2025 GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV Review

The Cannon Alpha is a bigger platform overall than the regular Cannon ute and benefits from a clever plug-in hybrid powertrain that offers a range of possibilities for working Aussies and adventurous families alike.

Fuel efficiency is one of the main benefits, though the added electrical assistance is said to work wonders off-road and gives buyers a healthy dose of flexibility while you're on the worksite or while camping thanks to its substantial battery back underneath.

It's one of the first plug-in hybrid 4x4 utes to hit the Australian market but surely not the last.

As manufacturers scramble to drop their emission figures for some of their largest vehicles, we're about to see a flood of plug-in hybrid versions of work-ready utes.

This begs the question of whether the Cannon Alpha PHEV is the best of a very small bunch to pounce on right now - or is the best yet to come?

To find out, we got behind the wheel of the range-topping Cannon Alpha plug-in hybrid to find out if it's worth upgrading over the regular turbo-diesel Cannon Alpha range or if you should step up to the PHEV version.

GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

GWM offers the Cannon Alpha platform in two versions: the more conventional Alpha Diesel range and the technological showpiece for now, the Alpha PHEV.

Prices stand at between $52,990 - $58,990 for the Cannon Alpha Lux and Ultra Diesel, respectively, which includes on-road costs.

The Cannon Alpha PHEV range is priced between $57,490 and $64,490 for the Lux and Ultra versions, respectively, which are drive-away prices inclusive of on-road costs.

• Cannon Alpha Lux Diesel - $52,990 D/A

• Cannon Alpha Ultra Diesel $58,990 D/A

• Cannon Alpha Lux PHEV - $57,490 D/A

• Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV - $64,490 D/A (tested)

These prices are subject to change but represent current drive-away pricing for the MY25 Cannon Alpha range.

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GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV Specifications

What Features Does the GWM Cannon Alpha Have?

The GWM Cannon Alpha range is split into the entry-level 'Lux' and 'Ultra' variants.

Opting for the Cannon Alpha Lux means you’ll pick up 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, side steps, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, leatherette upholstery, a locking rear differential, low-range transfer case, six-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, a spray-on tub liner, vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging, hill ascent & decent control, adaptive cruise control and a surround-view monitor with front & rear parking sensors.

Upgrading to the Alpha Ultra range adds a locking front differential, the clever 60/40 split tailgate design, LED fog lights, a panoramic sunroof, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, a panoramic sunroof, black Nappa leather upholstery with seat memory, eight-way power adjustment for the driver and six-way passenger seat adjustment and a wireless charging pad.

Features specific to this range-topping Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV include a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable, heated and ventilated rear seats with welcome function, a wireless charging pad in the rear of the cabin, ambient lighting, auto reverse assistance and semi-autonomous parking assistance.

GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV Connectivity & Infotainment Features

GWM's Cannon Alpha PHEV range picks up a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system atop the dashboard that makes a great first impression when you enter the cabin.

For reference, the Cannon diesel range comes equipped with a 12.3-inch display, meaning it misses out on the sizable tablet that dominates things up front.

It’s a seriously impressive display that offers high brightness levels and a decent refresh rate while navigating GWM's software, though the responsiveness does slow down a bit when using CarPlay or Android Auto.

The layout is pretty user-friendly, with shortcuts placed on the right-hand side and additional shortcuts accessible with a swipe down from the top of the display.

We also like the way GWM allows you to configure your own shortcuts via two steering wheel buttons and the drop-down menu.

You can go really deep into various vehicle, driving, parking and smart driving settings, too, which is certainly appealing for modern buyers who like to configure their own setup.

What we don’t like, however, is that there's no physical volume dial - meaning the passenger needs to swipe the screen for quick volume inputs or you can take control via the steering wheel; a small gripe, admittedly, but this stuff can put demographics off.

Lux grades make do with a six-speaker sound system while Ultra variants pick up a far more powerful 10-speaker Infinity sound system.

All up, the infotainment offering is very solid and certainly appealing for tech-heads.

