Back to catalog
GWM
Cannon Alpha
1st gen·
2023-2026
ute
Price (AUD)
$45k-$68k (new); early used from ~$42k
Body styles
Dual Cab
Drivetrain
4WD (full-time / on-demand)
Origin
China
Built in
China (Tianjin / Baoding)
Overview
GWM's flagship full-size dual-cab, launched in Australia on 3 May 2024 (the 2.4L diesel and a 2.0T petrol hybrid arrived first; the 2.0T plug-in hybrid 'Hi4-T' joined in February 2025 for Lux and Ultra trims). Trims are Lux and Ultra. It is physically larger than a HiLux or Ranger, very well equipped for the money, and the PHEV was the first plug-in hybrid ute on sale here, winning CarExpert's Best Electrified Ute in 2026. The much-discussed 3.0L V6 turbo-petrol (Hi4-T overseas) was confirmed NOT coming to Australia. Caveats are the usual new-Chinese-ute ones: short market history so long-term reliability is unproven, soft/saggy rear leaf suspension under load, real-world DPF regen issues on the diesel in urban use, several 2025 recalls on the electrified models (high-voltage harness shielding and an EPS harness chafe), and uncertain resale plus a still-maturing dealer/parts network. Capable and high-value, but buy on the long (7yr) warranty and verify all recall work has been done.
Engines & variants
2.4L GW4D24 turbo diesel
Engine
2.4L common-rail turbo-diesel I4 with DPF
Config
I4 turbo diesel
Displacement
2370cc
Power
135-137kW @ 3600rpm
Torque
480Nm @ 1500-2500rpm
Drivetrain
Selectable 4WD (dual-range)
0–100
~10.5s
Economy
8.9-9.5 L/100km combined (claimed); 10-12 real world
Tow (braked)
3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
9AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (lifetime spec - inspect at high km)
Pros
- Conventional diesel drivetrain - familiar and simple vs the hybrids
- Full 3500kg braked tow rating
- Smooth 9-speed auto and quiet for the class
- Strong value and high standard equipment
- 7-year / unlimited-km warranty
Cons
- DPF regen issues reported in urban/short-trip use
- Heavy kerb weight eats into payload
- Soft rear suspension sags under load
- Modern engine - more sensors/EGR/DPF complexity than older utes
- Short track record; unproven long-term reliability
Known problems
medium
DPF regeneration failure (urban use)
Like other GWM Cannon diesels, short urban trips prevent the diesel particulate filter completing regeneration, leading to a blocked DPF, warning lights, limp mode and excess fuel dilution of the oil.
Fix: Regular highway runs to allow passive/active regen; forced regen at dealer; software updates GWM issued in 2024 improved EGR/engine management. Severe cases need DPF clean or replacement.
medium
EGR and intake carbon / engine management quirks
Early diesels showed EGR-related rough running and hesitation; GWM released engine-management software updates in 2024 specifically for the Cannon Alpha.
Fix: Ensure all dealer software updates and TSBs are applied; EGR/intake clean if carboned.
low
Lack of usable power / payload vs claims
Owners report the diesel feels short on grunt when fully loaded or towing near the 3500kg limit, and the heavy kerb weight limits real payload.
Fix: Drive within real limits; aftermarket tuning gains are modest and may affect warranty.
2.0T GW4N20 petrol hybrid (HEV)
Engine
2.0L turbo-petrol I4 with single integrated electric motor and small lithium-ion battery, 9-speed hybrid auto
Config
I4 turbo petrol hybrid
Displacement
1998cc
Power
Combined ~258kW (180kW engine + 78kW motor)
Torque
Combined ~615Nm
Drivetrain
Selectable 4WD (dual-range)
0–100
~8.5s
Economy
8.5-9.5 L/100km combined (claimed)
Tow (braked)
3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
9HAT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Strong, smooth combined output - quick for a ute
- Petrol hybrid avoids DPF regen hassles
- No plug-in charging needed (self-charging)
- Full 3500kg braked tow
- 7-year warranty
Cons
- Discontinued July 2025 - orphaned powertrain, parts/resale risk
- Tiny battery so limited EV benefit vs the PHEV
- Caught up in the 2025 high-voltage wiring-harness recall
- Real-world economy not dramatically better than diesel when loaded
- Unproven long-term hybrid durability in a heavy 4WD
Known problems
high
High-voltage wiring harness shielding recall (2025)
The shielding ring in the high-voltage harness may not be properly grounded, reducing EMC shielding and causing abnormal communication with engine/transmission control - warning lights, reduced torque and impaired hybrid cooling. ~1,445 vehicles affected.
