Mazda CX-9 vs GWM Tank 300

What's the difference?

VS
Mazda CX-9
Mazda CX-9

$23,800 - $52,990

2021 price

GWM Tank 300
GWM Tank 300

$46,190 - $60,990

2025 price

Summary

2021 Mazda CX-9
2025 GWM Tank 300
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.5L

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.4L
Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
8.4L/100km (combined)

7.8L/100km (combined)
Seating
7

5
Dislikes
  • Expensive AWD option
  • Six-seater's compromises
  • Older ANCAP safety rating

  • ADAS needs more calibration
  • Some cabin noise
  • Jittery ride on some road surfaces
2021 Mazda CX-9 Summary

The second-generation Mazda CX-9 may have been on sale in Australia for nearly five years now, but it remains the second best-selling large SUV using unibody construction (as opposed to old-school, off-road-focused body-on-frame).

That said, it is getting on a bit, so Mazda’s given it an update with a twist for 2021, hoping to inject a little bit more life into its flagship model.

And when we say twist, we mean it. After all, who would’ve thought there’d ever be a six-seat CX-9? Well, we’ve checked it out to see if it’s the version we needed all along. Read on.

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2025 GWM Tank 300 Summary

GWM’s Tank 300 struck a chord with Australian buyers when it launched in 2023. The rugged, boxy design, serious off-roading ability and unbeatable value for money - especially compared with similar models like the Jeep Wrangler - won it a number of new fans.

But something was missing. With an uninspiring petrol engine and a patchy hybrid powertrain the only options, the Tank 300 was sorely missing a diesel.

GWM itself says about 75 per cent of models in the off-road-focused large and upper-large SUV segments are made up of diesel-powered SUVs, so it was missing out on a chunk of sales.

Thanks to some serious nudging from GWM Australia and New Zealand, the Chinese parent company saw the potential and have added a diesel engine to the mix. This is the same diesel unit found in the GWM Cannon and Cannon Alpha utes.

Is the diesel now the pick of the Tank 300 range? Or should you look at another oil-burning 4x4?

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Mazda CX-9 2025 GWM Tank 300

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