As the old guard of 7-seater diesel-powered ladder-framed mid-sized SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Nissan Terra, and the Ford Everest mature in our Philippine market, the strengthening ripples from new industry players from China have significantly raised their game creating desirable alternatives albeit with less passenger capacity. We have here the 2024 Jetour T2 without its optional Terrain package (that adds a rear side mounted ladder and saddle bag for an extra ₱100k) in Bora Blue priced at ₱2,498,000.00 and the 2024 GWM Tank 300 in Fossil Grey priced at ₱2,678,000.00. Both the Jetour T2 (253 bhp @ 5500 rpm mated to a 7-speed DCT) and GWM Tank 300 (217 bhp @ 5500 rpm mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic) are powered by non-electrified direct injection turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engines. The T2 is primarily rear wheel driven despite having a transverse engine with an intelligent AWD system that also has a central LSD and rear e-differential using a monocoque chassis with fully independent suspension (MacPherson struts with a multi-link rear setup). The Tank 300 uses a longitudinal engine that is conventionally rear wheel driven, has an intelligent 4WD system with 4-High, 4-Low, fully lockable independent front and rear differentials, and uses a robust ladder-frame chassis with independent double wishbone front suspension and a traditional rear live-axle multi-link setup.
The Jetour T2 builds on the award-winning drivetrain of its 7-seater Chery Tiggo 8 Pro 2.0T brother (which retails for ₱1,998,000.00) with a completely different packaging, heightened abilities, more comprehensive standard equipment, and larger proportions (90 mm longer wheelbase up from 2710 mm, approximately longer by 50 mm up from 4722 mm not counting the mounted spare tire, wider by 146 mm up from 1860 mm, and taller by 134 mm up from 1746 mm) for significantly more comfort and trunk space for 5 passengers. To help compensate for the additional weight of the larger Jetour T2 compared to the Chery Tiggo8 Pro 2.0T, maximum available torque of 288 lb-ft (390 Nm) arrives 250 rpm sooner and holds from 1750 to 4000 rpm. The GWM Tank 300’s maximum torque is 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) from 1800 to 3600 rpm. The Tank 300 is 4760 mm long, 1930 mm wide, and 1903 mm tall on a 2750 mm wheelbase.
For off-road use and for water wading ability ratings; the T2 has an approach angle of 39 degrees, a break-over angle of 25 degrees, a departure angle of 33 degrees, the ground clearance is 220 mm and can handle up to 700 mm of water depth. The Tank 300 has an approach angle of 33 degrees, a break-over angle of 23.1 degrees, a departure angle of 34 degrees, the ground clearance is 224 mm and can also handle up to 700 mm of water depth. The T2’s brake system uses a two-piston front caliper on 12.4-inch (316 mm) ventilated discs and single rear slider on 12.3-inch (314 mm) solid discs with an Integrated Electric Parking Brake. The Tank 300 on the other hand uses a two-piston front caliper on 12.4-inch (316 mm) ventilated discs and single rear slider on 12.7-inch (323 mm) vented discs with an Integrated Electric Parking Brake. Both SUVs have very comprehensive ADAS active and passive safety equipment. The T2 uses 255/55R20 110W Giti Control Advanztech P10 tires on attractive 20” x 9J” alloys for enhanced road use while retaining off-road duty. The Tank 300 uses 265/65R17 116H XL Cooper Discoverer ATT tires on 17” x 8J” 6-bolt black alloys that have more off-road bias yet are exemplarily compliant and quiet on road.
The overall fuel economy of the T2 is 9.5 km/L with a 70-liter fuel tank while the Tank 300 is 10.5 km/L with a slightly larger 75-liter fuel tank. The T2 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds with a governed 180 km/h top speed. The Tank 300 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds with a governed 170 km/h top speed. The modest figures in real-world functionality translates to better than average mobility, driver entertainment, and fuel efficiency. The T2 is certainly the more flamboyant looker with a fabulous panoramic moonroof, a better 12-speaker Sony sound system in comparison to the 10-speaker system on the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro 2.0T, has a trunk capacity of 475-liters with the second-row fixed and 1,494-liters with the seats folded flat, huge 15.6” infotainment screen, abundant tactile interior features, ambient lighting, 10.25” instrument display, ventilated front powered seats, brilliant signature full-LED Matrix lighting, wireless smartphone charger, and so much more. The Tank 300 has a trunk capacity of 400-liters with the second-row fixed and 1,635-liters with the seats folded flat, a rocking 9-speaker Infinity audio system, dual 12.3” screens, moonroof, ambient lighting, excellent full-LED signature lighting, impressive NVH, can tow 2500 kgs., and more. Both float and wallow when driven but are predictable and almost always quite compliant. The transmission on the Tank 300 is particularly smooth and precise which makes the engine perform stronger in real-world terms.
The GWM Tank 300 and Jetour T2 both have quite a few variations/trim levels available in other markets that include more powerful and greener electrified models but they are currently unavailable in the Philippines for the moment. However, as it stands, both available vehicles are very full featured and very desirable though each will appeal to slightly different buyers as both vehicles have different priorities. The Jetour T2 will have the more mass appeal with its extra yellow accents, modern tasteful styling, upscale materials, longer list of standard kit, brand familiarity, and lower retail price than the slightly smaller GWM Tank 300. The GWM Tank 300 would appeal more to buyers looking for a more dedicated off-road vehicle that would also perform well on country roads. Either way, they both have strong appeal, are very comfortable, effortless to operate and are very well built.
