The 2025 GWM Cannon lands in Australia with a clear brief: give buyers proper ute hardware without the scary price tag. It swaps the old 2.0-litre diesel for a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel, bumps towing to a full 3.5 tonnes, and tidies up the cabin so it looks and feels more modern. Think of it as a value pick that no longer feels like a compromise. If you came for a straight-shooting GWM Cannon review, you are in the right paddock. Key 2025 GWM Cannon specs include 135 kW and 480 Nm, a 9-speed auto, 4×4 across the range, and a claimed 8.4 L/100 km.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Big step up in GWM Cannon performance from the 2.4-litre diesel. Feels less strained, tows more.
- Better ride and quieter cabin than before.
- Generous GWM Cannon features for the money, including wireless CarPlay/Android Auto and a 12.3-inch screen.
Cons
- Touch-heavy controls; you will miss knobs for climate.
- First-gear surge at parking speeds can be annoying.
- Lane-keeping tune is over-eager and best switched off on tight roads.
How Much Does It Cost?
The range is simple: Lux, Ultra, Vanta and XSR. Drive-away pricing at launch was listed at $40,490 for Lux, $43,490 for Ultra, $45,490 for Vanta and $49,990 for XSR. That undercuts many rivals while bringing the upgraded engine and 3.5-tonne GWM Cannon towing capacity.
Features and Benefits
GWM Cannon interior upgrades are the headline. You get a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, a 7-inch driver display and a cleaner dash layout. Ultra adds leather-accented trim, heated and ventilated front seats, a sunroof, and a heated wheel. Vanta goes for the blacked-out look. XSR focuses on GWM Cannon off-road capabilities with front diff lock and a snorkel from factory. Practical touches include a standard tub liner and tailgate linked to central locking.
Safety
Most variants carry a five-star ANCAP rating inherited from the earlier Ute assessment, though the XSR variant is excluded from that score. Standard GWM Cannon safety features include AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise, lane-keep, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring on most trims, and multiple camera views, with a surround-view system on all but base.
Running Costs
GWM quotes 8.4 L/100 km combined for the 2.4-litre diesel, and independent testing has seen high-8s on a mix of highway and spirited driving. Warranty is seven years with roadside assist. Servicing is now friendlier: first scheduled visit at 12 months/10,000 km, then every 12 months/15,000 km, with five years of capped-price coverage to 70,000 km. Budget around $2,530 over five years under the updated program. That service interval change alone makes ownership easier for tradies and tourers.
Comparison To Its Competitors
Against a Ford Ranger or Toyota HiLux, the 2025 GWM Cannon price is the hook. Equivalent dual-cab 4×4 trims in those nameplates usually start far higher, and the Cannon’s equipment list reads generously. The Mitsubishi Triton and Isuzu D-MAX feel more polished in steering and driver-assist tuning, but the Cannon fights back with cabin tech and value. If you are cross-shopping new-age options like BYD Shark 6 or stepping up to GWM’s own Cannon Alpha, remember the Cannon is diesel-only and lighter on the wallet, yet still delivers the GWM Cannon exterior design facelift and 3.5-tonne tow rating.
2025 GWM Cannon Ute Australia: Pricing, Alternatives, Size, Efficiency, Safety, Verdict
Conclusion
The updated 2025 GWM Cannon feels like the same idea done properly. The powertrain finally matches the brief, the cabin stops trying too hard and just works, and the tow and payload numbers speak to real ute duties. It is not perfect. The lane-keep tune and the touch-first interface still need polish. But if you want a sharp-priced dual-cab with credible hardware, the Cannon now earns a test drive and probably a serious spot on the shortlist. It is a GWM Cannon review that ends with a nod, not a shrug.
Rating: 8.2/10
Strong value, proper 2025 GWM Cannon features, and the right kind of muscle for work and weekends. Loses points for driver-assist calibration and low-speed gearbox behaviour, but the fundamentals and the 2025 GWM Cannon fuel efficiency claim make sense for the money.