Does the GWM Cannon Alpha Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Buyers will be pleased to know that the Cannon Alpha PHEV offers both wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The 14.6-inch display comes powered by GWM's latest operating software that allows you to connect your Android or iOS device wirelessly, while capitalising on the wireless charging pad on the centre console.

There’s also a hidden storage nook on the driver's side of the transmission tunnel that houses a USB-A and USB-C port.

Is the GWM Cannon Alpha Comfortable to Drive?

For such a big, brash package, the Cannon Alpha is a bit of a softie behind the wheel, though it's not without a few quirks that need polishing if it wants to be the best in segment.

Without getting too bogged in the weeds, we need take a quick look at what powers the PHEV version of the Alpha to put its power and torque increases into some context.

There's a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit paired with an electric motor that produce a combined 300kW of power and 750Nm, which are serious, serious figures.

In fact, the Cannon Alpha PHEV has 165kW more power and 270Nm more torque than the diesel version.

This means there is a huge amount of push when you flatten your right foot off the line, with a sudden whoosh off the line from the electric motor backed by fairly modest acceleration from the petrol motor.

We did, however, notice that the initial throttle response proved a bit delayed, and we’re not quite sure if this was a hesitation of the transmission or the Cannon Alpha's brain.

It was most noticeable - and irritating - at an intersection or roundabout, where more than a few opportunities were missed from this reluctance.

We also found that the power delivery was inconsistent, in spite of the fact we kept the normal drive mode engaged for the majority of our testing.

At times, we'd get nice, linear and smooth acceleration off the line and at other times, the little petrol motor would be thrashing away while being burdened by the sheer heft of the package, even though there was more than enough juice for the electric motor.

While reasonably small and isolated gripes, these did take away from the overall driving experience, particularly around town and shows that there are a few things to calibrate.

That said, and in spite of the sheer size of the Cannon Alpha platform, we found it a pretty likable and user-friendly package on a run through town.

GWM offers three levels of weight for the steering wheel, the lightest of which makes it incredibly easy to throw the rack around with a pinch of your fingers.

This makes it approachable in the tight confines of a car park where onlookers will no doubt find some novelty in the fact you're piloting such a huge package around in silence.

We were particularly impressed with the ride quality, though you certainly feel every kilogram of its 2.8-tonne footprint if you're over-eager through the corners.

Thanks to some proper five-link, coil-spring hardware and significantly more weight at the rear from the substantial battery pack, the Cannon Alpha rides with confidence and doesn't suffer any jitteriness on rougher surfaces.

It's smooth around town while soaking up some punishment on a bumpy B-road, offering a sure-footedness that will be very welcome for those looking for a towing workhorse or long-distance tourer.

On the highway and on a tour through the countryside, the Cannon Alpha platform feels unstoppable.

Things are nice and quiet inside the cab while the suspension helps to iron out bumps on the road and, so long as the battery is charged, you've got tonnes of instant overtaking potential at your disposal.

All up, the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is a solid driving package, though it’s not without a few, albeit minor, quirks that would be relatively easy to sort out, meaning they're more than likely going to be tackled with the next update.

Is the GWM Cannon Alpha a Good Off-Roader?

The Cannon Alpha platform has proven itself a rock-solid option for Aussies looking to hit the Great Outdoors, though the PHEV isn't your best bet for tackling tough trails.

Over the entry-level Lux with its locking rear differential, the Cannon Alpha picks up a locking front differential which certainly adds to its off-road potential, while a BorgWarner low-range transfer case, heavy-duty suspension, well-calibrated software and tonnes of ground clearance mean it's not afraid to get its hands dirty.

Ultimately, though, the Alpha PHEV's off-road potential is somewhat compromised due to the somewhat perilous location of the battery pack and low-slung positioning of the towball arrangement.

The company says the battery pack is IP67 water resistant - meaning it’s been tested under one meter of water for up to 30 minutes - but it's hard to ignore the fact that the rear, underside of a vehicle can cop a flogging on rocky sections.

