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Last Updated on: 30th August 2025, 01:12 am
Three months ago, Great Wall Motors added the Cannon Alpha to the PHEV ute surge. We took one for a drive, and I wondered how it would be received. Would it be as successful in Australia’s ute-driving community as the BYD Shark PHEV? I was so impressed with the Shark that I wrote a few articles about it — it looks like so far it is a raging success. CleanTechnica also published about the Cannon here.
I thought it was about time I reached out to the Facebook Alpha PHEV community and got feedback from real people who drive real utes all over our wide brown land. These are not tree-hugging greenies, but tradies and travellers.
As per 4×4 Australia, “The Cannon Alpha PHEV saw 269 units delivered in its first full month, with GWM stating that PHEV variants represented 45 per cent of total Cannon Alpha sales.” The thrill seekers might like to watch this video of the Alpha PHEV conquering beer o’clock hill.
This is what enthusiastic Great Wall Motors Cannon Alpha PHEV ute (CAPU) drivers have said:
Damien Hamilton has driven his CAPU Ultra Model for over 10,000 km. He tells me that even if he won the lottery, he would still keep the CAPU as his daily driver. He is hoping that sharing his experience will help the undecided. Damien describes himself: “I’m 53yo, a ‘car’ guy, had all brands and types of cars from ‘15 WRX, 90’s HSV, 200sx, countless Camrys and Aurion’s, Jeep, Navara, Falcon Ute, Amarok, Tiguan R, next gen Ranger.
“I did pretty much 150,000kms in each of them, 190,000 in the WRX. I commute 200kms per day, tow a 2t boat for 300kms/trip around 10 times a year, do a bit of country driving too, camp a bit, so a fair mix to learn the good and bad, I think. I would take this PHEV in a heartbeat over any of the previous cars I’ve had, it’s the best of all of them. I feel so lucky!!! The positives far outweigh the negatives for me, no car is perfect.”
He goes on to list the positives and the negatives in quite a lot of detail. Here they are for the enthusiasts:
“POSITIVES
- Smooth as silk tranny
- Unrivalled ride — handles so well for a Ute, comfortable ride with no chassis shudder in all other Utes I’ve driven.
- Lined door bins a nice touch.
- Storage options good.
- Big Power / crazy efficiency / awesome highway-overtaking speed-power.
- Drive modes make sense and are very useable.
- Great 4wd Capability — low range, front / rear lockers
- Interior trim/ buttons are really metal, not fake (believe it or not)
- Build quality impressive so far from what I’ve seen/worked on.
- Towing ride and capabilities fantastic.
- Split tail gate — use it all the time.
- Massage and cooled seats — used each day.
- Soft touch interior — everywhere/nice.
- Rear seats — recline/heated/cooled
- Great EV range / battery size
- Ocam roller shutter being independently controlled is great — in comparison the Ranger factory one can’t be opened or closed on the run.
- Indicators — hated them at first and wasn’t going to buy due to them, now I’m converted and a big fan!
- Back slide window / sun roof — great for air movement with no windows open.
- Front seats comfort and adjustment top level.
- Handy Pre drilled M8 holes in tub — used them for load restraint and fixing flooring.
- Heads up display great position, info and adjustment.
- GWM app connectivity — good features, can even turn on individual seats remotely.
- Screen processing speed is fast.
- Rear seat drawers handy instead of having to lift the entire bench.
- Paint/ trims and seals seem great — like they haven’t cheapened out.
- I finally got gas struts on a bonnet.
- Being plug in — you get an option of free juice too, there are free chargers around, there’s Solar too and when I’m camping on a powered site I get a free fill
- Best for last……..Self charging 12v battery”
“NEGATIVES
- Glitch if apple car play connection not 100% — the warning lady is too over the top with all the warnings — eg every highway on ramp is mentioned and radio turned down.
- Spare tyre — could fix by mounting to my tub rack.
- No tub power plugs — I’ve fixed with 12v system installed.
- Brand support unknown for me, couldn’t be as extensive as big brands I believe.
