GWM Tank 500 vs Volkswagen Tayron
Verdict
The GWM Tank 500 is the big, hardware-heavy choice at RM 328,800, while the Volkswagen Tayron costs RM 190,660; that RM138,140 gap is not small money for a Malaysian buyer. The Tank gets a 1,998 cc turbo hybrid engine, one motor, AWD, ladder-frame construction and 241 hp/380 Nm before motor assistance is considered. The Tayron counters with seven seats, a much larger 345-litre boot, CKD assembly, RM120 road tax and useful kit such as auto parking and a contactless powered tailgate.
Tank 500
Pick the GWM Tank 500 if you want the stronger engine, AWD, ladder-frame chassis and longer warranty more than outright boot space or price.
Tayron
Pick the Volkswagen Tayron if you want a cheaper seven-seat D-segment SUV with more boot space, lower road tax and easier urban convenience kit.
Key differences
- Price: GWM Tank 500 RM 328,800; Volkswagen Tayron RM 190,660
- Engine output: GWM Tank 500 241 hp/380 Nm; Volkswagen Tayron 148 hp/250 Nm
- Driveline and chassis: GWM Tank 500 AWD ladder-frame; Volkswagen Tayron FWD unibody
- Size: GWM Tank 500 5,070/1,934/1,905 mm; Volkswagen Tayron 4,792/1,852/1,660 mm
- Boot space: GWM Tank 500 98 litres; Volkswagen Tayron 345 litres
- Warranty: GWM Tank 500 6 years unlimited mileage plus 8-year/200,000-km HV battery cover; Volkswagen Tayron 2 years unlimited mileage
Tank 500
- Stronger 1,998 cc turbo hybrid engine with 241 hp and 380 Nm
- AWD and ladder-frame chassis against the Tayron's FWD unibody layout
- Six-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus 8-year/200,000-km high-voltage battery cover
- Costs RM138,140 more than the Tayron
- Only 98 litres of boot space versus 345 litres
- Manual tailgate and no auto parking, while the Tayron gets both
Tayron
- Much larger 345-litre boot with all seven seats in use
- Lower RM120 annual road tax versus RM439
- Powered contactless tailgate and auto parking are included
- 148 hp and 250 Nm trail the Tank 500's 241 hp and 380 Nm engine output
- Front-wheel drive only, while the Tank 500 gets all-wheel drive
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty is shorter than the Tank 500's six-year cover
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 328,800 | RM 190,660✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing with hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 241 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 380 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 105 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 268 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.75 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Nine-speed Hydraulic Automatic Transmission | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | 9 | 7 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,070 mm | 4,792 mm |
| Width | 1,934 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,905 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,788 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 98 litres | 345 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/50R20 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/50R20 | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact RX | Hankook Ventus evoSUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Ladder-frame | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Dynamic Chassis Control Pro |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front & Rear Side Bags, Curtain Airbags & Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Second Row Seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat and 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED Headlights | LED Projectors |
| 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 | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, 50:50 Split Power Folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| 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 |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB Ports, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | Manual Rear Window Blinds |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System | 12.9" Discover Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 8-speaker Volkswagen 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 | 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 | 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 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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 | 6 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000-km High Voltage Battery Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| 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 vs Tayron FAQ
Is the GWM Tank 500 or Volkswagen Tayron better?
The Volkswagen Tayron is the better cost-and-space buy. The GWM Tank 500 is better if you prioritise AWD, ladder-frame construction, stronger engine output and longer warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The GWM Tank 500 costs RM 328,800, while the Volkswagen Tayron costs RM 190,660. The Tank 500 is RM138,140 more expensive.
Which has more boot space?
The Volkswagen Tayron has more boot space, with 345 litres against the GWM Tank 500's 98 litres when all seven seats are in use.