GWM Ute – What you need to know

Utes remain the most popular vehicles in Australia and continue to attract droves of new buyers, often serving double duty as family haulers and workhorses.

Chinese brand GWM has been building in popularity with its new-generation GWM Ute, which launched in Australia in 2021 and has steadily expanded with new model variants.

As at early 2024, the GWM Ute range had grown to eight variants under the Cannon banner. They’re all dual-cabs – and all run the same 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with eight-speed automatic transmission – but there’s a choice between pick-up and cab-chassis body styles, 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines and different model grades that are separated by more than just creature comforts.

There are often ABN and retail specials, so it pays to check GWM Australia’s website for current pricing, but at the time of writing the manufacturer’s recommended retail list price opened at $36,990 drive-away for Cannon 4x2 and peaked at $52,990 drive-away for the Cannon-XSR 4x4 flagship.

As well as its sharp pricing, the GWM Ute Cannon range impresses with its generous-sized cabin, high standard equipment list and potential off-roading ability. So, which one is right for you?

The entry-level GWM Ute Cannon 4x2 dual-cab has the following headline standard features:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• 9.0-inch infotainment touch-screen
• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity
• Rear-view camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Adaptive cruise control
• Comfort-Tek faux leather seats
• Manual air-conditioning with rear vents

Up to six colours are offered on the 2024 GWM Ute Cannon range, depending on the model, with all but white adding a premium of $595.

GWM Ute safety and driver assistance

The GWM Ute was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2021, however it only applies to vehicles produced after August 2021 – when an early upgrade kicked in.

The maximum rating also only applies to those with a pick-up body style – leaving cab-chassis models unrated – and the recent Cannon-XSR is also deemed unrated due to its chassis modifications and altered specification, the latter including the deletion of pedestrian and cyclist detection with its autonomous emergency braking system (found on other models in the range).

Still, all GWM Ute Cannon models are fitted with a relatively high level of safety equipment.

As well as AEB, there’s adaptive cruise control with traffic sign recognition and overspeed warning, hill start assist and hill descent control, lane departure and keep assist, lane change assist (on pick-up models) and tyre pressure monitoring.

We note that cab-chassis variants and the Cannon-XSR go without rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist and a door open warning.

While the Cannon 4x2, Cannon 4x4 and Cannon CC (cab-chassis) models have rear-view and left-side (kerb) cameras, as well as rear parking sensors, stepping up to the Cannon-L and above snares you a 360-degree camera and front parking sensors.

All models come with front, side, curtain and a centre-front airbags.

Nestled in the centre dash of all GWM Ute Cannon models is a 9.0-inch LCD touch-screen infotainment system that features Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, an AM/FM radio and Bluetooth music and phone connectivity.

Moving up to the Cannon-L and above gets six speakers, two more than the Cannon 4x2, Cannon 4x4 and Canon CC. If you want wireless smartphone charging, head to the Cannon-X.

While the Cannon 4x2, Cannon 4x4, CC, L and L CC feature a 3.5-inch colour instrument display, jump into the Cannon-X and you’ll see the digital screen double in size to a 7.0-inch unit.

Connectivity is made with two front and one rear USB port and a USB dash-cam port, along with a single 12V power outlet in all models.

Giving the GWM Ute Cannon models a premium ambience are faux-leather accented front and rear seats, the latter featuring a 60/40-split folding arrangement.

The upholstery is called Comfort-Tek in the Cannon 4x2, Cannon 4x4, CC, L and L-CC, while a higher grade of material is used in the Cannon-X, Vanta and XSR.

Do you want powered and heated front seats? Skip the 4x2, 4x4 and CC Cannon models with their manually adjustable six-way driver and four-way passenger seats and head to the Cannon-L for a six-way powered driver’s seat and a pair of heated front seats. Adding a powered four-way front passenger seat and a rear arm rest is the Cannon-X.

And if you want a matching faux-leather multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifts, shoot for a Cannon-L and above as the 4x2, 4x4 and Cannon CC have a polyester-wrapped tiller.

The steering column in the Cannon 4x2 and 4x4, Cannon CC, Cannon-L and Cannon-L CC has two-way (up and down) adjustability, with the Cannon-X, Vanta and XSR adding a telescopic (in and out) function, making it easier to find a comfy driving position.

Want the luxury of a sunroof? Save your money as it is only available in the range-topping XSR model.

