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The GWM Cannon has lengthy been gunning for Australia’s favorite utes, however thus far this 12 months it’s barely been nipping at their heels, not to mention preserving them awake at evening.
GWM’s ute, which began life in 2020 because the GWM Ute, underwent a serious replace earlier this 12 months, when it was rebranded because the Cannon and gained a extra highly effective 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine, a brand new transmission, a special suspension tune, and up to date aesthetics.
The expectation – or a minimum of the hope – was that these upgrades would make the Cannon extra aggressive with the top-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, giving Australia’s hottest utes one thing to sweat about within the type of a extra succesful, value-packed various.
However that hasn’t occurred. The Cannon chalked up about 3600 gross sales within the first seven months of 2025, which is lower than the 5000-odd clients that purchased the pre-update Ute in the identical interval final 12 months.
And demand for the Chinese language-made ute continues to be comprehensively dwarfed by each that of the Ranger, with roughly 32,000 gross sales thus far this 12 months, and the HiLux with round 30,000, although year-to-dates gross sales of the favored utes are down by 13.8 and 9.8 per cent, respectively.
So what’s occurred? At a look, it’s tough to pinpoint – the Cannon has all of the tech you possibly can need, seems the half, and has all the mandatory four-wheel drive gear together with low-range gearing and a locking rear differential.
One factor to notice is that costs have elevated because the launch of the up to date mannequin in February 2025, including $2000 to the price of the ute you see on take a look at right here: the 2025 GWM Cannon Extremely. It’s a middling variant within the lineup and was joined by cheaper cab/chassis variants in April.
Competitors has additionally elevated, with new all-utes just like the JAC T9, Kia Tasman, BYD Shark 6, and even GWM’s personal Cannon Alpha getting into the frey and shifting purchaser consideration. Thoughts you, the Shark is the one mannequin on that checklist that has outsold the common Cannon thus far this 12 months.
Are patrons intentionally trying elsewhere, or is the Cannon merely flying beneath the radar?
How a lot does the GWM Cannon value?
Costs have elevated because the up to date Cannon was launched, with the Extremely now priced at $45,490 drive-away. That’s $2000 greater than it was in February this 12 months.
| Mannequin | Drive-away worth |
|---|---|
| 2025 GWM Cannon Premium 4×2 single-cab/chassis | $36,490 |
| 2025 GWM Cannon Premium 4×4 dual-cab pickup | $40,490 |
| 2025 GWM Cannon Lux 4×4 dual-cab pickup | $42,490 |
| 2025 GWM Cannon Lux 4×4 dual-cab/chassis | $43,490 |
| 2025 GWM Cannon Extremely 4×4 dual-cab pickup | $45,490 |
| 2025 GWM Cannon Vanta 4×4 dual-cab pickup | $47,490 |
| 2025 GWM Cannon XSR 4×4 dual-cab pickup | $51,990 |
The Cannon Extremely is akin to big-name utes costing about $20,000 extra, such because the volume-selling Ranger XLT bi-turbo 4×4 dual-cab ($63,890 earlier than on-roads), however its powered seat adjustment and leather-based upholstery additionally give it the specs to rival the Ranger Sport bi-turbo ($66,390 earlier than on-roads).
Its gear checklist can be equal to that of the HiLux SR5 V-Lively ($63,260 earlier than on-roads), the Isuzu D-Max LS-U ($62,500 earlier than on-roads) and the D-Max LS-U+ ($65,500 earlier than on-roads) with its leather-based trim and powered/heated entrance seats.
By way of pricing, its closest rival can be a Chinese language compatriot: the top-spec JAC T9 Haven, which has been discounted to $43,990 drive-away till October 31, 2025.
To see how the GWM Cannon stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s the GWM Cannon like on the within?
Effectively-appointed on the floor, however it begins to return undone the deeper you dig.
To begin with, we are able to’t argue with how every little thing seems. The big-ish screens don’t take up all of the out there area right here and sit properly on the dashboard, whereas there seems to be a snug quantity of buttons all completed in sturdy uninteresting plastic.
