GWM Tank 500 vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
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Price Breakdown
The GWM Tank 500 starts from $59,990 before on-road costs, while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport opens at $58,440. That makes the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport the more affordable entry point by $1,550.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $65,989 and $64,284 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The GWM Tank 500 features a 14.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the GWM Tank 500 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport offers leather.
Drivetrain
The GWM Tank 500 uses a Hybrid producing 255kW and 648Nm of torque, sent through a 9-speed auto to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport responds with a Diesel making 133kW and 430Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.5 seconds.
The GWM Tank 500 has the clear power advantage at 255kW vs 133kW. In the real-world sprint, the GWM Tank 500 is 3.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The GWM Tank 500 measures 5,078mm long on a 2,850mm wheelbase, 238mm longer than the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport at 4,840mm (2,800mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the GWM Tank 500 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 98L in the GWM Tank 500 and 131L in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, giving the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport a 33L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 795L vs 1500L.
For towing, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport leads with a 3,100kg braked capacity vs 3,000kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 11.2m
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,423/year for the GWM Tank 500 and $2,280/year for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. That is a $143 annual difference in favour of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
Estimated annual total: $2,423 (GWM Tank 500) vs $2,280 (Mitsubishi Pajero Sport). The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport saves you roughly $143 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (GWM Tank 500) vs 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Pajero Sport). The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the GWM Tank 500 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer GWM's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport takes 5 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport will save you roughly $143 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has a clear edge. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, GWM Tank 500 and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is the cheapest at $58,440 before on-road costs. That undercuts the GWM Tank 500 by $1,550.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport uses the least fuel at 8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — GWM Tank 500 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the largest boot at 131L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,100kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the longest warranty at 10 years / 200k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The GWM Tank 500 makes the most power at 255kW. The GWM Tank 500 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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