Every GWM Ute Cannon variant has power windows with a one-touch up/down function standard on all windows in the Cannon-X, Vanta and XSR. Power door mirrors with indicators come standard but adding the power-folding function, along with an auto anti-glare interior mirror, sees your name against a Cannon-L as a minimum.

For those constantly using the cargo tray, the Cannon-L, X, Vanta and XSR have the handy features of an easy up/down tailgate and cargo ladder.

All Cannon models score LEDs for the automatic headlights, indicators, tail-lights and high-position brake light. The front fog lamps have a look-around-the-corner function and the headlights a follow-me-home function.

Step up to the Cannon-L and you’ll notice privacy glass from the rear doors back, along with year-round comfort from the automatic air-conditioning instead of manual air in the lower grades, though all systems have pollen filters and rear air vents.

There’s 18-inch alloy wheels fitted standard across the range with a black finish on the Vanta and XSR. All Cannon utes come with side steps and a full-size spare for peace of mind.

But if you’re serious about your off-roading, head for the XSR as it’s the only one with full underbody chassis guards.

Adorning the 4x2 and 4x4 Cannon models, and Cannon CC, is a grey grille, while a chrome version is bolted to the front of the Cannon-L, L CC and X. The Vanta and XSR feature a black grille.

Body-colour bumpers are fitted to all models except the XSR, which has harder-core black steel bumpers. The sports bars on the Cannon-L and Cannon-X are stainless-steel, while the Vanta and XSR bars have a black finish.

Helping the XSR stand out further are the black wheel-arches, a snorkel and unique badging.

Powering all GWM Ute Cannon variants is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, producing 120kW at 3600rpm and 400Nm from 1500-2500 rpm.

Tied to it is an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

For all 4x4 models except the XSR, the GWM Ute features a Borg-Warner full-time four-wheel drive system. It comes with low-range gearing and a locking rear differential, as a well as single high-range 4x2 (dubbed eco) and two 4x4 modes (standard and sport).

The XSR has a more traditional two-diff system that offers 4x2 rear-wheel drive high-range, 4x4 high-range for dirt driving and 4x4 low-range gearing for serious off-roading. It also comes with three off-road driving modes (Sand, Snow and Mud), a locking front diff as well as the usual rear diff, off-road cruise control, tank turn by brake and hill descent control.

Three steering modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport – are standard on the Cannon-X, Vanta and XSR.

The GWM Ute Cannon range varies in dimensions, depending on the model chosen.

Measuring 5410mm long is the Cannon 4x2 and 4x4, Cannon-L, Cannon-X and Cannon Vanta. Growing to 5511mm in length are the cab-chassis models, the Cannon CC and L CC, while in between the lot lies the top-spec Cannon-XSR at 5439mm long.

While the XSR has a width of 1958mm and a height of 1918mm, all other variants measure 1934mm wide and 1886mm high, and all share a 3230mm wheelbase.

Maximum towing capacity across all Cannon models is 3000kg (with a braked trailer) and 750kg without brakes. The downball weight maxes out at 300kg.

Maximum payloads also differ with the Cannon 4x2 and 4x4, Cannon-L, X and Vanta having a 1050kg payload, while the Cannon CC and L CC trump that with a capacity of 1120kg. At the other end of the scale, the XSR is only able to carry 875kg.

Gross vehicle mass ranges from 2985kg to 3150kg, depending on the variant, while kerb weight similarly spans a 1935-2250kg range.

The price advantage of the GWM Ute over its competitors can’t be ignored, especially when you factor in the standard equipment levels across the Cannon range.

While there’s a lot to like in the driving department, the GWM Ute lacks the on-road accomplishment and ride comfort of the best in class. It seems far happier messing around on the loose stuff.

For me, I don’t need a cab-chassis layout or the harder-core spec that comes with the XSR, so the mid-range Cannon-L 4x4 is a real sweet spot in the range.

This is where a host of extra features come on board including privacy glass, more audio speakers, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, automatic air-con, extra bling inside and out, a power driver’s seat and more.

If you’ve got a bit more to spend, then the Cannon-X is hard to go past. I reckon it’s where the blend of comprehensive specification best intersects with value.

How much does the 2024 GWM Ute cost?
Cannon 4x2 – $36,990
Cannon 4x4 – $38,990
Cannon CC 4x4 – $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
*All prices are drive-away (including on-road costs)