FULLY LOADED

One-tonne utes are expensive playthings but this load lugger breaks the mould

Cashed-up Aussies think nothing of dropping $60,000-plus on Japanese dual-cab utes but can a Chinese alternative offer similar for less?

VALUE

Demand’s high, supply’s short and prices have surged in dual-cab ute world. There’s a vacuum for more affordable alternatives and GWM’s Cannon has slid into the void with pricing more like 2013 than 2023.

Whatever your preconceptions of Great Wall Motors and Chinese utes, a diesel 4WD dual-cab with seven-year warranty for $38,990 drive-away is hard to ignore, not least as the Cannon’s hardly been hit by the ugly stick. Equivalent Toyota HiLuxes and Ford Rangers are roughly $10,000 more with five-year warranties.

Our mid-spec Cannon-L is $42,490 on the road with 18-inch alloys, side steps, a sports bar and LED headlights. Inside there’s keyless entry and start, a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and heated faux leather seats – really strong inclusions – but no wireless phone charging or real leather as found in the $45,490 Cannon-X. Servicing’s cheap at $1700 for five years.

COMFORT

Cabin space is vast, rear passengers score impressive leg and head room and there’s a chunky, solid feel to the gear shifter and leather steering wheel.

The mainly soft-touch plastics and seat material feel reasonable but the seats themselves feel too firm and uncomfortable on longer trips. The steering wheel only adjusts for height, not reach, so finding a comfy driving position is tricky. Mystifyingly, GWM gives full steering adjustment to higher spec Cannons – it should be standard on all.

The rear seat base lifts for extra storage, while tailgate gas struts make opening and closing easier and safer. Once open, a little ladder pops out for easy access to the sprayed tub-liner – smart stuff.

There’s auto airconditioning but it’s only single zone and while rear passengers score vents, they miss out on a fold-down centre armrest.

SAFETY

Poor safety used to be GWM’s downfall: its previous Steed carried a two-star rating. The Cannon bagged the maximum five stars in a 2021 test, helped by dual front, side and curtain airbags plus an extra one between front passengers.

The driver assistance tech is comprehensive, including rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, speed-sign recognition, a 360-degree camera and advanced auto emergency braking. But you’ll want to turn off the lane-keep and lane-departure warning as it gets easily confused and is overly intrusive, tugging annoyingly at the steering wheel.

Less safe is your stuff. There’s no cover – soft or hard – over the tray, so whatever you’re hauling’s vulnerable.

DRIVING

What value do you place on the drive experience? If you couldn’t care less, open your wallet. If you do, head in the direction of a Ford Ranger or VW Amarok. They comprehensively shade the Cannon for balance, feel and power delivery. The GWM’s 2.0-litre turbo-diesel offers only 120kW and 400Nm – way down on power and torque versus most rivals – and it shows. It’s slow to respond, must work hard when pushed and isn’t terribly refined, all while drinking more (9.4L/100km) than most of its peers.

The eight-speed auto’s quite smooth and you can hurry up its decisions with steering wheel paddles. The steering’s light and devoid of much feel, while the ride’s too unsettled with no load in the back. Cornering – especially in the wet – must be handled with care and the big turning circle makes parking a chore.

The Cannon cruises serenely on smooth highways, while disc brakes all-round offer decent stopping power. The payload’s a mighty 1050kg, but it’ll tow only 3000kg.

ALTERNATIVES SSANGYONG MUSSO ULTIMATE, FROM $43,090 DRIVE-AWAY

Matches GWM’s warranty and high spec, with more power, better economy and 3500kg towing. But only 790kg payload and no ANCAP rating.

LDV T60 MAX LUXE, FROM $45,490 DRIVE-AWAY

Chunky 500Nm torque, but only 3000kg towing and 750kg payload. Reasonable drive and kit but safety’s behind the times.

MITSUBISHI TRITON GLX, FROM $48,490 DRIVE-AWAY

Ten-year warranty, good safety, reasonable drive and better resale but value-for-money isn’t as strong.