There’s a confession due up front. I’ve long carried a baked-in scepticism toward Chinese vehicles — shaped by years of average plastics, clunky ride quality, and a healthy dose of badge snobbery. Not helped by the disastrous release of the JAC Truck range several years ago. But I’ll admit it: the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV has taken a decent swing at changing my mind.
This new plug-in hybrid ute enters a segment that’s heating up fast. It follows the BYD Shark 6 onto Australian soil, but the approach between the two is notably different — particularly under the skin.
GWM sticks with a more traditional driveline logic: a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine feeds power to an electric motor, which in turn drives a 9-speed automatic transmission. From there, it passes through a transfer case and out to the wheels via good old-fashioned driveshafts.
BYD’s take is almost the opposite. The Shark uses electric motors front and rear to drive the axles directly, with the turbo petrol engine acting primarily as a generator to charge the battery or boost the front motor. There’s no mechanical connection to the rear wheels — no transfer case, no rear driveshaft.
That difference matters. GWM’s approach keeps all the classic off-road hardware alive: locking diffs, a low-range gearbox, a proper 4WD transfer case. And it delivers the sort of off-road credentials that would’ve seemed far-fetched in a hybrid just a few years ago — 800mm wading depth, 3.5-tonne braked towing, and a low-range ratio of 2.48:1.
Additionally, this ute can be used as a 6kW genset – three 240v plugs encourage you to power your campsite facilities when needed.
But the biggest surprise isn’t what’s under the body. It’s what’s not there — namely, the noise.
Expecting the familiar clatter and rumble of a dual-cab diesel? Forget it. The Cannon Alpha’s turbo petrol setup is impressively quiet. Matched with the hybrid system, it delivers a smooth, refined drive that’s more SUV than ute. Around town, it’s genuinely serene — almost disarming at first. And out on the highway, it cruises with minimal fuss and zero cabin rattle.
At 2.8-tonnes kerb weight you’d expect a touch of sluggish under instant acceleration. But apart from the odd occasion when the Cannon had to let its gearbox make a decision, most throttle inputs are immediate, and lively. The Cannon gets up and goes when needed, with the only quirk an acceleration over-run – you get off the throttle and it keeps accelerating for a second.
Ride comfort is also well above par for the segment – coil springs all round help with that. Even unladen, the suspension feels settled. Cabin quality impresses too, with plush seats, an intuitive layout, and mercifully few of the usual overbearing alarms and chimes. The only misstep for me was the Adaptive Cruise Control announcements — repetitive, and irritating in a vehicle that otherwise majors on quiet sophistication. Unfortunately I found out after my drive that the audible notice could be switched off.
Pricing is keen at $64,490 drive-away (for ABN holders in WA until 30 September 2025), especially given the spec and tech on offer. It undercuts most diesel competitors with this level of equipment and beats the BYD Shark on towing by a full tonne.
So, have I gone soft on Chinese utes?
Not quite. There’s still a question of long-term quality and support. And it’ll take time before GWM’s badge carries the same implicit trust as some of its rivals. But if this is the new benchmark — quiet, capable, hybrid, and honest — then it’s a strong step forward.
The Cannon Alpha PHEV isn’t just another cheap alternative. It’s a genuine contender. And that, I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting.
| Specification | Details |
| Powertrain | 2.0L turbo petrol + electric motor (PHEV) |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic with low-range transfer case |
| Drive | 4WD with locking differentials and low-range |
| Batteries (2) | 37.11kWh (Combined) |
| Electric Range | Up to 115km |
| Combined Power Output | 300kW |
| Combined Torque | 750Nm |
| Towing Capacity | 3.5 tonnes (braked) |
| Approach Angle | 33 degrees |
| Departure Angle | 27 degrees |
| Ground Clearance | 224 mm |
| Wading Depth | 800 mm |
| Fuel Economy | Claimed 1.7l/100kms Combined. But I suspect only if you start each day with a full battery |
| Warranties | 7 years – Vehicle, Capped Price Servicing and Roadside Assistance. 8-years Battery |
| Price (Est.) | $64,490 drive-away to 30 September 2025 (ABN holders in WA) |