We like
Value for money; generous aftersales support; welcomed additional power and torque; increased braked towing capacity; quiet and modern cabin aesthetic; efficient use of space inside the cabin and in the tray

Room for improvement
Significant step-off lag; instrument panel is hard to see in sunlight; compromised front suspension response; uptight lane keeping assistance aids; lack of hard buttons an issue for certain controls

Overview

 

GWM updated its Cannon light commercial utility range earlier this year, in the process making what it says were “significant improvements” in powertrain, technology, and design, including the adoption of a larger 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 135kW and 480Nm shared with the larger Cannon Alpha ute (up from 120kW/400Nm).

 

Priced from $40,490 drive-away for private buyers, the Cannon ute range is said to consume 8.4 litres per 100km of diesel fuel on the ADR Combined cycle, equating to CO2 emissions of 221 grams per kilometre.

 

It now runs a nine-speed automatic transmission (previously eight ratios) and four-wheel drive as standard fare, while also offering class-competitive braked towing of 3500kg (up from 3200kg).

 

As with many light commercial utes, the GWM Cannon offers multiple four-wheel drive modes (Snow, Mud, and Sand), a handful of driving modes (Normal, Eco, and Sport) and a rear locking differential as standard.

 

Coil springs feature up front and leaves at the rear, the Cannon stopped by four-wheel disc brakes and directed by a multi-mode electrically assisted steering rack.

 

The updated GWM Cannon range has not changed in size by more than a few millimetres, measuring between 5416mm and 5439mm in length, 1947mm and 1958mm in width, and 1884mm and 1893mm in height. The wheelbase is uniform across the line-up at 3230mm.

 

Depending on variant, the Cannon offers a GCM of between 6200kg and 6300kg. Payload ranges from 875kg to 995kg and kerb mass from 2230kg to 2330kg.

 

Off-road geometry, wading depth and turning circle depend on variant, from 27- to 30 degrees for approach angle and 25- to 26 degrees departure, but ramp-over angle is not listed. Wading depth varies between 500mm and 700mm, while the turning circle is between 13.1m and 13.7m.

 

GWM says the new Cannon offers a “bold, muscular and modern exterior design” which includes “muscular wheel arches, sculpted bonnet lines, and a distinctive grille”. The tailgate now features embossed “GWM” lettering, while practical design elements include integrated side steps, roof rails, and a durable sports bar.

 

Paint colours include Crystal Black, Lunar Red, Pearl White, Pittsburgh Silver (pictured), Sapphire Blue, and Stealth Grey. Premium paint attracts a $595 surcharge.

 

Inside, the Cannon is said to strike a harmonious balance between durability and sophistication, the redesigned cabin offering a reduced number of buttons and dials, instead centring control via a 12.3-inch touchscreen display.

 

The dark-themed interior is complemented by subtle chrome accents, and offers an aviation-style gearshift, wireless charging pad, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, USB-A and USB-C ports, seven airbags, and a “advanced active and passive safety technologies”.

 

Equipment highlights for the Cannon Lux include 18-inch alloy wheels, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker audio system with AM/FM/DAB+ radio reception, single-zone climate control, faux-leather upholstery with manual seat adjustment, keyless entry and ignition, rain-sensing wipers, auto LED headlights, and cornering fog lights.

 

Safety features include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, driver fatigue detection, front collision warning, hill ascent and descent control, ISOFIX and top-tether child seat anchorages, lane centring, departure and keeping, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, seven airbags, traffic sign recognition, trailer sway mitigation, tyre pressure monitoring, and more.

 

Ultra variants (from $43,490, as tested) add a 360-degree camera system, front parking sensors, electric sunroof, tailgate step, rear privacy glass, leather-accented upholstery, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, powered front seat adjustment, LED ambient cabin lighting, and an auto-dimming mirror.

 

The penultimate Vanta grade (from $45,490) adds a black sports bar and side steps, and matt black exterior garnishing (grille, door handles, mirror scalps, wheel arches), while the flagship XSR (from $49,990) adds a locking front differential, snorkel, bespoke grille and body-coloured accents.

 

Importantly, the Cannon XSR omits key safety technologies including emergency lane-keep, smart dodge, door open warning, rear collision warning, blind-spot monitor, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.

 

GWM will continue to offer the Cannon with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty including five years of roadside assistance and capped-price servicing.

