14 hours ago
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GWM says we won't be getting the updated Tank 300, at least not in the short-term, because local customer feedback suggests the new interior layout is less than ideal for off-road use.
Family Cars
Australia will not get the updated version of the GWM Tank 300 available overseas – because the column-mounted gear shifter is not practical for off-roading, the brand claims.
GWM first launched the Tank 300 off-road SUV in 2023, first with petrol power only, then as a hybrid, followed by diesel last year and now with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
But in 2025, the new version was revealed in China featuring a completely revamped interior with a new 14.6-inch screen running the firm’s latest Coffee OS 3.0 operating system, a cleaner console layout, a column-mounted gear shifter, and a second wireless charger, among other things.
Speaking to Australian media, including Drive, at the launch of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Tank 300 this week, a spokesperson confirmed our market is not in line for the upgrade.
The decision to keep the existing layout of the interior for the PHEV, he said, was “Australian-driven” and “based on customer feedback”.
“The new interior has had quite a significant update in terms of the ergonomics. The one thing in particular is the column shifter that you would find in the H6 has been put into the Tank 300 as well,” said Tim Leong, Product Planning Manager at GWM Australia.
“And from an off-road usability and overall functionality point of view, it's not ideal, and that's sort of the feedback we’ve received from customers, too.
“This was one of the key reasons for not bringing the new interior just yet. And secondly, if you look at the timing, it has just launched, so that's going to be more aligned with our future facelift when it comes.”
Asked when that might be, GWM did not give a timeframe. For now, the Tank 300 will keep its dual 12.3-inch screens and centre console layout.
A similar interior is also featured in the new GWM Haval H6, which recently launched in Australia, with a column-mounted gear shifter.
Since its debut in 2023, the GWM Tank 300 has proved popular with Australians as a rugged, off-road capable SUV with a muscular body and aggressive exterior styling, as well as ample space and practicality on the outside.
The 2026 GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T plug-in hybrid is now in showrooms, priced from $55,990 drive-away for the entry-level Lux grade.
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A born-and-bred newshound, Kathryn has worked her way up through the ranks reporting for, and later editing, two renowned UK regional newspapers and websites, before moving on to join the digital newsdesk of one of the world’s most popular newspapers – The Sun. More recently, she’s done a short stint in PR in the not-for-profit sector, and led the news team at Wheels Media.
