Verdict
At RM328,800, the GWM Tank 500 costs RM103,800 more than the RM225,000 Hyundai Santa Fe. Its 241 hp, 380 Nm 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain, nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive suit buyers wanting the stronger mechanical package, while the Santa Fe counters with a far more useful 628-litre boot against 98 litres, plus 10 airbags to the Tank 500’s six. The Hyundai also cuts annual road tax from RM439 to RM120. For family carrying, the Santa Fe is the rational choice; the Tank 500 is for buyers who place greater weight on power, AWD and its larger 75-litre tank.
Pick the GWM Tank 500 if you want 241 hp, 380 Nm, nine gears and all-wheel drive, and can accept the RM103,800 premium and 98-litre boot.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if seven-seat family practicality, a 628-litre boot, 10 airbags and much lower ownership entry costs matter more than outright output and AWD.
Key differences
- Price: GWM Tank 500 RM328,800; Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000.
- Engine output: GWM Tank 500 241 hp and 380 Nm; Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp and 265 Nm.
- Transmission and driveline: GWM Tank 500 nine-speed automatic with AWD; Hyundai Santa Fe six-speed automatic with FWD.
- Boot space: GWM Tank 500 98 litres; Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres.
- Airbags: GWM Tank 500 six; Hyundai Santa Fe 10.
- Annual road tax: GWM Tank 500 RM439; Hyundai Santa Fe RM120.
Tank 500
- 241 hp and 380 Nm from its 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain.
- Nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
- 20-inch wheels, full-size spare tyre and 75-litre fuel tank.
- RM103,800 dearer to buy and RM319 more in annual road tax.
- 98-litre boot is 530 litres smaller than the Santa Fe's.
- Six airbags versus the Santa Fe's 10.
Santa Fe
- 628-litre boot for a seven-seat SUV.
- 10 airbags, including front-centre and driver's knee airbags.
- RM225,000 price and RM120 annual road tax.
- 177 hp and 265 Nm trail the Tank 500's 241 hp and 380 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Tank 500's all-wheel drive.
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare tyre.
| 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 at 5,500 rpm✓ | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 380 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 75.6 mm × 89 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 | 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 | 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 better for family use on these specifications: it costs less, has a 628-litre boot and 10 airbags. Choose the GWM Tank 500 for its 241 hp, 380 Nm, nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The GWM Tank 500 is RM103,800 more expensive than the Hyundai Santa Fe: RM328,800 versus RM225,000.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the much larger boot at 628 litres, compared with 98 litres in the GWM Tank 500. That is a 530-litre advantage for the Hyundai.