We don’t dislike the fabric decisions of the Cannon Extremely both, because the steering wheel is completed in a easy artificial leather-based, as are the seats. All of the more durable surfaces are textured too, which makes every little thing look stylish.
However issues come up as soon as it’s time to function something, beginning with the motive force’s seat which provides a good vary of adjustment however lacks a base tilting perform – which is typical in Chinese language vehicles and makes it flat and uncomfortable right here.
Then there’s the top restraint, which I discovered to be tilted too far ahead whatever the seatback’s angle of recline. It left me craning my neck ahead, with no option to tilt it backwards.
When you’ve discovered a ‘manageable’ place, it’s time to get the steering wheel sorted. There’s rake and attain adjustment, however it doesn’t telescope in the direction of the motive force sufficient to search out my excellent driving place, leaving my arms barely too outstretched.
At the very least the steering wheel is properly sized, and it has bodily buttons with a chunky, strong motion. The one draw back is that the wheel’s horizontal spokes are excessively thick, making it tough to see the stalks behind.
Meaning it’ll take longer so that you can get used to every little thing. Certainly, the theme with a lot of the cabin’s drawbacks is usability, as a result of even small issues change into irritating to reside with.
Take the infotainment system, for instance. The display itself is a 12.3-inch unit, and it provides fundamental but visually interesting graphics that make it nice to take a look at and use. There’s a powerful collection of native apps too, however the local weather management is primarily managed digitally.
To not fear, as a result of I used to be pleasantly shocked to search out an array of bodily buttons beneath. These embody controls for fan pace, demisters, and air recirculation, which made the dearth of a temperature button simpler to just accept.
There’s additionally a button to rapidly open the local weather management menu on the display above, which is confusingly labelled with a picture of a seat, so even this shortcut isn’t with out flaw.
Extra concerningly, when utilizing smartphone mirroring, which is wi-fi for each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you’re successfully locked out of a lot of the automobile’s fundamental features. Meaning the local weather shortcut button, which was tremendous useful earlier than, stops working.
So whereas it’s a must to exit out of CarPlay at first on the infotainment display works correctly, there’s an analogous challenge with the 7.0-inch instrument show, which seems good and gives loads of info however received’t mean you can scroll by means of its menus if emergency lane-keeping is enabled.
This one is especially weird, and also you’d be forgiven for considering there aren’t any completely different menus in any respect. As soon as emergency lane-keep is disabled, the steering wheel buttons will mean you can flick by means of the small collection of shows.
Little issues like this make the Cannon tough to reside with, which is a disgrace as a result of the remainder of the cabin is definitely fairly useful. All the things from the aviation-style gear selector to the storage choices is stable with out doing something surprising.
There are a great deal of buttons round that gear selector to regulate issues like off-road methods and the Cannon’s pre-wired energy shops. There’s additionally a wi-fi telephone charger up entrance, together with single USB-A and USB-C ports and a 12V outlet.
Cupholders and a decently sized central storage field are additionally included, whereas there’s a conventional glovebox in entrance of the passenger that comprises the proprietor’s guide, which nonetheless says ‘Poer’ on its entrance cowl and never Cannon. That’s the ute’s title in China, which is a minor annoyance however reveals an absence of consideration to element.
The second row isn’t fairly as properly appointed as up entrance, however that’s to be anticipated for a dual-cab ute. There’s nonetheless loads of leg and head room for our bodies of my common 173cm top, however taller passengers may have points with the latter as there’s fairly a pronounced sunroof bump. You’ll a minimum of have loads of toe room beneath the entrance seats.
The area stays roomy with two folks again right here, and whereas the center seat is serviceable for shorter drives it is best to anticipate issues to change into fairly cramped with three passengers on the rear bench.
Occupants will a minimum of have twin rear-facing air vents to maintain them comfy, and so they’re joined by twin USB-A ports on the again of the centre console.
Storage choices are restricted to helpful bottle holders within the doorways and an odd nook on the again of the centre console. There aren’t any cupholders within the tender fold-down armrest.
The bathtub is lined as normal, which ought to make it extra sturdy in the long term. It’s accessible through a damped tailgate that’s comparatively straightforward to open and shut.
