Interested in a GWM Tank 300 SUV ultra Hybrid ?

2024-06-05 09:57:04

From the bluff, upright dashboard to the conjoined 12.3-inch displays and circular air vents, it’s clear GWM has drawn inspiration from Mercedes-Benz’s iconic retro-modern off-roader.

The cabin of the Ultra we tested is mighty impressive, from the ‘faux’ leather-accented seats to the quilted leatherette door inserts and clear resolution of the digital screens. It does have quite a bit of ‘wow’ factor. Perceived build quality is solid, especially for the segment. The (cheaper) Jimny and (more expensive) Wrangler are utilitarian by comparison.

Storage is decent too, with a good amount of cubbies and shelves to leave your odds and ends, though I wish the front door pockets were a little more substantial.

In the Ultra, the driver is treated to an electrically-adjustable seat which is neat, with both front seats also featuring heating and cooling. The Ultra HEV adds memory presets for both the driver’s seat and mirrors.

The faux leather steering wheel also offers reach and rake adjustment, but as in most vehicles in the 4×4 segment you often find yourself sitting quite high in the cabin, and sort of looking down into the instrument binnacle.

The GWM tank 300’s digital driver’s display gets top marks for colour and clarity, but a ‘needs improvement’ for layout and configurability. The menus and layout ape what we’ve seen in the Haval H6, with a Tank 300 for various graphics and a couple of extra off-road menus thrown in – colour matched to the vehicle though, which is cute.

I’d love to see virtual dials, which no doubt would be desirable when off-roading. It would also be great if the left and right areas of the panel had greater customisability than just an array of widgets flanking a large centre section with limited configurability.

Moving to the left you have the giant 12.3-inch central touchscreen. Like the driver’s display, the infotainment system is a Tank version of what we’ve seen in GWM Haval products with the same menus, fonts, and layouts with fairly minimal differentiation.