Overview

THE GWM Cannon Alpha has muscled up in an effort to tackle the big boys of the ute class.

And there’s a healthy dose of tradition for the new arrival - an all-new 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine that brings serious towing muscle and off-road cred.

The value-focused ute has swapped its 2.4-litre turbo diesel for GWM's latest and greatest 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel and the gains are substantial.

Outputs climb from a modest 135kW and 480Nm to a far healthier 170kW and 620Nm.

Impressively, peak torque is sustained between 1400rpm and 2400rpm.

That makes it the most muscular four-cylinder diesel in the class and it even has more torque than the Ford Ranger V6's 600Nm, although the Ford keeps a power advantage at 184kW.

Fuel use improves too, from a claimed 8.9L/100km to 7.3L/100km, plus there's no AdBlue required - a big win for those looking to do big kays.

Drive goes through a nine-speed automatic.

Two Cannon Alpha 3.0TD variants are offered. The Lux is $58,990 drive-away and the Vanta tested here is $63,990.

White is the only standard colour with Onyx Silver, Crystal Black and Storm Grey another $595.

Payload rises to 945kg, up from 760kg, while braked towing stays at 3500kg with a factory-fitted trailer brake controller.

The gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 3495kg against a kerb weight of 2550kg, translating to a payload of 945kg.

The gross combined mass (GCM) is 6555kg, which leaves 505kg of payload if you’re utilising the full 3500kg tow capacity.

The Cannon Alpha’s fuel tank holds 78 litres (the Tank 500 with the same engine gets a dual-tank setup totalling 131 litres, something made possible because its spare wheel is mounted on the tailgate).

It’s a part-time 4WD with a low-range transfer case, a rear differential lock on the Lux and an additional electric front locker added on the Vanta.

Ground clearance is 224mm, wading depth 800mm, and the approach, break-over and departure angles are 28.5, 19 and 23 degrees. The front is double wishbone coil-sprung, while the rear uses a leaf-sprung live axle.

The Vanta packs plenty in over the Lux, including black design highlights (grille, roof ail, door handle, mirrors, side steps) a well as 19-inch wheels with Continental tyres, a full-size alloy spare, LED fog lights with steering function, a panoramic sunroof and a rear electric sliding window.

There’s also the Alpha’s interesting tailgate, which can either be lowered like all other utes or split 60/40 to open horizontally.

Inside there's leather-accented trim, heated and cooled massaging front seats, powered driver's seat with memory, a head-up display, a 50W wireless phone charger and 220V power outlet in the tub.

Both grades get a 14.6-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch driver display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paddle shifters, dual-zone ventilation and a comprehensive safety suite including seven airbags, auto braking, blind spot monitoring and traffic jam assist.

Driving Impressions

The new engine transforms the GWM Cannon Alpha from a ute that was only OK to one that now delivers with decent muscle.

The 3.0TD is torquey where it matters with real shove from around 1500rpm to 2000rpm, and it's relatively smooth by diesel standards.

The nine-speed auto is quick darting between ratios and there are paddle shifters alongside the regular selector if you want to take charge.

Select 4H and the transmission changes its behaviour, holding gears longer and running higher revs.

Presumably that’s the electronics preparing for some more challenging work, helping keep the engine closer to its sweet spot.

The Cannon Alpha runs a part-time four-wheel drive system, so no on-road driving from all four wheels.

Low range is properly low, helping provide great engine braking on descents and plenty of torque multiplication for climbs, with a relaxed throttle response that makes picking your way over rough terrain easy.

Off-road, the Cannon Alpha is impressively competent with the usual limitations of road-biased tyres (the aftermarket can help there for anyone wanting to get more serious).

Most rivals typically get a rear diff’ lock only, but adding a front into the mix for the Vanta - along with the part-time four-wheel drive system that splits drive evenly front to rear - and it makes for excellent traction in tricky situations.

There's also off-road cruise control that holds a set speed up and down hills adjustable by the cruise control switches on the steering wheel.

Drive modes include sand, mud, snow and sport.

On the road, the rear-end’s leaf springs are clearly designed for a load, with some stiffness unladen.

That said, it’s a respectable trade off.

Local tuning to the dynamics - among other systems throughout the car, from software to the drivetrain - have taken the Cannon Alpha from average to good.

There's some lean through corners and a bit of bounding around on uneven surfaces, but by ute standards - remember, these things are ultimately workhorses - it’s generally well settled.

The cabin is one area the Cannon Alpha separates itself from the ute norm.

There are some interesting finishes and textures that go beyond the generic that’s often permeated the class, all of which lifts the ambience.

The Cannon Alpha is also a little bigger than most mid-size utes, so there's plenty of space, plus you sit up nice and high.

The panoramic sunroof feels like a genuine luxury in this class, and the heated and ventilated power front seats and head-up display back up the sense that it’s a ute throwing more at it than most.

The manual rear sliding and reclining seats are also a nice touch, letting those in the rear trade off some legroom for a more raked seat back.

There’s the occasional minor gripe, such as the lack of a volume dial; you're left with the steering wheel toggle or the touchscreen.

Practicality is helped by the split tailgate, which either drops conventionally or opens as a 60/40 barn door for loading longer items from the middle. It's a reasonably complex way to do a tailgate, but the flexibility is there for anyone who wants to be able to get closer to the load area by swinging the doors out.

The built-in electronic trailer brake controller deserves a mention given how many buyers in this segment tow. Combined with 3500kg capacity and the new engine's low-rev torque, it's a convincing towing package on paper (we didn’t get to test it).

For the money, the equipment list is hard to fault. The Cannon Alpha punches well above its price, and the new diesel finally gives it the drivetrain to match.