GWM Cannon vs GWM Cannon Alpha

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.

Historical comparison

Every selected record is historical. Verified South African specifications and last-listed prices remain available for owners and used-car shoppers.

GWM Cannon Discontinued model GWM Cannon Alpha Discontinued model
GWM Cannon in South Africa

GWM Cannon

2.0T Double Cab LX 4x4 Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Discontinued model
ZAR 634,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 480 Nm ⛽ 9.8 km/l
VS
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
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

GWM Cannon vs GWM Cannon Alpha: the short answer

Cannon and Cannon Alpha are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Recorded price context Cannon: last listed from ZAR 484,900 · Cannon Alpha: last listed from ZAR 699,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Cannon Cannon Alpha
Maximum Power Cannon110 kW Cannon Alpha135 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque Cannon480 Nm Cannon Alpha480 Nm
Engine Size Cannon1996 cc Cannon Alpha2378 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Cannon9.8 km/l Cannon Alpha10.2 km/l
Ground Clearance Cannon210 mm Cannon Alpha220 mm

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

Evidence for GWM Cannon 2.0T Double Cab LX 4x4

Source type: Hagalu catalogue record

Evidence for GWM Cannon Alpha 2.4T Double Cab LX 4x4

Source type: Hagalu catalogue record

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Cannon

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

Cannon Alpha

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Cannon

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

Cannon Alpha

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

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 Cannon Alpha
Model Introduced Year 2021 2024
Generation Cannon sold in South Africa is the first generation, derived from Great Wall's POER platform shared with the P Series but with bodywork, suspension calibration and cabin treatment positioned for the lifestyle segment rather than the work bakkie use case. 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.
Facelift History Cannon received a mid-cycle update in 2023 that brought the 12.3-inch infotainment system to LS as standard, added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the range, and revised front-bumper geometry to improve approach angle by 2 degrees. A 2025 specification update standardised the panoramic sunroof on the LX trim and added the 360-camera to LS spec. 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.
Facelift Launched Since 2025 2024
Body Type Cab Double Cab Double Cab
Tare Mass Kg 2035 kg 2125 kg
Spec Cannon Cannon Alpha
Length 5380 mm 5410 mm
Width 1920 mm 1935 mm
Height 1835 mm 1865 mm
Wheelbase 3180 mm 3220 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 210 mm 220 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 75 l 80 l
Kerb Weight 2035 kg 2125 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3000 kg 3000 kg
Payload Capacity 900 kg 900 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 4 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 13.6 m 13.6 m
Front Headroom 1020 mm 1020 mm
Rear Headroom 975 mm 975 mm
Front Legroom 1070 mm 1070 mm
Rear Legroom 880 mm 880 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Cannon and Cannon Alpha comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Cannon 61 vs Cannon Alpha 69.

Efficiency index: Cannon 41 vs Cannon Alpha 42.

Safety-equipment index: Cannon 93 vs Cannon Alpha 94.

Practicality index: Cannon 81 vs Cannon Alpha 82.

Ownership-cover index: Cannon 65 vs Cannon Alpha 65.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Cannon Alpha leads by 2 points

Cannon and Cannon Alpha are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 72 /100
Lead 2 points
Data 94% source coverage
72
#1 Evidence leader

Cannon Alpha

94% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Efficiency 42
Performance 69
Efficiency 42
Safety 94
Practicality 82
Ownership 65
Leads by 2 points
70
#2

Cannon

94% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 41
Performance 61
Efficiency 41
Safety 93
Practicality 81
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Cannon Alpha +8 Efficiency Cannon Alpha +1 Safety Cannon Alpha +1 Practicality Cannon Alpha +1 Ownership Level

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Cannon Alpha

Performance 69/100
Efficiency 42/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 82/100
Ownership 65/100

Cannon

Performance 61/100
Efficiency 41/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 81/100
Ownership 65/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index GWM Cannon Alpha leads the specification evidence index with 72 pts vs 70 pts for Cannon

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Cannon Alpha leads. However, Cannon may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

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Cannon vs Cannon Alpha questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives 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.