GWM Cannon-L CC 4x4 2024 Review

Cannon CCs are available in base-trim 4x2 or 4x4 form, or as a more highly-specced Cannon-L, also with the choice of 4x2 or 4x4 drivelines. The respective drive-away prices of $36,990, $39,990, and $43,990 represent a $1000 increase over ute equivalents.

There’s no surprise that the GWM Cannon, whether it be rear-drive or 4x4, offers substantial price savings over the competition. Ford’s base Ranger XL double-cab, six-speed auto 4x4 CC begins at $48,980, before ORCs, while the Toyota Hilux Workmate double-cab auto 4x4 CC is $48,735.

Unless you intend to step up into the larger, full-time 4x4 GWM Cannon Alpha range that tops out at $64,990 for the petrol-electric Ultra Hybrid ute, the most you can pay for a Cannon is $52,990 drive-away for the premium XSR ute that sits above Vanta ($46,490) and Cannon-X ($45,490) versions.

GWM’s better-deal policies are as evident in the pricing as they are in the standard equipment, especially in Cannon-L form.

Where the lower-level CCs such as the Ford Ranger XL and Toyota HiLux Workmate don’t go much beyond cloth trim, manually adjusted front seats and halogen lighting, the Cannon-L CC brings heated front seats with six-way power adjustment on the driver’s side, climate-control, imitation leather Comfort-Tek upholstery, automatic LED headlights (without self-dipping), an auto-dipping electrochromic interior rear-view mirror, a 360-degree parking-camera view on the nine-inch touchscreen and venting to the rear seats from the back of the centre console.

As part of a plan to reassure customers that a suitable aftercare programme is in place, the GWM Cannon offers a seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, five years of roadside assistance and five years of capped-price servicing set at $260 for the first service at six months/5000km, then a flat $360 at one-year/10,000km intervals through to the sixth service at 54 months or 45,000km.

The GWM Cannon ute scored a full five-star ANCAP safety rating applying to dual-cab models built from August 2021 but excluding more recently-introduced versions such as the premium XSR and cab-chassis. The initial testing saw the Cannon ute performing strongly in adult and child occupant protection but it lost points through its lack of reverse AEB and junction assist tech.

Like ute versions, the Cannon-L CC has low-speed autonomous emergency braking with vulnerable road user collision mitigation, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, tyre pressure monitoring, traffic sign recognition with overspeed warning and an airbag count of seven that includes a front-centre bag.

Add active lane-keep assist, blind-spot sensors, parking sensors at front and rear and the three cameras feeding the bird’s eye view parking cameras, road-sign recognition and tyre pressure sensors, it’s clear GWM is taking the right steps towards maximising active and passive safety.

It can be taken as a given that CC Cannons (and the XSR ute which has also not yet been tested) will qualify for a five-star rating.

The in-cabin tech covers most of the bases with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and three USB-A points. There are 12 and 220-volt power outlets, but there’s no embedded GPS or smartphone charging pad.

An electronic park brake accentuates the Cannon CC’s modernity, and so does the push-button start and keyless remote locking/unlocking.

The Cannon CC shares its long-running direct injection 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine with the Cannon ute. Upgraded with a variable-geometry turbo and a couple of inlet tract changes, the powerplant produces 120kW at 3600rpm along with a respectable 400Nm of torque between 1500m and 2500rpm and drives through an eight-speed ZF auto transmission.

The Borg-Warner full-time 4x4 driveline includes a locking rear diff and, like the Ford Ranger, enables 4x4 driving on and off-road, right through to low-range rock-scrabbling. Those driving experiences weren’t included in this review, but the Cannon CC is well-equipped to do the job and previous experiences with a Cannon ute suggest it’s a capable off-roader.

The Cannon CC’s fuel consumption is quoted by GWM at 9.4L/100km and we confirmed that as an achievable reality by recording slightly better in our review vehicle - a pretty high figure that’s also reflected in the Cannon’s 246g/km CO2 output.

The significantly more powerful 154kW/500Nm Ford Ranger twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel is quoted at 7.2L/100km with CO2 emissions of 189g/km.

As you would expect, the Cannon-L CC doesn’t reveal a lot of differences compared to the ute version.

At first, the ride feels firm, in the manner expected of a two-tonne-plus workhorse with a payload maximum of 1130kg (compared to 1050kg for the Cannon ute) but it’s not abrupt and contributes to what is a reasonably-comfortable cab-chassis. The CC is subject to the unladen skipping-around on corrugated gravel that’s familiar among leaf-spring, live axle workhorses.

The electric power-assisted steering is afflicted by low gearing, but not excessively, and the weighting is such that it’s acceptably communicative. The Cannon CC’s four-wheel ventilated disc brakes are something of a statement in a category where disc/drum arrangements are common.

The 2.0-litre turbodiesel carries over with minor changes from the previous GWM ute and this shows up in overall refinement, performance and economy. It’s no Ford Ranger in any of these respects but it’s neither too intrusive nor too tardy and is helped no end by the eight-speed ZF auto gearbox. As such, it gets along nicely enough, about the same as a 2.4-litre Toyota Hi-Lux.

A less favourable characteristic of the ZF gearbox – particularly when reversing – is a slight take-up lag that sometimes makes it difficult to move off with fluidity. The push-button on the chunky shift lever that activates both the transmission-park, and the park-brake is appreciated though.

We are not subjecting the Cannon CC to any deep-forest testing here, but the permanent, dual-range 4x4 system includes a rear diff lock and there’s hill-start assist and hill descent control to add to its off-road credentials.

Like the bulk of its competition, the Cannon-L CC employs an all-purpose suspension with a double-wishbone independent coil-spring arrangement at the front and a leaf-spring live axle at the rear. Intermediate-duty (and reportedly questionably durable) 165/60 Cooper Discoverer HTS tyres wrap the 18x8-inch alloy wheels which are backed up by a full-size steel spare.

The Cannon CC’s aluminium tray measures 1730mm long, 1855mm wide and 235mm deep, which takes up more space than the 1520x1520mm ute although the depth is a lot shallower than the Ute’s 563mm. The payload is quoted at 1130kg – similar to the Toyota HiLux CC Workmate’s 1160kg but less than the Ford Ranger XL CC’s 1236kg – with extra versatility and easy access available because all sides swing down.

With its leather-look seating, expansive dash, colour touchscreen, multi-function steering wheel, and stubby shift lever, the GWM Cannon-L CC’s cabin speaks of anything but cab-chassis.

Added to the centre touchscreen is a 7-inch digital instrument cluster with twin dials for speedo and tacho which, unfortunately, reflects badly during the day, which makes it difficult to read at times.

Cabin space is okay, about the same as regular five-seat cabs and the seats are pretty well-shaped and comfortable. The steering wheel adjustment at this level is disappointingly vertical only.

Like practically any Chinese-made vehicle, the GWM Cannon-L CC absolutely crunches its competitors on pricing. Already cheaper than most anybody drive-away, it’s way ahead of the field once on-road costs are added.

Yet none of this is reflected in the Cannon’s presentation, accommodation, or capabilities.

And the seven-year warranty, low-cost capped-price servicing and five years of roadside assistance are a comfort – especially to working-vehicle buyers.

The sums all add up.

2024 GWM Cannon-L CC 4x4 at a glance:
Price: $43,490 (drive-away)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Output: 120kW/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.4L/100km
CO2: 246g/km (ADR Combined or WLTP if overseas model)
Safety rating: Not tested.

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