Too slow Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger! GWM Cannon Alpha Hybrid becomes Australia's first hybrid ute but there's a catch...

GWM has officially confirmed pricing for long-rumoured 2024 Cannon Alpha ute with the dual-cab only 4x4 pick-up priced from $51,990 drive-away. 

The Cannon Alpha becomes the first ever ute sold in Australia with a ‘proper’ hybrid option, priced at $64,990 drive-away. That means GWM beat the hybrid king, Toyota, to the punch as well as Ford’s 2025 Ranger plug-in hybrid. 

The catch? GWM’s Cannon Alpha’s hybrid powertrain is pretty inefficient, returning 9.8L/100km in ADR combined consumption figures. That’s not only 27 per cent off a Ford Ranger twin-turbo but also worse than the Cannon Alpha fitted with a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel (8.9L/100km).

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On the flipside, the hybrid’s on-paper outputs are fantastic. The petrol-electric hybrid delivers 255kW and 648Nm – more than enough to put the fear into a 184kW/600Nm Ford Ranger V6. 

The Cannon Alpha’s 2.4-litre turbo-diesel develops 135kW and 480Nm and it mated to a nine-speed torque converter automatic. Permanent 4x4 with three terrain modes, low-range transfer case paired and locking rear differential are standard.

Measuring 5445mm long, 1991mm wide and sitting on a 3350mm wheelbase, the Cannon Alpha is larger than the existing GWM ute (5410mm and 1934mm) and Ford Ranger (5370mm and 1918mm) but significantly shorter than a 5916mm-long RAM 1500 and other full-size American pick-ups. 

The GWM Cannon Alpha is bigger than a HiLux.

The Cannon Alpha is certified to tow 3500kg braked loads in either diesel or hybrid guise. GWM has yet to detail full weights, but its maximum payload is 821kg – a little low compared to the Mitsubishi Triton and Isuzu D-Max. 

Available in three configurations, the range begins with the $51,990 Cannon Alpha Lux that gets 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen and digital cluster, wireless charging, artificial leather upholstery, seven airbags, six-speaker sound system, six-way power adjust driving seat, and LED headlights with auto high beam. 

The Ultra diesel gets a locking front differential, bigger 14.6-inch touchscreen, leather-accented upholstery, heated and ventilated seats with massage function, power lumbar adjust for the driver and six-way power seat for the passenger.

GWM's unique tailgate solution is sure to find fans.

The unique 60/40 split swinging tailgate features on the Ultra, allowing owners to either swing the doors out if they wish, or drop the tailgate – with its soft-open feature – like a traditional ute. The price is $57,990 drive-away. 

At the top of the tree is the Ultra hybrid with 64-colour ambient lighting, wireless charging, 10-speaker Infinity-branded sound system, rear heated and ventilated seats, auto parking and a head-up display for $64,990 drive-away. 

It's a pretty luxurious ute with heated and ventilated seats.

Ford’s Ranger and Volkswagen’s Amarok don’t offer that kind of luxurious spec list anywhere in the range, let alone for $65K on the road. The proof will be in how the Cannon Alpha drives and whether it can perform off-road. 

It is available in five colours with four of them being $595 premium hues. The GWM Cannon Alpha will go on-sale in Australia imminently. 

2024 GWM Cannon Alpha hybrid pricing