GWM Cannon Alpha ute review: cut-price ute has loads of gear

This Chinese-built four-wheel-drive workhorse offers more metal for the money, but that may not be enough to steal buyers from Ford and Toyota.

Great Wall Motors has launched a larger version of its Cannon Ute, aiming to find a niche between the top selling Ford Ranger and the new breed of big American pick-ups.

The all-new Alpha, which is available only as a dual-cab four-wheel-drive with the choice of a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel or a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol hybrid, measures 5445mm long and 1991mm wide.

That’s bigger than the regular Cannon but more compact than pick-ups such as the Ford F150 and RAM.

While it matches key rivals with a 3.5-tonne tow capacity, its payload falls shy of the accepted standard at between 735kg and 821kg, depending on the model.

The GWM Cannon Alpha is slightly larger than the leading utes. Picture: Supplied

Entry to the range kicks off with the Lux Turbo Diesel at $51,990 drive-away.

That’s a big price jump from the regular Cannon, which starts at $37,490 for the most affordable 4WD model.

The Alpha Lux justifies the price hike with a lot more gear, including 18-inch alloys, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone ventilation, power-adjustable driver’s seat, 360-degree camera and the latest active safety systems (some of which are too eager to beep or temporarily take control). There’s also a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.

The $57,990 Ultra adds a panoramic sunroof, partial leather trim, a powered passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats with built-in massagers, a wireless phone charger and a 14.6-inch infotainment screen.

The Alpha has a well equipped cabin. Picture: Supplied

There’s also an innovative split tailgate with two sections that fold out rather than down.

It’s an impressive engineering feat, although it may impress more in the showroom than it does in the real world.

The Alpha is available as a hybrid for $64,990 drive-away. That model adds a head-up display, heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, rear wireless charger, powered rear seats, heated and ventilated back seats, parking sensors front and rear and a 10-speaker Infinity sound system.

We drove both engines but spent more time in the hybrid.

Those expecting to slash their fuel bills with the petrol-electric set-up will be disappointed. The claimed average of 9.8 litres per 100km is more than key rivals and more than the diesel Alpha, which uses 8.9L/100km.

The hybrid version is more about extra power than fuel saving. Photo: Supplied

Around town, though, the hybrid is more efficient thanks to its ability to capture braking energy and store it as electricity. Claimed urban fuel use is a thoroughly respectable 8.9L/100km.

Performance is solid but not what you might expect from the claimed power output numbers.

There’s ample thrust to shift the big five-seater, although the power delivery through the nine-speed auto is inconsistent.

The diesel is coarser sounding and lags at takeoff but ultimately it suits the character of the Alpha, especially when cruising.

The Alpha shines off-road. Picture: Supplied.

As with the hybrid, though, its traction control system is occasionally overly aggressive in the way it controls wheel slip.

The electronic gear shifter can also be fiddly to use, sometimes requiring a second shot at finding the right ratio.

The stiff suspension makes its testing to drive when unladen, especially on uneven surfaces. On the freeway, the workhorse can struggle to settle over bumps.

Off-road the Alpha comes into its own.

The ute has an innovative tailgate design. Picture: Supplied.

Low-range gearing primes it for more challenging situations, although in the hybrid it can require a good prod of the throttle to build torque to get over tough obstacles.

There’s decent ground clearance and the Borg Warner four-wheel drive system does a good job of keeping the wheels moving in sticky situations.

Locking front and rear differentials on Ultra models provide additional off-road capability.

This ute isn’t afraid of some tough love.

While it’s not cheap, the lavish assortment of gear makes it a tempting prospect against the big names in the ute market, even if there are compromises on the driving front.

GWM CANNON ALPHA

PRICE: From $51,990 drive-away

WARRANTY/SERVICING: Seven yrs/unlimited km, capped servicing not available yet

SAFETY: Seven airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot and lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, driver monitoring, door open warning, speed-sign recognition, child presence detection

ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine, 255kW/648Nm

THIRST: 9.8L/100km

SPARE: Full size

TOWING: 3500kg

VERDICT

Three and a half stars

The Alpha is packed with value and cabin comforts, but the hybrid system is more about performance than saving fuel.

Originally published as GWM Cannon Alpha ute review: cut-price ute has loads of gear