Verdict
The GWM Tank 500 costs RM328,800 against the Hyundai Santa Fe’s RM225,000, a RM103,800 jump for 241 hp, 380 Nm, all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic rather than 177 hp, 265 Nm, front-wheel drive and six speeds. It is also the larger vehicle, but its 98-litre boot is startlingly small beside the Santa Fe’s 628 litres. For Malaysian families carrying luggage, the Hyundai is the more rational seven-seater and its RM120 annual road tax helps. Choose the Tank for its greater shove, 75-litre tank and more lavish front-seat equipment, not cargo practicality.
Pick the GWM Tank 500 if you want 241 hp, 380 Nm, all-wheel drive, a nine-speed automatic and ventilated massaging front seats.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need a seven-seat SUV with a 628-litre boot, RM103,800 lower purchase price and RM120 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: GWM Tank 500 RM328,800; Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000.
- Power and torque: Tank 500 241 hp and 380 Nm; Santa Fe 177 hp and 265 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: Tank 500 all-wheel drive with nine-speed automatic; Santa Fe front-wheel drive with six-speed automatic.
- Size: Tank 500 is 5,070 mm long and 1,905 mm tall; Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long and 1,720 mm tall.
- Boot space: Tank 500 98 litres; Santa Fe 628 litres.
- Annual road tax: Tank 500 RM439; Santa Fe RM120.
Tank 500
- 241 hp and 380 Nm, ahead of the Santa Fe’s 177 hp and 265 Nm.
- All-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic.
- Ventilated massaging front seats, 14.6-inch touchscreen and 12-speaker Infinity audio.
- RM103,800 more expensive than the Santa Fe.
- 98-litre boot is 530 litres smaller than the Santa Fe’s.
- RM439 annual road tax versus RM120.
Santa Fe
- 628-litre boot for family luggage.
- RM225,000 price and RM120 annual road tax.
- Front centre and driver’s knee airbags, plus ISOFIX in the second and third rows.
- 177 hp and 265 Nm trail the Tank 500’s 241 hp and 380 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive and six-speed automatic versus the Tank 500’s all-wheel drive and nine speeds.
- No front foglamps, panoramic glass roof or head-up display.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800 | RM225,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing with hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 241 hp✓ | 177 hp |
| Torque | 380 Nm✓ | 265 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 75.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 105 hp✓ | 64 hp |
| Motor Torque | 268 Nm✓ | 264 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 1.75 kWh✓ | 1.49 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Nine-speed Hydraulic Automatic Transmission | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 9 | 6 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| 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 |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 98 litres | 628 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/50R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/50R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Spare | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact RX | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee 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 for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED Headlights | LED Reflectors |
| 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 | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, 50:50 Split Power Folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB Ports, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 1 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker 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 Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| 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✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years | 8 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000-km High Voltage Battery Warranty | — |
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 & Santa Fe for sale
Tank 500 vs Santa Fe FAQ
Is the GWM Tank 500 or Hyundai Santa Fe better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the better family buy: it costs far less, has a 628-litre boot and lower road tax. The GWM Tank 500 is better for buyers who prioritise 241 hp, 380 Nm, all-wheel drive and richer front-seat comfort.
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 the bigger boot?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the much bigger boot at 628 litres. The GWM Tank 500 has 98 litres, a difference of 530 litres.
