2021 GWM Cannon review

Despite some niggles, the sharply-priced 2021 GWM Cannon offers value to dual-cab ute buyers  

This is a reload of sorts for GWM, formerly known in Australia as Great Wall Motors. First distributed by independent automotive group Ateco back in 2009, the brand launched a range of utilities including a dual-cab 4x4 for just $27,000. But sales only trickled and a poor two-star ANCAP safety rating and patchy dealer network didn’t help.

Enter the 2021 GMV Cannon. A big unit, the Cannon is slightly larger than Ford’s Ranger dual-cab ute. Apart from the attention-grabbing ‘donut’ at the centre of the chrome grille, the overall look is cohesive. When the tailgate is down, a ladder folds out for easier access, which is a feature we’ve not seen in the segment before.

How much does the 2021 Great Wall Cannon cost?

GWM’s new range of affordable 4x4 dual-cab utes is set to reignite interest. Firing the first shot is the Cannon, priced from $33,990. Our test vehicle, the Cannon-L, is $37,990, and the Cannon-X costs $40,990.  

What tech does the 2021 Great Wall Cannon have?  

The level of standard features in the base model doesn’t disappoint, with keyless entry and button start, a nine-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ‘eco’ leather seats, side steps, 18-inch alloys, fog lamps and LED headlights with daytime running lights.

The Cannon-L adds a sports bar, non-slip tub liner, cargo ladder, climate control, six-way power adjustable front seats, front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera. 

Safety tech includes forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross traffic alert, and seven airbags. No ANCAP rating is available, but with the inclusion of a front centre airbag – vital to pass ANCAP’s latest protocols – it should bring an improvement over its predecessor. 

How does the 2021 Great Wall Cannon drive? 

Powering the range is a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (120kW and 400Nm) matched to an eight-speed automatic. The 4x4 drive is an on-demand system, with a rotary dial selector in the centre console providing a low range option as well as eco (2WD) and normal (4WD).

The Cannon’s suspension design mirrors the bulk of the category – double wishbones up front and leaf springs at the rear. Four-wheel disc brakes and an electric handbrake set it apart from the pack, but its 3000kg towing capacity is shy of the 3500kg of category leaders. 

On road, there’s an initial lag on take-off and under light throttle at cruising speed the Cannon’s transmission tends to hang onto a higher gear. It’s quick to downshift when asked, though, and the package is quiet out on the highway. On test we returned 9.1L/100km. 

Is the 2021 Great Wall Cannon a good car?  

While the cabin layout is conventional and space for all occupants rivals the Ranger, there are a number of irritants. There’s only a small storage binnacle in the centre console and, while resting your arm on top, its sliding lid moves forwards and back. Reflections on the instrument cluster make it nearly impossible to read under certain light, and the hard plastic finishes used throughout look low rent and cause items to slide out of the shallow central binnacle on top of the dash.

The Cannon also cries out for some localisation of its software (there are a lot of ex-Holden engineers out there, GWM). Needing to reset the digital speed readout every time you start the engine is a pain and so is the time it takes for the audio to switch on.

The GWM Cannon follows a familiar path in ticking all the value boxes – sat-nav, safety tech, leather interior – but doesn’t always deliver a cohesive product. With a bit of tinkering around the edges, though, it could be a real disrupter to the established players. A five-star ANCAP rating would seal the deal.

The 2021 Great Wall Cannon at a glance 

Pros: Contemporary appearance; standard features; on-road manners 

Cons: Glare off instrument cluster; needs more interior storage