Top 10 Reasons to Buy the 2025 GWM Tank 300 Diesel
Rugged, affordable, and diesel-powered, the 2025 GWM Tank 300 Diesel is here to conquer trails and wallets. Priced at ~R699,900 in South Africa and ~$47,990 AUD in Australia, this off-road SUV rivals Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Prado with a 2.4L turbo-diesel, ~480 Nm torque, and 3,000 kg towing. Its luxe cabin and off-road tech shine on Cape Town’s dunes or Melbourne’s outback. Here are the top 10 reasons to buy, packed with specs, costs, and tips for South African and Australian buyers, plus a few quirks. Ready for adventure? Let’s dive in!

1. Affordable Price, Premium Features
The Tank 300 Diesel starts at ~R699,900 (~$39,000 USD) in South Africa and ~$47,990 AUD drive-away in Australia, per the review. It’s ~R30,000/$2,000 cheaper than the petrol model, undercutting Isuzu MU-X (~R750,000/$50,000). Lux and Ultra trims pack Nappa leather and dual 12.3-inch screens, ideal for Pretoria’s pros or Sydney’s adventurers.
- Value: ~R50,000/$3,000 less than Fortuner, per CarSauce.
- Trims: Lux (~R699,900/$47,990), Ultra (~R750,000/$51,990).
- Perks: Sunroof, wireless charging standard, per the review.
Pro Tip: Check changecars.co.za (SA) or CarExpert (AU) for deals.
2. Punchy 2.4L Diesel Powertrain
The 2.4L turbo-diesel delivers 135 kW and 480 Nm, paired with a 9-speed auto, per the review. It’s zippy for Joburg’s highways or Adelaide’s hills, with torque from 1,500 rpm, per carsales.com.au. Shared with GWM Cannon, it suits off-roading, though slight lag exists at low speeds, per the review.

- Performance: ~480 Nm beats Wrangler’s 4-cyl (~450 Nm).
- Transmission: 9-speed auto, smooth shifts, per CarExpert.
- Feel: Torquey, ideal for overtaking, per the review.
Pro Tip: Test low-speed shifts on speed humps.
3. Impressive Fuel Efficiency
GWM claims ~7.7–7.8 L/100 km, per the review and CarSauce, better than petrol’s ~11.2 L/100 km. At ~R22/liter (SA) or ~$1.70/liter (AU), it costs ~R170/$13 per 100 km, saving ~R10,000/$700 yearly vs. Fortuner (~9 L/100 km). A 75L tank offers ~950 km range, per carsales.com.au.
- Economy: ~7.7 L/100 km, Euro 5, no AdBlue.
- Range: ~950 km, Cape Town to Durban, per the review.
- Savings: ~R20/km vs. petrol (~R30/km), per CarExpert.
Pro Tip: Drive steady to hit ~7.7 L/100 km.
4. Serious Off-Road Capability
The Tank 300 Diesel’s ladder chassis, rear locking diff (Ultra adds front), and 2H/4H/4L modes tackle Kruger trails or Flinders Ranges, per the review. With 33° approach and 34° departure angles, it rivals Wrangler, per WapCar. Tank Turn and Crawl Mode enhance tight spots, per CarExpert.
- Features: Rear diff lock (Lux), front/rear (Ultra).
- Modes: Sand, Mud, Rock, Expert, per the review.
- Angles: 33°/34°, clears steep ramps, per WapCar.
Pro Tip: Swap Michelin Primacy tires for all-terrain (~R10,000/$700).
5. Luxurious, Tech-Packed Interior
The cabin boasts Nappa leather, dual 12.3-inch screens, and a sunroof, per the review. It’s premium for Durban’s families or Brisbane’s commuters, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, per CarSauce. The high driving position and ergonomic buttons impress, though seats lack heating/cooling, per the review.