GWM additionally features a helpful fold-out step to make climbing into the bathtub simpler. It extends out from the highest of the tailgate and comes full with a sprung/damped foot plate completed with abrasive materials to cease moist boots sliding off.
There aren’t any facilities within the tray right here other than a handful of tie-down factors. It’d be good to have a tonneau cowl of some kind as normal, however no such factor seems in GWM’s configurator. A “Black Laborious Lid” and curler cowl characteristic within the mannequin’s brochure with out costs although.
Oh, and the gas door wouldn’t launch correctly throughout our one gas cease for the week. After 5 minutes of reefing on the discharge lever, it will definitely opened sufficient to be grabbed and pulled open manually.
| Dimensions | GWM Cannon Extremely |
|---|---|
| Size | 5416mm |
| Width | 1947mm |
| Peak | 1884mm |
| Wheelbase | 3230mm |
| Tub size | 1520mm |
| Tub width | 1520mm |
| Tub depth | 540mm |
To see how the GWM Cannon stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Powering the Cannon Extremely is a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which pumps out 135kW of energy and 480Nm of torque to all 4 wheels by means of a nine-speed automated transmission.
| Specs | GWM Cannon Extremely |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L 4cyl turbo-diesel |
| Energy | 135kW |
| Torque | 480Nm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automated |
| Drive sort | 4-wheel drive |
| Gas economic system (claimed) | 8.4L/100km |
| Gas economic system (as examined) | 8.9L/100km |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) | 221g/km |
| Gas tank | 78L |
| Emissions normal | Euro 5 |
| Kerb weight | 2230kg |
| Payload | 995kg |
| Braked towing capability | 3500kg |
| Gross automobile mass (GVM) | 3225kg |
| Gross mixture mass (GCM) | 6200kg |
The GWM Cannon, a minimum of in four-wheel drive guise, comes with low-range gearing and a locking rear differential. Half-time four-wheel drive is barely out there within the top-spec Cannon XSR, together with a locking entrance differential.
Our week with the ute concerned primarily freeway driving, but additionally loads of time in inner-urban areas. It was seemingly the latter surroundings that contributed to our higher-than-claimed gas consumption determine, however it wasn’t excessive sufficient to lift eyebrows.
To see how the GWM Cannon stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How does the GWM Cannon drive?
The mixed-bag development of the inside continues when you hit the highway.
The two.4-litre turbo-diesel that now powers the Cannon is a stable unit. It could be noisy, however it doesn’t do something that isn’t anticipated of a diesel, and it pumps out a sufficient useable torque to supply good day-to-day driveability.
This makes the Cannon really feel much less laboured than one thing like a Mitsubishi Triton, although it additionally has a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel with comparable outputs. We suspect that is because of the Cannon’s automated transmission, which is the opposite main mechanical tweak it acquired on this 12 months’s replace.
Now not is there a ZF-sourced eight-speed automated, which has been changed with a nine-speed auto developed in-house by GWM. The result’s a transmission that’s capable of preserve the engine in its excellent powerband extra of the time, contributing to improved acceleration over the six-speed auto Triton.
It’s not with out its flaws although. Having 9 gears means the Cannon feels prefer it’s continuously shifting or looking for the correct ratio, not not like the Ranger’s 10-speed auto, even when the GWM powertrain isn’t fairly as easy because the Ford’s beneath acceleration.
It takes too lengthy to shift up a whole lot of the time, leaving the engine hanging on with too many revs when you look ahead to the subsequent gear. Stomping on the throttle additionally appears to take the automobile unexpectedly, as there’s a big delay between driver enter and the transmission kicking down.
There are helpful paddle shifters if you wish to take management your self, however they’re nonetheless comparatively unresponsive. This transmission setup has its strengths for towing, the place the extra decrease gears present a pseudo low-range impact and ship extra torque to the wheels – notably from a standstill.
The paddle shifters additionally mean you can preserve the ute in a decrease gear, however throttle calibration isn’t excellent and there’s an extended delay earlier than a wallop of energy arrives after you stomp on the throttle.
