VS
At a Glance
Power
135 kW
96 kW
Torque
480 Nm
285 Nm
Fuel
8.6 l/100km
12.2 l/100km
Towing
3500 Kg
1500 Kg
0-100 km/h
—
18.0 s
Engine
2370 cc
4164 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 96 kW. On fuel, the P500 returns 8.6 l/100km while the Land Cruiser 79 uses 12.2 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R889 900 for the P500 and R1 011 500 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
96 kW
Torque
480 Nm
285 Nm
0-100 kph
—
18.0 s
Top Speed
—
140 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2370 cc
4164 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
6
Fuel Type
diesel
diesel
Forced Induction Device
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
12.2 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
78 l
130 l
CO2 Emissions
226 g/km
320 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5445 mm
5235 mm
Width
1991 mm
1870 mm
Height
1924 mm
1945 mm
Wheelbase
3350 mm
3180 mm
Ground Clearance
224 mm
235 mm
Kerb Weight
2550 Kg
2225 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
3500 Kg
1500 Kg
Load Capacity
760 l
975 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
—
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
—
Traction Control
✓ 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
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Sunroof
✓ Standard
—
Heated Seats
✓ 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
18 services
Service Plan Distance
75000
90000
Service Intervals
15000
5000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
GWM P500
4 / 4 categories
Performance
P500
Fuel Economy
P500
Value
P500
Practicality
P500
Pros & Cons
GWM P500
More powerful engine (135 kW)
Better fuel economy (8.6 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R889 900)
Higher towing capacity (3500 Kg)
Few notable weaknesses
Toyota Land Cruiser 79
Well-rounded specification
Higher fuel consumption (12.2 l/100km)
Less power than rival (96 kW vs 135 kW)
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 12.2 l/100km on the combined cycle. The P500 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 96 kW and 285 Nm of torque. The P500 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the P500 and Land Cruiser 79?
The P500 starts from R889 900 and the Land Cruiser 79 from R1 011 500. The P500 is cheaper by R121 600 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 1500 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.