2025 GWM Cannon Alpha Hybrid off-road review

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Is there a marketplace for US-style dual-cab 4×4 ute that’s larger than a Ranger and smaller than an F-150, however extra snug and cheaper than each?

Cue the GWM Cannon Alpha, the most recent 4×4 providing within the Cannon dual-cab ute vary. It’s larger, extra luxurious and higher appointed, so let’s take a check drive and see if the Alpha lives as much as the title and the hype.

Wow! It’s acquainted! And that’s not as a result of it seems the identical because the Cannon from the skin (it doesn’t) or that it’s no larger than the usual Chinese language dual-cab (is it). It’s as a result of the bonnet seems just like the one on Tank 500 and that connection turns into much more obvious if you open the door.

Once you climb in, it’s clear that is the Tank 500 inside in a ute. The cabin is spacious, snug, and the entrance seats really feel like a enterprise class pod in a airplane. A bit like a full-size US pickup, it’s encapsulating in a heat and comforting method that gives a deep sense of security, safety and serenity.

Equivalent to the Tank 500, bar a couple of extra extras (just like the entrance diff lock change, which we’ll talk about later), it oozes with the identical luxurious, fashion and luxury that’s virtually an excessive amount of for a tradesman’s utility!

WATCH: Paul’s video assessment of the GWM Cannon Alpha Extremely Diesel

Whereas it additionally comes with an even bigger 2.4-litre turbo-diesel than the common Cannon, right here we’re driving the two.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid variant, which has a extra highly effective model of the identical powertrain accessible in each the Tank 300 and 500.

The hybrid delivers easy and constructive energy. It’s no race automobile however the torque curve feels flat and carries nicely by way of the rev vary, providing first rate sufficient acceleration and outright efficiency (click on it over to Sport mode and all that steps up a noticeable notch).

The sprint show and controls are pleasing to take a look at, useful and simple to entry, however the indicator stalk is a little bit quirky and seems to get caught on. It takes a little bit time to get used to because it has a contact delicate partial mode for lane altering.

On the draw back, and presumably the one actual downer relating to the on-road expertise, the Alpha has the identical hum and vibration because the Tank 500, however presumably not as dangerous. It’s amplified within the again seat, nonetheless.

The brakes are phenomenal, virtually to the purpose you’d name them high-performance. They’re calibrated completely, since they don’t seize unexpectedly but the firmness in pedal software when pulling up is excellent. Positively probably the greatest braking techniques I’ve skilled in a contemporary automobile.

However there’s extra relating to the Cannon Alpha’s stopping energy! There’s a noticeable quantity of off-throttle deceleration, due to the magnetic load of the electrical motor that types a part of the power regeneration system, which is a really environment friendly use of the driveline and a really constructive addition for off-roading, the place autos usually ‘run away’ on steep descents.

Trip high quality on the freeway and different blacktop is mostly easy and cozy, however a few small and quirky issues did get my consideration relating to the chassis. The hum and vibration talked about above is certainly one of them, however I additionally discovered that the steering is a contact heavy.

It’s not that it’s so a lot worse than many different new automobiles, however it’s value noting because it could possibly be taxing on long-distance drives. General although, the steering is mostly fairly good and it does supply a good stage of really feel with out being overly delicate.

The pinnacle-up show displaying the speedo is a pleasant contact. It’s a wonderful security characteristic and simply certainly one of many good additions that give an ‘above and past’ really feel to this automobile’s design.

Thankfully, the motive force help techniques had been dialled down earlier than our check drive by way of an upcoming software upgrade, so the often lane preserving and centring capabilities had been much more bearable. But we nonetheless received to benefit from the frequent and intrusive verbal reminders to ‘please focus whereas driving’ and ‘take a break’.

The rear seat is spacious and actually takes benefit of the bigger dimension of the Alpha. They’re additionally adjustable, which is one other good addition, however better of all of the seats themselves are very snug.

To see how the GWM Cannon Alpha strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparison tool

Off-road

Hitting the filth, it’s instantly obvious the Cannon Alpha is steady and simple to regulate. You may choose a 4H mode by way of the centre console dial and on this setting the automobile handles like an all-wheel drive at pace on unsealed roads.

Primarily based on the data accessible and my precise drive expertise, the Alpha’s nine-speed auto is connected to a part-time switch case to supply everlasting four-wheel drive, and the switch turns into locked when 4H is chosen (in addition to in 4L).

Off-road at pace the cabin vibrates a little bit, however aftermarket suspension would go a good distance to enhance that. Slipping into 4L is intuitive and seamless as soon as the automobile is parked and the transmission is in impartial. It’s true low-range gearing that offers loads of management with the conventional advantages of the related decrease ratios.

Traction management works okay however is a considerably agricultural. The system creaks, growls and groans with a loud clashing sound from the front-end because the traction management engages and disengages the brakes in an try to keep up traction.