It’s additionally price mentioning the handful of drive modes to utilize. In Regular mode, the ute operates in four-wheel drive on all surfaces, which is completely different to most different utes that solely enable four-wheel drive on unsealed surfaces.
Flicking to Eco mode will revert the Cannon to rear-wheel drive, which may help scale back gas consumption. This will even uninteresting energy, however it’s good to have the choice if you happen to don’t want the 4×4 traction.
Including weight to the rear axle (both by towing or loading up the bathtub) additionally helps to iron out the Cannon’s journey. It feels as if the ute has been tuned to prioritise high-load functionality, and this further weight helps stability out the entrance and rear of the automobile.
The trade-off is an imperfect unladen journey. After all, most utes are pretty bouncy and harsh with no load on board, however regardless of the trouble that was put into enhancing the Cannon’s journey consolation, there’s nonetheless a whole lot of work to be performed.
Our essential grievance is that the Cannon feels disconnected between the entrance and rear. The front-end feels agency but one way or the other wallowy, usually dealing with bumps with composure however ploughing by means of corners with vital physique roll – common for a ute, however nonetheless price noting.
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Then again, the rear-end is extremely agency and tends to overwork the entrance suspension because it bucks the ute over mid-corner bumps. As talked about, the inflexible tune permits the Cannon to just accept hundreds with confidence, however chances are you’ll be tempted to maintain the ute laden on a regular basis to keep away from the in any other case unsettled journey.
Unladen, small bumps and holes may be felt rippling by means of the automobile, which mixed with the sub-optimal seating place makes for a tiring driving expertise by which you’re feeling each single imperfection on the highway.
Remember the fact that the disagreeable journey continues to be a lot better than it was once, and we anticipate GWM’s native chassis tuning efforts will refine it additional in future.
Apart from that, the Cannon delivers respectable steering really feel and acceptable highway noise ranges. And since its security tech is comparatively stripped-back, it’s not too annoying on the beeps and bongs entrance.
Visibility out of the cabin is nice, however the surround-view digicam and entrance parking sensors fitted to the Extremely make it even simpler to place in carparks and tight areas.
Its passive security gear isn’t too intrusive, however we struggled to belief the automobile’s lane-centring perform when utilizing adaptive cruise management. We don’t really feel it does a adequate job of staying centred in its lane, and interesting the system whereas alongside one other ute appeared to frighten the Cannon, for lack of a greater time period.
It made a sudden and pretty pointless correction to the steering, which makes us query its calibration. Fortuitously, the fundamental adaptive cruise perform is respectable, and there aren’t any different safety-related methods past the lane-keeping system flaring up every so often.
The results of all that may be a ute that seems to be geared for work slightly than way of life, however we nonetheless suppose some extra fine-tuning would make it a better-sorted all-rounder just like the Ranger and HiLux.
For an concept of the GWM Cannon’s off-road capabilities, watch our video evaluate beneath.
| Off-road dimensions | GWM Cannon Extremely |
|---|---|
| Observe entrance and rear | 1580mm |
| Floor clearance | 232mm |
| Method angle | 27º |
| Departure angle | 25º |
| Wading depth | 500mm |
To see how the GWM Cannon stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What do you get?
There are 5 variants within the Cannon lineup, and the Extremely sits within the center.
2025 GWM Cannon Premium gear highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Chrome sports activities bar
- Computerized LED headlights
- Energy-folding aspect mirrors
- Spray-in bedliner (pickup solely)
- Keyless entry
- Leatherette upholstery
- Leatherette steering wheel
- Six-way manually-adjustable driver’s seat
- 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat
- Single-zone local weather management
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 3 x 12V energy shops
- USB-A entrance shops
- Rain-sensing wipers
Cannon Lux provides:
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- 6-speaker sound system
- DAB+ digital radio
- Entrance and rear USB-A, USB-C shops
Cannon Extremely provides:
- Electrical sunroof
- Rear privateness glass
- Leather-based-accented seats
- Heated and ventilated entrance seats
- Heated steering wheel
- 6-way power-adjustable driver seat
- 4-way power-adjustable entrance passenger seat
- USB port for sprint cam
- Ambient lighting
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Cannon Vanta provides:
- 18-inch black alloy wheels
- Black sports activities bar
- Matte black exterior trim
Cannon XSR provides:
- Off-road drive modes
- Entrance differential lock
- Physique-coloured exterior trim
- Snorkel
To see how the GWM Cannon stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
Is the GWM Cannon secure?
