GWM Cannon Alpha 3.0TD review: Supersized engine and off-road chops give newcomer the firepower to fight Ranger and HiLux

It’s no easy task taking on the established torque-rich might of The Big Three in dual-cab ute country. But that’s exactly what GWM is trying to do with the all-new 3.0-litre turbo diesel unit crammed under the bonnet of its updated Cannon Alpha pick-up.

Bringing a new, larger diesel engine to market in these fuel-chastened times might seem like madness, but GWM is banking on the success of its new and beefy torque-laden 3.0-litre to help elevate it inside the top five in the cash-cow segment.

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The Cannon Alpha has been around for a couple of years now and positions itself as the flagship of the Chinese brand’s dual-cab range. Slightly larger than its regular Cannon sibling, the Alpha was initially available with a choice of 2.4-litre diesel, 2.0-litre petrol hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains.

But that wasn’t enough to take on the might of The Big Three – Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max – prompting GWM to develop an all-new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel that provides it with the weaponry to become a serious player.

Making 170kW and 620Nm, GWM’s new oiler outmuscles the top-three sellers in terms of torque, and handsomely. The Ranger V6 diesel musters 600Nm, the HiLux Rogue 500Nm and the D-Max is some way off in the distance with 450Nm. Only the V6-powered Ranger offers any resistance on the spec sheet, its 184kW up on the Alpha’s 170kW.

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Offroad-focussed goodies across both variants include a mechanical rear diff lock and low-range transfer case, while the top-spec alone scores an electric front-diff lock.

The Cannon Alpha’s sharp driveaway pricing, married to an expansive list of equipment, is key to GWM’s ambitious goals. The brand has brought two 3.0-litre variants to Australia – the $58,990-driveaway Lux and the $63,990-driveaway Vanta, the difference down to bells-and-whistles features.

Both are generously equipped with the types of gear modern buyers expect, even in the rough-and-tumble world of dual cabs. Leather interiors (faux in the Lux, Nappa ‘accented’ in Vanta) combine with big screens, smartphone mirroring, power adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate controls and a comprehensive (and well-calibrated!) suite of advanced driver assist and safety systems.

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The Vanta scores extra goodies like heated and cooled front seats with massage function, a panoramic roof, and wireless smartphone charging.

Stepping into the top-spec Vanta reveals a cabin that feels properly premium. The Nappa leather-accented seats offer good support, and perch nice and high in the cabin to give a commanding view of the road ahead.

Material quality throughout is largely excellent, although the chintzy fake-wood trim adoring the dash isn’t entirely convincing. Still, there remains an inherent feeling of solidity that belies the Cannon Alpha’s pricepoint at the more affordable end of the segment. In short, there’s an awful lot of dual-cab for the money.

The second row isn’t an afterthought like it is in some pick-ups. Space is good while the reclining seatbacks remain unusual in the segment. It’s a nice touch from GWM.

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Other metrics worth noting. A payload of 945kg sits somewhere around the middle of the segment while 3500kg braked towing capacity is on par. Both variants are fitted with a dynamic trailer rear-view camera, making backing-up just that little bit easier.

I’m a big fan of the split-fold opening tailgate which can be opened either in barn-door fashion or dropped down in the more traditional manner. And the inclusion of a full-size spare is always a plus.

A nice spec sheet with big numbers is one thing, how GWM’s new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel behaves out in the real world is another. Here, the news is good.

A long run out of Melbourne and into the hills to test its off-road mettle highlighted several aspects. Firstly, GWM’s much vaunted local tuning, known as AT-1, is on full display.

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Yes, the 3.0-litre four-banger feels effortless and lazy, especially out on the highway where it’s barely ticking over at around 1500rpm at 110km/h. It’s no speedster but the full impact of its 620Nm is never too far away, peak available from a very usable 1400-2400rpm. It’s a refined unit too, with little of that gruff diesel clatter some dual-cabs are prone to.

The locally tuned suspension, the handiwork of former Holden guru Rob Trubiani, underscores the Alpha’s on-road refinement, bringing a supple and composed manner to a segment often not known for it. Even with the tub unladen (often the enemy of ride comfort in the segment) the big ute remained nicely settled over undulations and stretches of patchy surfaces once the urban environs had been left in the rear-view mirror.

And GWM deserves credit for its nicely calibrated suite of safety tech in this update. No false positives, no annoying beeping and bonging, make a freshening change.

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Buyers who like to venture off-road won’t be disappointed, the Alpha capable of tackling the kinds of tracks and rocky trails that would thwart most of today’s all-wheel drive SUVs masquerading as four-by-fours.

Make no mistake, the Cannon Alpha has genuine off-road chops, climbing rocky, muddy and deeply-rutted inclines with ease.

The mechanical diff-lockers proved their worth on more than one occasion, the big ute happy to lift a wheel or two in the air while traction was never left wanting. The big lazy diesel helps here too, effortlessly piling on torque to keep the Cannon Alpha moving.

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The Alpha’s ground clearance of 224mm, along with an approach angle of 28.5 degrees, breakover of 19 degrees and departure at 23 degrees, provided plenty of reassurance when traversing steep and rocky inclines. Hill-descent control worked nicely in keeping speed in check on the downhill side. Wading depth is rated at 800mm.

And despite the handicap of wearing fancy 19-inch alloy wheels cloaked in Continental on-road rubber, the Cannon Alpha handled everything thrown at it.

GWM claims a reasonably miserly fuel consumption number of 7.3L/100km and while churning through mud and up-and-over steep rocky inlines will see that number blow out, the worst I saw was a still respectable 11.2L/100km. Once out on the highway, fuel use settled comfortably on 8.5L/100km. No need for Ad Blue either. The fuel tank measures in at 78 litres.

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First impressions point to the Cannon Alpha as an impressive bit of kit, both on the road and off. The new diesel powerplant is a bit of a revelation. Quietly powerful, the unit trades the gruffness common to many diesels for refinement.

It’s a flexible engine, equally at home trawling through mud at 10km/h as it is cruising the motorway at 110.

And GM’s local tuning is used here to good effect. Its road manners are good for the class thanks to a carefully recalibrated suspension tune while the integration of modern safety gizmos has been considered and carefully applied.

Throw in a nicely designed and feature-laden interior along with commendable off-road nous, and the GWM Cannon Lapha makes a solid case for anyone looking to join the dual-cab bandwagon.

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Specs: GWM Cannon Alpha 3.0TD Vanta