Verdict
The Santa Fe is the more rational family car: its 2,815-mm wheelbase supports seven seats and a 628-litre boot, against the Tank 300’s five seats and 400 litres. It also brings 10 airbags, a powered contactless tailgate and third-row USB-C ports. The Tank counters with AWD, an eight-speed automatic and a 217-hp, 380-Nm 2.0-litre turbo, versus Hyundai’s 177-hp, 265-Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine aided by a 64-hp motor. Choose it for driven traction and its ventilated massage seats, not maximum passenger capacity.
Pick the GWM Tank 300 if AWD, a 217-hp/380-Nm turbo engine and ventilated massage front seats matter more than seven-seat practicality.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and 10 airbags for family use.
Key differences
- Price: GWM Tank 300 RM250,000; Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000.
- Powertrain: Tank 300 has a 2.0-litre 217-hp/380-Nm turbo petrol engine and AWD; Santa Fe has a 1.
- Seating and boot space: Tank 300 has 5 seats and 400 litres; Santa Fe has 7 seats and 628 litres.
- Wheelbase: Tank 300 2,750 mm; Santa Fe 2,815 mm.
- Safety: Tank 300 has 6 airbags; Santa Fe has 10 airbags.
- Road tax: Tank 300 RM440 per year; Santa Fe RM120 per year.
Tank 300
- AWD and an eight-speed automatic
- 217 hp and 380 Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo engine
- Ventilated, massaging powered front seats and a nine-speaker Infinity system
- Costs RM25,000 more
- Only five seats and a 400-litre boot versus seven seats and 628 litres
- Six airbags versus 10 airbags
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot
- 10 airbags, including front-centre and driver’s knee airbags
- Eight-year, 160,000-km manufacturer warranty and powered contactless tailgate
- Front-wheel drive rather than AWD
- Its petrol engine makes 177 hp and 265 Nm, against 217 hp and 380 Nm
- No sunroof, front foglamps or front-seat ventilation and massage
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM250,000 | RM225,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 217 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 380 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 75.6 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 64 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 264 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.49 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,760 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,903 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Weight | 2,155 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 400 litres | 628 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Spare | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Primacy HT | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 10 (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 | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear 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 | 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 | 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 | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| 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 | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Yes | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| 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✓ |
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 300 & Santa Fe for sale
Tank 300 vs Santa Fe FAQ
Is the GWM Tank 300 or Hyundai Santa Fe better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for most families because it has seven seats, a 628-litre boot and 10 airbags. Choose the GWM Tank 300 instead if AWD, stronger petrol-engine output and ventilated massage seats are your priorities.
What is the price difference?
The GWM Tank 300 costs RM25,000 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Hyundai also has lower annual road tax at RM120 versus RM440.
Which has the better warranty?
The Santa Fe has the longer time-based warranty at eight years, but it is capped at 160,000 km. The Tank 300 covers six years with unlimited mileage, which suits drivers who cover very high annual distances.
