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GWM Tank 300 or Tank 500? How to Know Which One You Actually Need
Most people asking whether to get a Tank 300 or a Tank 500 are really asking three things: how many people do I need to seat, how much am I going to tow, and do I want the biggest cabin GWM offers or something a bit more manageable in the driveway. The Tank 300 covers five seats and a genuine 4x4 footprint. The Tank 500 covers up to seven seats and the flagship tech. Work out which of those three questions matters most to you and the choice gets easy fast.
We get asked this one a lot on the floor at Wynnum, usually from people who have already fallen for the Tank look and just need help working out which size actually fits their life. Here is how we'd talk you through it.
How many seats do you actually need?
The Tank 300 is a five seat vehicle, full stop. If you are a couple, a young family, or you just do not carry more than five people on a regular basis, that is not a compromise, it is simply the right size car. The Tank 500 opens up a third row on the Vanta Hev hybrid, taking it to seven seats, which matters if you are regularly ferrying grandparents, a sports team run, or a family of five plus friends. Worth knowing before you fall in love with a specific Tank 500 online though, the Ultra PHEV variant drops back to five seats, so the third row is not automatic across the whole range.
How much are you really going to tow?
Both the Tank 300 and Tank 500 are rated to tow up to 3000kg braked on their capable variants, so a boat down to the Wynnum ramp or a decent sized van will sit within either vehicle's limits. Where they differ is engine choice. The Tank 300 gives you a 2.4L turbo diesel option, which a lot of regular tow rig owners still prefer for the way a diesel handles long, loaded highway runs. The Tank 500 is hybrid and plug in hybrid only in Australia, with the Vanta Hev's 2.0L turbo hybrid producing a combined 255kW and 648Nm, or the Ultra PHEV's Hi4-T system stepping that up to 300kW and 750Nm. If diesel towing character matters more to you than outright power figures, that alone can settle the decision.
Do you want the biggest screen and cabin tech GWM offers?
The Tank 500 is the flagship, and the cabin reflects it. A 14.6 inch touchscreen, a 12 speaker Infinity sound system, and on the Ultra PHEV, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats plus electric side steps that extend when you open the door. The Tank 300 is not basic by any measure, with a 12.3 inch screen, a 9 speaker system and Nappa leather accented seats on the Ultra grades, but if the full tech list is what is drawing you to the Tank badge in the first place, that is a genuine reason to size up to the 500.
What do you get no matter which one you choose?
Both models carry GWM's maximum 5 star ANCAP rating, the Tank 300 tested in 2022 across its petrol, diesel and hybrid range, and the Tank 500 tested in 2024 under ANCAP's tighter protocol, applying to its hybrid and plug in hybrid variants. Both also come backed by the same 7 year unlimited kilometre warranty and GWM Care support, so you are not trading away peace of mind by picking the smaller vehicle. That is the reassuring part of this decision. You are choosing a size and a seat count, not choosing between a safer option and a riskier one.
The short version
| If you want | Look at the |
|---|---|
| A compact 4x4 for five, diesel included | Tank 300 |
| Seven seats and the flagship cabin | Tank 500 |
| Maximum tow rated power figures | Tank 500 Ultra PHEV |
| The easier size for tight driveways and parking | Tank 300 |
Want the full spec by spec breakdown, engine numbers, ANCAP detail and warranty terms side by side? See the full Tank 300 vs Tank 500 comparison.
Still not sure which size is right?
We at Bartons have been family owned and serving Brisbane's Bayside since 1945. Come sit in both at Wynnum and we will help you work it out.
Book a Test Drive Ask Us a QuestionFrequently Asked Questions
Will the Tank 300 feel small after driving a Tank 500?
Only if you specifically need the extra seats or cabin width. On its own, most people find the Tank 300 plenty of vehicle, it is only next to its bigger sibling that it reads as the smaller option.
Is the Tank 500 harder to park at home?
It is the larger of the two, being a full size body on frame SUV against the Tank 300's mid size footprint, so it is worth measuring your driveway and garage before you commit, particularly if space is already tight.
Can I get a diesel Tank 500?
Not currently. The Tank 500 range in Australia is hybrid and plug in hybrid only. If a diesel engine is important to you, the Tank 300 is the one in the range that offers it.
Do both Tanks come with the same warranty?
Yes. Both the Tank 300 and Tank 500 carry GWM's 7 year unlimited kilometre warranty, with separate conditions applying to commercial use.
Specifications current at time of publishing and vary by variant. Confirm current specification, drive away pricing and ANCAP details for the exact variant you are considering with the team at Bartons Wynnum GWM.
