When you think of premium bakkies, Toyota, Ford, and Isuzu usually dominate the conversation. But the arrival of the GWM P500 is here to disrupt that narrative – offering a compelling blend of style, cutting-edge tech, and hybrid power that’s hard to ignore.
Design & Presence – Built to Turn Heads
The P500 doesn’t shy away from making a statement. At 5 445 mm long and almost 2 metres wide, it commands the road in the same way American full-size pickups do. The bold, chrome-accented grille, flanked by slim LED headlights, gives it a modern yet muscular face.
Around the back, GWM has gone practical with a split “barn-door” tailgate, making loading and unloading cargo easier in tight spaces. High ground clearance, sculpted body lines, and chunky 18- or 20-inch alloys complete the look. This is a bakkie designed to be noticed, whether at a construction site or parked outside a city coffee shop.
Interior & Tech – Premium Comfort, High-Tech Features
Step inside, and it’s clear GWM aimed to rival luxury SUVs. Nappa leather upholstery, soft-touch materials, and brushed metal accents create a plush, premium atmosphere.
Front and centre is a 14.6-inch infotainment display, paired with a 12.3-inch digital driver cluster. Higher trims even add a head-up display, ambient lighting, and a Harman Infinity premium sound system.
Other comfort touches include heated and ventilated front seats with massage function, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and multiple USB-C ports. It’s a cabin that makes long trips a pleasure, not a chore.
Performance & Powertrain – Diesel or Hybrid Muscle
The P500 is available in two very different flavours:
- 2.4-litre turbodiesel producing 135 kW / 480 Nm – smooth, torquey, and frugal for a bakkie this size.
- 2.0-litre turbo-petrol hybrid (HEV) delivering a hefty 255 kW / 648 Nm – making it South Africa’s first full parallel-hybrid bakkie.
Both versions are mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and standard 4×4 with BorgWarner low-range gearing. The hybrid variant can sprint from 0-100 km/h in just over 8 seconds – quick for something with a load bin.
Capability & Practicality – Built for Work and Play
Don’t be fooled by the luxury trimmings – the P500 still gets the job done. It boasts:
- 3 500 kg braked towing capacity
- Payload of up to 821 kg
- Rear differential lock and multiple terrain modes
- Hill descent control and trailer sway assist
Whether you’re towing a boat to the coast or tackling muddy farm tracks, the P500 has the hardware to cope.
Safety & Assistance Tech
Safety is another area where the P500 punches above its weight. A full suite of driver-assist systems includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keep assist and lane-change assist
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- 360-degree surround-view cameras
In higher trims, you even get automated parking assist – a rare feature in the bakkie segment.
Pricing & Warranty
| Trim | Engine | Price (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury | 2.4 l Diesel | R 799 900 |
| Super Luxury | 2.4 l Diesel | R 889 900 |
| HEV Ultra Luxury | 2.0 l Hybrid | R 999 900 |
All models include a 7-year / 200 000 km warranty and 5-year / 75 000 km service plan.
*Prices correct at time of publishing.
Verdict – Who Is the GWM P500 For?
The P500 isn’t just another double cab – it’s GWM making a clear statement that premium bakkies don’t have to come from traditional brands. With its luxury-level interior, advanced tech, and serious performance – especially in hybrid form – it offers outstanding value for buyers willing to step outside the usual Hilux-Ranger-D-Max bubble.
If you’re after a bakkie that blends workhorse utility with SUV-like comfort, the GWM P500 deserves a test drive.
