GWM Cannon has been discontinued — this model is no longer sold new in South Africa. All specifications, variants and pricing shown below are for historical reference. See current GWM models still on sale.
Pickup Diesel Automatic 4WD 5-seat

GWM Cannon

Historical South African specifications and last-listed pricing

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. Version introduced 2025
The Cannon is GWM's lifestyle bakkie — a double-cab focused on weekend duty and family use rather than tradie tool-toting, priced from R484,900 to challenge the Hilux Raider and Ranger XLT segments.
ZAR 634,900 · last listed
Last listed price ZAR 634,900
Engine:1996cc (2.0L) Torque:480Nm (354 lb-ft) Ground Clearance:210mm (8.3″) Power:110kW (148 bhp)

Hover or tap any pill for a plain-English explanation. Bracketed values show common equivalents (bhp, lb-ft, inches, cu ft).

Fuel Economy km/l · US mpg equivalent
Combined 9.8 km/l (23 mpg)
City 8.3 km/l (20 mpg)
Highway 12.2 km/l (29 mpg)

Historical pricing is retained for reference, not as a current dealer offer. Verify the exact used vehicle's condition, equipment and build date before purchase.

View Current GWM Models Model Range PDF

Source-backed vehicle data • Verified by the Hagalu team

GWM Cannon

The Cannon is GWM's lifestyle bakkie — a double-cab focused on weekend duty and family use rather than tradie tool-toting, priced from R484,900 to challenge the Hilux Raider and Ranger XLT segments.

If the P Series is GWM's workhorse, the Cannon is its weekend warrior. The two bakkies share a powertrain and a basic chassis architecture, but the Cannon is positioned for buyers who want a double-cab that does the school run on weekdays and the Drakensberg run on weekends. It's the GWM answer to the Hilux Raider 4x2 and the Ranger XLT 4x2 — the volume lifestyle trims that take the bulk of bakkie sales in metropolitan South Africa. Pricing tells the story. The Cannon starts at R484,900 for the Xtra Cab Manual, rising through R524,900 for the Double Cab LS, R569,900 for the Double Cab LT and R634,900 for the Double Cab LX 4x4 flagship. That's a R40,000–R50,000 premium over the equivalent P Series specification, and it buys you a different cabin treatment, larger 18-inch alloy wheels as standard from LS, a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen across the upper trims, and a softer suspension calibration that prioritises ride comfort over outright payload. The Cannon's payload of 930 kg versus the P Series' 1,020 kg might look like a step backward, but for the lifestyle buyer who's putting mountain bikes in the load bed rather than concrete bags, it's not a meaningful trade. What you gain in return is a noticeably more relaxed ride on the gravel road from White River to Hazyview, or the daily commute from Centurion to Sandton on the N1's worn-out concrete sections. Powertrain is the same GW4D20 2.0-litre turbodiesel as the P Series, producing 110 kW and 400 Nm. The 8-speed automatic in LS, LT and LX is the same ZF China unit. What's calibrated differently is the throttle map — the Cannon feels slightly softer off the line, more comfortable in stop-start traffic and less prone to the kind of low-rpm lurchy behaviour that some bakkie automatics suffer from. On highway cruising the Cannon returns 9.5–10.5 L/100 km in real-world use, again broadly matching the Hilux 2.4 GD-6 in equivalent conditions. The 4x4 Cannon LX is a more comfortable off-roader than its outright capability numbers suggest. Approach angle is 30 degrees, departure 28 degrees, ramp-over 26 degrees — slightly improved over the P Series LX 4x4 due to redesigned bumper geometry. Wading depth is 800 mm. The rear locking differential and low-range transfer case are both included; the LT and LS variants are 4x2 only. For most lifestyle buyers who do nothing more aggressive than gravel passes and farm tracks, the LX 4x4 is more capable than the typical owner will ever need. Cabin equipment in the Cannon LT and LX is where the lifestyle positioning shows. Synthetic leather upholstery on LS, genuine leather on LT and LX. 8-way electric driver's seat with memory function on LT and LX. Dual-zone climate, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, 9-speaker premium audio, and on the LX, a panoramic sunroof that opens via a button on the centre console. The Cannon LX is, frankly, more comfortable than a Ranger Sport at substantially less money. Safety equipment matches the P Series. Six airbags standard, ESC, ABS, hill-start assist, AEB with pedestrian detection on LT and LX, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep, adaptive cruise, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-camera with a clarity that comfortably surpasses what the rival Toyota offers at twice the trim level. Where the Cannon takes some criticism in owner feedback is on the manual gearbox in the Xtra Cab variant — a long-throw, slightly notchy unit that feels exactly like every Chinese-sourced manual. If you're buying a Cannon for daily use, the Double Cab LS automatic is the variant that earns its keep. The manual makes sense only for buyers prioritising lowest purchase price. Long-term ownership in South Africa has been broadly positive. The dealer network supporting the Cannon is the same as the P Series — substantial in metros, developing in rural areas. Service costs are competitive, parts availability has stabilised, and the 5-year/100,000 km warranty plus 5-year/75,000 km service plan remain industry-leading at the price point. Residual values track the P Series — about R80,000 behind a Hilux Raider at 5 years, which remains the central trade-off. For the South African buyer choosing between a Cannon LX 4x4 at R634,900 and a Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Raider 4x4 at R770,000, the value calculation favours the GWM if you intend to keep the vehicle long-term. The R135,000 saved up front more than covers the residual gap over an ownership horizon longer than 4 years. For shorter ownership cycles, the Toyota remains the safer total-cost choice. The Cannon's positioning makes sense in South Africa's bakkie market in a way that didn't exist five years ago. Lifestyle bakkie buyers are now genuinely willing to consider non-Japanese brands when the equipment list is strong, the warranty is generous and the dealer footprint covers their daily routine. The Cannon ticks all three boxes. It's not without compromises — the Hilux dominance won't disappear overnight — but for the buyer who has done the homework, it's a credible alternative.

