GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T vs Denza B5: Spec Battle

China’s new-generation 4×4 off-roaders are coming in hot, and two of the current biggest names are the Denza B5 and GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T, both of which are new on the market. Both new models combine serious four-wheel-drive ability with plug-in hybrid power, so which electrified adventure wagon delivers the best mix of performance, practicality, efficiency and value? We line up the numbers to find out.

Pricing

The GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T gets off to a good start in this battle because its $57,990 driveaway starting price is a full $17,000 less than the starting price of the B5, or more than $20,000 less once on-road costs are included in the Denza’s price. GWM’s vehicle warranty is also a year longer than Denza’s, and it’s warranted for an unlimited distance too, unlike the Denza’s 150,000km equivalent.

The cost of servicing the Tank 300 Hi4-T is also less expensive than the B5 at $2610 versus $3542 over the first five years, though its intervals are less convenient than its rival at 10,000km for the first year and then 15,000km afterwards. The Denza requires servicing once every 20,000km, which is longer than the average in the Australian market. Finally, GWM wins on value thanks to seven years of roadside assistance versus Denza’s three years.

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Dimensions

While the Tank 300 Hi4-T is significantly less expensive, it is actually a slightly smaller vehicle than the b5. So while the B5 is more expensive, you are getting more car for your money. At 4888mm long, the B5 is 128mm longer than the Tank 300, as well as 40mm wider, 17mm taller and its wheelbase is 50mm longer.

Both plug-in hybrid off-roaders are quite heavy, with the Tank 300 coming in at 2615kg and the B5 even heavier at 2897kg. Finally, the Tank 300’s small 360-litre boot isn’t much smaller than the B5’s 470-litre space.

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Standard equipment

While the B5 is a more expensive vehicle to purchase, it is better equipped than its Tank 300 Hi4-T rival, particularly in the way of luxury features. For example, while both leather and Nappa leather upholsteries are available on both models, even the entry-level B5 is equipped with extra front seat adjustment, and heating, ventilation and massaging – to get the latter three features, Tank 300 Hi4-T buyers must step up to the upper-spec Ultra. The whole B5 range is also equipped with a 16-speaker Devialet audio system, which is seven more than the nine-speaker units in the Tank 300.

Performance and fuel economy

While both the Tank 300 Hi4-T and B5 both say “plug-in hybrid off-roader” on the tin, they do things differently in real life. For starters, while they both use turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines, the GWM’s is larger at 2.0-litres versus the Denza’s smaller 1.5-litre unit, with the former making more grunt at 180kW/400Nm versus the latter’s 135kW/260Nm outputs. The Denza also features two electric motors with one on each axle, whereas the Tank 300 Hi4-T only has one that’s located in between the engine and transmission.

Add in the electric motor outputs and the Denza’s 400kW/760Nm combined outputs outshine the GWM’s 300kW/750Nm maximum, and despite the B5’s extra weight, its 4.8-second 0-100km/h sprint time is around 1.5 seconds faster than the Tank 300 Hi4-T. For transmissions, the Tank 300 uses a nine-speeder, and the B5 a single-speed hybrid ‘box.

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The Tank 300 Hi4-T’s 37.1kWh NMC battery is 5.3kWh larger than the B5, and as a result, its 115km claimed NEDC electric range is 15km more. But the B5 can be charged at double the speed of the Tank 300 (100kW versus 50kW) and its 10-80 per cent charge time is four minutes faster than the Tank 300 Hi4-T takes to charge from 30-80 per cent.

For fuel consumption, both cars are rated at 1.9L/100km with a state of charge over 25 per cent (below that, the GWM uses a claimed 8.3L/100km and the B5 9.5L/100km), and both cars run on 91 RON regular unleaded fuel.

Safety

As is the case with many new Chinese vehicles, both the GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T and Denza B5 are absolutely loaded with safety features, and are rated by ANCAP as five stars for safety (the GWM in 2022 and the Denza a later 2025 rating). Both are broadly similarly equipped in terms of safety features as well, with the B5 featuring more airbags but the Tank 300 countering with front cross-traffic alert.

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Conclusion: Tank 300 or B5?

Overall, like with many other Chinese vehicles, the on-paper stats for both the GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T and Denza B5 are impressive, and it’s easy to see their appeal. Both brands present strongly from their value equation to their aftersales program, and that’s before even getting to the products themselves. Both the Tank 300 Hi4-T and B5 use strong plug-in hybrid systems capable of impressive acceleration figures – the Denza especially – but also good electric-only driving ranges of 100km or more.

In this case, the Denza is undoubtedly better equipped than the GWM and most of its stats are even more impressive. It makes more power and just more torque, it’s quicker, it can be charged twice as fast, it’s larger in all dimensions and it’s also better equipped. On paper, the more impressive stats make the B5 the obvious winner, but are those extra impressive stats worth the extra $20,000+ spend once on-road costs are included? That’s for buyers to decide.

Key Specs: GWM Tank 300

Key Specs: Denza B5