment, it would have a chance of carving itself a niche in the same way the Suzuki Jimny has. It wouldn’t have to be perfect … just not so imperfect.

Against all that the Prado glides through to the finish line imperturbable, unremarkable and completely convincing. Carved from solid, the 150 Series Prado sets a goal for the Tank 300 – and incoming Tank 500 – to aspire to and a standard for its incoming 250 Series successor to surpass.

2023 GWM Tank 300 Ultra at a glance:
Price: $50,990 (drive-away)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 162kW/380Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 218g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022)

2023 Toyota Prado Kakadu at a glance:
Price: $87,468 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 150kW/500Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 208g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Unrated (previously five-star ANCAP 2011)

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