GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV review

This ute is set to arrive in Australia and it ticks a box that will make it super cheap and shake up the market for tradies.

You get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing you’re saving the planet in a 5.4-metre long, 2.8-tonne dual cab pickup.

This 4x4 paradox is the GWM Cannon Alpha plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute, confirmed for an Australian debut next year.

Pub and online arguments rage about true green credentials of EVs and PHEVs.

It’s indeed hard to get Greta Thunberg onboard with an in-yer-face mighty Chinese truck housing not only a turbo petrol engine, but giant battery created from rare metal mining too.

Let’s dodge such inconvenient truths for a moment.

GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV. Photo: Supplied

Here’s a true off-road 4x4 ute able to tow 3500kg, wade up to 800mm, there’s whopping space for five and – here’s the party trick – travels up to 110km on battery power alone.

Ideally viewed, if that battery’s charged using solar, occupants can enjoy deep, off-grid adventures with zero-emissions footprints.

And it’s a rather lovely experience.

On our private off-road course, we selected EV Mode and silently scaled hills, waded rivers, spun through sand and even rock crawled in utter silence.

No diesel rattle nor petrol rumble, no pollution spewed into nature.

With windows down and sunroof open, occupants hear only leaves and branches being moved underwheel, and the occasional bird call.

I’ll pause the Attenborough stuff for some home truths. When the battery runs out, the 180kW/380Nm petrol engine drinks at 9.3L/100km. Plus you’re down the 120kW/400Nm the electric motor brings – not great if towing a few tonnes.

This PHEV will also be a fair whack pricier than the $64,990 drive-away GWM asks for the Cannon Alpha hybrid ute – a jump of $10-15k is likely, grade depending.

GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV. Photo: Supplied

And charging isn’t always easy, not least if you’re deep in the wilderness. A public DC fast charger takes 24 minutes for the battery to go from 30 to 80 per cent, or it’s 6.5 hours from empty to full using a home AC wallbox.

Australia’s tough new (NVES) emissions rules mean adding PHEVs and EVs to a brand’s fleet is key. In the ute space, by next year we’ll have plug-in Ford Rangers and BYD Sharks on sale, with this Alpha PHEV probably soon after.

GWM could also add a PHEV version of its Tank 500 large SUV to showrooms, featuring the same 4x4 and electric setup as this ute.

If they stay under the $91,387 Luxury Car Tax threshold, they’re eligible for fringe benefit tax (FBT) exemption; appealing indeed to those wanting the ute for commercial duties.

But they will need to take delivery of the car before April 1, 2025.

Our Alpha PHEV test was limited due to it being left-hand-drive.

Its giant 14.6-inch infotainment screen featuring Chinese characters didn’t help navigation of drive modes, off-road modes, cameras and switching off its too-distracting driver assist systems.

But it proved a fascinating vehicle. Sized between a Toyota HiLux and Ford F-150, GWM brought in the fully-stacked, off-road ready Alpha XSR grade. Its all-terrain tyres, underbody bash plates, steel bumper with winch and world’s largest snorkel has the goodies cashed-up adventurers demand.

GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV. Photo: Supplied

More sophisticated coil rear suspension rather than cart-spring leafs promises a better on-road ride.

Our unsealed test track caused it no bother – it has a low range transfer case and centre, rear and front diff locks. Although the petrol engine too often chimed in to spoil the serenity.

Superb, extensive camera angles – including a transparent feature to see under the ute – proved useful, while heated faux leather seats, soft plastics and proper domestic power socket add to the cabin flair.

The ute tub’s no bigger than a one-tonner’s, but rear seat space is far better. Our grade even featured electric auto-reclining heated rear seats with massive leg room.

Not so great is this PHEV’s lowly 535kg payload. A half-tonner. Heavy batteries under the tub compromise lugging load.

Acceleration’s eager, but it feels its weight and wobbles in corners, but nothing unusual there for a giant ute. We hit 100km/h using electric only, and tyre noise aside, it was strangely but beautifully silent.