It truly sounds just like the drive plates on the top of the stub axles are solely partially engaged. The noise is fairly harsh and I see loads of uninitiated homeowners returning the automobile to their seller and complaining it’s damaged!

There’s a fast and easy repair although, and the issue disappears utterly when the factory-fitted entrance and rear locking differentials are activated.

This, understandably, transforms the Alpha into an virtually unstoppable off-road beast. The truth is, the one actual limiting consider its functionality at this level is the clearance of the facet steps. As with most new off-road automobiles, they don’t seem to be going to final lengthy if the automobile is pushed anyplace close to its precise potential within the bush.

And given the usual entrance and rear diff locks, some off-road lovers may argue it will have been higher to go away the traction management system out of this mannequin all collectively as a result of, just like the Tank 500, the Alpha’s system is awkward and unnerving.

Whereas the Tank 500 comes with solely a rear diff lock, the fitment of lockers at each ends of the Alpha negates any actual want for traction management to help it in off-road circumstances in any respect. So my suggestion to GWM is both make the traction management system smoother and extra user-friendly, or take away it altogether within the fashions with entrance and rear diff locks.

Off-road in low vary and with each diff locks on, the Alpha is a beast! It climbs cleanly and easily, walks confidently by way of massive wombat holes, and handles uneven and damaged terrain with ease.

With the addition of aftermarket suspension, the elimination of the manufacturing facility facet steps and the fitment of a extra aggressive light-truck 4WD tyre just like the Geolandar MT G003, the Alpha may nicely be the king of the hill relating to off-road functionality.

Whereas the inside design and fit-out is nicely past that of a traditional utility automobile, the again of this 4WD is all enterprise. The mattress is appropriately fitted with a bathtub liner and the dual-activation tailgate is an actual winner.

The tailgate has clear panel strains and no seen deal with, however a easy press of a button within the centre of the GWM brand opens the lengthy facet of the rear door, permitting for horizontal facet opening of the 60/40-split tailgate. And urgent the identical button for an extended interval routinely drops your entire tailgate in a single easy movement.

It’s a intelligent contact of know-how that will nicely show handy, however may be simply one other factor to go incorrect in distant areas.

The off-road digicam system within the Alpha is nicely value mentioning too. It comes on routinely when in low vary and does an excellent job of aiding the motive force.

It’s not a lot that the digicam system itself is best than the rest available on the market, however it’s the massive central show display on the sprint that makes the system a lot extra useful.

Once you keep in mind the stable basic off-road capability of the Alpha and take into account the extra extras just like the digicam, diff locks, hill begin help and extra, this actually is a good off-road rig.

To see how the GWM Cannon Alpha strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparison tool

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The GWM Cannon Alpha was Australia’s first hybrid 4×4 ute. The highest-shelf Extremely Hybrid combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine and an electrical motor to ship spectacular mixed outputs of 255kW of energy and 648Nm of torque. As commonplace, there’s a GWM-developed nine-speed auto and a Borg Warner switch case. It additionally presents a wholesome 3500kg braked towing capability.

Whereas all this can price you simply $64,990 drive-away, on the decrease finish of the Alpha vary are the Lux and Extremely, priced much more sharply at $51,990 and $57,990 drive-away respectively and powered by a 135kW/480Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, providing decrease outputs than the preferred mid-size utes however greater than the usual GWM Cannon’s 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

To see how the GWM Cannon Alpha strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparison tool

Mod-ability

It’s undoubtedly early days so far as aftermarket mods and equipment are involved right here.

GWM doesn’t listing any real equipment for the Cannon Alpha itself, in order typical we’ll defer to Savage Tech Auto in southeast Queensland because the authority on what is obtainable for the Alpha in Australia and, at this early stage, the reply is just not a lot in any respect.

Nevertheless, Savage Tech says to look at this area and we’ve heard rumours that bullbars, suspension and lots extra is already in transit!

To see how the GWM Cannon Alpha strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Tackle the GWM Cannon Alpha

All up, the Alpha is a giant step up from the Cannon, however whereas it shines in so many areas it may nonetheless do with some refinement. That mentioned, alongside a comparable Ford Ranger or Toyota HiLux, the Alpha presents loads of bang on your buck.

Whack on a bullbar, a suspension raise package, and an excellent set of all-terrain tyres, then change the manufacturing facility facet steps with some neatly ticked away rock sliders, and also you’ve received your self a severely succesful, snug and really nicely appointed dual-cab 4×4 ute.

Recover from the badge on the grille and the model title, and this automobile actually has loads to supply and is nicely value a glance, as a result of if you look past the luxurious and luxury that is in impact a piece ute.

With the Cannon first launched in Australia over three years in the past, and each the Tank 300 and 500 off-road SUVs now additionally proving widespread out there, the Alpha makes it 4 clear hits in a row for GWM right here.

Has GWM now received your consideration and do you perceive it’s a severe participant in native the market but, or are you continue to caught on the failures of the early Nice Wall choices and the very fact its automobiles are made in China? Tell us within the feedback under.