GWM Tank 300 Fuel Consumption: Real-World L/100km Tested (2026)

The GWM Tank 300 has grabbed plenty of attention with its tough looks, real off-road ability and a sharp price. But one question dominates the owner forums: what is its real-world fuel consumption? GWM quotes 9.5 L/100km combined — so we put a petrol Tank 300 through a three-part, real-world test (city, highway and off-road) to find its actual thirst, and pulled together how the hybrid and PHEV versions compare.

Official Claims vs Reality

GWM's petrol Tank 300 uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an official combined-cycle figure of 9.5 L/100km. That number comes from controlled lab conditions, so it's a starting point rather than a promise — real-world use rarely matches the lab.

Why Your Mileage Varies

People often ask, "Why is my fuel consumption higher than advertised?" A few factors decide how much fuel your Tank 300 actually uses:

• Driving style: hard acceleration, heavy braking and high speeds hurt economy the most. Smooth driving saves a surprising amount.
• Terrain: constant uphill or rough, bumpy tracks make the engine work harder and burn more fuel.
• Vehicle load: extra passengers and heavy gear mean more energy to move the vehicle.
• Tyre pressure & type: under-inflated tyres add rolling resistance, and heavy mud-terrain tyres use more than standard all-terrains.
• Accessories: roof racks, bull bars and awnings disrupt airflow and add weight, lifting consumption.

Our Testing Methodology

We wanted accurate, repeatable and trustworthy results, so we set a strict process. Credibility was the priority.

The Test Vehicle

We used a 2023 GWM Tank 300 Ultra with about 5,000 km on it, so the engine was properly run-in. It was completely stock with no aftermarket changes, on its standard factory tyres inflated to the recommended pressure.

Our Measurement Method

We used the reliable "brim-to-brim" method for each segment. We filled the tank to the first automatic click, reset the trip meter to zero, completed a set loop, then returned to the same pump and refilled to the first click again. That gives the exact fuel used for the exact distance travelled.

Test 1: Urban (City) Fuel Consumption

Most owners use the Tank 300 as a daily driver, so its city economy is a key question. Our urban test copied a typical commute: a 100 km loop through Sydney's dense traffic, run across both peak and off-peak hours, with frequent light stops, long crawls in heavy traffic and short bursts up to the 60 km/h limit.

Our City Driving Verdict

After the stop-start loop, our calculations showed a real-world city figure of 12.8 L/100km — well above the 9.5 official combined number. That gap reflects constant stopping and low-speed running on a 2.0L turbo engine hauling nearly 2.2 tonnes. This answers the common question, "Is the Tank 300 heavy on fuel in the city?" It's thirstier than a typical sedan or small SUV, which is expected for its class.

What Owners Are Saying

Our findings aren't unusual. Owners in the "GWM Tank 300 Owners Australia" Facebook group commonly report city-only consumption between 12.5 and 14.0 L/100km, and threads on Reddit's r/CarsAustralia consistently put purely urban figures in the high 12s to low 13s — which lines up closely with our result.

Test 2: Highway Fuel Consumption

For long-distance travel, road trips and highway commutes, open-road economy matters just as much as city manners. For our highway test we covered a 200 km round trip on the M1 Pacific Motorway, holding a steady 110 km/h on adaptive cruise in light traffic — the most efficient environment for any vehicle.

Highway Efficiency Results

In these optimal conditions the Tank 300 returned 9.5 L/100km — exactly matching GWM's official combined figure. Freed from stop-start traffic, it's a surprisingly efficient cruiser. The key is the powertrain: at a steady 110 km/h, the 8-speed automatic keeps the engine spinning at a relaxed ~2,000 RPM.

Case: The Annual Road Trip

Consider a family planning a 1,000 km holiday trip. At our tested 9.5 L/100km, that's about 95 litres for the whole journey. With the 75-litre tank, that translates to a realistic highway range of nearly 800 km on a single fill — strong for a rugged, body-on-frame 4x4. Long-term tests from major reviewers such as Drive.com.au back up its dual role as both a tough off-roader and a comfortable tourer.

Test 3: Off-Road Fuel Consumption

This is where the Tank 300 belongs — and where real off-road fuel data is hard to find. Our final test took us to a dedicated 4x4 park outside Sydney. We engaged 4-Low for maximum torque and control, then tackled a challenging 30 km loop over several hours: deep muddy ruts, steep rocky climbs and soft sand. The engine worked consistently hard, often at higher RPM to keep momentum.

