GWM Tank 500 vs Toyota Fortuner
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Toyota Fortuner wins on money kept: 75% retained after three years vs 61%, worth about R 222 720 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Tank 500 | Fortuner | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 228 950 | R 692 800 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 21 480/m | R 12 109/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 78% | 87% |
| Retained after 3 years | 61% | 75% |
| Value after 3 years | R 745 685 | R 522 966 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 483 265 | R 169 834 |
| Value after 5 years | R 568 091 | R 443 454 |
| Our tier | Chinese (established) | Workhorse bakkie & ladder-frame SUV |
GWM Tank 500 →
The Tank 500 is GWM's large hybrid luxury off-roader, launched in August 2024 against the Prado and Everest. It pairs a seven-seat ladder-frame body with a strong petrol hybrid drivetrain and standard lockers. At about R1.23m it is among the priciest Chinese vehicles sold in SA, and residuals at this price point are untested.
Known for: seven-seat hybrid luxury off-roader
Toyota Fortuner →
Built locally on the Hilux platform, the Fortuner has led the adventure SUV segment since 2006. It tows, goes off-road and handles daily family duty, which is exactly the combination South Africans buy. Used values are among the strongest of any SUV in the country.
Known for: hilux-based suv dominance
Common questions
Which holds value better, the GWM Tank 500 or the Toyota Fortuner?
The Toyota Fortuner. It keeps about 75% of its price after three years against 61% for the GWM Tank 500, a gap of 15 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The GWM Tank 500 loses about R 483 265 over three years and the Toyota Fortuner loses about R 169 834. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the GWM Tank 500 runs about R 21 480 per month and the Toyota Fortuner about R 12 109, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.