GWM Ute Cannon CC 2024 Off-Road Vehicle Review

Will price or performance determine sales of this new utility vehicle?

The GWM Truck – also known as the Cannon – has now become a comfortable, reliable and capable 4×4 double-cab utility vehicle.

The fact that the GWM Ute still comes with a seven-year unlimited mileage warranty and five-year roadside assistance programme should be enough to show that this vehicle is well-supported. The manufacturer is confident in the vehicle and its after-sales support.

But the good news doesn’t stop there – a lot of the reason this car sells so well and is so well supported by the manufacturer is down to the build.

The use of a Borg Warner gearbox, Borg Warner differential with Eaton locking and the renowned ZF eight-speed automatic transmission gives confidence that this is a high-performance model built on a solid foundation, with a proven and highly regarded powertrain that can perform well beyond its seven-year warranty period.

Off-road

As a cab frame with aluminum tray, this 2024 GWM Ute CC slightly lighter in the rear than the full barrel version.

As a result, its effective load capacity is slightly higher, making it a great work vehicle whether its intended use is as a farm trailer or a tradesman’s truck.

In my opinion, I expected the car to vibrate a bit more when driving on dirt at high speeds, but I was surprised by the lighter rear end which made the car feel balanced and stable.

The rear suspension is a bit stiff, but this is normal for an unladen vehicle designed to carry a constant load, and there are plenty of suspension upgrade options on the market today.

Like other GWM products we’ve tested, the basic 4WD system is flawless.

The transmission controls are easy to locate and operate; the low-range drivetrain is slow and precise enough for crawling; and the locking rear differential is a boon for any car with independent front suspension (IFS).

We tested the Ute after a rainy day on some slippery roads with maximum road pressure and the factory-fitted road tyres barely doing their job.

But it’s clearly no worse to drive than any other standard IFS 4WD, and overall it performs better than some of the heavier 4WDs we’ve tested recently in similar conditions.

The traction control system is a bit of a mess. I’ve previously noted that this model’s less sophisticated traction control system locks and unlocks drive to the front wheels with little to no audible or tactile feedback.

It’s not as bad as the larger Cannon Alpha, but I’d rather have a proper front locking differential to aid traction any day than the factory traction control system, which is of course only reactive rather than preventative or 100 percent locking.

The most important factor in the GWM Ute’s off-road ability is primarily good basic off-road performance and secondarily the purchase price.

With the significant savings from buying this vehicle instead of a Ranger or HiLux, you will have enough money to equip this pickup truck with many accessories that will significantly enhance the vehicle’s ability and performance when traveling on the road.

What’s under the hood??

The GWM Ute Cannon CC (Cabin Chassis) is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine based on the renowned GW4N20, producing 120kW (3600rpm) and 400Nm (1500rpm) of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Developed as an ‘in-house’ project, the GW4N20 engine adopts and combines many advanced engine technologies to create a high-performance, low-emission, lightweight and high-performance engine.

The combustion chamber and intake channels are optimized, the direct injection fuel system provides better and more efficient combustion, and variable valve technology is used to improve both low-speed fuel economy and high-speed power.

Additionally, components such as the electronic water pump and electronic thermostat provide improved thermal efficiency and reduced weight thanks to hollow valves and camshafts, and composite cylinder heads.

As such, it is an award-winning engine and has been listed in China’s Top 10 Best Performance Engines of 2020. The engine is recognized for its excellent thermal efficiency, light weight, performance and fuel economy; and is rated on par with the best equivalent engines from renowned Japanese brands.

GWM’s website says of Cannon diesel trucks: “With advanced design and sophisticated engineering, the engines in these diesel trucks strike the perfect balance between power and durability, providing drivers with a driving experience that is both exciting and reliable.”

Of course, we always take manufacturers’ claims with a grain of salt, but honestly, the car performs well and is a pleasure to drive; plus, so far, we haven’t heard of any major faults or reliability issues.

Modification capabilities

With booming sales and the GWM Ute proven over the past three years, there are now of course plenty of accessory options and plenty of upgrades to suit.

We are also seeing a number of specialist aftermarket suppliers emerging that focus on these newer models and their depth of expertise benefits both the owner and the functionality and capabilities of the vehicles they install on.

Emerged after the success of Cannon and now Tank 300Brisbane-based Savage Offroad are leading the way for Cannon owners in Australia with just about every upgrade imaginable catered for. Whether it’s suspension, bars, roof racks, exhaust systems, ECU upgrades and more – the team there have it all.

But it’s not just about satisfying the needs of current Cannon and Tank 300 owners, Savage Offroad’s efforts have actually boosted GWM sales, providing inspiration, confidence and direction to new and future owners that this is a capable vehicle with strong support in the form of aftermarket accessories.

At the most extreme, we even have a report of a suspension specialist in Perth WA successfully fitting 39-inch tyres on his Cannon with stock CVs.

To the uninitiated this may seem insignificant, but to anyone who understands the specific limitations of IFS vehicles, CVs are often the weak point of the vehicle and a very common point of failure when they are raised more than 50mm, or even less in some models.

Considering the extreme angles and the added weight of fitting such large tyres, this speaks volumes about the strength and design of the GWM Ute – for more information JM 4×4 Suspension Test.

CarExpert’s review on GWM Ute

With an ever-increasing range of accessories and many GWM Ute models now covering over 200,000km – some of which have been on significant outback adventures and without any major faults – the popularity of the GWM Ute is growing.

As concerns about the reliability, performance and durability of these vehicles subside, we see strong interest and also strong sales not only for GWM’s 4WD products but also for a number of other Chinese brands.

Critics are finding it increasingly difficult to fault the Cannon and its ilk, and it has certainly earned its place in the dual-cab four-wheel drive segment.

Equipped with a true low-ratio transfer case and factory-fitted rear-end lock; despite the typical limitations of IFS, this is a high-performance off-road vehicle that offers more ride comfort and better on-road performance.

With that said, it’s important to note that it’s no better at performing on- and off-road duties than – but also no worse than – any of the market leaders like Toyota Hilux And Ford Ranger.

But the deciding factor is price, and if you can get past the stigma and reputation of old Great Wall Motors’ cab-over pickup is a bargain, starting at just $40,000 drive-away – or even less if you pay up front. current advertised offers.

With the increasing popularity and ever-expanding range of offerings from GWM, what do you think is the deciding factor? Is it all about price? Or is it the actual performance and features being considered that make these cars sell so well?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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