If you have driven past a Haval dealership in Lahore or Karachi recently, you might have noticed a vehicle sitting in the showroom that looks like it belongs in a presidential motorcade. Great Wall Motors (GWM), via Sazgar Engineering, has officially launched the locally assembled Haval Tank 500 PHEV in Pakistan. This is not a compact crossover like the H6 or Jolion. This is a massive, body-on-frame, full-size luxury SUV explicitly designed to go head-to-head with the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
But the biggest talking point right now isn’t the size—it is the price. For months, auto analysts rumored this flagship would launch at a staggering PKR 4.5 Crore. Instead, Sazgar shocked everyone by launching the top-of-the-line PHEV variant at PKR 2.25 Crore (and the base HEV at PKR 2.05 Crore).
At half the expected price, is this Chinese SUV the ultimate Prado killer? Here is our deep-dive review.
1. Haval Tank 500 PHEV – Power and Performance: The Plug-In Advantage
Unlike traditional gas-guzzling V8s, the Tank 500 brings modern hybrid architecture to a heavy ladder-frame chassis.
- The Engine: It features a 2.0L Turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor (using the Hi4-T drivetrain).
- The Output: Combined, the PHEV generates a massive 402 Horsepower and 750 Nm of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. This gives it significantly more punch off the line than the standard 2.7L or even 2.8L diesel Prado.
- Fuel Economy: Because it is a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) with a 37.1 kWh battery, you get a claimed EV-only range of about 100 km. If your daily office commute is under 60 km, you can drive this massive tank without using a single drop of petrol.
2. An Interior Fit for Royalty
Where the Tank 500 truly destroys the Japanese competition is the cabin. Stepping inside feels like entering a luxury European yacht; you will not find the utilitarian, hard plastics of older off-roaders here.
- The Tech: It features a fully digital 12.3-inch driver display and a massive 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, alongside a premium 12-speaker audio setup.
- The Comfort: You get Nappa leather seating, heated, ventilated, and massage front seats, active noise cancellation for a dead-silent cabin, and a panoramic sunroof. It even features rear-armrest touchscreen controls for the back passengers.
3. Serious Off-Road DNA
Do not let the crystal gear shifter and massive screens fool you; this is a rugged machine built for the wild. It boasts over 8 inches of ground clearance, locking differentials, and a brilliant “Tank Turn” feature that drastically reduces the turning radius to help maneuver in tight mountain passes. It can tackle the rocky terrain of Gilgit-Baltistan just as easily as it cruises in complete silence on the M-2 Motorway.
Verdict
At PKR 2.25 Crore, the Tank 500 PHEV is a monumental flex and a complete market disruptor. While traditionalists will argue that Toyota holds its resale value better and has proven 20-year mechanical reliability, the Tank 500 offers twice the luxury, vastly superior technology, and triple the fuel efficiency for a fraction of the price of a zero-meter Prado.
If you want unmatched road presence and premium comfort without spending 5 Crore, this is currently the undisputed king of the streets.