 

Driving Impressions

 

There is a lot to like about the Cannon ute range, especially if you’re stacking up a list of features against those qualities that are harder to measure on a round-the-block test drive.

 

Still, with a generous warranty and an ongoing commitment to improvement, the Cannon utility range is one that more Australian buyers are drawn toward; proving perhaps that those less tangible qualities aren’t always at the top of our list when it comes time to lay down our hard-earned.

 

Visually, the Cannon is a mostly familiar entrant, appearing by and large as it has for some time. But inside, the updated cabin feels like a significant step ahead, being sensibly packaged, and with a considerable level of equipment for the price.

 

Though we did find the edges of the instrument panel hard to read in direct sunlight and found ourselves wanting for hard buttons to control the HVAC and other ancillaries, the dual-screen format is reasonably well executed, and had no issues delivering access to the features we required, or in maintaining connectivity with our Apple branded smartphone.

 

Less impressive was our experience with the Cannon’s touch-sensitive indicator wand which requires a feather-light touch for lane changes, and not much more to fully engage. If you see a Cannon driver flashing left and right as they pass down the road, understand it may not be entirely their fault.

 

The Cannon’s seating is both spacious and comfortable with a good level of adjustment, especially on the driver’s side. The relationship with the pedal box and steering wheel is excellent, as is the feel of the synthetic leather steering wheel rim and fighter jet style transmission shifter.

 

Further back, we found the back seat of the Cannon more spacious than some of the bigger names in the category, and appreciated the air outlets, USB-A and -C outlets, cupholders and fold-down armrest. The rear bench is slightly raised over the forward pews, offering a good view out for all but the shortest of backseat passengers.

 

While the tub did not arrive with any form of tonneau cover, it does include a durable spray-in bedliner, four tie-down points, and access via a tailgate step that, while handy, is not as useful as that of the Ford Ranger, for example, which allows its users to maintain three points of contact at all times when entering and exiting the load bed.

 

So far, and mostly so good. But how does that larger 2.4-litre engine feel under the bonnet?

 

In truth, it’s a far better fit for the task at hand – but one we hasten to add is far from perfect. Step-off lag is considerable, the sensitive throttle resulting in a jerking action when moving away from the ‘lights or when getting underway on loose ground. Once underway, the driveline smooths out, shifting cleanly through the gears and maintaining highway pace with little fuss.

 

A little fine tuning would certainly go a long way toward addressing this annoying issue.

 

We tested the Cannon Ultra with a load in the tray and found little compromise in the way the driveline delivered its power. Climbing extended grades and keeping with highway traffic was a cinch, the use of Sport mode aiding in holding gears that little bit longer, aiding performance, and doing little to add to fuel consumption. With 700kg in the back, the test model used 9.4 litres per 100km on test, quickly settling back into the mid-eight-litre range with a solo driver on board.

 

Equally impressive is the Cannon’s braking action, which is smooth, progressive, and purposeful when needed. The range uses discs at all corners ensuring a positive stop in all conditions, the anti-lock system and traction aids brilliant and maintaining grip in wet and loose conditions – and in spite the fitment of less-than-reputable Giti tyres from the factory.

 

Interestingly, and in credit to the OEM rubber, the tyres also proved rather quiet on Victoria’s rubbish rural road surfaces, which is something that can’t be said for a lot of entrants in the category, even those fitted as standard with highway terrain tyres. Make of that what you will…

 

Unfortunately, we can’t speak as highly of the Cannon’s suspension as we had hoped to. The front-end is quick to find the bump stops over even most lumps and bumps, contributing to a somewhat unsettled feel that shows where quality corners are being cut.

 

Conspiring with over-assisted steering, it is difficult to feel exactly what the front-end has in mind, especially when tackling bigger hits and steering input in the same stroke. In short, there’s a lot of work to be done in matching the Cannon with the best in class, and we’d advise the ‘over eager’ out there to be mindful of the vehicle’s limitations when pushing on – especially on unkempt roads or in wet weather.

 

While the Cannon mightn’t have the on-road refinement of the Ford Ranger or the go-anywhere abilities of the Toyota HiLux, it certainly delivers a lot of ute for the money. Shopping it against similarly priced rivals it’s an absolute no-brainer – and one we’d really love to revisit once GWM has had some time to address the niggles that bothered us on test.

 

If you’re not as easily flustered, it might be time to test a Cannon ute for yourself.