- Skinny Steering wheel — fixed with wrap cover.
- No plug cap light — fixed with light installed.
- Silly looking offset wheels — too inboard, could be fixed with diff wheels.
- Tow bar height — fixed with multi height hitch — actually works out well in the tailgate can be opened and lowered without dints.
- No towing cruise control.
- Confused lane assist system
- Cruise gap too large — is 3 seconds though which is only useable in outer/ country roads.
- Radio reception is weak when in non-CBD areas.
- Driver monitor — fixed with self-adhesive cover.
- Intrusive Traffic warning ‘lady’ (would like to use a different word) — fixed with Google maps being connected.
- Throttle response on normal drive mode/EV MODE is too delayed, sport is insanely responsive — could do with a fix/update.
- Lane keep assist is not like other brands — needs a fix/ update.
- Low Payload like a Land Cruiser.”
Thank you, Damien.
Like all other new car launches in Australia, GWM is being given a list of improvements to make. Drivers are informing and educating each other through Facebook and other forums. There are lots of discussions of fuel economy. Damien has chimed in on this issue also, saying he gets 5L per 100 km driven — not bad for this big beast.
One correspondent tells us that his girlfriend is only allowing him to spend the AU$68,000 upfront cost because she wants the massage seats. He informs us that he has driven Rangers, HiLuxes, Dmaxes, and Navaras. “This vehicle is so much nicer to drive and loaded with features.” Another says: “I’m diesel through and through. But the positive feedback has turned me. The drivetrain, tech, comfort and the ability to power our trailer fridges while setting up [our food truck] is a bonus.” This feedback is awesome and valued.
Another agrees: “I had a few cars in last few years and this one is the best compared to Ford Wildtrak, Kia Sorrento platinum and a few others I have owned….ride and comfort is excellent….technology inside and out is great, value for money is outstanding! At best I managed to get 102 kms out of the battery….on hybrid mode, it is also great…I cannot fault the car…even the 6 kW wall charger charges the car fully in around 4 and half hour…and 40 mins on DC charger (50kW )…the only downside for me is the spare wheel, but like the dealership said to me… ‘just call the GWM road assistance and they’ll sort it out!’”
We read about the progress of a road trip: “We have done 600km thus far using 9lt/100km at highway speeds. We have also topped up battery twice approximately 40kwh in total. I bought this car as a dedicated interstate travel car as I do this trip for work 7 or 8 times a year. The fuel cost is reasonable but when you consider the performance on tap and the drive ride quality it’s downright amazing!
“We are off to Kangaroo island tomorrow. This car is simply magnificent on the open road and the EV driving at low speeds is something I really enjoy and I didn’t think I would. It’s the sort of car you need to engage with. Work out roughly what sort of trip you are doing and set the modes appropriately…..it’s not rocket science!
“On the open road I’m using smart eco with a 30% battery threshold setting and it works great. It uses the battery first which is what I want it to do. If not, simply go to sport mode and it will save the battery. I love that the heater demister is electric so it’s hot air immediately even without the petrol engine running……very cool….well warm actually.
“This is a very high quality vehicle make zero mistake about that! The auto world has changed and for anyone buying a new ute just drive one of these in your due diligence process. I have had most and drove plenty before I chose this car. After you drive it back to back with the usuals it’s a no contest. I have had a v6 Amarok and a Wildtrack before the Alpha and neither of them is anywhere near in the same league as this car….I’m amazed!” Thanks for sharing your story, Dean.
I am eagerly anticipating the sales stats for August and heading towards Christmas as more four-wheel drive enthusiasts discover the Cannon Alpha PHEV Ute. Will it bite into BYD’s Shark sales? What effect will it have on the sales of Australia’s diesel and petrol big sellers: the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hi Lux, Land Cruiser, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, and Mitsubishi Triton? I suspect that this is the tech that will open the gateway to a brighter and more electric Australian drive.
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Author David Waterworth
#Livin #amp #Drivin #Cannon #Alpha #PHEV #Ute
