VS
At a Glance
Power
135 kW
150 kW
Torque
480 Nm
450 Nm
Fuel
8.6 l/100km
7.6 l/100km
Towing
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
Engine
2370 cc
2755 cc
Choosing between the GWM P500 and the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The GWM P500 delivers 135 kW while the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 produces 150 kW. On fuel, the P500 returns 8.6 l/100km while the Land Cruiser 79 uses 7.6 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R799 900 for the P500 and R974 300 for the Land Cruiser 79. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
135 kW
150 kW
Torque
480 Nm
450 Nm
Top Speed
—
150 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2370 cc
2755 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
diesel
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
manual
Number of Gears
9
5
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Low Range
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
8.6 l/100km
7.6 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
78 l
90 + 90 (total 180) l
CO2 Emissions
226 g/km
197 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5445 mm
5235 mm
Width
1991 mm
1870 mm
Height
1924 mm
1955 mm
Wheelbase
3350 mm
3180 mm
Ground Clearance
224 mm
235 mm
Kerb Weight
2489 Kg
2120 Kg
Doors
4
2
Seats
5
2
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
Load Capacity
821 l
1180 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
7
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
—
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
—
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
7
3
Warranty Distance
200000 Km
100000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
7
9 services
Service Plan Distance
75000
90000
Service Intervals
15000
10000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Land Cruiser 79
Fuel Economy
Land Cruiser 79
Value
P500
Practicality
P500
Pros & Cons
GWM P500
Lower starting price (R799 900)
Higher fuel consumption (8.6 l/100km)
Less power than rival (135 kW vs 150 kW)
Toyota Land Cruiser 79
More powerful engine (150 kW)
Better fuel economy (7.6 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the P500 or Land Cruiser 79?
The P500 uses 8.6 l/100km and the Land Cruiser 79 uses 7.6 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Land Cruiser 79 is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the P500 or Land Cruiser 79?
The P500 produces 135 kW and 480 Nm of torque while the Land Cruiser 79 delivers 150 kW and 450 Nm of torque. The Land Cruiser 79 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the P500 and Land Cruiser 79?
The P500 starts from R799 900 and the Land Cruiser 79 from R974 300. The P500 is cheaper by R174 400 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the P500 or Land Cruiser 79?
The P500 has a braked towing capacity of 3500 Kg and the Land Cruiser 79 can tow 3500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the P500 or the Land Cruiser 79?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.