As the price of 4×4 sports utilities continue to climb, Great Wall’s Cannon ute is an attractive alternative.
It’s not just a little cheaper but a lot cheaper than the front runners of the segment, and not at the expense of build quality these days.
While Toyota’s Hilux tops out at more than $70,000 and the Ford Ranger Raptor at more than $90,000, you can get into a top of the line Cannon XSR for as little as $49,990 — that’s drive away.
And that’s becoming difficult to ignore.
STYLING
GWM has rationalised the Cannon lineup, pruning the seven models to just four, all packing the same 2.4-litre turbocharged diesel.
The range kicks off with the Lux priced from $40,490, followed by Ultra from $43,490, Vanta from $45,490 and XSR from $49,990 — all prices drive away for private buyers.
The larger Alpha variants come with the same 2.4-litre turbo-diesel, with the Lux priced from $51,990 and Ultra from $57,990.
The Alpha is also available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
Our test vehicle was the second cab off the rank, the Cannon Ultra.
The Cannon has been given a mid-life makeover with a more sophisticated look and feel.
Standard equipment includes artificial leather and single zone climate air with rear outlet, power-adjust driver seat, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel and ambient cabin lighting and fold out tailgate step.
There’s also auto high beam, LED front and rear lights, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto wipers, rear privacy glass and a powered sunroof.
Side steps and a chrome sports bar are standard and the rear tailgate now features large embossed GWM branding for a stronger road presence.
Cannon is backed by a 7-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, 5-year roadside assistance and 5-year capped price servicing.
INFOTAINMENT
Infotainment is accessed through a 12.3-inch touchscreen, with Bluetooth, voice control, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and six-speaker audio.
There’s also wireless phone charging plus front (1 x USB-A and 1 x USB-C) and rear (2 x USB-A) and a USB-A port for dashcam along with three pre-wired 12v accessory buttons.
SAFETY
Cannon carries a five-star safety rating, with seven airbags and features a suite of advanced active and passive safety technologies.
Autonomous emergency braking (Car-to-Car and Vulnerable Road User) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS) are standard on all variants.
There’s also Blind spot monitor, Rear cross traffic alert with brake, Driver fatigue monitoring system, Door open/vehicle approach warning (DOW), 360 degree overhead camera and front and rear parking sensors.
The rear seat has two ISOFix mounts and top tethers for child seats.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
A 2.4-litre single turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine delivers 135kW of power at 3600 rpm and 480Nm of torque from 1500-2500 rpm.
It features an “advanced” variable geometry turbocharger which GWM says optimises the aspect ratio at both low and high revs, reducing turbo lag while maintaining efficiency at higher speeds.
The diesel is paired with an in-house nine-speed conventional torque converter auto, with gear change paddles.
DRIVING
You’ve seen one ute, you’ve seen them all. There’s not much to differentiate them, apart from their size.
Their purpose dictates their shape and there’s not much scope to do anything with the rear, with vertical style tail lights almost mandatory.
All the action can be found up front and the only company that has tried to do anything remotely different here is Mazda.
But its smiley-faced BT-50 got the thumbs down from conservative buyers and a “bolder” look followed.
All this leads us to the fact that Great Wall’s Cannon does not stray far from the formula and we reckon it bears a passing resemblance to the Hilux.
At 5416mm in length with a 3230mm wheelbase and 2630mm long tub, Cannon is no shrinking violet.
Nowhere is its size more evident than in the large 13.1 metre turning circle. That means plenty of three-point turns.
At least it’s not as large as the silly ‘full-size’ American pick-ups however that seem to be gaining traction here.
If you have to have one, do the rest of us a favour and stay out of carparks.
Rear legroom in the Cannon is generous, the tub has a moulded liner and there’s a handy pop-out step that makes access to the tub easier (but there’s nowhere to hang on).
Also, the driver side support cable protruded from the gap between the body and the tailgate in our test vehicle.
The tub has four tie-downs, but no light and no power outlet.
There are side steps and all doors get grab handles to make entry easier, while the overhead handle on the driver’s door has morphed into a weird sunglass holder. The centre console has two cupholders, a storage tray and cooled console box.
The engine and transmission are a lift from the larger Cannon Alpha.
It features an “advanced” variable geometry turbocharger which GWM says optimises the aspect ratio at both low and high revs, reducing turbo lag while maintaining efficiency at higher speeds.
There’s up to seven drive modes, depending on grade, including Normal, Eco, Sport, Snow, Mud, and Sand. Ultra scores Normal, Eco and Sport, as well as low range (4L).
