GWM has priced the most powerful version of its largest off-roader to compete with diesel alternatives from established brands, but it's still not cheap.
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The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the 2026 GWM Tank 500 off-road SUV will start from less than $80,000 drive-away when it arrives in Australian showrooms imminently.
It is priced from $79,990 drive-away, though GWM is offering it for a "limited time" with a $2000 "early-bird" discount, dropping its price to $77,990 drive-away.
The regular price is $6000 dearer than a comparable non-plug-in Tank 500 Ultra Hybrid, which will remain on sale alongside the PHEV – unlike the Cannon Alpha hybrid – and on par with a base Toyota Prado diesel ($78,500 drive-away in NSW).
GWM Australia has opted to launch the Tank 500 PHEV with the brand's 'Hi4-T' technology, which retains mechanical four-wheel drive and traditional differential locks, rather than its 'Hi4-Z' system available in China, which upsizes the battery but deletes conventional 4WD hardware.
However, it has still come at the cost of the third row of seats, as the PHEV is a five-seater, unlike the seven-seat 'plug-less' hybrid already in the line-up.
Powering the Australian model is the existing hybrid's 180kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, but it fits a more powerful 120kW/400Nm electric motor ahead of the nine-speed automatic transmission.
Combined outputs of 300kW and 750Nm are claimed, up from 255kW/648Nm in the regular hybrid.
GWM quotes a 120km electric-only driving range and 950km hybrid range in NEDC lab testing, thanks to a 37.1kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery pack for energy storage.
Fuel consumption is rated at 2.1L/100km in lab testing, compared to 8.5L/100km for the Tank 500 hybrid, and 1.7L/100km for the Cannon Alpha PHEV.
DC fast charging at up to 50kW is supported, as well as vehicle-to-load technology allowing the car to supply energy to external electrical devices at up to 6kW.
It is rated to tow 3000kg, as with regular hybrid models, as well as wade through an identical 800mm of water, and climb off-road obstacles with locking front, centre and rear differentials.
Approach, departure and breakover angles are also unchanged, though the PHEV is expected to quote 213mm of ground clearance, down from 224mm.
Features confirmed to be standard on the Tank 500 PHEV include a 14.6-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, nappa leather upholstery, front seats with heating, cooling and massaging, and an Infinity-branded sound system.
It will also offer dual-zone climate control, a head-up display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic parking, a 360-degree camera, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. More details are due in the coming days.
2026 GWM Tank 500 price in Australia
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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
