The world of SUVs is shifting fast. Buyers want brute strength, smart electrification, and real-world usability. Enter the GWM Tank 500 Hi4‑T PHEV, a plug-in hybrid that aims to deliver on all three fronts. If you thought a big SUV meant fuel guzzling and compromise, the Hi4‑T might just make you rethink that.
Why the Tank 500 Hi4‑T Matters (Especially for NZ Drivers)
Let’s set the scene for Kiwi motoring. Long distances, rugged terrain, but also daily commutes and a growing expectation for lower emissions. The Tank 500 Hi4‑T proves that you can have size, capability, and hybrid tech all in one.
In markets like Australia, GWM is pushing this as their fourth plug-in hybrid offering, slotting it above the existing hybrid and ICE variants. The Tech Day launch made it clear: this is more than just a badge swap. Performance is up. Efficiency is up. Off-road credibility remains high.
Under the Bonnet: Powertrain & Performance
At its core, the Hi4‑T pairs a 2.0 L turbocharged petrol engine with a plug-in hybrid system and a 9-speed hybrid automatic transmission. Combined, they deliver a hefty 300 kW of power and 750 Nm of torque (roughly 17% and 16%) more than the regular hybrid Tank 500. According to GWM, the electric motor reacts in just 30 milliseconds, giving the system a sharp, responsive edge when the throttle is demanded.
That’s not just talk: the Hi4‑T claims 0–100 km/h in under 7 seconds. For a full-size SUV, that’s audacious. It puts the Tank 500 in rare company: those that balance mass and muscle without feeling lazy in acceleration.
Efficiency That Defies Expectations
If there’s one Achilles heel to large SUVs, it’s fuel consumption. GWM attempts to defuse that with a serious battery: 37.1 kWh (ternary lithium) packed into the chassis. That gives it a pure EV range of about 120 km, enough for many urban commutes or weekend errands without burning a drop of petrol.
On a full tank + full charge, the combined range is claimed to stretch up to 950 km. In hybrid mode, if the battery is depleted, fuel economy is rated at 8.4 L/100 km. But in combined operation, they assert it can sip as low as 2.1 L/100 km. If that holds up in real-world driving (especially in the Kiwi environment of hills, speeds, and variable loads) that’s a game-changer.
GWM also claims the Hi4‑T system retains 90% of its peak performance even when battery charge is low, unlike series-hybrid systems that may lose up to 40% of output when battery levels drop.
Modes & Intelligence: Smarts Behind the Torque
The Hi4‑T isn’t brute force only; it’s brainpower too. The system supports four distinct modes:
- EV Mode (pure electric) – silent, zero emissions operation; even usable off-road in 4WD high mode.
- Energy Regeneration – captures braking and deceleration energy to recharge the battery.
- Parallel Hybrid Drive – motors and engine work together during high-demand phases (overtaking, climbing).
- Petrol‑Only Mode – useful when the battery is reserved for later or when V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) is in use.
A notable point: even when the battery is low, GWM claims performance is preserved. The notion that big SUVs have to sacrifice power when battery levels drop is something they’re pushing against.
Off-road Credibility — It’s Not Just a PHEV Grocery Getter
Many plug-in SUVs shy away from real off-road capability, but GWM seems determined not to. The Tank 500 Hi4‑T retains serious credentials:
- 800 mm wading depth, with battery pack waterproofed to IP67, said to withstand immersion for 30 minutes
- Front, centre, and rear locking differentials
- No compromises on approach, departure, or breakover angles
- Battery placement designed to maintain balance and ground clearance
In short: this is built to get dirty, not just ride smooth pavement.
Charging & Auxiliary Power: Practicalities That Matter
You can’t talk electrified beasts without talk of charging. The Hi4‑T supports:
- DC fast charging of 50 kW — 30% to 80% in ~24 minutes
- AC charging at 6.6 kW — 0% to 100% in about 6.1 hours
- Vehicle‑to‑Load (V2L) capability — up to 6 kW output, usable for powering tools, appliances, or camping gear
- Access to 85% of battery capacity for V2L use
For work site power or off-grid adventures, that V2L feature is a standout. It turns the Tank 500 from SUV to mobile generator when needed.
Practicalities & Packaging
To maintain towing, payload, and usability, the Hi4‑T comes in a 5-seat configuration. Despite the large battery, GWM claims a massive 1,400-litre cargo volume. And the 3,000 kg towing capacity remains intact, vital for Kiwi buyers wanting to haul boats, trailers, or caravans.
Inside, the Tank 500 Hi4‑T is dressed up to compete in the luxury segment:
- 14.6-inch infotainment central display
- Infinity premium audio system
- Panoramic sunroof
- Electric retractable sidesteps
- Nappa leather seats, heating, cooling, massaging — now extended into the rear row
In all, it aims to deliver the feeling of a luxury large SUV, but at a value that pushes boundaries.
Tarmac Takeaway – What It Means for New Zealand
If the Hi4‑T comes to NZ with even a fraction of these claims intact, it could fill a gap many Kiwi buyers are looking to fill:
- Long‑distance capability without constant range anxiety
- Real towing ability for boats, caravans, rural work
- Off-road ability to match our roads and adventure culture
- Lower running costs, especially in mixed use
- Tech and luxury features that punch above its price bracket
Of course, real conditions will tell the story: NZ’s hills, variable weather, and road surfaces will stress the hybrid system in ways flat test cycles don’t. If GWM backs it with strong service, parts, and local testing, the Hi4‑T might become a serious contender in the large SUV market.
And the price – $79,990 same as the Aussies!!