- Comfort: Nappa leather, 8-way power seats, per CarExpert.
- Tech: Wireless CarPlay, 360° camera, per the review.
- Design: Retro-futuristic, Mercedes-like, per Driven Car Guide.
Pro Tip: Adjust ambient lighting for night drives.
6. Robust Safety Suite
With a 5-star ANCAP rating (2022), the Tank 300 Diesel offers adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and seven airbags, per CarExpert. The 360° HD camera aids Sandton parking or Perth lots, per the review. Forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring suit N1 or M1 highways, though lane assist can be intrusive, per CarSauce.
- Safety: 5-star ANCAP, 88% adult protection, per CarExpert.
- Tech: Adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, per the review.
- Camera: 360° HD, crisp display, per the review.
Pro Tip: Disable lane assist for rural roads.
7. Enhanced Towing and Payload
The diesel boosts towing to 3,000 kg (500 kg more than petrol/hybrid) and payload to ~600 kg, per CarSauce. It tows boats on Durban’s coast or caravans in Victoria, though it trails Fortuner’s 3,100 kg, per CarExpert. Upgraded brakes and diffs support heavy loads, per carsales.com.au.
- Towing: 3,000 kg, ~500 kg more than petrol.
- Payload: ~600 kg, suits gear, per CarSauce.
- Upgrades: Reinforced diffs, brakes, per carsales.com.au.
Pro Tip: Check payload (~300 kg left with full tow).
8. Rugged, Eye-Catching Design
The boxy, Wrangler-esque look with a ‘2.4TD’ badge turns heads in Cape Town or Sydney, per CarSauce. Dusk Orange (~R10,000/$595) and 18-inch alloys add flair, per the review. Its retro-futuristic vibe suits young buyers, though highway tires limit off-road grip, per CarExpert.
- Style: Boxy, rugged, Jeep-inspired, per the review.
- Colors: Dusk Orange, Fossil Grey, per CarSauce.
- Wheels: 18-inch alloys, planted stance, per CarExpert.
Pro Tip: Add all-terrain tires for style and grip.
9. Long Warranty, Low Maintenance
GWM’s 7-year unlimited-km warranty and 7-year roadside assist outshine Fortuner’s 3-year, per CarExpert. Servicing costs ~R15,000–R30,000/$1,500–$3,000 yearly, with 3-year free servicing in March (SA), per CarSauce. GWM’s ~50 SA and ~100 AU dealers ensure support, per the review.
- Warranty: 7-year unlimited-km, per CarExpert.
- Service: ~R15,000/$1,500 yearly, per CarSauce.
- Network: ~50 SA, ~100 AU dealers, per the review.
Pro Tip: Book services early for free March deal.
10. Tailored for Diesel Fans
South Africans and Australians love diesel SUVs, per the review and carsales.com.au. The Tank 300 Diesel’s ~480 Nm and ~950 km range suit Kruger safaris or Outback tours. Its off-road DNA and value (~R699,900/$47,990) make it a Prado alternative, per CarExpert, winning Joburg or Perth buyers.
- Appeal: Diesel suits 75% of SUV buyers, per carsales.com.au.
- Range: ~950 km, long-distance ready, per the review.
- Value: ~R50,000/$3,000 less than rivals, per CarSauce.
Pro Tip: Join 4×4 forums for off-road tips.
Things to Consider Before Buying
The Tank 300 Diesel shines, but here’s what to weigh:
- Quirks: Annoying indicator sound, hidden cruise stalk, per the review.
- Performance: Low-speed lag, no 0–100 km/h data, per carsales.com.au.
- Missing Features: No heated/cooled seats, no drive modes (Eco/Sport), per the review.
- Tires: Highway-biased Michelin Primacy, per CarSauce.
- Payload: ~600 kg limits heavy towing setups, per CarExpert.
$47,990–AUD 51,990 in Australia. Lux (~R699,900/$47,990) has rear diff lock; Ultra adds front diff, sunroof. March deals cut ~R30,000/$1,500.
7.7–7.8 L/100 km, per GWM. Achieves ~950 km range with 75L tank. Costs ~R170/$13 per 100 km at ~R22/$1.70 per liter. Beats petrol’s ~11.2 L/100 km.
Verdict: Diesel-Powered Off-Road Value
The 2025 GWM Tank 300 Diesel is a rugged, value-packed SUV at ~R699,900/$47,990, with a ~950 km range, luxe interior, and serious off-road tech. It outshines Fortuner on price and tech, backed by a 7-year warranty. Fix the indicator noise, and it’s near-perfect. Test-drive it, join 4×4 forums, and hit the trails!
Sources
- 2025 GWM Tank 300 Diesel Review, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoA4P0tOXI0
- 2025 GWM Tank 300 Diesel Review, CarExpert, https://www.carexpert.com.au
- 2025 GWM Tank 300 Diesel Review, CarSauce, https://www.carsauce.com
- GWM Tank 300 Diesel 2025 Review, carsales.com.au, https://www.carsales.com.au
- GWM Tank 300 Review, WapCar, https://www.wapcar.my
- GWM Tank 300 Price and Specs, CarExpert, https://www.carexpert.com.au
- Fuel Prices, Engen (SA), https://www.engen.co.za; BP (AU), https://www.bp.com.au