Jacob Moshokoa takes the new Tank 500 and new Toyota Prado offroad for a comprehensive 4×4 test. He also takes a look at the cabins and features of these two family SUVs.
GWM has experienced remarkable success in South Africa and the Chinese giant has now made a bold move and launched its most expensive model yet, the Tank 500, a large luxurious 4×4 aimed squarely at the Toyota Land Cruiser and Ford Everest.
In this video, we consulted and drafted in a highly experienced 4×4 specialist to help us compare the cars on an off-road 4×4 course designed to thoroughly test these sorts of vehicles.
So this was our idea in a nutshell…two premium 4x4s, similarly priced, head to head, offroad! One key difference however is that while the Prado uses the tried and tested 2.8-litre diesel motor from the Hilux, the Tank features a thoroughly modern 2.0-litre turbo petrol hybrid drivetrain.
GWM’s Tank 500 has more sophisticated traction control, while the Toyota Prado has all that low-range diesel torque for crawling over obstacles at very low speeds. Both vehicles have similar architectures, being body-on-frame. But the Prado is lighter, and that can matter on steep off-road terrain or when grinding through deep sand.
We also take a thorough look at the interiors of both vehicles and on-road comfort and fuel consumption. And there are some very interesting details and conclusions about the cabin quality and feel of the Tank 500’s cabin, versus the Prado. Fuel consumption matters for a large SUV because it can influence range, especially when you are planning a long trip with fuel stops not where you expect them to be.
How do these two cars stack up? Use our Comparison Tool
Want to purchase a new or used Toyota Prado?