GWM Cannon — Quick Facts

GWM Cannon Variants & Prices

Pick up to 3 variants, hit Compare Variants and you'll get a proper side-by-side spec breakdown.

Maximum 3 variants reached
Uncheck one of the selected variants below before choosing another.
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Transmission Price
2.0T Xtra Cab Manual Discontinued Base Diesel Manual ZAR 484,900last listed
2.0T Double Cab LS Discontinued Mid Diesel Automatic ZAR 524,900last listed
2.0T Double Cab LT Discontinued Top Diesel Automatic ZAR 569,900last listed
2.0T Double Cab LX 4x4 Discontinued Flagship Diesel Automatic ZAR 634,900last listed
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Transmission Price
2.0T Xtra Cab Manual Discontinued Base Diesel Manual ZAR 484,900last listed
2.0T Double Cab LS Discontinued Mid Diesel Automatic ZAR 524,900last listed
2.0T Double Cab LT Discontinued Top Diesel Automatic ZAR 569,900last listed
2.0T Double Cab LX 4x4 Discontinued Flagship Diesel Automatic ZAR 634,900last listed
2 variants selected

GWM Cannon Specifications

Length
5380 mm
Width
1920 mm
Height
1835 mm
Wheelbase
3180 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
Kerb Weight
2035 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3000 kg
Payload Capacity
900 kg
Towing Capacity
3500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
Doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
13.6 m
Front Headroom
1020 mm
Rear Headroom
975 mm
Front Legroom
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
880 mm
Driving fit

Where the GWM Cannon Fits Best

A practical view of the buyer and roads this model is best suited to.

Who buys this

South African lifestyle bakkie buyers — families who want a double-cab for daily duties and weekend adventures, professionals who want the bakkie body style without the work-truck austerity, and outdoor enthusiasts who tow caravans or boats. Suits buyers in metropolitan SA with access to the established GWM dealer network.

City
In daily urban duty across Joburg, Cape Town, Durban or Pretoria, the Cannon is comfortable and easy to manoeuvre at typical city speeds. Light power steering, sharp turning circle for the segment, and the 360-camera on LT and LX trims make tight parking manageable. The softer suspension tune over the P Series means urban potholes are absorbed more comfortably.
Highway
On the N1, N3 or N4 at sustained motorway speeds, the Cannon cruises quietly at around 1,950 rpm in 8th gear. Wind noise is well-suppressed; the slightly softer suspension calibration delivers a more comfortable ride than the workhorse-focused P Series. Real-world fuel consumption at 120 km/h sits around 8.5–9.5 L/100 km. Overtaking torque is strong in the 1,500–2,500 rpm band.
Off-Road
Xtra Cab Manual and Double Cab LS/LT are 4x2 only — fine for gravel and light off-road. The LX 4x4 offers genuine off-road capability with low range, rear differential lock, 215 mm ground clearance and 800 mm wading depth. Approach 30°, departure 28°, ramp-over 26°. Suitable for Sani Pass-grade gravel passes, Lesotho border crossings, and serious recreational 4x4 use.

