GWM Cannon-XSR is a hero ute without the matching price

GWM Australia has formally joined the hero ute market with the 2023 GWM Ute Cannon-XSR, the first demonstrators of which will arrive in showrooms around the country within the next week or so, with first deliveries set to start soon after.

Easily the most advanced and capable version of the popular dual-cab GWM Ute released in Australia to date, the Cannon-XSR provides off-roading enthusiasts with locking front and rear differentials, a specific new part-time 4x4 system, raised suspension and myriad other capability-boosting goodies.

And all that is priced at $52,990 drive-away – over $20,000 less than its closest dual-cab 4x4 ute rival, the Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior, by the time it’s on the road.

GWM doesn’t specifically list, specify or even mention the Cannon-XSR’s increased ride height in the press material, but the model’s previously seen local homologation data does, nominating 228mm of ground clearance for the flagship off-roader compared to the standard model’s 194mm.

That improved figure is still well off the pace of the Warrior and Toyota HiLux GR Sport, but it does at least mean the Ute is now competitive within the wider mid-size dual-cab 4x4 ute segment and the Chinese pick-up is the only model this side of the Ford Ranger Raptor or Jeep Gladiator Rubicon to feature a locking diff on each axle.

The extra height and diff locks are complemented by all-terrain tyres, a factory snorkel, Crawl Mode, Turn Assist by Braking, beefier underbody protection and steel bumpers, all of which are designed to make the Cannon-XSR as capable and bush-proof as possible.

All this hardware is paired with luxurious appointments and high-tech features like leather upholstery, LED exterior lighting, heated seats, wireless phone charging, a powered sunroof, damped tailgate, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, smartphone mirroring and a 9.0-inch infotainment system.

Also included in the price are black 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers, extended wheel-arches, a tub liner, extended sports bar, roof rails, 360-degree camera, tyre pressure monitoring, adaptive cruise control and power adjustment for the front seats.

No changes have been made to the Ute’s humble 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (120kW/400Nm) or the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, but its on-demand 4x4 system has been replaced by a more traditional part-time system comprising 2H, 4H and 4L.

Five colours are available – Pearl White, Crystal Black, Pittsburgh Silver, Sapphire Blue and Scarlet Red – and as usual for a GWM-Haval product, everything’s covered by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

How much does the 2023 GWM Ute cost?
Cannon 4x2 – $35,990
Cannon CC 4x2 – $36,990
Cannon 4x4 – $38,990
Cannon CC 4x2 – $39,990
Cannon-L 4x4 – $42,490
Cannon-L CC 4x4 – $43,490
Cannon-X 4x4 – $45,490
Cannon Vanta 4x4 – $46,490
Cannon-XSR 4x4 – $52,990

* Prices are drive-away