That said, the Alpha platform as a whole is an absolute monster when put to the test, while the combined 750Nm of torque lends itself well to pulling you out of tricky situations.

• Ground Clearance: 210mm

• Wading Depth: 800mm

• Approach Angle: 28.5 degrees

• Departure Angle: 23 degrees

• Breakover Angle: 19 degrees

Is the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV Fuel Efficient?

One of the biggest selling points of the Cannon Alpha PHEV is the fuel efficiency gains on offer from GWM’s clever powertrain, though, when you do the maths, it's not exactly a no-brainer and remains a highly subjective equation.

With the help of a massive 37.1kWh NMC battery pack feeding an electric motor, GWM says that the Cannon Alpha PHEV sips just 1.7L per 100km on a combined cycle, under laboratory testing.

In fact, the company says that with a full charge, you can expect to see electric range figures totalling 115km and, in our experience, the real-world figures are actually quite close to the company's claims.

We left things in the normal drive mode and drove very responsibly on a mix of town and highway driving, with our best figures sitting at around the 7.3L per 100km mark.

If your commute isn’t huge and you’re religious about keeping the battery charged, you can expect to see even greater fuel efficiency when maximising the amount of time you're travelling on electric power alone.

This is one of the biggest drawcards for the plug-in hybrid segment, though it does mean that your mileage can and will vary depending on your driving (and charging) habits which allow some buyers to extract more value from the package than others.

For reference, the Cannon Alpha Diesel range drinks a claimed 8.9L per 100km.

The Cannon Alpha's 37.1kWh battery pack can be DC fast-charged at speeds up to 50kW and offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging as speeds up to 3.3kW, allowing you to power certain tools or cooking equipment while camping.

How Much Can the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV Carry and Tow?

The Cannon Alpha PHEV range hits the ground running with 3.5 tonnes worth of braked towing capacity.

This puts the Shark 6, with its 2,500k worth of braked towing capacity, to shame. It also matches the Ranger PHEV's towing capacity but exceeds the Ranger with an extra 165kg worth of gross combination mass.

Ticking the box for the Alpha PHEV does, however, drop your payload potential down from between 760 - 821kg, depending on which diesel variant you're looking at, which is certainly something to keep in mind.

• Kerb Weight: 2,810kg

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Payload: 685kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 3,495kg

• Gross Combination mass: 6,745kg

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Interior accommodation is one of the best things about the Cannon Alpha package - things are just that good inside the cab.

It's a package that offers excellent real estate up front and treats those in the second row with far more respect than a conventional dual-cab ute package.

That's because the Cannon Alpha platform is noticeably larger than your run-of-the-mill dual cab, with its longer wheelbase platform lending itself perfectly to family-friendly practicality.

Climb aboard and things are pretty impressive, with excellent headroom for tall drivers and front passengers and solid marks for forward and side visibility thanks to the tall roofline.

Ergonomics are also spot-on thanks to eight-way adjustment for the pilot's seat and both reach and rake adjustment for the steering wheel.

GWM has given all the important touch points for your knees and elbows a nice, soft finish, which makes a huge difference on a long haul up the highway.

We're not huge fans of the faux wood inlays on the dashboard and door sills, however.

Nor are we keen on the ample use of the cheap piano black inserts that surround the centre console, parts of the steering wheel, upper edge of the door surrounds and a considerable portion of the dashboard.

That said, we're sure that buyers will love the storage options in the front of the cabin.

There's a retractable wireless charging pad behind the gear lever and clever design for the centre console bin.

You can either access a pair of cupholders or slide a tray forward to swallow up loose items, while lifting up the armrest gives you access to a large, air-conditioned storage bin.

The door bins are also massive and there's even a second tier of storage below the centre console that houses two USB ports.

Move to the second row of the cabin and things are top-notch for rear passengers.

There’s no issues with headroom, even for the tallest of adults, while legroom won't prove an issue, either.

Behind my leggy 185cm driving position, I was comfortably positioned in the second row without my knees brushing up against the seatback, though toe room is a bit cramped under the first row seat.