All variants of the GWM Ute – aside from the Cannon XSR – have been awarded a five-star ANCAP security score in November 2021. This score carries throughout to the renamed Cannon.
| Class | GWM Cannon |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 86 per cent |
| Little one occupant safety | 87 per cent |
| Susceptible highway consumer safety | 67 per cent |
| Security help | 70 per cent |
Normal security gear contains:
- 7 airbags, together with:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian detection
- Bike owner detection
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot monitoring (dual-cab solely)
- Driver fatigue monitoring system
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep help
- Lane-change help (dual-cab solely)
- Rear cross-traffic help (dual-cab solely)
- Rear parking sensors
- Reverse digicam
- Protected exit warning (dual-cab solely)
- Pace warning
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Trailer sway mitigation
- Tyre-pressure monitoring
The Cannon Extremely and Vanta characteristic a surround-view digicam and entrance parking sensors.
The Cannon XSR misses out on lane-keep help, secure exit warning, rear collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change help, and rear cross-traffic help.
To see how the GWM Cannon stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How a lot does the GWM Cannon value to run?
As with the remainder of the GWM vary, the Cannon ute is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee and 5 years of roadside help. The primary service for two.4TD fashions is required after 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first, whereas subsequent providers intervals are 12 months or 15,000km.
| Servicing and Guarantee | GWM Cannon |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 7 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months, 15,000km (besides 10,000km first service) |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Common annual capped-price service value | $506 |
| Complete capped-price service value | $2530 |
GWM’s service pricing, correct as of August 2025, is detailed beneath.
| Serivce | Worth |
|---|---|
| 1yr, 10,000km | $370 |
| 2yrs, 25,000km | $460 |
| 3yrs, 40,000km | $500 |
| 4yrs, 55,000km | $510 |
| 5yrs, 70,000km | $690 |
For context, the two.0-litre Ranger at present prices $1516 to service over 5 years, however that may enhance to $1596 for 2026 fashions. The HiLux, in the meantime, is roofed by three years of capped-price servicing with its shorter six-month/10,000km intervals, which implies six providers will value $1830 in whole ($305 every).
Upkeep for the D-Max is required each 12 months or 15,000km, and every service prices $469 for a complete of $2345 over 5 years. In any other case, the JAC T9 prices a complete of $3069 over seven years, averaging $438.43 per 12 months.
To see how the GWM Cannon stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the GWM Cannon Extremely
As a bundle, the Cannon ticks a whole lot of important ute packing containers, however worth rises imply it’s not fairly the segment-busting worth proposition it as soon as was.
It’s nonetheless less expensive than comparable Ranger, HiLux, and even D-Max variants whereas additionally packing extra tech, however these utes are a lot better sorted in relation to consolation, dynamics and refinement, which matter once you’re daily-ing a ute.
However for a younger tradie who’s going to place their ute to work, the Cannon nonetheless presents glorious worth. It could possibly tow and go off-road, and loading it filled with instruments will easy out the journey on the rear – and it additionally has stable cargo carrying credentials with a payload of practically one tonne.
The bones of the infotainment tech are additionally robust, even when a couple of software program tweaks are required to iron out the usability shortfalls.
And whereas the Extremely is a relative discount, the candy spot might be one or two rungs additional down on the Cannon ladder, the place there’s even higher worth for cash available for price-focussed business and even household patrons.
Given GWM’s funding in native chassis tuning for its Australian fashions, we anticipate the Cannon will proceed to enhance and provides Ford and Toyota extra to consider within the years to return.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new GWM Cannon. Click on right here to get an important deal.
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MORE: Discover the GWM Cannon showroom
