Goodbye Great Wall Steed, hello GWM Ute.
China’s original ute maker has launched a new dual-cab that’s a heck of an advance on its sub-$20,000 predecessor, priced from $33,490 drive-away with a seven-year warranty.
UPDATE, 06/08/2021: Great Wall has adjusted pricing for the Ute, and introduced a 4×2 model. Our story has been adjusted accordingly.
The nearly Ford Ranger-sized ute comes loaded with active safety features and more modern interior tech, plus mechanical improvements including an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, rear differential lock, and disc brakes both front and rear.
Pricing
- 2021 GWM Ute Cannon 4×2: $33,490 (new)
- 2021 GWM Ute Cannon 4×4: $35,490 (+$1500)
- 2021 GWM Ute Cannon-L: $38,990 (+$1000)
- 2021 GWM Ute Cannon-X: $41,990 (+$1000)
All prices are drive-away
Engine
Under the bonnet is a reworked 2.0-litre turbo-diesel produced and developed in-house. Its outputs are 120kW of power and 400Nm of torque – a little below core rivals bar the LDV T60.
All versions come standard with an eight-speed automatic developed by ZF. There’s no manual option, but GWM now offers a choice of 4×2 and 4×4 models in the base Cannon.
The mid-range L and X models are still 4×4-only.
The brand cites a current braked-towing capacity of 2250kg, but says it is working hard on durability-testing and homologating it to tow 3000kg. It’s hoping to confirm this figure shortly.
Economy
The base GWM Cannon 4×2 uses a claimed 8.3L/100km on the combined cycle, while all 4×4 models use a claimed 9.4 litres per 100km.
Dimensions
It’s a pretty big bugger: 5410mm long, 1886mm wide, 1934mm tall, riding on a 3230mm wheelbase.
GWM claims a laden ground clearance of 194mm, an approach angle of 27 degrees, a departure angle of 25 degrees, and a breakover angle of 21.1 degrees.
We’re waiting for confirmation of payload, GVM, and GCM data.
As is common for the ute class, the front and rear suspension make-up comprises double wishbones at the front and leaf springs at the back.
Servicing
GWM is yet to confirm service pricing, though we’ve asked.
It will, however, come standard with a seven-year and unlimited-kilometre warranty matching the likes of Kia, MG, and SsangYong. There’s also a five-year roadside assist package.
Currently GWM has just over 40 dealers, most of which also sell SUVs from sister brand Haval. GWM and Haval are run from the same head office by the same management.
The company has earmarked an expanded dealer network as a key part of its growth from 2021 and beyond.
Safety
The old Great Wall Steed was a safety dud, managing a shocking two-star ANCAP crash score in 2016.
While there’s no test result for the new 2021 GWM Ute yet, the company appears to have spared little expense in fitting the latest passive and active aids.
Since the recent launch of the ANCAP 2020 five-star Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50, we’ve come to expect nothing less.
Standard across all models are:
- Seven airbags including a front-centre ‘bag
- Reverse and passenger-kerbside camera views
- Reversing sensors
- Lane-departure warning and active lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Active or adaptive cruise control
- Traffic sign recognition and speed warning
- Tyre-pressure monitoring system
- Post-collision automatic unlock and fuel-cut functions
- Hill-start assist and hill-descent control braking
Standard equipment
The entry Cannon comes with:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Body-coloured bumpers, wheel arches and mirrors
- LED headlights with auto shutoff
- Daytime running lights and fog lights
- Side steps
- Proximity key fob and button start
- Fake leather seat trim
- Manual air-conditioning
- 9.0-inch centre touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 2 x front and 1 x rear USB points
The mid-range Cannon-L gains:
- Sports bar in the tub
- Chrome grille, door handles and mirrors
- Auto-folding side mirrors
- Roof rack
- Privacy glass
- Different ‘premium’ 18-inch alloys
- Spray-in tub liner
- Counterbalanced tailgate
- Cargo ladder
- Leather steering wheel wrap
- Heated front seats and driver’s side power adjustments
- Climate control with rear-seat air vents
- Front parking sensors
- A 360-degree camera view
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- 220V power socket
The flagship Cannon-X:
- ‘Luxury’ leather seats
- Tilt and slide adjustable steering
- 7.0-inch instrument cluster
- Wireless phone charging pad
- Power-adjustable passenger seat
- Power-assist steering modes
- Door open warning
- Second row 60/40 folding seat
- Voice recognition
We’re expecting to get hold of a GWM Ute press loan at the end of November or in early December at this stage, for our first written and filmed reviews. Stay tuned.
All images used here are international shots. When we get hold of a GWM ute we will naturally shoot our own galleries.
