GWM Tank 500 diesel undercuts Prado, Everest

GWM has set its sights squarely on the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest, launching its first-ever 3.0-litre turbo-diesel Tank 500 large SUV from an aggressive $65,990 drive-away.

The two-variant seven-seat 4x4 large SUV range starts with the Tank 500 Lux at $65,990 drive-away, while the flagship Tank 500 Vanta comes in at $71,990 drive-away.

Buyers taking delivery before October 30, 2026, can also score an introductory $2000 cash bonus or fuel card.

That price positioning may create a headache for the segment’s established leaders, given the base Toyota Prado GX starts at just over $73,000 before on-road costs, stretching towards $80,000-plus for mid-tier GXL variants.

The 3.0-litre V6 Ford Everest variants routinely command anywhere from $67,000 to over $80,000 before on-road costs.

The Tank 500 gives buyers cut-price drive-away positioning while undercutting both by thousands and despite the lower price point, the Tank 500 delivers heavy-hitting mechanical specs.

Its 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel churns out 170kW and 620Nm – out-torquing the Prado’s 2.8-litre (500Nm) and the Everest V6 (600Nm).

Towing capacity matches the best in class at 3500kg braked, and requires no AdBlue.

For serious long-distance touring, the flagship Vanta comes fitted with a massive 131-litre fuel capacity, combining main and auxiliary tanks – out-sizing the Everest’s 80-litre tank and the Prado’s 110-litre capacity.

Inside, equipment levels are competitive – even the base Tank 500 Lux features a 14.6-inch HD touchscreen, seven-seat capacity, electric sunroof, three-zone climate control, power-adjustable heated front seats, and front and rear differential locks.

The top-tier Vanta turns up the luxury with Nappa leather, massaging front seats, ventilated first- and second-row seating, a 12-speaker premium audio system, electronic retractable side steps, and triple locking differentials.

Crucially, GWM didn’t just drop in a big motor and call it a day. The powertrain calibration and ride-and-handling set-up were heavily developed and validated in Australia.

Led by former Holden dynamics engineer Rob Trubiani, GWM’s local AT-1 engineering team subjected the Tank 500 to thousands of kilometres across Australia, ensuring its towing integration and ride dynamics are dialled in for Aussie roads and conditions.

With competitive drive-away pricing, 3500kg towing capacity and a 131-litre fuel capacity on the top-spec Vanta, the Tank 500 is positioned as a long-distance touring alternative to the established leaders

The new diesel-powered Tank 500 gives GWM a sharply priced seven-seat 4x4 contender aimed directly at established players such as the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest. It doesn’t undercut the Isuzu MU-X however, which starts from $49,990.

How much does the GWM Tank 500 cost?
Lux – $65,990
Vanta – $71,990
*Prices are drive-away

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