2026 GWM Tank 500 PHEV detailed for Australia, and Ford and Toyota have no answer

The large GWM Tank 500 off-road SUV is gaining a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option in Australia, which the top-selling Ford Everest and Toyota Prado have no response for yet.

After government documents seen by CarExpert last month confirmed GWM was bringing the Hi4-T PHEV powertrain to the local Tank 500 range – as opposed to the longer-range Hi4-Z option – the Chinese brand has now released some key details on the SUV.

It’s scheduled to launch during the fourth quarter (October to December) of 2025, with pricing to be announced in the coming weeks.

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Unlike the existing Tank 500 Hybrid, the Hi4-T PHEV has only five seats, with the third row removed to accommodate the larger 37.11kWh battery, which gives the larger off-roader 120km of electric-only range under the NEDC cycle.

While it misses out on a third row, GWM has confirmed it’ll offer massaging for the outboard rear seats, joining the heating and ventilation functions offered in the Tank 500 Hybrid.

These settings are controlled via a 7.0-inch rear touchscreen that also manages media, climate and ambient lighting settings.

It’s unclear whether GWM will offer Lux, Ultra and Vanta trims on the PHEV as it does with the regular hybrid.

The Tank 500 PHEV has what GWM calls a “true mechanical four-wheel drive system”, featuring selectable low-range gearing and three locking differentials.

There’s also a whopping 11 drive modes to choose from.

Below are some key specifications for the Hi4-T PHEV, and how it compares with the existing Tank 500 Hybrid.

GWM says it can be charged from 30 to 80 per cent using a DC fast-charger in 24 minutes, while AC charging at home will take 6.5 hours.

The Tank 500 PHEV also has 6kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, allowing you to power small appliances.

Marble White is the standard exterior finish, with Crystal Black, Onyx Silver and Dune Gold available for an extra $595.

A black interior is standard, although you can get a Blue and Cream interior with Marble White and Crystal Black Tank 500 PHEVs.

GWM will back the Tank 500 Hi4-T PHEV with its seven-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle and eight-year, unlimited-kilometre high-voltage battery warranties, as well as seven years of roadside assistance.

Customers will also be able to take advantage of seven years of capped-price servicing through GWM’s 117 dealers.

The big question mark remains pricing.

“A premium on a plug-in hybrid can range anywhere from $6000 to $15,000. It’s going to depend on the size of the battery pack,” said GWM Australia marketing and communications boss Steve Maciver in September 2024.

“Range and battery size is what defines pricing.”

GWM Australia managing director Charles Zhao said the company is looking at making pricing of its PHEVs competitive.

“I believe with the future [New Vehicle Efficiency Standard] regulations, maybe we’ll consider to use some of the scores that PHEVs can earn to compensate [for] the price increase of the PHEV to make the price of the PHEV more competitive,” he told CarExpert.

The Tank 500 range currently opens in Australia at $66,490 drive-away for the Lux Hybrid, rising to $73,900 drive-away for the Ultra Hybrid and $75,990 for the recently launched Vanta Hybrid range-topper.

The launch of the PHEV will expand the number of Tank 500 powertrains to two locally, but there are more offered overseas.

In China, the large off-roader can be had with a turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6, while in Thailand it recently gained a turbo-diesel 2.4-litre four-cylinder.

GWM has previously said the V6 is “not the right choice” for it locally, given the introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), while this particular diesel won’t come here.

A diesel engine is coming, however, with GWM confirming a larger 3.0-litre mill for the Tank 500 from 2027.

GWM Australia has been busy keeping the Tank 500 fresh since its 2024 launch.

It switched to a different suspension tune in the third quarter of 2024, which was claimed to improve its dynamics and composure on the road, then recalibrated its advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) software shortly thereafter. These updates are also now available to existing owners.

A new grille was also added earlier this year, as well as a blacked-out Vanta flagship.

A facelifted Tank 500 was revealed in China earlier this year, bringing new features like a built-in fridge and roof-mounted rear entertainment system, as well as cosmetic differences like a new grille and gear shifter. However, this update won’t come to Australia.

The Tank 500 PHEV joins a growing range of GWM PHEVs in Australia, following the Cannon Alpha PHEV, Haval H6 PHEV and Haval H6 GT PHEV, all of which were launched here this year.

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