If the workweek is a marathon, Friday is the finish line — so why not celebrate with a dirty getaway?
On a humid June afternoon, this writer slipped the GWM Tank 300 off-the-beaten path for some good old-fashioned offroading.
GWM Malaysia corralled a bunch of motoring hacks to the fringes of the Sepang race track, where a jungle-cut course used in past events was fired up again — this time for the Tank 300 to flex its offroad muscle.
After a brisk safety briefing — during which a seasoned instructor emphasised the mantra “ease in and ease out” for throttle and braking inputs — the session kicked off under a cloud-dappled sky that threatened rain yet held firm following a morning downpour.
The Tank 300 cuts an unapologetically upright silhouette, its boxy proportions and flat surfaces recalling classic SUVs of old.
Flared wheel arches house substantial 18-inch wheels, typically fitted with highway tyres, though one test vehicle wore all-terrain rubber, giving the machine a purposeful gait even at rest.
Up front, a broad grille and squared LED headlights lend a rugged mien, while the rear’s side-opening tailgate and exposed spare wheel underscore its go-anywhere intent.
Inside, the cabin contrasts hard-wearing plastics with brushed-metal-like trim and subtle ambient lighting.
Controls cluster logically around a chunky steering wheel, and the high centre console — complete with two rotary dials — fosters a sense of command rather than concierge.
At the heart of the dash sits a 12.3-inch touchscreen running GWM’s in-house software. The interface is responsive, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as standard. Beneath it, tactile buttons manage climate and offroad functions without forcing one to delve into menus.
Extras include a serviceable 360-degree camera system that supports a “see-through” chassis view function, enhancing off-road capability and driver confidence in challenging conditions.
Under the bonnet lurks a 2.0-litre turbcharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an eight-speed automatic, doling out 217hp at 5,500rpm and 380Nm from 1,800–3,600 rpm.
It provides plenty of shove for off-camber climbs and water slogs.
With front and rear differential locks, a ladder-frame chassis, 33°/34° approach/departure angles and 224mm of ground clearance, the Tank 300 is well primed for off-pavement work.
On the rally course, flicking from Normal to Snow mode softens throttle response, smooths out transmission shifts and uses 4WD traction to nip wheelspin in the bud, keeping the Tank 300 pointed and planted over loose gravel or mud.
It’s worth noting that the Tank 300 in this case was the sole unit equipped with all-terrain tyres, which only added to its steady composure.
On standard highway-terrain rubber, the Tank feels planted yet supple, thanks to a double-wishbone front end and multi-link rear setup.
Steering is light for such a tall vehicle, though feedback is intentionally muted — a common trade-off in vehicles built for both tarmac and trail.
In 4H, torque is balanced between front and rear axles to help the driver cross slopes and logs at moderate speeds.
Switching to 4L and the low-range dial turns every throttle input into controlled, crawl-speed torque surges.
It was in this mode that the writer’s favourite legs — the water crossing and mogul field — felt utterly within the Tank 300’s wheel-arch grasp.
While the Tank 300 is a competent offroader, its interior comforts ensure the experience remains pleasant when the terrain smooths out.
Seats are broad, deeply bolstered and upholstered in faux leather with contrast stitching.
Even after a half-hour of corrugated-track battering, lower-back support remained firm without becoming punishing.
Cabin noise under normal driving is kept in check by acoustic glass and a well-sealed door architecture.
Air-conditioning cools swiftly, and there are plenty of USB ports for officers of Instagram.
Standard driver-assist features include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control that works down to a crawl.
While official crash-test scores are not yet localised, the Tank chassis feels rigid and confidence-inspiring in evasive manoeuvres on the course.
Hill-descent control, hill-start assist and an off-road mode lock for stability control delivers a raft of safety features.
At RM250,000 as a fully imported model, the Tank 300 courts eyebrows — especially when far less costly pickup-based alternatives exist for weekend trail work.
Yet few soft-roaders can switch mindsets so completely, from capable highway cruiser to tenacious rock-crawler, simply by twirling two dials.
The Tank 300’s analogue controls, approachable offroad systems and grown-up cabin styling make it more than a novelty; it delivers genuine four-wheeling chops in a package that won’t embarrass at the office car park.
For Malaysians who crave muddy weekend escapes without sacrificing daily-drive civility, GWM’s Tank 300 lives up to its off-road hype.
As capable as it is, how many will truly push this expensive hardware to its limits remains to be seen.
