Toyota RAV4 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.

Toyota RAV4 in South Africa

Toyota RAV4

2.5 HEV GR-S CVT Hybrid CVT Current
ZAR 941,800 ex-showroom
⚡ 137 kW 🔧 221 Nm ⛽ 21.3 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

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Tank 300
Fuel Economy Tank 300
🛡 Safety Tank 300
📦 Practicality Tank 300
🔑 Ownership Tank 300
RAV4 starts ZAR 89,900 cheaper RAV4 from ZAR 610,000 · Tank 300 from ZAR 699,900

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec RAV4 Tank 300
Maximum Power 137 kW @ 6000 rpm 240 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque 221 Nm 750 Nm
Engine Size 2500 cc 1999 cc
Claimed Mileage 21.3 km/l 35.7 km/l
Ground Clearance 186 mm 224 mm
Boot / Load Bay 732 l 490 l
Airbags Driver Knee, Front Side, Rear Curtain, Front Curtain 8
Kerb Weight - 2050 kg
Seating Capacity - -
Warranty 3 years / 100 000 km 5 Years / 100,000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Tank 300 holds a noticeable edge over RAV4, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Tank 300 +48 pts
Efficiency Tank 300 +13 pts
Safety Tank 300 +6 pts
Practicality Tank 300 +5 pts
Ownership Tank 300 +19 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

RAV4

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: General Use
🏆 Overall Winner

Tank 300

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

RAV4

  • Buyers looking for a balanced all-round vehicle

Tank 300

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec RAV4 Tank 300
Model Introduced Year 2026 2024
Generation All-new sixth-generation RAV4 introduced in South Africa in July 2026 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 Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives 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 Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives 2024
Facelift Version Ending Current South African 2026 specification Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published published
Segment SUV SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1725-1740 kg 2050 kg
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note - 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.
Spec RAV4 Tank 300
Drivetrain Layout AWD E-FOUR Front Engine Four Wheel Drive
LSD Available Standard Front + Rear, Yes
Transfer Case Not Applicable Yes
Paddle Shifters Standard Yes
Gearbox CVT 8-Speed Automatic
Number of Gears Not Applicable 8
Transmission Type CVT Automatic
Drivetrain AWD E-FOUR All Wheel Drive (Hi4-T Hybrid)
4WD Engagement Permanent electric all-wheel drive Available
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Yes
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Yes
4WD Selector Not Applicable Confirmed 4WD derivative
Automatic Shift Paddles Standard Yes
Gearbox Type CVT 8-Speed Automatic
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low Range Not Applicable Available where 4WD low range is fitted
Axle Layout AWD E-FOUR AWD
Transmission Speeds Not Applicable 8
Gear Shift Type Automatic Automatic
Clutch Type - Torque Converter
Differential Lock - Yes
Drive Mode Selector - 4WD/off-road drive mode support
Engine Position - Front Transverse
Final Drive Ratio - 3.73
Gear Shift Indicator - Yes
Reverse Gear Warning - Yes
Steering Turns Lock to Lock - 14.7:1
Front Differential Lock - Yes
Rear Differential Lock - Yes

Overall Verdict Score

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

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Tank 300 leads by 19 points

Tank 300 holds a noticeable edge over RAV4, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 88 /100
Lead 19 points
Data 97% confidence
88
#1 Winner

Tank 300

97% data confidence 4 strong categories
Best at Safety 100 Check Ownership 65
Performance 98
Efficiency 97
Safety 100
Practicality 76
Ownership 65
Leads by 19 points
69
#2

RAV4

75% data confidence 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Ownership 46
Performance 50
Efficiency 84
Safety 94
Practicality 71
Ownership 46
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Tank 300 +48 Efficiency Tank 300 +13 Safety Tank 300 +6 Practicality Tank 300 +5 Ownership Tank 300 +19

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Tank 300

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

RAV4

Performance 50/100
Efficiency 84/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 71/100
Ownership 46/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 GWM Tank 300 wins with 88 pts vs 69 pts for RAV4

In structured scoring, Tank 300 emerges as the stronger overall package. However, RAV4 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 300 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: RAV4 84 vs Tank 300 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: RAV4 94, Tank 300 100. 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: RAV4 46, Tank 300 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: RAV4 71, Tank 300 76. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: RAV4 50, Tank 300 98. 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 300 edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Tank 300 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 RAV4 and Tank 300 in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: RAV4 scores 50 vs 98.

Efficiency: RAV4 scores 84 vs 97.

Safety: RAV4 scores 94 vs 100.

Practicality: RAV4 scores 71 vs 76.

Ownership: RAV4 scores 46 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives Tank 300 the advantage in this comparison.