GWM Tank 500 vs Hyundai Santa Fe
Verdict
The GWM Tank 500 costs RM328,800 against the Hyundai Santa Fe’s RM225,000, so the RM103,800 gap is not small. For that, the Tank 500 gives you a bigger 1,998 cc hybrid engine, 241 hp, 380 Nm and all-wheel drive, plus a larger body. The Santa Fe counters hard where families feel it daily: 628 litres of boot space versus just 98 litres, 10 airbags versus six, an eight-year warranty versus six, and RM120 yearly road tax instead of RM439.
Pick the GWM Tank 500 if you want the stronger, larger seven-seat hybrid with all-wheel drive and can live with the 98-litre boot.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want the cheaper seven-seat hybrid with far more boot space, more airbags and lower yearly road tax.
Key differences
- Price: GWM Tank 500 RM328,800; Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000
- Output: GWM Tank 500 241 hp and 380 Nm; Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp and 265 Nm
- Driven wheels: GWM Tank 500 all-wheel drive; Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive
- Size: GWM Tank 500 5,070 mm long and 1,905 mm tall; Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm long and 1,720 mm tall
- Boot space: GWM Tank 500 98 litres; Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres
- Safety and ownership: GWM Tank 500 six airbags, six-year warranty and RM439 road tax; Hyundai Santa Fe 10 airbags, eight-year warranty and RM120 road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 328,800 | RM 225,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Power | 241 hp✓ | 177 hp |
| Torque | 380 Nm✓ | 265 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 1.8 kWh✓ | 1.5 kWh |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,070 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,934 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,905 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Boot space | 98 L | 628 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 75 L | 67 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 10✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 6 | 8✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 439 | RM 120✓ |
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.
Tank 500
- Stronger 241 hp and 380 Nm output
- All-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive
- Larger body with a 75-litre fuel tank
- Much smaller 98-litre boot
- Higher RM439 yearly road tax
- Six airbags versus the Santa Fe’s 10
Santa Fe
- Far larger 628-litre boot
- 10 airbags and an eight-year warranty
- Lower RM120 yearly road tax
- Lower 177 hp and 265 Nm output
- Front-wheel drive only
- Smaller 67-litre fuel tank
Tank 500 vs Santa Fe FAQ
Is the GWM Tank 500 or Hyundai Santa Fe better?
The GWM Tank 500 is better for power, size and all-wheel drive. The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for boot space, airbags, warranty, road tax and price. For most family use, the Santa Fe is the easier pick.
What is the price difference?
The GWM Tank 500 is RM103,800 more expensive than the Hyundai Santa Fe, at RM328,800 versus RM225,000.
Which has more boot space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has far more boot space: 628 litres versus the GWM Tank 500’s 98 litres. If luggage space matters, this is the clearest difference between the two.