A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Recorded price context
Cannon Alpha:
last listed from
ZAR 699,900
·
D-Max Extended Cab:
current from
ZAR 504,700
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Cannon Alpha
D-Max Extended Cab
Maximum Power
135 kW @ 3600 rpm
110 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque
480 Nm
350 Nm
Engine Size
2378 cc
3000 cc
Claimed Mileage
10.2 km/l
12.7 km/l
Ground Clearance
220 mm
232 mm
Boot / Load Bay
Not confirmed
-
Airbags
6
3
Kerb Weight
2125 kg
1930 kg
Seating Capacity
Not confirmed
-
Warranty
5 Years / 100,000 km
5 years / 120 000 km
= leads in this spec
Archived models stay fully comparable. Verified specs remain visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.
The Bottom Line
Cannon Alpha holds a noticeable edge over D-Max Extended Cab, especially in key ownership areas.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Cannon Alpha
+14 pts
Efficiency
D-Max Extended Cab
+8 pts
Safety
Cannon Alpha
+53 pts
Practicality
Cannon Alpha
+1 pts
Ownership
Cannon Alpha
+17 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
🏆 Overall Winner
Cannon Alpha
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFamily Usage
D-Max Extended Cab
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Fuel Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Cannon Alpha
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
D-Max Extended Cab
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Full Specs, Side by Side
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Cannon Alpha
D-Max Extended Cab
Model Introduced Year
2024
Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation
First generation, derived from GWM's premium pickup platform launched in China in 2023. Local specification leans toward higher equipment loading and softer suspension calibration versus the Chinese-domestic version, with adjustments for South African fuel quality and aftersales support requirements.
Current South African D-Max Extended Cab listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History
First-generation Cannon Alpha — launched in South Africa in mid-2024 with no model-year facelift to date. Software updates have refined the driver-assistance calibration for South African driving conditions and improved the 9-speed automatic shift mapping based on local fleet feedback.
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since
2024
Original current-generation version
Body Type Cab
Double Cab
Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
Tare Mass Kg
2125 kg
1930 kg
Facelift Version Ending
Not confirmed
Current
Body Style
Not confirmed
Extended Cab pickup
Color Note
Not confirmed
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note
Not confirmed
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year
Not confirmed
MY26
Production Status
Not confirmed
published
Segment
Not confirmed
Pickup
Vehicle Type
Not confirmed
Pickup
Gross Combined Mass Kg
Not confirmed
6000 kg
Spec
Cannon Alpha
D-Max Extended Cab
Drivetrain Layout
Front Engine Four Wheel Drive
Not Applicable
LSD Available
No
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Yes
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Applicable
Engine Position
Front Longitudinal
-
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
Automatic
Final Drive Ratio
3.54
Not Applicable
Steering Turns Lock to Lock
16.5:1
-
Number of Gears
9
6
Transmission Type
Automatic
6 Speed Automatic
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
4x4 AWD
Not Applicable
4WD Engagement
Electronic rotary dial
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Yes
Not Applicable
Differential Type Front
Open
Not Available
Differential Type Rear
Open / Lockable
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Reverse Gear Warning
Yes
-
Transmission Speeds
9
6
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Gear Ratio 1st
Not confirmed
3.600
Gear Ratio 2nd
Not confirmed
2.090
Gear Ratio 3rd
Not confirmed
1.488
Gear Ratio 4th
Not confirmed
1.000
Gear Ratio 5th
Not confirmed
0.687
Gear Ratio 6th
Not confirmed
0.580
Gear Ratio Reverse
Not confirmed
3.732
Low Range Ratio
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Standard
Transfer Case Guard
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Cannon Alpha
D-Max Extended Cab
Claimed Mileage
10.2 km/l
12.7 km/l
City Mileage
11.5 km/l
10.4 km/l
Highway Mileage
9.5 km/l
14.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
76 l
Emission Standard
Euro 5
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Yes
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
No
Not Applicable
Average Fuel Consumption
9.8 l/100km
7.9 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
9.8 l/100km
7.9 l/100km
Distance To Empty
Yes
-
Low Fuel Warning
Yes
-
Fuel Efficiency
9.8 l/100km
7.9 l/100km
Real-world Mileage
10.2 km/l
12.7 km/l
Combined Consumption
9.8 l/100km
7.9 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
9.8 l/100km
7.9 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Extra Urban
8.5 l/100km
-
Fuel Consumption Urban
12.8 l/100km
-
Fuel Economy Combined
9.8 l/100km
7.9 l/100km
Fuel Filler Cap
Lockable
-
Fuel Tank Litres
80
76
