First drive: GWM Tank 500 HEV – big, bold, and surprisingly comfortable, but at a cost

GWM Malaysia organised a media drive from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, giving us the opportunity to thoroughly test the brand’s new Tank 500 HEV across a variety of real-world driving conditions. With ten media vehicles in convoy, we experienced everything from smooth highways and congested urban streets to twisty B-roads, all in the same full-size SUV.

The GWM Tank 500 HEV is a D-segment SUV built on a ladder frame chassis, the kind traditionally reserved for rugged pick up trucks. Yet, the moment the wheels began rolling, it became clear this isn’t your typical body-on-frame vehicle. The ride comfort is genuinely impressive, dare we say, class-leading among ladder frame SUVs.

Even over uneven tarmac and long highway stretches, the Tank 500 managed to stay composed, cushioned, and unusually refined. GWM seems to have nailed the suspension tuning, to the point where it rides more like a luxury crossover than a truck-based SUV. It’s no exaggeration to say this could be the most comfortable ladder-frame SUV currently on sale in Malaysia.

Under the hood is a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 9-speed hybrid automatic transmission (9HAT) and an electric motor. Combined, the system puts out 346 PS and 648 Nm of torque, sent to all four wheels via a full-time 4WD system with low-range gearing.

In practice, the hybrid setup provides effortless torque delivery, making the Tank 500 feel punchy despite its 2.7-tonne kerb weight. (Yes this mammoth of a car is just 200kg heavier than the G90 M5). Acceleration is smooth and progressive, ideal for highway overtaking and navigating city traffic with ease. Fuel efficiency is a bonus too, though the focus here is clearly on refinement over outright performance.

However, one area where the Tank 500 fell short was the brake feel. The brake pedal felt spongy and unpredictable-sometimes requiring a deep press to bring the car to a full stop, other times responding more sharply than expected. It’s likely a result of how the regenerative braking system interacts with the hydraulic brakes, but the inconsistent feel does knock confidence, especially in stop-and-go conditions.

Inside, the Tank 500 impresses with its premium materials, spacious three-row layout, and high-tech features such as the 14.6-inch infotainment screen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Nappa leather seats, panoramic sunroof, and 64-colour ambient lighting give the interior a proper luxurious feel.

There’s also an extensive ADAS suite, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, auto emergency braking, and a 540° camera system, all of which worked smoothly during the drive.

In Malaysia, the GWM Tank 500 HEV is priced at RM324,800 on-the-road without insurance, fully imported (CBU) from China.

There’s no question the GWM Tank 500 HEV nails a lot of things:

Ride comfort that defies its ladder-frame origins
A refined and torquey hybrid powertrain
Solid highway manners and off-road-ready hardware
Plush, well-equipped cabin with generous space

But priced at RM325k, it enters a segment crowded with prestige badges and established names. That makes its value arguable, especially for brand-conscious buyers. For those prioritising ride comfort, hybrid efficiency, and rugged versatility—and who are open to a non-traditional badge, the Tank 500 HEV makes a genuinely compelling case.

It’s a very good SUV, no doubt, but whether it’s RM325k good will depend entirely on how much you’re willing to embrace the road less travelled.