GWM Cannon The ute we would happily recommend, even if neither of us would buy one
The GWM Cannon is no longer the cheap Chinese ute buyers choose only because they cannot afford something else. It is modern, well equipped, comfortable and far more convincing than many Australians expect. Ace and David still would not put one in their own driveways, but they would have no problem putting an apprentice into one.
A genuinely good first new ute, even if it is not our forever ute
The Cannon offers a strong 2.4-litre diesel, modern technology, a seven-year warranty and enough towing and off-road capability for most private buyers. Its greatest strength may be that a first-time ute owner can simply enjoy it without constantly comparing it with decades of Ranger, Hilux and D-MAX ownership history.
The Cannon is a ute we respect more than we personally desire
The current Cannon has enough power, technology, comfort and capability to deserve genuine consideration.
It no longer feels like a compromise buyers tolerate because the price is low.
It feels like a properly developed ute that happens to remain cheaper than many established rivals.
Ace would still buy the Ranger.
David would still choose something else.
But if a young apprentice wanted a first brand-new dual cab with modern equipment, strong warranty coverage and enough capability for normal work and weekend use, neither of them would talk him out of the Cannon.
The Numbers Most Buyers Actually Need
Cover the Badge and the Conversation Changes
The Cannon makes its strongest argument before the engine has even started.
The cabin looks modern.
The seats are comfortable.
The technology is obvious.
The controls and presentation feel far removed from the cheap, basic Chinese vehicles many Australians still picture when they hear the brand name.
That does not mean every surface is premium.
It does not mean the software, driver alerts or final calibration match the Ranger.
It means the Cannon now creates a very different first impression from the one some buyers bring into the dealership.
Which GWM Cannon Would We Actually Recommend?
The best Cannon is the version that preserves its value advantage without paying for equipment the buyer will never use.
First new ute
Our pick: Lux
A strong balance of the 2.4-litre diesel, useful equipment, four-wheel-drive capability and accessible pricing.
Best all-rounder
Our pick: Ultra
The grade for buyers who want the Cannon's modern interior and comfort story without moving to the most specialised version.
Style-focused buyer
Our pick: Vanta
Darker styling and stronger road presence for buyers who want the Cannon to look less like a budget alternative.
Off-road buyer
Our pick: XSR
Front and rear differential locks give the XSR a more serious factory off-road identity.
Our apprentice
Our pick: Lux
Modern enough to feel exciting, capable enough for work and priced sensibly enough to make a first-new-ute purchase realistic.
Maximum financial sense
Our pick: Lux
Once the Cannon becomes too expensive, the argument for stepping into a more established rival becomes stronger.
The Ute We Would Recommend, Even Though Neither of Us Would Buy One
The Cannon forced us to separate personal preference from a genuinely sensible recommendation.
David climbed out and looked back at it...
David: “I will be honest.”
David: “If you covered the badge, I would not have guessed this was Chinese.”
Ace smiled.
Ace: “That is probably the biggest compliment you can give it.”
David: “The cabin is good.”
David: “It drives better than I expected.”
David: “It feels like a proper ute.”
Ace: “Because it is.”
Then David asked the obvious question...
David: “Would you buy one?”
Ace: “No.”
David laughed.
David: “You did not even hesitate.”
Ace: “Because if I am spending sixty grand, I am probably buying a Ranger.”
David: “Same.”
David: “I actually really like it.”
David: “But I would not buy one either.”
Ace nodded.
Ace: “And that is okay.”
So who is it actually for?
David: “Who buys one then?”
Ace smiled.
Ace: “Our apprentice.”
David burst out laughing.
David: “Seriously?”
Ace: “Absolutely.”
David: “Explain.”
Ace: “He is twenty-two.”
Ace: “It is his first brand-new ute.”
Ace: “He wants something modern.”
Ace: “He wants technology.”
Ace: “He wants something that looks good.”
Ace: “He is not thinking about what it might be worth in ten years.”
Ace: “He will probably own three different cars before then.”
Experience changes the comparison...
David: “So he would not appreciate the difference between this and a Ranger?”
Ace: “Exactly.”
Ace: “He would just know he is driving a really nice ute.”
David: “So we are judging it differently because we have owned everything else.”
Ace: “Exactly.”
Ace: “We have had Hiluxs.”
Ace: “We have owned Navaras.”
Ace: “We have driven Rangers.”
Ace: “We compare every little thing.”
David: “But if this is your first new ute...”
Ace: “The Cannon feels fantastic.”
The line that defined the review...
David: “So you are saying it is a better first ute than a forever ute?”
Ace smiled.
Ace: “I think that is exactly what it is.”
David: “If our apprentice walked in tomorrow and asked what he should buy?”
Ace: “I would have no problem recommending the Cannon.”
David: “But if somebody handed you the keys to every ute here?”
Ace: “I am still taking the Ranger.”
David: “So this is not about whether the Cannon is good.”
Ace: “No.”
Ace: “It is about knowing who it is built for.”
