Sam says it has a big personality

Before this year, the Tank 300 range was only available in turbopetrol and hybrid guises. The arrival of a turbodiesel derivative is a welcome addition, especially for buyers who want a lifestyle vehicle for regular off-roading, with the perks that diesel engines typically have on off-road terrain.

Priced under a million rand, the Tank 300 2.4TD S-Luxury 4×4 gives buyers who do not have the budget for more expensive brands an option that is still capable, confident and characterful.

The Drive

Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel engine producing 135 kW and 480 Nm of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Tank 300 performs just as well on the road as it does off it. Bumps and imperfect road surfaces are absorbed comfortably. There is plenty of power on tap to get up to speed quickly, and the handling is impressive for a vehicle of this height, likely assisted by the Intelligent Cornering technology.

Off-road, the Tank is equipped with an advanced part-time four-wheel drive system with low range. This prepares it well for steep inclines, loose rocks, mud and technical descents. There are also seven all-terrain drive modes. Something I liked for new offroad drivers is when a mode is selected, a brief explanation on the infotainment screen is displayed. The modes include Mud/Sand, Mountain, Normal and Rock, among others.

One mode that caught my attention was Pothole mode, which should prove particularly useful on South African roads. It’s also the first time I’ve come across this specific mode across all the vehicles I have tested.

At the push of a button, the electronically controlled differential locks on both axles engage, transferring all the engine’s power to whichever wheels still have grip. Combined with the low range transfer case and crawl control, the Tank 300 Diesel maintains composed progress even in the trickiest conditions.

A three-tonne braked towing capacity means the Tank can also comfortably tow a trailer, boat or caravan of most sizes.

There is no shortage of grab handles either, including the usual one above each window and one positioned in front of the passenger. The 360-degree camera also proved useful for positioning the Tank correctly during trickier 4×4 sessions.

The design

The exterior commands attention with a bold, aggressive grille and distinct daytime running light strip wrapping around the front. At the back, the taillight clusters are finished with a black backing that ties in with the black roof rails. Privacy glass on the second row rounds off a bold, high-contrast look. Chrome 18-inch alloy wheels complete the bold stance.

As I’ve seen in many 4×4 vehicles, GWM leans on circular design cues in the Tank’s interior. Below the infotainment screen are three circular controls that suit this aesthetic while also housing the much-appreciated demister function between two air vents, letting you adjust it manually without using the infotainment menu. There is also an analogue clock here, a throwback that adds some character.

Beneath these are the usual air conditioning controls for airflow and switching the AC off entirely, an essential to avoid the distraction the infotainment screen creates.

The seats have a distinctive design that reminded me of the diamond textured upholstery that was popular recently. Ergonomically, they perform well, offering comfort on both long highway stretches and rougher off-road tracks.

The boot is a good size, though it doesn’t come with a privacy screen, which is a drawback given how easily people outside the vehicle can see into it.

Stepping inside

When stopping at an intersection that you need to turn through, the Tank’s 360-degree cameras provide a clear view of surrounding vehicles and potential obstacles, which is particularly useful. Another feature I appreciated is the ability to activate the 360-degree camera using a button on the centre console. This is handy when parking and judging how much space is available, especially since the Tank still protrudes somewhat even when fully parked in a bay.

There is a wireless charger tucked discreetly (from outside) beneath the infotainment screen, along with USB-A and USB-C ports above the charging pad.

On the downside, the steering wheel controls didn’t always respond as expected. I also found it a little frustrating that after a few hours of not being used, the Bluetooth would disconnect and need to be manually reconnected rather than reconnecting on its own.

The Tank’s ambient lighting offers a wide selection of 64 colours to choose from. Some, like the ‘Intelligent’ and ‘Colourful’ settings feature multiple lights at once. It is a bit much for my taste.

The Tank also offers versatile storage solutions. One feature I liked was the ability to slide a shelf over the drink’s holder, turning it into a small cubby for things like keys.

The quick tap indicator was inconsistent in my experience. Sometimes a light tap would trigger it and other times it would not, despite applying the same amount of pressure each time.

On the frustrating side, the drinks holder does not accommodate larger bottles. I almost always travel with a 1L water bottle, and there was never anywhere to securely place it, necessitating constant adjustment. As a lifestyle vehicle, this is a fairly significant oversight.

I tested the vehicle following the writer from Driving Expressions. The passenger seatbelt was plugged in, which was unusual. Once I released it, I understood why: while driving, the buckle knocks against the side of the car, creating a rather annoying rattle. He had also driven offroad with the Tank, and I can only imagine the same knocking would be even more frustrating.

Other features on the Tank 2.4TD S-Luxury include a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, heated and cooled front seats, full-grain Nappa leather seats with an 8-way electric adjustment and lumbar and massage functions for the driver, a heated steering wheel, 9-speaker Infinity audio system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, noise cancellation technology, double-layer soundproof acoustic glass, dual-zone air conditioning and see-through Chassis functionality via the 360-degree camera.

Safety

The GWM Tank 300 Diesel sold in South Africa carries a 5-star ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) safety rating, and the safety system is comprehensive enough to earn it a Level 2 autonomous driving classification.

It comes with:

• 7 airbags
• Lane-keeping assist and lane departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic emergency braking
• Traffic sign recognition
• Rear collision warning and rear cross-traffic assist with braking
• Intelligent Cornering technology
• High strength steel construction and bash guard plates
• 8 parking sensors
• Scratch-proof black mouldings
• Primacy SUV rubber wrapping the chrome alloy wheels
• Automatic high beams

The Tank 300 is the ultimate lifestyle vehicle, performing well both on road and off it. It offers the best of all worlds, with luxury and a good amount of tech in the interior alongside an imposing, practical design for rugged off-road adventures. Best of all, it comes in under a million rand.

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The specs

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