Fix: Free dealer rectification under the recall. Verify the work has been done before purchase via VIN.
high
Electric power steering harness chafe recall
An EPS wiring harness can contact the driveshaft and be damaged, potentially causing loss of power steering and engine shutdown.
Fix: Free dealer rectification under recall. Confirm completed against VIN.
medium
Orphaned powertrain (discontinued)
The self-charging HEV was dropped from the range in July 2025 in favour of the PHEV, so it is a low-volume one-year-only driveline - a risk for long-term parts support and resale.
Fix: Buy with strong warranty backing and service records; budget conservatively for resale.
2.0T GW4N20 plug-in hybrid (Hi4-T PHEV)
Engine
2.0L turbo-petrol I4 plus electric motor and 37.1kWh NCM battery (Hi4-T), 9-speed hybrid auto
Config
I4 turbo petrol plug-in hybrid
Displacement
1998cc
Power
Combined 300kW (180kW engine alone)
Torque
Combined 750Nm (380Nm engine alone)
Drivetrain
Selectable 4WD (dual-range)
0–100
~6.8s
Economy
1.7 L/100km (full battery, claimed); ~7.9 L/100km battery depleted; 5.5-11 real world depending on charge
Tow (braked)
3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
9HAT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Australia's first plug-in hybrid ute - up to ~115km claimed EV range (NEDC)
- Huge 300kW/750Nm combined output - fastest in class
- Very low fuel use around town on battery (sub-3 L/100km achievable)
- Vehicle-to-load (V2L) and 50kW DC fast charging (30-80% in ~26 min)
- Full 3500kg braked tow; CarExpert Best Electrified Ute 2026
Cons
- Heavy battery hits payload hard
- Economy spikes to 10-11 L/100km on the highway once battery is depleted
- Caught in the 2025 high-voltage harness and EPS recalls
- Most complex/new driveline of the range - long-term durability unknown
- Premium pricing and uncertain resale on a brand-new tech ute
Known problems
high
High-voltage wiring harness shielding recall (2025)
Improperly grounded shielding ring in the HV harness reduces electromagnetic shielding, causing abnormal communication with engine/transmission control - warning lights, reduced torque and degraded hybrid-system cooling. ~1,445 vehicles affected, all 2025.
Fix: Free dealer rectification under the recall. Check VIN to confirm completion before buying.
high
Electric power steering harness chafe recall
EPS wiring harness can rub on the driveshaft and be damaged, risking loss of power steering and engine shutdown.
Fix: Free dealer rectification. Verify completed against VIN.
low
Battery weight / depleted-charge economy
Not a fault, but the 37.1kWh battery adds significant mass, cutting payload, and once depleted on the highway the heavy ute burns 10-11 L/100km hauling itself plus a dead battery.
Fix: Charge regularly to exploit EV range; manage expectations for long unplugged highway/touring trips.
Common problems (all variants)
medium
Soft rear leaf suspension / sag under load
The standard rear leaf suspension is criticised as too soft, sagging under tray load or heavy tow-ball weight and giving a wallowy, disconnected ride - a common complaint across the GWM Cannon family.
Fix: Upgraded rear leaf pack or airbag helpers (Dobinsons, Lovells and similar offer Cannon Alpha kits); load within real limits.
low
Infotainment and electronic gremlins
Owners report clock resets, laggy or glitchy infotainment, over-eager driver-assist chimes and occasional TPMS faults - typical teething issues of a new platform.
Fix: Software/firmware updates at dealer; many issues addressed by over-the-air or workshop updates.
medium
Unproven long-term reliability / short market history
Launched in Australia only in 2024, so there is no high-km long-term data yet. Build quality is much improved over older Chinese utes but durability of the diesel DPF/EGR and especially the hybrid/PHEV hardware over 200,000km+ is still unknown.
Fix: Lean on the 7-year/unlimited-km warranty; keep all servicing at GWM and retain records; thorough PPI.
medium
Resale value and dealer/parts network risk
As a newer brand, resale is softer and less predictable than a HiLux/Ranger, and the dealer and parts network - while growing fast - is thinner in regional areas, which matters for a touring 4WD.
Fix: Buy at a price that accounts for steeper depreciation; check local dealer/service coverage before purchase, especially for the electrified models.
medium
Heavy kerb weight limiting payload
The Cannon Alpha is a heavy ute, and the hybrid/PHEV versions especially carry extra battery mass, so usable payload after fitting a canopy, bar work and passengers can be tighter than the headline figures suggest.
Fix: Weigh the actual build; respect GVM/GCM; consider a legal GVM upgrade if heavily accessorised.