Why the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is a CarExpert Choice winner

Utes have always done a roaring trade in Australia, where diesel power has long dominated. It’s only recently that we’ve seen hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric options join the segment.

Electrified options continue to be vastly outnumbered by those with petrol or diesel power, but among these we picked the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV as the Best Electrified Ute in our inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice awards.

Launched earlier this year, the PHEV joins existing diesel and hybrid petrol versions of GWM’s flagship ute.

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Priced from $59,990 before on-road costs, the Cannon Alpha PHEV mates a 180kW/380Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 120kW/400Nm electric motor, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a 37.1kWh battery for total system outputs of no less than 300kW and 750Nm.

That gives it a long 115km of electric-only range on the NEDC cycle, plus combined cycle fuel consumption of just 1.7L/100km.

But while it can run on pure electric power, the Cannon Alpha PHEV still offers braked towing capacity of 3500kg, a payload of 685kg, and both front and rear locking differentials.

The result is a ute that offers silent electric propulsion but also competitive off-road and load-hauling capability.

Here’s why the CarExpert team picked the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV as the Best Electrified Ute in the 2025 CarExpert Choice Awards:

“Being the person who made the videos on the two Chinese sourced PHEV utes, I accept that I’m partly responsible for the outrage on the internet over the depiction of these new vehicles. That said, we just showed it how it is,” said video producer Sean Lander.

“And the simple fact of the matter is the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is a great car. The interior is lovely, the drivetrain well put together and it can actually do the things Aussie’s expect and need of a ute.

“It has locking diffs, a big tray, tons of space and massaging seats on the top-spec Ultra.

“Yes, there is room for improvement. The spare wheel placement is not good – you are losing a lot of space in the tub. The towbar positioning needs to be raised especially if you intend to do any off-roading. And the infotainment system is clunky, particularly if you need to operate things like the climate control or enable/disable driver assistance settings.

“But the Cannon Alpha PHEV can tow, well. It manages its battery much better than its rivals and the fuel economy is superior to any other ute on the market.

“It is a great all-rounder, for an excellent price and while there are better utes out there, the Cannon Alpha PHEV shows that the future of work vehicles doesn’t have to be bleak. In fact, it looks pretty good.”

“Utes are finally getting electrified en masse, and GWM is one of the trailblazers,” added marketplace editor James Wong.

“Its on-paper credentials translate to the real world, with 90-100km of usable electric range, strong performance towing up to 3.5 tonnes, and rugged capability off the beaten track.

“It offers more off-road and towing capability than a BYD Shark 6. Add to that its plush SUV-like cabin and swathes of in-car tech, and it has everything the modern site manager or lifestyle buyer needs from an electrified all-rounder.”

“It may not be quite as cheap – or as powerful – as the BYD Shark 6, but the GWM Cannon Alpha offers the most torque, the biggest battery, the longest range and the lowest claimed fuel consumption of the three PHEV utes currently available. And it’s the only one with both front and rear diff locks, making it a clear winner here,” concluded managing editor Marton Pettendy.

MORE: Explore the GWM Cannon Alpha showroom