He would recommend the Lux
Ace would not buy a Cannon for himself, but he would happily recommend the Lux to a younger buyer purchasing a first new ute.
It keeps the price sensible, includes the stronger 2.4-litre diesel and delivers enough technology and capability to make ownership feel exciting.
He would recommend the Ultra
David liked the extra comfort and technology of the Ultra and thought a first-time buyer would enjoy the stronger showroom experience.
He still would not buy one personally, but he accepted the Cannon was much easier to recommend than his own purchase decision suggested.
The Cabin Is Where the Cannon Wins Over Sceptical Buyers
Modern presentation
Large displays, clear graphics and a cleaner dashboard design make the Cannon feel more expensive than many buyers expect.
Strong standard equipment
Relevant grades include heated seats, surround-view cameras, wireless charging and technology that can require expensive option packs elsewhere.
Comfortable driving position
The seats, visibility and driving position suit family use, commuting and longer regional trips.
Useful rear-seat space
The second row is practical enough for family duties and apprentices travelling between job sites.
Driver alerts
Some assistance systems may feel more intrusive than the polished calibration found in Ranger and Amarok.
Touchscreen reliance
The cabin looks modern, but some buyers will still prefer more physical controls for frequently used functions.
Better Than Expected Is No Longer Enough
Earlier Chinese utes could earn praise simply by avoiding obvious problems.
The current Cannon needs to be judged against proper competitors.
The 2.4-litre diesel feels stronger and more flexible than the previous engine.
The nine-speed automatic keeps the engine within its useful torque range and makes the vehicle easier to live with around town.
The steering is light.
The ride is comfortable enough for family use.
The cabin remains relatively calm at highway speeds.
It still does not shrink around the driver like the Ranger.
It does not have the polished V6 performance of the Amarok.
But it no longer needs the words “for the money” added to every compliment.
David noticed the change...
David: “This drives like a proper ute.”
Ace: “It is a proper ute.”
David: “You know what I mean.”
Ace: “That might be GWM's biggest problem.”
David: “What is?”
Ace: “People are still reviewing the ute they remember.”
The Cannon Has Enough Capability for Most Buyers
The more important question is whether the buyer needs the absolute maximum, or simply enough capability for real life.
3.5-tonne towing
Relevant current 2.4-litre grades offer the headline towing figure expected in the modern dual-cab market.
480Nm diesel torque
The newer engine provides stronger pulling performance for trailers, highway overtaking and loaded driving.
Rear differential lock
Current four-wheel-drive grades include useful hardware for slippery surfaces, work sites and recreational tracks.
XSR capability
Front and rear differential locks give the XSR a stronger factory off-road proposition than the mainstream grades.
Weekend touring
The Cannon suits camping, beach access, forest roads and normal recreational four-wheel driving.
Heavy commercial use
Buyers carrying permanent heavy loads should confirm payload, axle limits and the exact suspension setup before purchase.
Towing capacity does not replace the need to calculate passengers, accessories, tray load, tow-ball download, GVM and GCM for the exact vehicle and trailer combination.
The Warranty Helps. The Market Still Decides the Resale.
Purchase price
The Cannon remains meaningfully cheaper than many equivalent Ranger, Hilux and D-MAX grades.
Seven-year warranty
Long factory coverage provides important confidence during the early ownership period.
Roadside assistance
Five years of roadside support strengthens the ownership package for private and business buyers.
Dealer network
GWM's Australian footprint continues to grow, although remote coverage remains less comprehensive than the largest established brands.
Resale
Used demand is improving, but the Cannon still lacks the resale confidence attached to Ranger, Hilux and D-MAX.
Long-term ownership
Australian reliability evidence is building, but buyers keeping vehicles for fifteen years may still prefer a more established choice.
That is why the apprentice example works.
A younger buyer may own the vehicle during its strongest years, enjoy the technology and replace it before long-term uncertainty becomes the centre of the decision.
The Cannon Is No Longer Asking Buyers to Make Excuses for It
The cabin
It looks and feels far more modern than many buyers expect from the badge.
The 2.4-litre diesel
The stronger engine gives the Cannon more convincing towing, touring and everyday performance.
The equipment
Buyers receive cameras, comfort features and technology that can cost considerably more elsewhere.
The warranty
Seven years of coverage makes a first-new-ute purchase easier to justify.
The value
The Cannon gives buyers a large amount of capability and equipment without immediately entering Ranger money.
The progress
GWM has moved beyond building a cheap alternative and now offers a ute that deserves to be judged properly.
A Good Ute Can Still Be the Wrong Personal Choice
Resale confidence
The Cannon still lacks the used-market strength of Ranger, Hilux and D-MAX.
Long-term history
Buyers planning to keep the ute for fifteen years have less Australian ownership evidence to rely on.
Driver-assistance calibration
Some alerts and interventions may feel less polished than those in the segment leaders.
Regional support
Dealer and parts coverage continues to improve but remains less comprehensive in remote areas.