Off-Road Consumption Revealed

As expected, this was by far the thirstiest part of the test: 18.5 L/100km. That jump is entirely normal for any 4x4 in low-range, which multiplies torque for control rather than efficiency. Treat ~18-19 L/100km as the figure to budget for a weekend of serious off-roading.

Equipping for the Trail (and Saving Fuel)

Tough terrain strains everything from suspension to drivetrain, so durable, properly fitted gear matters for safety and enjoyment. Our dedicated GWM Tank 300 accessories range covers recovery gear, tow points and protection built specifically for the Tank 300. One genuinely effective fuel tip off-road is managing tyre pressure. Airing down to around 18-20 PSI on the trail improves grip and ride comfort and lets the engine work less hard on soft surfaces like sand and mud — which saves fuel. Just re-inflate to road pressures before you head back onto the highway.

Petrol vs Hybrid vs PHEV: Which Tank 300 Sips Least?

Many searchers want the hybrid or plug-in figures rather than the petrol's. The Tank 300 is sold in three powertrains, and they're worlds apart on fuel. The numbers below are the manufacturer and independent-review figures (our hands-on test above is the petrol version). The petrol is the simplest and cheapest to buy; the HEV shaves about a litre off the combined figure; and the Hi4-T PHEV can run roughly 90-115 km on electricity alone, so short daily trips may use almost no petrol — but its quoted 1.9 L/100km only holds with a charged battery. For the full breakdown, see our GWM Tank 300 Hybrid review.

Is the Fuel Use a Dealbreaker?

The petrol Tank 300 has two personalities. On the highway it's surprisingly frugal and matches its official claim when driven smoothly. In the city, and especially off-road, its thirst shows — normal for a heavy, body-on-frame 4x4 with a turbo-petrol engine. Here's the real-world data in one place.

The Price of Capability

Ultimately, the petrol Tank 300's fuel use isn't a dealbreaker — it's the price of admission for serious off-road ability, real character and a competitive sticker price. If most of your driving is highway or rural, running costs are very manageable. If you'll mostly tackle city traffic or frequent hardcore off-roading, budget for the thirst — or look hard at the hybrid and PHEV, which exist precisely to cut it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GWM Tank 300 heavy on fuel in the city?

In our real-world urban loop the petrol Tank 300 used 12.8 L/100km — noticeably above the 9.5 L/100km official combined figure. That's expected for a near-2.2-tonne, body-on-frame 4x4 with a turbo-petrol engine in stop-start traffic. Owner reports in Australia commonly fall between 12.5 and 14.0 L/100km in the city.

Is the official 9.5 L/100km figure accurate?

On the highway, yes. We recorded exactly 9.5 L/100km cruising at 110 km/h on the M1. The official combined number is realistic for steady open-road driving but optimistic in city traffic and well off the pace off-road, where we saw 18.5 L/100km.

What is the Tank 300 hybrid and PHEV fuel consumption?

The Tank 300 HEV (hybrid) is rated around 8.4 L/100km combined. The Hi4-T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) claims 1.9 L/100km with a charged battery, rising to about 8.3 L/100km once the battery is depleted, and offers roughly 115 km of EV-only range. The petrol version we tested is rated 9.5 L/100km combined.

What is the Tank 300's fuel tank capacity and highway range?

The petrol and hybrid Tank 300 use a 75-litre fuel tank. At our tested highway figure of 9.5 L/100km, that's a realistic range of nearly 800 km between fills. The PHEV uses a 70-litre tank plus its battery for a much longer combined range.

How much does the Tank 300 cost to run per 100km?

Based on our tested figures and petrol at $1.80/L (AUD), the petrol Tank 300 costs about $17 per 100km on the highway, $23 in the city and $33 off-road. Your actual cost moves with fuel prices and how you drive.

How can I improve the Tank 300's off-road fuel economy?

High consumption off-road is unavoidable in low-range, but airing tyres down to roughly 18-20 PSI improves grip and lets the engine work less hard on sand and mud, saving some fuel. Keep weight and aerodynamic add-ons sensible, drive smoothly, and re-inflate to road pressures before returning to the highway.