GWM Ute

Ignore the price, because the Cannon looks and feels pretty high-end from behind the wheel.

The range-topping Cannon-X has a unique dashboard trim compared to the L, and even has a different air vent on the passenger side to match its black-and-silver patterned finisher.

The design is a bit chintzy, but it does look more expensive than the models sitting below it in the range.

With plenty of storage in the doors, under the central armrest, the deep cupholders, and in the glovebox, you won’t struggle to find space for your iced coffee on the way to an early site inspection.

Although it’s not the last word in tactility, the climate dials, transmission shifter, and wheel buttons feel solid. The ‘luxury’ leather on the seats is a nice touch, as is the fact the front pews are heated.

The driving position is good, with plenty of adjustment for different body shapes in the seats and a steering wheel that adjusts for both reach and rake. Long days behind the wheel aren’t taxing, and burly tradies won’t struggle to wedge their frames in.

A surprisingly good looking ute, the GWM Cannon certainly gets noticed where ever it goes and given it drives as good as it looks, it's certainly not lacking in the design department with a bold look front and rear.

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.

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.

The glossy 7 or 9.0-inch touchscreen sitting high in the the dashboard is generally good to use. The graphics are pretty sharp, and it responds quickly to inputs. Apple CarPlay worked reliably, but drivers who frequent remote areas with no mobile reception will bemoan the lack of factory satellite navigation.

The surround-view camera is class-leading, and its array of off-road views will make nervous pilots more comfortable on tight trails. Great Wall should kill the Chinese script that accompanies the “check surroundings” message, though.

One of the Cannon-X’s calling cards is its digital instrument binnacle, which is lifted from some of Haval’s crossovers. It’s a nice inclusion, but doesn’t really add much functionality given it can’t display maps.

Flicking through the different trip computer options is also harder than it should be, thanks to the clunky steering wheel controls. It’s not for off being good, but at the moment it just feel a bit first-generation.

There’s a lot of reflections off the dash and display in direct sunlight.

A very reasonably sized cargo tray for the GWM Cannon makes it a very viable alternative to the traditional Thai-built Utes such as the Ranger and Hilux.