GWM P Series vs GWM P500

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 P Series Discontinued model
GWM P Series in South Africa

GWM P Series

2.0T Double Cab LX 4x4 Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Discontinued model
ZAR 599,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 480 Nm ⛽ 9.8 km/l
VS
GWM P500 in South Africa

GWM P500

2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4 9HAT Hybrid Current
ZAR 999,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 255 kW 🔧 648 Nm ⛽ 10.2 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

GWM P Series vs GWM P500: the short answer

P500 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while P Series remains close.

Recorded price context P Series: last listed from ZAR 444,900 · P500: current from ZAR 799,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification P Series P500
Maximum Power P Series110 kW P500255 kW
Maximum Torque P Series480 Nm P500648 Nm
Engine Size P Series1996 cc P5002000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy P Series9.8 km/l P50010.2 km/l
Ground Clearance P Series210 mm P500224 mm

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

Evidence for GWM P Series 2.0T Double Cab LX 4x4

Source type: Hagalu catalogue record

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

P Series

Strengths
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

P500

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

P Series

  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

P500

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

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 P Series P500
Model Introduced Year 2020 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation The P Series sold in South Africa is the first generation marketed under the GWM banner locally, derived from Great Wall's POER platform launched in China in 2019. Local specification differs from the Chinese-market POER in suspension calibration (firmer for higher payload), 4x4 system tuning (greater bias to load-carrying durability over technical off-road performance) and trim levels (the South African range is more equipment-loaded than the domestic Chinese equivalent at the same price point). Current South African P500 listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History Since its 2020 South African launch, the P Series has received two notable updates. A 2022 mid-cycle refresh introduced the larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen on LS and above, updated driver-assistance calibration to reduce false lane-departure alerts on SA rural roads, and added wireless Apple CarPlay on the LT and LX. A 2024 specification update added the 360-degree camera as standard on LT trim, upgraded the rear-camera resolution across the range and revised the suspension damping after South African dealer feedback noted the original tune was firmer than ideal on Eastern Cape gravel. Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since 2024 Original current-generation version
Body Type Cab Double Cab Pickup
Tare Mass Kg 1985 kg 2761 kg
Facelift Version Ending Not confirmed Current
Body Style Not confirmed Double-cab pickup
Color Note Not confirmed Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note Not confirmed Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Not confirmed Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4 9HAT
Model Year Not confirmed 2026
Production Status Not confirmed published
Segment Not confirmed Pickup
Vehicle Type Not confirmed Pickup
Spec P Series P500
Length 5360 mm 5445 mm
Width 1900 mm 1991 mm
Height 1815 mm 1924 mm
Wheelbase 3220 mm 3350 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 210 mm 224 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 75 l 80 l
Kerb Weight 1985 kg 2810 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3000 kg 3495 kg
Payload Capacity 900 kg 685 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 4 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 13.6 m -
Front Headroom 1020 mm -
Rear Headroom 975 mm -
Front Legroom 1070 mm -
Rear Legroom 880 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This P Series and P500 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: P Series 61 vs P500 98.

Efficiency index: P Series 41 vs P500 50.

Safety-equipment index: P Series 91 vs P500 88.

Practicality index: P Series 81 vs P500 79.

Ownership-cover index: P Series 65 vs P500 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

P500 leads by 10 points

P500 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while P Series remains close.

Evidence leader 79 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 67% source coverage
79
#1 Evidence leader

P500

67% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 98 Check Efficiency 50
Performance 98
Efficiency 50
Safety 88
Practicality 79
Ownership 65
Leads by 10 points
69
#2

P Series

94% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Efficiency 41
Performance 61
Efficiency 41
Safety 91
Practicality 81
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance P500 +37 Efficiency P500 +9 Safety P Series +3 Practicality P Series +2 Ownership Level

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

P500

Performance 98/100
Efficiency 50/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 79/100
Ownership 65/100

P Series

Performance 61/100
Efficiency 41/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 81/100
Ownership 65/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index GWM P500 leads the specification evidence index with 79 pts vs 69 pts for P Series

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, P500 leads. However, P Series may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

P Series vs P500 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.