Pros
    • Value for money
    • Safety features
    • Interior comfort
    Cons
    • More power would be better
    • Warning chimes
    • Lane keeping assist calibration
    Specs
    9.4L
    120kW
    246g
    5 Star

    About the GWM Cannon

    Gavin B purchased this GWM Cannon new with additional options for $47,500 (including all on-road costs). Gavin B would buy this car again because: “Yes, it’s the most surprising car. It replaced a Toyota LandCruiser Sahara which I was offered so much more than I paid for it that I couldn’t resist selling it.

    When I looked for a replacement I bought a vehicle my daughter could learn to drive in for the year, she is required to be on a learners permit with a view to being it being her car when she gets her licence. The price included a tow-bar. So far it has met all my expectations and I am very happy with it.”

    How reliable has your car been? Tell us about any issues.

    The car has been completely reliable, no issues whatsoever. It comes with a seven-year warranty, including roadside assist, which is backed by a manufacturer direct importer which gives me great peace of mind should any issues arise in the future.

    What do you think of the ownership experience with your car?

    Love it. The other family car was an BMW X5 which replaced four other X5s including an X5 M.

    I have never been more excited to pick up a car that I was when I picked up this one. It does everything I need it to do at a very reasonable price.

    As I previously said the seven year warranty provides great peace of mind. I enjoy driving it. Bearing in mind most of the other dual cab utilities are made in Thailand, I have no issue with it being a Chinese-built vehicle as I feel the build quality is comparable.

    How has the purchase and aftercare experience been with your car?

    Initially the salesman tried to sell me a used one that was more expensive than a brand-new one.

    After we got over that hurdle it was plain sailing. Prior to looking for this vehicle it hasn’t come up on my radar but I got peer pressured from a number of mates who had one and raved about them that convinced me to go for a test drive. The test drive sold the car.

    Are you happy with the price and features of your car?

    Prior to driving I had a test drive of a Ranger and Amarok that were almost twice the price. I think I would’ve felt ripped off if I bought one of those in the vehicle.

    It has all the modern safety features including autonomous, emergency braking and has very comfortable seats which look up market with a quilted leather. The fact that it is independently tested for crash safety were it performed well was comforting.

    It is very well specified with seven airbags, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and a wireless phone charger are features that would have previously been on vehicles over twice the price.

    The step that comes out of the tailgate to get into the tray is a very handy feature. Great value for the price.

    What do you think of the performance and economy of your car?

    This is probably the only weak point of the car, it is just a matter of adapting to driving something with less power.

    Having said that I have previously come from a 200 Series LandCruiser and a turbo-diesel X5, it is perfectly acceptable.

    The combination of the engine and gearbox is perhaps the only area which is not as good as some of its rivals but it makes up for it in other areas. It averages less than 10L/100km which i find perfectly acceptable for a vehicle of this size and shape.

    What do you think of the technology in your car?

    First class. As previously mentioned it has all the safety features including lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking.

    The lane-keeping assist is not the best out there so I tend to just turn it off as I jump in the car. The car also has a lot of warning chimes including when someone pulls up close to you at a set of traffic lights.

    This can be somewhat annoying, but again is easily disabled

    What do you think of the ride comfort and handling of your car?

    It was certainly as comfortable as the Ranger or an Amarok that I also test drove.

    There are no complaints from me. When unladen the rear does feel a little bit light but this soon settles down with a load in the tray.
    I am 6’4 (196 cm) and can sit comfortably behind my preferred seating position. The tyres are Cooper brand and seem suited to the vehicle.

    Do you have any additional comments about your car?

    I don’t think I’ve ever bought a vehicle that I have thought was such good value for money

    8.7
    Overall Rating

    Technology8.5
    Reliability10
    Ride & Handling8
    Price & Features9.3
    Purchase & Aftercare7.9
    Performance & Economy8
    Ownership Experience9