GWM Cannon — Should You Buy It?

The lifestyle bakkie that gives Hilux Raider buyers a credible alternative — equipment-rich, comfortable, and priced to make established brands work harder.

The Cannon's positioning in South Africa's lifestyle bakkie segment is well-judged. It's more comfortable than the P Series, more equipment-rich than the Hilux Raider at equivalent price, and offered with a warranty package that rivals don't match. The Chinese-brand residual question remains, but for the lifestyle buyer who keeps the bakkie 4+ years, the value equation tips clearly in the Cannon's favour.

What's Good
  • ✓Larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto standard from LS trim
  • ✓More comfortable suspension calibration than the P Series for lifestyle and family use
  • ✓Panoramic sunroof on the LX flagship adds segment-leading premium feel
  • ✓5-year/100,000 km warranty plus 5-year/75,000 km service plan included as standard
  • ✓Equipment-rich double cabs at price points where Hilux and Ranger require option-list spec-up
  • ✓8-speed automatic delivers smooth shifts and decent fuel economy on highway cruising
  • ✓Genuine 4x4 capability on the LX variant with low range, diff lock and 800 mm wading depth
  • ✓Comprehensive standard safety kit including 6 airbags, AEB, blind-spot and lane-keep from LS upward
  • ✓Body-on-frame ladder chassis delivers proper bakkie credibility and 3,500 kg towing capacity
Watch Out For
  • ✕Manual gearbox on the Xtra Cab Manual variant feels long-throw and notchy compared to Japanese rivals
  • ✕Residual values still trail the Hilux and Ranger by approximately R85,000 over a 5-year ownership horizon
  • ✕Lane-keep assist and driver-fatigue alert can be over-eager on poorly-marked rural roads
  • ✕Lower payload of 930 kg versus 1,020 kg on the P Series — relevant for tradie use
  • ✕Parts wait times in rural areas can stretch longer than equivalent Hilux or Ranger orders

GWM Cannon FAQs

The retained historical listing for the GWM Cannon shows R484,900 to R634,900, depending on the derivative. These are reference prices from its period on sale, not current new-vehicle offers.

South African lifestyle bakkie buyers — families who want a double-cab for daily duties and weekend adventures, professionals who want the bakkie body style without the work-truck austerity, and outdoor enthusiasts who tow caravans or boats. Suits buyers in metropolitan SA with access to the established GWM dealer network.

In daily urban duty across Joburg, Cape Town, Durban or Pretoria, the Cannon is comfortable and easy to manoeuvre at typical city speeds. Light power steering, sharp turning circle for the segment, and the 360-camera on LT and LX trims make tight parking manageable. The softer suspension tune over the P Series means urban potholes are absorbed more comfortably.

On the N1, N3 or N4 at sustained motorway speeds, the Cannon cruises quietly at around 1,950 rpm in 8th gear. Wind noise is well-suppressed; the slightly softer suspension calibration delivers a more comfortable ride than the workhorse-focused P Series. Real-world fuel consumption at 120 km/h sits around 8.5–9.5 L/100 km. Overtaking torque is strong in the 1,500–2,500 rpm band.

Buyers researching the GWM Cannon often compare it with rivals such as Mitsubishi Triton Double Cab , Ford Ranger XLT , Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Dew , Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Dusk , Isuzu D-Max X-Rider . Comparing them side by side is the quickest way to see where your money goes — performance, fuel use, price and running costs can differ substantially.

Compare GWM Cannon with Similar Pickups

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Archive

Discontinued & Earlier GWM Models

Historical model pages remain available without competing with vehicles currently on sale.

Full GWM range
GWM Cannon Alpha discontinued model reference in South Africa Cannon Alpha Discontinued Pickup GWM H1 discontinued model reference in South Africa H1 Discontinued SUV GWM H2 discontinued model reference in South Africa H2 Discontinued SUV GWM Jolion GT discontinued model reference in South Africa Jolion GT Discontinued SUV GWM Ora Good Cat discontinued model reference in South Africa Ora Good Cat Discontinued Hatchback GWM P Series discontinued model reference in South Africa P Series Discontinued Pickup GWM Steed 5 discontinued model reference in South Africa Steed 5 Discontinued Pickup GWM Steed 6 discontinued model reference in South Africa Steed 6 Discontinued Pickup

Data verified against: GWM Official South Africa Website

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