Audi Q5 vs GWM Tank 500
Verdict
The Audi Q5 is the neater premium SUV on paper: RM352,900 buys a 196 hp/340 Nm 2.0 litre turbo, front-wheel drive, a 520-litre boot and a powered contactless tailgate. The GWM Tank 500 costs RM328,800 and goes bigger: 241 hp/380 Nm from its 2.0 litre turbo hybrid, one 105 hp/268 Nm motor, all-wheel drive, seven seats and a 75-litre tank. For Malaysian family use, this is less about badge versus badge and more about space versus boot practicality.
Pick the Audi Q5 if you want the easier five-seat SUV, a much larger listed boot and the sharper lighting/boot convenience kit.
Pick the GWM Tank 500 if you need seven seats, all-wheel drive, hybrid assistance and a longer factory warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 RM352,900; GWM Tank 500 RM328,800
- Engine output: Audi Q5 196 hp/340 Nm; GWM Tank 500 241 hp/380 Nm
- Hybrid motor: Audi Q5 none; GWM Tank 500 105 hp/268 Nm with 1.75 kWh battery
- Driveline and seats: Audi Q5 front-wheel drive, 5 seats; GWM Tank 500 all-wheel drive, 7 seats
- Boot space: Audi Q5 520 litres; GWM Tank 500 98 litres
- Warranty: Audi Q5 2 years/unlimited mileage; GWM Tank 500 6 years/unlimited mileage
Q5
- 520-litre boot versus the Tank 500’s 98 litres
- Digital Matrix LED headlights and full OLED tail lights
- Powered tailgate with contactless operation
- Costs RM24,100 more
- Front-wheel drive only versus the Tank 500’s all-wheel drive
- Five seats versus seven in the Tank 500
Tank 500
- Seven-seat cabin with 7 three-point seat belts
- Hybrid assistance: one motor, 105 hp and 268 Nm
- 6-year/unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty plus 8-year/200,000-km high-voltage battery warranty
- 98-litre listed boot is far smaller than the Q5’s 520 litres
- Manual boot operation versus the Q5’s powered contactless tailgate
- Projector LED headlights versus the Q5’s Digital Matrix LED units
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 352,900 | RM 328,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing with hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 196 hp | 241 hp✓ |
| Torque | 340 Nm | 380 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 105 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 268 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.75 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | Nine-speed Hydraulic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 7 | 9 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,717 mm | 5,070 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,934 mm |
| Height | 1,669 mm | 1,905 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,817 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 98 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 265/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 265/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size Spare |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Continental CrossContact RX |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Second Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Matrix LED Headlights | Projector LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Massaging Function and Seat Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, 50:50 Split Power Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 4 USB Ports, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, 10-speaker Audi Sound System | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Digital Key | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Manual |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 6 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000-km High Voltage Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 434✓ | RM 439 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Q5 vs Tank 500 FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 or GWM Tank 500 better?
The GWM Tank 500 is better for seven-seat use, all-wheel drive and warranty cover. The Audi Q5 is better if you want a five-seat SUV with a much bigger listed boot and powered contactless tailgate.
What is the price difference?
The GWM Tank 500 is RM24,100 cheaper than the Audi Q5. It also gets all-wheel drive, seven seats and hybrid assistance; the Q5 counters with a 520-litre boot and higher-grade lighting.
Which one has more boot space?
The Audi Q5 has the bigger listed boot by a long way: 520 litres versus 98 litres in the GWM Tank 500. If luggage space matters more than third-row seating, the Q5 is the clearer pick.