The arrival of Chinese vehicles in South Africa has disrupted just about every segment of the automotive market. The premium seven-seat SUV category is no exception.
One of the boldest contenders is the Tank 500 Black Edition, GWM’s latest attempt to lure buyers away from established favourites such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Ford Everest, the Isuzu MU-X, the Toyota Fortuner and even the mighty Land Cruiser 300.
After living with it for a week recently, it became clear that the Tank 500 Black Edition is a vehicle that knows how to make an entrance.
Its exterior design borrows heavily from the traditional American SUV playbook.
The large upright grille, muscular proportions and commanding stance ensure that it attracts attention wherever it goes. The Black Edition package further amplifies this road presence with a gloss-black mesh grille, dark-chrome roof rails, black mirror caps and black 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/60 R18 tyres.
The result is a premium-looking SUV that projects confidence without appearing over-styled. Inside, the Tank 500 delivers one of its strongest arguments. The cabin feels genuinely premium, with black Nappa leather upholstery, subtle metallic accents and ambient lighting that create an upscale atmosphere. The seven-seat configuration offers generous space for passengers, while the overall fit and finish rival many established premium brands.
Long-distance travel is where the Tank 500 shines. The cabin remains quiet and comfortable, making it an ideal companion for family road trips and weekend adventures.
Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged hybrid power train, producing an impressive 255kW and 648Nm of torque. Performance is strong for a vehicle of this size, with GWM claiming a 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.9 seconds. Overtaking is effortless and the advanced four-wheel-drive system inspires confidence when venturing beyond the tar.
However, the hybrid system isn’t without its shortcomings. The Tank’s hybrid operation can feel inconsistent and less transparent, unlike some rivals that clearly communicate their available electric driving range and energy usage. Drivers who enjoy monitoring how and when electrification is contributing may find themselves wanting additional information. There was also an unexpected technology glitch during my test period when the climate-control adjustment on the touchscreen froze.
Priced from R1 228 950, the Tank 500 Black Edition includes a seven-year/200 000km warranty, seven-year roadside assistance, a seven-year/75 000km service plan and an eight-year/150 000km battery warranty.
While it isn’t perfect, the Tank 500 Black Edition successfully combines premium quality, space, technology and performance into a compelling package that is well-equipped to challenge the traditional players in the large SUV market.
- Chinese vehicles entering the South African market are causing significant disruption across automotive segments.
- The premium seven-seat SUV category in South Africa is also affected by this influx.
- The presence of Chinese brands is changing consumer choices and competitive dynamics.
- Detailed insights and analysis are available in the full article.
- Additional video content can be found on the Sunday World YouTube Channel.
One of the boldest contenders is the
After living with it for a week recently, it became clear that the
Its exterior design borrows heavily from the traditional American SUV playbook.
Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged hybrid power train, producing an impressive 255kW and 648Nm of torque. Performance is strong for a vehicle of this size, with GWM claiming a 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.9 seconds.
However, the hybrid system isn’t without its shortcomings.
Priced from R1 228 950, the
While it isn’t perfect, the
