2025 GWM Cannon price and specs: New Chinese ute takes aim at Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger
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A more potent 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine helps the 2025 GWM Cannon to now tow up to 3500kg, matching the capacity of key rivals.
- 2025 GWM Cannon pricing and specifications
- New 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine with more power and torque
- 4×2 and cab-chassis versions dropped
- Priced from $40,490 drive-away
GMW's revised 2025 Cannon ute line-up has arrived, cutting the line-up to just four 4×4 variants with price changes, but packing a more potent engine and higher levels of standard equipment.
The 2025 Cannon range – now all dual-cab pick-ups – starts from $40,490 drive-away for the Lux, an increase of $1000 over last year's equivalent model.
A new Ultra grade is offered at $43,490 this year, while the Vanta moves up $2000 to $45,490.
The top-spec XSR however, has dropped $3000 to $49,990 when compared to its non-promotional recommended retail pricing, but the 2024 version has been as low as $46,990 for private buyers in the past.
MORE: GWM to launch six new models in Australia by mid-2025
Last year's Premium and Premium CC (cab-chassis) are now discontinued, as have the two 4×2 options.
Though billed as a mid-life facelift for the Chinese ute that first landed in Australia in 2021, the 2025 version features substantial revisions – including a name change from Ute to Cannon – headlined by a new engine.
Out is the 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, replaced with a 135kW/480Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine, while the outgoing ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission is now a GWM-developed nine-speed unit.
As such, braked towing capacity moves from 3000kg (Lux and Vanta)/3200kg (XSR) in pickup models to 3500kg to match the industry standard offered by the top-selling Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and more.
MORE: 2025 GWM Cannon coming to Australia – New name, bigger engine, updated look for GWM Ute
Gross Combined Mass (GCM) is also up – rated at 6200kg for the Lux, Ultra, and Vanta, and 6300kg for the XSR – from the 5830kg in the outgoing Lux and Vanta, and 3095kg in the XSR.
However, payload figures remain steady at 995kg (Lux, Ultra and Vanta) and 875kg (XSR).
The powertrain is shared with the larger Cannon Alpha – sized between a mid-sized ute and a full-sized pickup – and promises "a smoother driving experience and enhanced power delivery across the rev range", according to GWM.
Fuel economy in the new GWM Cannon is a claimed 8.4 litres per 100km – down from the 9.4L/100km claim of the outgoing Ute with the smaller engine.
Complimenting its four-wheel drivetrain are up to seven selectable modes including Snow, Mud, Sand, and Sport, as well as an electronically activated rear locking differential and XSR-exclusive front locking differential.
Adopting a fresh look revealed early in 2023 in China, the new Cannon is more closely aligned stylistically with the Cannon Alpha thanks to a new grille and front bumper, while also featuring a GWM-stamped tailgate.
Inside, the 2025 Cannon is also freshened up with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – up from 9 inches that had wired smartphone mirroring – and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster now standard across the board.
The dashboard has also been reworked with less buttons, while a synthetic-leather interior, power-adjustable driver's seat, and manually operated passenger seat carryover from before.
Other standard features include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, side steps, roof rails, power-folding side mirrors, body-coloured wheelarches, keyless entry, a wireless smartphone charger, and electronic steering wheel adjustment.
Stepping up to the Ultra adds an electric sunroof, rear privacy glass, a tailgate step, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable passenger seat, and interior ambient lighting.
As for the Vanta, it scores blacked-out exterior highlights including wheels, side steps, front grille, door handles, and mirror caps.
Despite the significant overhaul, all aforementioned versions of 2025 Cannon still retain the five-star ANCAP safety rating of the Ute tested in 2021, with standard features such as seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver fatigue monitor.
Ultra and Vanta grades also add front parking sensors and a surround-view monitor.
However, the top-spec XSR remains unrated as it loses rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, door opening warning, and lane-change assist – but features a unique front grille, snorkel, and metal side steps – due to its off-road focus.
Six exterior colours – Crystal Black, Scarlet Red, Pittsburgh Silver, Pearl White, Sapphire Blue, and Stealth Grey – are available on the 2025 GWM Cannon, though grey is exclusive to, and silver not available on, the flagship XSR.
All colour options baring the standard white incur a $595 premium.
Like all new GWM models, the 2025 Cannon comes with a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with five years of capped-price servicing and roadside assist.
The 2025 GWM Cannon is available to order now and will arrive in Australian showrooms in February.
2025 GWM Cannon price in Australia
- Cannon Lux 4×4 dual-cab pick-up: $40,490 (+$1000)
- Cannon Ultra 4×4 dual-cap pick-up: $43,490 (New)
- Cannon Vanta 4×4 dual-cab pick-up: $45,490 (+$2000)
- Cannon-XSR 4×4 dual-cab pick-up: $49,990 (-$3000)
Note: All prices above are drive-away.
2025 GWM Cannon Lux standard features:
- 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 135kW/480Nm
- Nine-speed automatic transmission
- 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- Tailgate lock for pick-up model
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Rear differential lock
- Automatic LED headlights
- LED indicators and tail-lights
- Six-speaker sound system
- Faux leather seat upholstery
- Faux leather steering wheel
- Power-folding side mirrors
- Six-way driver and four-way passenger manually-adjustable seats
- Paddle shifters
- Single-zone climate control with rear air vents
- Side steps
- Keyless entry and start
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Lane-keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Traffic sign recognition
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Reverse camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Driver fatigue monitor
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Exit warning
2025 GWM Ute Cannon Ultra adds (over Cannon Lux):
- Electronic sunroof
- Tailgate step
- Rear privacy glass
- Leather-accented seats
- Heated and cooled front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Power-adjustable passenger seat
- Interior ambient lighting
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Surround-view monitor
- Front parking sensors
2025 GWM Ute Cannon Vanta adds (over Cannon Ultra):
- 18-inch black alloy wheels
- Black exterior badging
- Black mirror caps, door handles, grille trim
- Black sports bar and roof rails
- Black front grille
2025 GWM Ute Cannon-XSR adds (over Cannon Vanta):
- Different four-wheel-drive system with more selectable modes
- Front differential lock
- Unique front grille
- Metal side steps
- Body-coloured door handles and mirror caps
- Deleted: Front parking sensors
- Deleted: Emergency lane keeping
- Deleted: Smart dodge
- Deleted: Door open warning
- Deleted: Rear collision warning
- Deleted: Blind-spot detection
- Deleted: Rear cross-traffic alert
- Deleted: Lane-change assist
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