Premium-grade pricing
Once the Cannon becomes too expensive, buyers may prefer to spend more again and move into a Ranger or D-MAX.
The emotional gap
Both Ace and David respected the Cannon without ever genuinely wanting one for themselves.
How the GWM Cannon Scored
Where the Cannon Wins and Where Its Rivals Fight Back
LDV T60
LDV offers an aggressive equipment and price story. Cannon feels more rounded and may be easier to trust as a complete package.
Mitsubishi Triton
Triton offers stronger long-term ownership confidence and a clearer commercial identity. Cannon counters with cabin appeal and value.
Isuzu D-MAX
D-MAX remains the stronger workhorse and resale choice. Cannon offers more visual and technology appeal for the money.
Ford Ranger
Ranger remains the benchmark for refinement, engines and ownership desirability. Cannon competes by leaving far more money in the buyer's pocket.
The Honest Buyer Split
Buy the Cannon if...
- You are purchasing your first brand-new ute.
- You want modern technology and strong equipment for the money.
- You expect to replace the vehicle within five to seven years.
- You need normal work, towing and recreational capability.
- You have a strong local GWM dealer.
- You care more about what the ute does than the badge it carries.
Keep looking if...
- You plan to keep the ute for fifteen years or longer.
- You prioritise resale above purchase price and equipment.
- You regularly operate in remote Australia.
- You need the deepest aftermarket and dealer support.
- You already know you will compare every detail with Ranger.
- You want the safest established ownership choice.
Would We Actually Buy One?
Ace would not.
David would not either.
Both would spend more and choose something with a stronger ownership history and greater personal appeal.
That answer does not undo the rest of the review.
That distinction matters.
A twenty-two-year-old apprentice buying a first new ute may value technology, warranty and purchase price far more than fifteen-year resale history.
For that buyer, the Cannon may be a smarter recommendation than the Ranger Ace would choose for himself.
The right answer depends on the buyer, not the reviewer.
2026 GWM Cannon FAQs
Is the GWM Cannon a good ute?
Yes. The current Cannon offers a modern cabin, strong equipment, competitive diesel performance and enough capability for most private and small-business buyers. Its biggest remaining questions relate to long-term resale, remote support and ownership history rather than immediate quality.
What engine does the current Cannon use?
Current Lux, Ultra, Vanta and XSR grades use a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel producing 135kW and 480Nm, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
How much can the GWM Cannon tow?
Relevant current 2.4-litre grades are rated to tow up to 3,500kg braked when correctly equipped. Buyers must still calculate payload, tow-ball download, axle loads, GVM and GCM for the complete setup.
What is the GWM Cannon warranty?
GWM Australia offers a seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, subject to its terms and conditions, along with five years of roadside assistance.
Which Cannon grade offers the best value?
We think the Lux is the strongest first-new-ute and value choice. Ultra suits buyers wanting more comfort, while XSR is the more serious factory off-road option.
Is the Cannon better than the LDV T60?
The T60 may offer a stronger headline price or equipment list. The Cannon feels more rounded and may provide the more convincing overall ownership package, depending on the grades and local dealer support.
Is the Cannon better than the Ranger?
Ranger remains more refined, desirable and proven. Cannon is significantly cheaper and offers more standard equipment for the money, making it attractive to buyers who do not need the benchmark badge or ownership history.
Is the Cannon suitable for tradies?
Yes, for many trades and small businesses. Buyers carrying heavy permanent loads or operating remotely should confirm payload, dealer support, parts access and expected downtime before purchasing.
Would Ace buy a GWM Cannon?
No. Ace would personally spend more and buy a Ranger. He would still happily recommend a Cannon Lux to a younger buyer purchasing a first brand-new ute.
Would David buy one?
No. David respected the cabin, value and driving experience but would still choose another ute for himself. He considered the Ultra an easy grade to recommend to the right buyer.
Compare the Cannon or Explore the Complete Ute Market
Meet Every 2026 Contender
Return to the complete line-up and open another individual review.
View the Complete AFA Ute Index
See the overall rankings and all eight category reports.
Compare the Complete Purchase, Not Just the Badge
We can help compare Cannon grades, dealer pricing, trade-in offers and car finance options before you decide whether it is the right first new ute for you.
Ace would not buy one.
David would not buy one either.
Both would still recommend it to the right buyer.
That is probably the clearest evidence of how far GWM has come.
The Cannon no longer needs buyers to defend choosing it.
It simply needs them to understand what they actually need from a ute.
For a younger buyer purchasing a first new dual cab, the answer may be technology, warranty, value and enough capability for normal life.
The Cannon delivers all four.
Ace would still take the Ranger.
The apprentice may be smarter to keep the difference.
Consumer Loans
Business Loans
Other Links
AFA Garage
For all enquiries
- 1300 929 859
- Info@AssetFinanceAvenue.com.au
Every finance application is different. The examples above are provided as general case studies only. Approval is always subject to lender criteria and individual circumstances.