GWM Cannon Alpha vs Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Dawn

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

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.

GWM Cannon Alpha Discontinued model
GWM Cannon Alpha in South Africa

GWM Cannon Alpha

2.4T Double Cab LX 4x4 Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Discontinued model
ZAR 829,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 135 kW 🔧 480 Nm ⛽ 10.2 km/l
VS
Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Dawn in South Africa

Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Dawn

Karoo Special Edition Dawn Diesel Current
ZAR 672,699 ex-showroom
⚡ 103 kW 🔧 320 Nm ⛽ 10.8 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

GWM Cannon Alpha vs Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Dawn: the short answer

Compare the available model information below. Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.

Recorded price context Cannon Alpha: last listed from ZAR 699,900 · Karoo Special Edition Dawn: current from ZAR 672,699

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Cannon Alpha Karoo Special Edition Dawn
Maximum Power Cannon Alpha135 kW @ 3600 rpm Karoo Special Edition Dawn103 kW @ 3750 rpm
Maximum Torque Cannon Alpha480 Nm Karoo Special Edition Dawn320 Nm
Engine Size Cannon Alpha2378 cc Karoo Special Edition Dawn2179 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Cannon Alpha10.2 km/l Karoo Special Edition Dawn10.8 km/l
Ground Clearance Cannon Alpha220 mm Karoo Special Edition Dawn210 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

GWM Cannon Alpha

2.4T Double Cab LX 4x4

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Dawn

Karoo Special Edition Dawn

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

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 Karoo Special Edition Dawn
360 Degree Camera Yes Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control Yes Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control Yes Not Available
Attention Assist Yes -
Autonomous Emergency Braking Yes Not Available
Auto Highbeam Yes Not Available
Auto Lights Yes -
Auto Park Assist No -
Auto Wipers Yes Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring Yes Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert Yes Not Available
Eco Mode No -
EV Mode No -
Forward Collision Warning Yes Not Available
Lane Departure Warning Yes Not Available
Lane Keep Assist Yes Not Available
Park Assist Yes Not Available
Parking Sensors Front and Rear Not Available
Rain Sensor Wipers Yes -
Rear View Camera Yes Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert Yes Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors Yes Not Available
Reverse Camera Type Wide-angle -
Reversing Camera Yes -
Sport Mode Yes -
Traffic Sign Recognition Yes Not Available
Around View Monitor Yes Not Available
Blind Spot Warning Yes Not Available
Cruise Control Adaptive cruise control Not Available
Reverse Camera Yes Not Available
Spec Cannon Alpha Karoo Special Edition Dawn
4WD Engagement Electronic rotary dial Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range Yes Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range Yes Not Applicable
Differential Lock Yes Not Applicable
Differential Type Front Open -
Differential Type Rear Open / Lockable -
Drivetrain 4x4 AWD Not Applicable
Drivetrain Layout Front Engine Four Wheel Drive Not Applicable
Engine Position Front Longitudinal -
Final Drive Ratio 3.54 Not Applicable
Number of Gears 9 Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator Yes Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type Automatic Not Applicable
Gearbox 8-Speed Automatic Automatic
LSD Available No Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters Yes Not Applicable
Reverse Gear Warning Yes -
Steering Turns Lock to Lock 16.5:1 -
Transfer Case Yes Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds 9 Not Applicable
Transmission Type Automatic Automatic
Gearbox Type Automatic Automatic
4WD Selector Not Applicable Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles Yes Not Applicable
Axle Layout Front driven axle Not Applicable
Clutch Type Dual wet clutch Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock Open differential with electronic traction control Not Applicable
Low Range Yes Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio Yes Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock Open differential with electronic traction control Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This Cannon Alpha and Karoo Special Edition Dawn comparison brings together local model information and available derivatives for South Africa. Prices and specifications appear only where they have been recorded for this market.

Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.

Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.

Specification Score Withheld

Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.

Fail closed

Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.

Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.

What the evidence means

No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.

Cannon Alpha vs Karoo Special Edition Dawn questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.