Tank 500 Hi4-T Delivers Plush Power And Serious Grit
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GWM has lobbed another heavyweight into the SUV ring. On 3 October 2025 the Tank 500 Hi4-T Plug-in Hybrid arrived, and no, it is not a dainty city runabout. This is a proper, range-topping SUV that dares to combine luxury with genuine off-road talent and a surprisingly clever electrified drivetrain. It is the fourth plug-in hybrid GWM has released this year and the second to wear the Hi4-T badge, following the brand’s earlier Hi4-T model.
The price is blunt and simple: $79,990 driveaway, though an early-bird launch incentive temporarily trims that to $77,990. The new Tank 500 Hi4-T is now in Australian showrooms and is set to be a headline act at GWM’s upcoming Tech Day, where the company intends to flaunt its electrified know-how.
Hi4-T Tech: Electric Muscle With Mechanical Muscle
Do not be fooled by the polite letters and numbers. Hi4-T combines electric motors at both the front and rear with a 2.0 litre turbo petrol hybrid engine and a conventional mechanical four wheel drive system. The result is an oddball but highly effective marriage of torque on demand and old fashioned mechanical grit. Combined outputs come in at 300 kW and 750 Nm, which is not just numbers on paper; it translates to a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 6.9 seconds and the ability to tow three tonnes with confidence. Fuel consumption is startlingly frugal for a vehicle of this size and purpose, rated at about 2.1 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle, thanks largely to the 37.11 kWh battery that also delivers an EV range of roughly 120 km.
Practical details worth noting: the Hi4-T platform offers vehicle to load functionality capable of delivering roughly 6 kW of off-grid power, so you can run appliances at camp without producing a ruckus. The battery chemistry uses nickel manganese cobalt and the system is paired with a 9-speed hybrid automatic transmission.
Off-Roading That Actually Goes Off-Road
Plenty of SUVs talk the talk and fail to leave the sealed road. The Tank 500 Hi4-T does not. It keeps its professional off-road DNA intact with locking differentials front, centre and rear, an 800 mm wading depth and a chassis tuned to handle serious terrain. If you want to tow a trailer into the scrub, climb a muddy track or ford a stream without praying to the weather gods, this is the sort of vehicle that will answer the call and then demand a cup of tea.
Cabin: Plush, Loud And Decently Clever
Inside, the Tank 500 Hi4-T has been given the sort of treatment usually reserved for cars that cost a lot more. A huge 14.6 inch full colour infotainment screen sits front and centre, backed by an Infinity premium audio system that will keep arguments at bay. There is a panoramic sunroof and Nappa leather accented front seats that heat, cool and even massage, which is useful if you have a long drive or a long list of excuses. The interior can be specified in black or a blue and cream Nappa combo, though the latter is only available with certain exterior colours.
Colours, Options And Ownership
Buyers can choose from four exterior finishes: Onyx Silver, Crystal Black, Marble White and Dune Gold. Metallic paint carries a small extra charge of $595. The Tank 500 Hi4-T comes backed by GWM Care 777, which includes seven years unlimited kilometre warranty, seven years 24/7 roadside assistance and seven years of capped price servicing. In short, the company is making a statement that it expects these vehicles to be used hard and looked after properly.
This is an SUV that refuses to be pigeonholed. It will transport children to school in relative silence, tow a hefty trailer to the coast, run a campsite off its battery and still climb steep, muddy tracks without losing its composure. If you wanted a luxury off-roader with genuine hybrid smarts and the audacity to be useful, the Tank 500 Hi4-T is worth a look.
Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.
