Ford Everest vs GWM Tank 500

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Ford Everest in South Africa

Ford Everest

3.0TD V6 Platinum 10AT 4WD Diesel 10-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,340,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 184 kW 🔧 600 Nm ⛽ 11.8 km/l
VS
GWM Tank 500 in South Africa

GWM Tank 500

3.0T Hi4-T Luxury Plug-in Hybrid 9-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,149,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 340 kW 🔧 750 Nm ⛽ 40 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Tank 500
Fuel Economy Tank 500
🛡 Safety Tank 500
📦 Practicality Everest
🔑 Ownership Tank 500
Everest starts ZAR 324,900 cheaper Everest from ZAR 825,000 · Tank 500 from ZAR 1,149,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Everest Tank 500
Maximum Power 184 kW @ 3250 rpm 340 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque 600 Nm 750 Nm
Engine Size 2993 cc 2999 cc
Claimed Mileage 11.8 km/l 40 km/l
Ground Clearance 226 mm 224 mm
Boot / Load Bay - 580 l
Airbags 6 8
Kerb Weight 2450 kg 2680 kg
Seating Capacity - -
Warranty 4 years / 120 000 km 5 Years / 100,000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Tank 500 holds a noticeable edge over Everest, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Tank 500 +9 pts
Efficiency Tank 500 +45 pts
Safety Tank 500 +55 pts
Practicality Everest +9 pts
Ownership Tank 500 +31 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Everest

Strengths
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Family Usage
🏆 Overall Winner

Tank 500

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

Everest

  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Tank 500

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Everest Tank 500
Model Introduced Year 2015 2025
Generation Currently sold Everest belongs to the latest generation with enhanced comfort and safety systems First generation Tank 500, launched globally in 2023 and brought to South Africa in 2025. Local specification leans toward maximum equipment loading and softer suspension calibration versus the Chinese-domestic version.
Facelift History Major generational update in 2022 with improved safety, technology, and design Recently launched into the SA market in 2025; no facelift to date. Software updates expected to refine hybrid system behaviour and adaptive air suspension calibration based on early SA fleet feedback.
Facelift Launched Since 2022 2025
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Color Note White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue Crystal White, Hamilton Black, Pittsburgh Silver, Cosmos Grey, Atlantic Blue and Adventure Olive Green. Two-tone roof options available with selected base colours.
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0TD V6 Platinum 10AT 4WD -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active published
Segment Large SUV SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg 2450 kg 2680 kg
Spec Everest Tank 500
Drivetrain Layout Full-Time Four Wheel Drive Front Engine All Wheel Drive
LSD Available Not Applicable Yes
Transfer Case Confirmed 4WD derivative Not Applicable
Differential Lock Not Applicable Yes
Paddle Shifters Not Applicable Yes
Engine Position Front longitudinal Front Transverse
Gearbox 10-Speed Automatic 9-Speed Automatic
Final Drive Ratio Not Applicable 3.73
Number of Gears 10 9
Transmission Type Automatic Automatic
Clutch Type Not Applicable Torque Converter
Gear Shift Indicator Not Applicable Yes
Drivetrain 4WD / AWD All Wheel Drive (Hi4-T Hybrid)
4WD Engagement Available Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range Available Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range Available where 4WD low range is fitted Not Applicable
4WD Selector Confirmed 4WD derivative Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles Not Applicable Yes
Drive Mode Selector 4WD/off-road drive mode support 4WD/off-road drive mode support
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Yes
Gearbox Type 10-Speed Automatic 9-Speed Automatic
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low Range Available where 4WD low range is fitted Not Applicable
Axle Layout 4x4 AWD
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Yes
Transmission Speeds 10 9
Gear Shift Type 10-Speed Automatic Automatic
Reverse Gear Warning - Yes
Steering Turns Lock to Lock - 14.7:1

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Tank 500 leads by 24 points

Tank 500 holds a noticeable edge over Everest, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 90 /100
Lead 24 points
Data 97% confidence
90
#1 Winner

Tank 500

97% data confidence 4 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Ownership 65
Performance 100
Efficiency 97
Safety 100
Practicality 83
Ownership 65
Leads by 24 points
66
#2

Everest

77% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Practicality 92 Check Ownership 34
Performance 91
Efficiency 52
Safety 45
Practicality 92
Ownership 34
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Tank 500 +9 Efficiency Tank 500 +45 Safety Tank 500 +55 Practicality Everest +9 Ownership Tank 500 +31

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Tank 500

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 97/100
Safety 100/100
Practicality 83/100
Ownership 65/100

Everest

Performance 91/100
Efficiency 52/100
Safety 45/100
Practicality 92/100
Ownership 34/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 GWM Tank 500 wins with 90 pts vs 66 pts for Everest

In structured scoring, Tank 500 emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Everest may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Tank 500 edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: Everest 52 vs Tank 500 97. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: Everest 45, Tank 500 100. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: Everest 34, Tank 500 65. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: Everest 92, Tank 500 83. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Everest 91, Tank 500 100. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Tank 500 edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Tank 500 scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Everest and Tank 500 in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Everest scores 91 vs 100.

Efficiency: Everest scores 52 vs 97.

Safety: Everest scores 45 vs 100.

Practicality: Everest scores 92 vs 83.

Ownership: Everest scores 34 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives Tank 500 the advantage in this comparison.