Charging Port Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Cannon Alpha
D-Max Extended Cab
Airbags
6
3
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Not Available
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Not Available
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Not Available
Brake Assist
Yes
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Not Available
Alarm System
Yes
-
Central Locking
Yes
-
Side Impact Beams
Yes
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Not Available
Speed Alert System
Yes
-
Pedestrian Detection AEB
Yes
-
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Safety Rating
5
-
Whiplash Protection
Yes
-
Lane Change Warning
Yes
-
AEB
Yes
Not Available
BA
Yes
Not Available
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Not Available
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Not Available
Fatigue Detection
Yes
-
Hill Hold
Yes
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Not Available
Side Airbags
Yes
Not Available
TCS
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
No
Driver
Tracking System
Optional
-
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Not Available
Stability Control
Yes
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Front Side Airbags
Not confirmed
Standard
Spec
Cannon Alpha
D-Max Extended Cab
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front and Rear
Front & Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Not Available
Auto Lights
Yes
LED
Auto Wipers
Yes
Not Available
Eco Mode
No
-
EV Mode
No
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Sport Mode
Yes
-
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Park Assist
Yes
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Available
Attention Assist
Yes
-
Auto Park Assist
No
-
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Not Available
Rain Sensor Wipers
Yes
-
Reverse Camera Type
Wide-angle
Standard
Reversing Camera
Yes
Standard
Cruise Control
Not confirmed
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Parking Distance Sensors
Not confirmed
Front & Rear
Parking Sensor
Not confirmed
Front & Rear
Rear View Camera
Not confirmed
Standard
Spec
Cannon Alpha
D-Max Extended Cab
Seat Material
Leather
Partial Leather
Seat Adjustment
Yes
-
Heated Seats
Yes
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Not Applicable
Steering Type
Yes
-
Steering Adjustment
Tilt and Telescopic
-
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Not Applicable
Folding Rear Seats
No
-
Front Armrest
Yes
Centre console
Rear Armrest
Yes
-
Cup Holders
Yes
-
Rear AC Vents
Yes
-
Rear USB Ports
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather Wrapped
Leather
Instrument Cluster Type
Full Digital Cluster
-
Interior Colour Options
1
3
Driver Lumbar Support
Yes
-
Door Map Pockets
Yes
-
60 40 Split Seat
No
Not Applicable
Adjustable Driver Seat
Yes
-
Adjustable Front Seat
Yes
-
Cooled Seats
Yes
-
Driver Seat Adjustment
10-Way Electric
Not Applicable
Front Headrest
Adjustable
-
Memory Seats
Yes
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-Way Manual
Not Applicable
Rear Headrest
Adjustable
-
Armrest Front
Folding with storage
-
Armrest Rear
Centre folding with cupholders
-
Cargo Net
No
-
Interior Courtesy Lights
LED
-
Interior Trim Colour
Black with silver accents
-
Massage Seats
Yes
-
Rear Seat Ventilation
No
-
Seat Adjustment Driver Backrest
Yes
-
Seat Adjustment Driver Fore Aft
Yes
-
Seat Adjustment Driver Height
Yes
-
Seat Belt Warning
Yes
-
Third Row Seating Capacity
0
-
Third Row Seats
No
-
Front Shoulder Room
1440 mm
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
1420 mm
Not Applicable
Fabric Seats
Not confirmed
Partial Leather
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Not confirmed
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen D-Max Extended Cab grade before assuming a feature is included.
🏆GWM Cannon Alpha
wins with 72 pts
vs 56 pts for D-Max Extended Cab
In structured scoring, Cannon Alpha emerges as the stronger overall package. However, D-Max Extended Cab may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the Cannon Alpha edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: Cannon Alpha 42 vs D-Max Extended Cab 50. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: Cannon Alpha 94, D-Max Extended Cab 41. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: Cannon Alpha 65, D-Max Extended Cab 48. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: Cannon Alpha 82, D-Max Extended Cab 81. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Cannon Alpha 69, D-Max Extended Cab 55. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Cannon Alpha edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Cannon Alpha scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between Cannon Alpha and D-Max Extended Cab in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Cannon Alpha scores 69 vs 55.
Efficiency: Cannon Alpha scores 42 vs 50.
Safety: Cannon Alpha scores 94 vs 41.
Practicality: Cannon Alpha scores 82 vs 81.
Ownership: Cannon Alpha scores 65 vs 48.
Final structured scoring gives Cannon Alpha
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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