The GWM P500 2.4TD Super Luxury arrives with one clear mission: to shake up South Africa’s premium bakkie segment. With its assertive design, upmarket features, and surprising levels of comfort, it’s GWM’s most ambitious double cab yet — and one that’s hard to ignore on looks alone.
Design: Oversized confidence
The first thing you notice is just how bold and unapologetically massive the P500 is. The front grille dominates, the stance is tall, and the creases are sharp. It’s a bakkie that makes its presence known, whether you’re on the worksite or pulling into the mall.
We like the 18-inch alloy wheels fitted to the Super Luxury trim — they’re well-styled — but they do look a little lost beneath the sheer size of the body. A larger set might do the proportions more justice.
Interior
Step inside, and it becomes clear that GWM is gunning for the big names. The cabin feels solid and surprisingly premium, with good-quality materials throughout. A panoramic sunroof in a bakkie? You bet — and it’s one of several upmarket touches that really raise the game here.
The large infotainment screen is crisp, bright, and easy to navigate, although we did experience some frustration with Apple CarPlay frequently disconnecting during our drive. Still, the layout is clean and intuitive, and the digital instrument cluster adds to the modern feel.
Comfort up front is excellent, with heated, cooled, and even massaging front seats. There’s also plenty of room for five passengers, making this one of the more family-friendly bakkies in its segment.
Performance and drive: Some highs, one low
Power comes from a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine, offering a good balance of grunt and efficiency. GWM claims 8.6 L/100 km, though we averaged 9.7 L/100 km in mixed driving — still better than the hybrid variant.
Off-road, the P500 holds its own with a suite of drive modes and serious capability when the going gets tough. On the tarmac, it’s compliant and composed, particularly on the highway, where road manners are surprisingly refined.
But then there’s that turbo lag. Off the line, the delay is noticeable — and not in a charming, character-filled kind of way. It’s horrendous at times, especially when trying to pull away smoothly in traffic. It feels like a software issue, not a hardware flaw, so here’s hoping GWM sorts it out with an update.
Verdict
The GWM P500 2.4TD Super Luxury plays in a tough league — up against the likes of Ford Ranger Wildtrak, Toyota Hilux, and even some Amarok trims. But for the price, it comes in loaded with features, solid performance, and a premium feel that’s hard to beat at this level.
It’s not perfect (seriously, fix that turbo lag), but it’s bold, well-specced, and moves the needle forward for GWM in the South African market. If you’re shopping for a high-spec double cab without paying top-tier prices, this is a very compelling option. The GWM P500 2.4TD Super Luxury is priced at R889,900
