2021 GWm Ute Cannon-L review

Over more than a decade Down Under, the Great Wall ute has taken more twists and turns and ups and downs than its eponymous 600-year-old piece of Chinese infrastructure.

The Great Wall Motors dual cab 4x4 ute initially made a name for itself with a sub-$30K drive-away price, while the later model, named the Steed, continued the trend.

Both suffered suspect safety standards, with the latter drawing criticism from ANCAP after earning a lowly two-star rating.

Now, we are told, a new GWM Ute (that’s its name) is freshly designed and engineered from the ground up and has its sights set on the pick-up leaders by claiming to meet world-class standards. The line-up consists of three 4x4 dual cab models, all with an upgraded 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine driving through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.

The GWM Cannon starts at $33,990 drive away, with a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty and five years roadside assist.

This is followed by the Cannon-L ($37,990 drive away) and topped by the Cannon-X, priced from $40,990 drive away.

We were in the mid-spec Cannon-L.

STYLING

In size alone, the GWM Ute Cannon-L stands tall in any company.

Owing more to big American trucks than the usual Hilux/Ranger/Triton suspects, the Ute is big and bold to say the least. Dominating the front is a three-bar chrome radiator grille with dinner-plate size stylised letter ‘P’ in the centre.

This, we are told, is a reference to ‘Poer’, the vehicle’s Chinese name. Helping put the Cannon-L squarely up against more expensive rivals are body coloured bumpers, wheel arches and power adjustable exterior mirrors, plus standard side steps, polished sports bar, a shark fin antenna, sports-style 18-inch alloy wheels (with full-size spare), LED headlamps, daytime running lights and fog lamps with automatic steering function.

INTERIOR

Modern convenience starts outside with keyless entry; once inside there’s push-button start and a leather covered steering wheel with a selection of controls, including gearshift paddles.

Occupants settle into Comfort-Tek eco leather seats, the front pews heated and the driver’s seat six-way power adjustable. The automatic climate control incorporates rear vents, so everyone’s happy.

Seats offer a better-than average level of comfort and the rear seat base folds up to increase load space and underneath storage out of sight across the whole cabin width.

Clever.

INFOTAINMENT

A central dashboard 9-inch LCD touchscreen offers access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a 3.5-inch colour instrument cluster keeps the driver in touch with vehicle systems.

There’s a power point for a dash camera, a 12-volt outlet, two front USB ports and one at the rear.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

The engine has improved on the Steed, with 120kW/400Nm available compared to 110kW/310 Nm.

It’s also more fuel efficient, while new additions include a variable geometry and turbo inlet, plus upgraded air intake throttle and camshaft.

An eight-speed German-designed ZF automatic transmission is augmented by a 4x4 drivetrain with torque on demand and rear differential lock.

SAFETY

GWM has obviously learned its lesson from the Steed debacle.

The Cannon carries an extensive suite of safety measures, including forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.

In the case of collision, the fuel is cut and doors unlock automatically.

There’s vehicle stability control, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert.

Reverse and passenger kerb-side cameras, front and rear parking sensors and 360-degree all-round view warn of obstacles when parking.

There are seven airbags, including one between the front seats. Traffic sign recognition and speed alert keep the driver honest and hill-start assist and hill-descent control take over on inclines and off-road adventures.

DRIVING

A trap for the unwary.

On many vehicles there is a grab handle on the driver and passenger door pillars to help climbing into the cabin or to steady occupants in rough going.

For some reason the Cannon carries a sunglasses’ holder on the driver’s side above the door, not atop the centre of the windscreen at its usual spot. How many mistaken tugs it would last is anybody’s guess.

While engine performance has been boosted, far from firing off the mark the Cannon-L huffs and puffs away from rest. I suppose it’s only natural with such a small engine trying to shift close to five tonnes when there’s a load on board. The eight-speed auto transmission does its best; it’s more comfortable at cruising speeds.

Steering raises some questions: stiff and resistant at slow speeds, shifting to fast and loose with little driver feedback as the vehicle hits its straps.

With a turning circle of more than 13m, there are some parking problems.

Fortunately, functionality is to the fore when it comes to the rear of the Cannon-L. The tub has a protective sprayed-on lining and loading from the back is made easier by a retractable step allowing access to the front of the tray.

On the downside, the distance between the wheel arches is not enough to take a standard-size Aussie pallet.

Towing is rated at 3000kg braked, but read the small print.

With front double wishbone and rear leaf spring suspension, it is fair to assume that some of the bumps suffered by the unladen one-tonner on uneven road surfaces would be ironed out by loading up the tray, while on the downside a claimed combined fuel consumption of 9.4L/100km could be added to considerably under the same circumstances.

VERDICT

If price is the only consideration, the GWM Ute Cannon-L could be an attractive proposition. However, questions remain over the would-be premium pick-up’s build quality, reliability and resale value.

2021 GWM UTE CANNON-L SPECIFICATIONS

• Price $37,990
• Engine 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
• Outputs 120kW/400Nm
• Transmission Eight-speed automatic
• Fuel economy 9.4L/100km