Tank 500 has confidently occupied the niche of "Land Cruiser alternative", gathering an impressive army of fans thanks to its frame, solid engines and the right off-road image. But the "secondary market" often tells more about the model than advertising brochures. Why almost new cars are being sold, how they survive the first winters and what pitfalls have already emerged - we study using examples of real inspections.
The Russian history of Tank 500 began in the spring of 2023, when a version with a 3-liter V6 with 299 hp and a 48-volt starter-generator was released on the market. The classic frame construction, independent front suspension and solid rear axle, TOD all-wheel drive, locks and a downshift formed the image of an "old school" car. Later, hybrids appeared: first a 2.0-liter parallel one, then a forced Blacktrail and a plug-in Hi-Charge. But six-cylinder versions dominate on the "secondary market" - hybrids are much less common.
From the point of view of reliability, Tank 500 demonstrates an unusually high level of readiness for the Russian climate. The body is fully galvanized, the hidden cavities are neatly coated with mastic, and the paintwork is resistant to sandblasting - after several winters, only cosmetic traces are visible on the bolts and suspension. The technology also looks convincing: both engines - 2.0 and V6 - do not show chronic sores, do not consume oil, and start easily in the cold. The Great Wall "automatic", reminiscent of the 9G-Tronic, does not show mechanical failures, although it requires calibration refinement. Even electronics, traditionally a sore spot for Chinese cars, is limited to rare screen glitches and isolated T-Box failures.
But what about in practice? There are about 200 used Tank 500s on the market with prices ranging from 3,700,000 to 7,000,000 rubles. And many sellers voice reasons that raise questions. One owner gets rid of an almost new hybrid due to "taxes", although the real savings there have always been dubious. Another one parts with a car that has traveled only 10,000 km - the dealer assures that this is the "boss's" personal car. The third one sells a well-groomed copy in film - and it flies away literally on the day of viewing, despite the controversial "wood-like" inserts and ergonomics, completely tied to the sensor.
There are also more colorful options - for example, a black hybrid, brought to the image of a classic BCD (big black jeep). At 40,000 km, it looks almost perfect and demonstrates how decently the model tolerates the first runs and reagents. But there is still a lack of thoughtfulness in the trunk, and the actual consumption of the hybrid installation easily goes beyond 14 liters, if you work the pedal a little more actively. But the silence and smoothness of the ride are the envy of many analogues.
There are also V6 versions after minor accidents. One of these Tank with a mileage of 17,000 km offers something that hybrids do not have: a rich sound and confident pick-up from any revs, allowing a heavy SUV to accelerate unexpectedly enthusiastically. Otherwise, the technology under the hood looks almost new, and the suspension pleases with energy intensity, although it is not as comfortable as that of the legendary competitor.
The result is unexpected. Over two years of operation, the Tank 500 has not revealed any critical weaknesses. In the used car market, it depreciates by 25–30% of the recommended price, which is more than a decent result for a young brand. Yes, the desire of owners to change cars after a year or two looks suspicious, but the reasons often lie outside the technical part. "Kruzak" still remains out of competition: for the amount for which you can buy a new Tank, Land Cruiser 300 does not even appear on the horizon. But if you look soberly, the Chinese frame has confidently established itself in the segment and on the "secondary market" it already feels much calmer than many expected.