Verdict
Both are seven-seat, all-wheel-drive, CBU D-segment SUVs, but they take different routes. The Tank 500 pairs a 241 hp, 380 Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 105 hp, 268 Nm motor and 1.75 kWh battery, plus a 75-litre fuel tank and full-size spare. The EV9’s two motors make 380 hp and 700 Nm from a 99.8 kWh battery, with a 505 km quoted range. Its 3,100 mm wheelbase also accompanies 333 litres of boot space against the Tank’s 2,850 mm and 98 litres. For Malaysians with dependable access to chargers, the EV9’s 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC capability changes the case.
Pick the GWM Tank 500 if a petrol-hybrid seven-seater with a 75-litre tank, full-size spare and longer unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty suits your travel pattern.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you can charge regularly and want 505 km of quoted EV range, 700 Nm and vastly more luggage space behind the third row.
Key differences
- Powertrain output: Tank 500 has a 241 hp/380 Nm petrol engine plus a 105 hp/268 Nm motor; EV9 has two motors producing 380 hp/700 Nm.
- Battery and range: Tank 500 has a 1.75 kWh battery with no quoted EV range; EV9 has a 99.8 kWh battery and 505 km range.
- Charging: Tank 500 has no AC or DC charging rating stated; EV9 supports 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC charging.
- Wheelbase: Tank 500 is 2,850 mm; EV9 is 3,100 mm.
- Boot space: Tank 500 has 98 litres; EV9 has 333 litres.
- Warranty: Tank 500 has six years with unlimited mileage and an 8-year/200,000-km battery warranty; EV9 has five years/150,000 km and an 8-year/160,000-km…
Tank 500
- 75-litre fuel tank and a full-size spare tyre.
- Six-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
- Ventilated, massaging powered front seats.
- Only 98 litres of boot space versus the EV9’s 333 litres.
- 2,850 mm wheelbase is 250 mm shorter than the EV9’s.
- No quoted EV range or AC/DC charging capability.
EV9
- 99.8 kWh battery, 505 km quoted range and 350 kW DC charging.
- 333-litre boot and 3,100 mm wheelbase.
- 3.6 kW V2L and Remote Parking Assist.
- Five-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty trails the Tank 500’s six-year unlimited-mileage cover.
- Battery warranty is capped at 160,000 km, versus 200,000 km for the Tank 500.
- Tyre repair kit replaces the Tank 500’s full-size spare tyre.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800✓ | RM368,668 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM515 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing with hybrid assistance | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 241 hp | — |
| Torque | 380 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 105 hp | 380 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 268 Nm | 700 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.75 kWh | 99.8 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 505 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.6 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Nine-speed Hydraulic Automatic Transmission | — |
| Gears | 9 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,070 mm | 5,015 mm |
| Width | 1,934 mm | 1,980 mm |
| Height | 1,905 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 3,100 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,648 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 98 litres | 333 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/50R20 | 285/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/50R20 | 285/45R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Spare | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact RX | Continental PremiumContact C |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Automatic For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Second Row Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED Headlights | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Massaging Function and Seat Ventilation | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, Heating |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, 50:50 Split Power Folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB Ports, 1 Wireless Charger | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 1 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | Panoramic Glass Roof and Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Manual | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Remote Parking Assist |
| 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✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000-km High Voltage Battery Warranty | 8 years/160,000 km for EV battery |
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.
Used Tank 500 & EV9 for sale
Tank 500 vs EV9 FAQ
Is the GWM Tank 500 or Kia EV9 better?
The Kia EV9 is better for an electric seven-seater with 505 km quoted range, 350 kW DC charging and a 333-litre boot. Choose the GWM Tank 500 for its petrol-hybrid powertrain, 75-litre tank, full-size spare and six-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The GWM Tank 500 costs RM328,800 and the Kia EV9 costs RM368,668. The EV9 is RM39,868 more expensive.
How do their charging and electric ranges differ?
The Kia EV9 has a 99.8 kWh battery, 505 km quoted range, 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC charging, plus 3.6 kW V2L. The Tank 500 has a 1.75 kWh battery and no quoted EV range or AC/DC charging rating.