GWM H1 vs GWM Tank 300

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.

Includes a historical vehicle

Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

GWM H1 Discontinued model
GWM H1 in South Africa

GWM H1

1.5 LS Petrol CVT Discontinued model
ZAR 229,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 78 kW 🔧 135 Nm ⛽ 7.0 km/l
VS
GWM Tank 300 in South Africa

GWM Tank 300

2.0T Hi4-T Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 849,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 240 kW 🔧 750 Nm ⛽ 35.7 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

GWM H1 vs GWM Tank 300: the short answer

Tank 300 has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over H1.

Recorded price context H1: last listed from ZAR 229,900 · Tank 300: current from ZAR 699,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification H1 Tank 300
Maximum Power H178 kW @ 6000 rpm Tank 300240 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque H1135 Nm @ 4000 rpm Tank 300750 Nm
Engine Size H11497 cc Tank 3001999 cc
Combined Fuel Economy H17.0 km/l Tank 30035.7 km/l
Ground Clearance H1160 mm Tank 300224 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Evidence for GWM H1 1.5 LS

Source type: Hagalu catalogue record

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

H1

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
  • Lower published ownership cover
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

Tank 300

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
  • Stronger published ownership cover
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

H1

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

Tank 300

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover

Full Specs, Side by Side

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec H1 Tank 300
Model Introduced Year 2015 2024
Generation Single generation in South Africa from 2015-2019. The H1 was based on an older Great Wall platform and was discontinued without a direct successor. First generation, launched globally in 2021 and brought to South Africa in 2024. The Tank brand is positioned as GWM's premium off-road sub-brand alongside Haval (SUVs) and Ora (electric).
Facelift History H1 received a single mid-cycle update in 2017 that brought minor exterior styling refinements and an updated infotainment system. No significant mechanical changes through the model life. First-generation Tank 300 launched in South Africa in 2024. No significant facelift to date; software updates have refined the differential locking activation logic and refined the hybrid system on the Hi4-T variant.
Facelift Launched Since 2017 2024
Body Style Not confirmed SUV
Color Note Not confirmed Crystal White, Hamilton Black, Mars Red, Atlantic Blue, Adventure Olive Green and Sand Dune Beige. The Adventure Olive Green is exclusive to Off-Road and Hi4-T Hybrid trims.
Dealer Stock Note Not confirmed Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year Not confirmed 2026
Production Status Not confirmed published
Segment Not confirmed SUV
Tare Mass Kg Not confirmed 2050 kg
Vehicle Type Not confirmed SUV
Facelift Version Ending Not confirmed Current
Spec H1 Tank 300
Length 4002 mm 4638 mm
Width 1740 mm 1926 mm
Height 1567 mm 1850 mm
Wheelbase 2450 mm 2750 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 160 mm 224 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 42 l 65 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1770 kg 2200 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.2 m 12.4 m
Front Headroom 975 mm 990 mm
Rear Headroom 950 mm 960 mm
Front Legroom 1020 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 840 mm 890 mm
Boot/Cargo Space Not confirmed 490 l
Kerb Weight Not confirmed 2050 kg
Towing Capacity Not confirmed 2500 kg

In depth: how these cars differ

This H1 and Tank 300 comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: H1 30 vs Tank 300 98.

Efficiency index: H1 35 vs Tank 300 97.

Safety-equipment index: H1 68 vs Tank 300 100.

Practicality index: H1 63 vs Tank 300 76.

Ownership-cover index: H1 44 vs Tank 300 65.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Tank 300 leads by 39 points

Tank 300 has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over H1.

Evidence leader 88 /100
Lead 39 points
Data 96% source coverage
88
#1 Evidence leader

Tank 300

96% source coverage 4 strong categories
Best at Safety 100 Check Ownership 65
Performance 98
Efficiency 97
Safety 100
Practicality 76
Ownership 65
Leads by 39 points
49
#2

H1

80% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Safety 68 Check Performance 30
Performance 30
Efficiency 35
Safety 68
Practicality 63
Ownership 44
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Tank 300 +68 Efficiency Tank 300 +62 Safety Tank 300 +32 Practicality Tank 300 +13 Ownership Tank 300 +21

Large difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Tank 300

Performance 98/100
Efficiency 97/100
Safety 100/100
Practicality 76/100
Ownership 65/100

H1

Performance 30/100
Efficiency 35/100
Safety 68/100
Practicality 63/100
Ownership 44/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index GWM Tank 300 leads the specification evidence index with 88 pts vs 49 pts for H1

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Tank 300 leads. However, H1 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

H1 vs Tank 300 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.