The second row picks up power adjustment with a welcome function, with this Ultra variant also receiving seat heating and ventilation for the second row, two USB-A ports, air vents, map pockets and a neat folding armrest with pop-out cup holders, a wireless charging pad and a compact storage nook.

There's also a pair of vertical storage areas hiding inside the door sills and a small, electrically-opening rear window to the tray.

For the parents out there, the GWM Cannon Alpha picks up two separate ISOFIX anchors on the outboard seats, with three top tether mounts hiding on the back wall that are reasonably easy to access when you fold the seats forward.

How Big is the GWM Alpha PHEV's Tray?

The Alpha platform offers a handy amount of real estate in the tray, though a considerable portion of that is taken up by the spare tyre.

That’s because the Alpha PHEV's massive 37.1kWh battery pack is hiding at the rear, underneath the tray itself - a go-to hidey-hole for the spare in a conventional dual-cab ute.

While we’re not complaining about the addition of a spare tyre to the equipment list, especially in the context of this segment, it’s something to note, especially if you're using the tray to its full potential on the regular.

GWM's 60/40 split tailgate design is quite clever, though, allowing you to load up via a portion of the tray, or drop it altogether while unloading bulky cargo.

• Tray Length: 1,500mm

• Tray Height: 500mm

• Tray Width: 1,520mm

• Tray Width Between Arches: 1,100mm

Is it Safe?

GWM's generous approach to features very much extends to the amount of active safety gear it bundles into the Cannon Alpha range.

The calibration of GWM’s safety tech has come a long way, meaning it’s nowhere near as paranoid as it used to be and doesn't force sharp corrections to steering angles, though it still has its awkward moments on country roads.

GWM's driver monitoring tech remains just as pesky as ever, though.

In terms of features, buyers pick up AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alerts, emergency lane-keep assist with lane centring, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign detection and a surround-view monitor with front and rear parking sensors.

Does the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Cannon Alpha PHEV wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating after testing in 2024 saw it score the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 84%

• Child Occupant Protection: 93%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 82%

• Safety Assist: 81%

What Warranty does the GWM Cannon Alpha Come With?

GWM offers the Cannon Alpha with a seven-year/unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty alongside a seven-year roadside assist membership.

Buyers also pick up a separate eight-year/unlimited kilometre warranty for the battery and high-voltage componentry.

GWM offers capped-price servicing for the Cannon Alpha PHEV, which is priced at $4,615 over the course of seven years, making it somewhat pricey to service, even under the company's capped-price regimen.

Service intervals stand at 12 months or 15,000 kilometres.

Our Verdict: Is the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV Worth it?

It ain't perfect, but for the money, there is a lot to like about the latest Cannon Alpha, especially in plug-in hybrid form.

Put it under the microscope, compare it to direct rivals and it's clear to see that the size, power and efficiency gains come at a pretty modest premium over the usual suspects in the ute segment and the Alpha PHEV is an undeniably impressive bit of kit on the tech front.

Is it a no-brainer of an upgrade over the diesel?

Well, the efficiency gains are, however, dependent on where, how and when you're charging that battery up - which may or may not be a one-size-fits-all for all buyers.

We were also unimpressed by the reluctance of the throttle response which, we think, deserves attention as soon as possible, while buyers need to keep in mind the off-road and payload compromises that are accompanied when ticking the PHEV box.

With that in mind, we would encourage you to take a very close look at the more conventional Alpha Diesel range which offers all the off-road chops, interior practicality and lengthy equipment lists at an even sharper price.

The Cannon Alpha platform presents immense value, we’re just not convinced the upgrade to the plug-in hybrid version is the no-brainer it's being marketed as, with some buyers able to extract far more value from the package than others.

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Five GWM Cannon Alpha Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year/unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty

2. Eight-year/unlimited kilometre battery warranty

3. 2.0-litre turbo petrol + electric motor hybrid produces 300kW/750Nm

4. 115km electric range from 37.1kWh battery pack

5. 3,500kg braked towing capacity, 685kg payload