There are also three steering settings, which helps make lighter work of the large turning circle.
The four-wheel drive system is a full-time, torque on demand system with an electronically activated rear diff.
Easily engaged via a centrally located dial, the Borg Warner transfer case optimises traction, stability, and performance.
XSR and Cannon Alpha models add a front locker, offering enhanced traction and control.
Ground clearance is 232mm and wading depth is 500mm, but the plastic side steps will be a limiting factor off road (and easily damaged).
With a 78-litre tank, fuel consumption is a claimed 8.4L/100km. We clocked up more than 300km, but can’t tell you what we got because the trip computer refused to give up its secrets.
Ultra can carry a 995kg payload while braked towing capacity has increased from 3200 to a class standard 3500kg.
Straight line performance is exemplary.
But there’s some turbo lag and the boost when it comes on is strong and unpredictable. Plonk the accelerator and you’re never quite sure what is going to happen. Sometimes it fires, sometimes it doesn’t, which can make pulling out at intersections nerve wracking.
Lifting off the accelerator on the other hand does not always deliver an immediate response, with some throttle overrun — or is that turbo overrun? The first-second, second-first change invariably produces a clunk.
The lane keeping software is intrusive and insistent. We’ve found with experience that it is best not to fight the wheel, because in theory the car knows best. It’s a lot less strenuous to drive this way too.
However, giving the Cannon its head can result in the car over correcting and crossing the inside line which happened more than once. Ultimately this could lead to running off the road — so keep an eye on it.
Suspension is independent at the front with leaf springs under the rear and vented disc brakes at all four corners and 265/60 profile road-biased rubber.
The GitiXross HT71 tyres are designed for highways and light off-road trails, delivering durability and a quieter ride for SUVs and 4WDs.
The ride quality is generally good, but not what we’d describe as Parramatta Rd friendly.
This is particularly evident compared with an SUV that has benefited from local suspension tuning.
It’s a good idea to slow down for driveway entry and the like which can be a bit calamitous.
Inside the dash is stylish and well laid out, but lacks functionality for simple often-used features.
Cannon is fitted with two computer screens: a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment and a smaller 7.0-inch screen for instrumentation which sits in front of the driver.
The screens are not concealed behind a single, one-piece housing, but sit separately.
The centre screen provides a rear and overhead view when reversing, with dynamic guidelines for backing.
At least it’s supposed to. On one occasion, the reverse camera refused to display anything for a couple of minutes when reverse was selected. This is simply not acceptable. Strike one.
As mentioned, the trip computer also played up. We were unable to cycle through the various screens using the buttons provided on the steering wheel. Strike two.
A row of physical buttons below this screen provides shortcuts to various functions.
There are fan speed buttons, but not temperature adjustment. However, we discovered that pressing the heated seats button provides access to temperature controls.
All cars fitted with CarPlay and Android Auto need a home button because once you’re in Android world it is often difficult to find your way back, to do such things as set the cabin temperature and flick through radio stations.
Also, you cannot access volume control unless you return to the home screen.
SUMMING UP
Apart from one or two niggles, the Cannon Ultra is a compelling proposition.
It must be the stuff of nightmares for the likes of Ford and Toyota who want big money for their vehicles.
People seem happy to stump up the price. However, it’s not a case of if but when the dual cab bubble will burst — wouldn’t you say?
RATINGS:
Looks: 7.5
Performance: 7.5
Safety: 7.5
Thirst: 7
Practicality: 8
Comfort: 7
Tech: 7
Value: 8
Overall: 7.4
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Cannon Lux, $40,490
Cannon Ultra, $43,490
Cannon Vanta, $45,490
Cannon XSR, $49,990
Note: All prices drive-away for private buyers.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Cannon Alpha Ultra 2.4-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel, 9sp auto, 4×4, dual cab utility
ENGINE:
Configuration: four cylinders inline, turbocharged
Maximum power 135kW kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum torque: 480 Nm @ 1500-2500 rpm
Fuel type: Diesel
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 8.4 L/100km
CO2 emissions: 221g/100km
DRIVELINE: Nine-speed automatic, on demand four-wheel drive
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 5416 mm
Width: 1947 mm
Height: 1884 mm
Wheelbase: 3230 mm:
Turning circle: 13.1 m
Kerb weight: 2230 kg
Fuel tank: 78 litres
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated Disc
Rear: Ventilated Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Seven years / unlimited kilometres
