Electric utes, including the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning have been capturing attention, but other than a lone, unpopular LDV, none have come here.
Instead, it’s the plug-in hybrid ute segment in Australia that’s generating more local buzz. The top-selling Ford Ranger is getting PHEV power in 2025, while BYD’s fifth model in Australia will be the Shark PHEV ute.
Entering this fledgling segment sometime next year – likely in the first half – will be GWM with a Hi4-T version of its recently launched Cannon Alpha ute.
The Cannon Alpha is a slightly larger, more luxurious sibling to the existing Cannon Ute, and Hi4-T is GWM’s new-generation plug-in hybrid technology.
GWM brought a left-hand drive version of the ute – in more off-road-focused XSR trim – to Norwell Motorplex in Queensland for both media and dealers to get behind the wheel.
The company hasn’t confirmed what the local Cannon Alpha plug-in hybrid range will look like, but it’s keen to bring the XSR.
This trim features locking front, centre and rear differential locks; off-road tyres; a steel front bumper; a 5670kg-rated T-Max front winch; a snorkel; and more black plastic cladding than other Cannon Alphas.
With the Shark due here this year and the Ranger PHEV confirmed for next year, GWM is unlikely to be the first to the Australian market with a PHEV ute.
However, it’ll almost certainly beat other brands like Mitsubishi and Nissan to the punch.
How much does the GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T cost?
GWM hasn’t confirmed how much the Cannon Alpha Hi4-T will cost.
It says PHEVs typically carry a premium of between $6000 and $15,000, but that it may take advantage of the benefits such powertrains offer carmakers under the incoming New Vehicle Efficiency Standard to help offset the price increase.
For context, GWM currently offers the Cannon Alpha in Australia with either diesel or conventional hybrid powertrains. The flagship Ultra trim level costs $57,990 drive-away as a diesel and $64,990 drive-away as a hybrid.
What is the GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T like on the inside?
The regular Cannon Alpha has an impressively premium interior, complete with woodgrain trim, ambient lighting and even a backlit analogue clock.
Material quality is particularly good for a ute, too, and the only really gauche touch is the illuminated outline of the vehicle’s front end in a panel on the dashboard.
The XSR we tested veers further away from elegant to garish, although some ute buyers may appreciate the bold black-and-yellow colour scheme – it certainly is a departure from the oppressively black interiors common in this segment.
The seats are finished in a mix of leather and suede upholstery, with the bolsters featuring thick yellow accents.
The armrests on the doors are completely yellow, and the signature colour can also be found in the stitching across the centre console, seats, dash and doors. ‘Poer’ – the Chinese-market name for GWM’s ute series – is also written in yellow on the seats.
There’s a great big, whopping grab handle ahead of the passenger on the dashboard.
While the colour scheme may not be to your taste, the fundamentals are good. The seats are generously padded and comfortable, and even the ones in the rear can be reclined.
There are a lot of nice materials used throughout the cabin, with plenty of soft-touch surfaces featuring stitching details. It’s quite a change from the usual hard (if hard-wearing) plastics found in this segment.
The 12.3-inch touchscreen is impressively large, though our tester’s was set to Chinese so we couldn’t fiddle around too much. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is slick, too.
There are physical switches for functions like fan speed adjustment, as well as the heated and ventilated front seats, though you’ll need to use the touchscreen or voice assistant to adjust the temperature.
A wireless phone charger sits at the base of the centre stack, and there are plenty of physical switches on the centre console.
Step into the back, and you’ll find a comfortable bench which as mentioned can be reclined. There are also air vents, map pockets and USB outlets.
It’s roomy back here, sitting somewhere between “regular” utes like GWM’s own Cannon Ute and the palatial accommodations of full-sized American pickups like the Ram 1500.
As with lesser Cannon Alphas, our tester had a handy split tailgate. This either opens like a conventional ute tailgate, or like a pair of barn doors.
GWM didn’t note any changes to tub dimensions compared to other Cannon Alphas.
| Dimensions | GWM Cannon Alpha |
|---|---|
| Length | 5445mm |
| Width | 1991mm |
| Height | 1924mm |
| Wheelbase | 3350mm |
| Tub width | 1520mm 1110mm between arches |
| Tub length | 1500mm |
| Tub height | 500mm |
What’s under the bonnet?
| Specifications | GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl turbo |
| Engine outputs | 180kW and 380Nm |
| Electric motor outputs | 120kW and 400Nm |
| System outputs | 300kW and 750Nm |
| Battery | 37.1kWh ternary lithium (NCM) |
| Max DC charging rate | 50kW |
| Max AC charging rate | 6.6kW |
| Transmission | 9-speed hybrid transmission |
| Drive type | Four-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 1.7L/100km (WLTC) |
| Electric driving range | 110km (WLTC) |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) | 50g/km |
| Fuel type | 91 RON |
| Fuel tank | 70L |
| Kerb weight | 2775kg |
| Payload | 535kg |
| Braked towing capacity | 3500kg |
| Unbraked towing capacity | 750kg |
| Gross vehicle mass (GVM) | 3310kg |
Notably, payload takes a hit – it’s a whole 200kg lower than in the Ultra Hybrid. However, braked towing capacity is unchanged at 3500kg.
How does the GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T drive?
As mentioned, we didn’t get to test the Cannon Alpha on public roads. Instead, we took it on an off-road track and a race track.
This track consisted of a small hill climb; offset moguls; a sand pit; a short, rocky trail; and a couple of water crossings.
The Hi4-T features locking front, rear and centre differentials, multiple terrain modes, and selectable high- and low-range gearing.
There’s quite a big toolkit to exploit here, and ultimately the plug-in ute feels idiot-proof.
Our off-road course was limited, but the Cannon Alpha walked through it. The suite of cameras also ensured we could see exactly where we were supposed to be placed on the track.
While it wasn’t quite as comfortable off-road as the Tank 500 Hi4-T, it still proved comfortable, particularly over the rocky section of our track.
Nevertheless, we’d like the opportunity to drive this on typically patchy Australian roads. In our experience, the Cannon Alpha Hybrid doesn’t quite live up to its luxe aspirations, with an unladen ride that can feel a bit jiggly and not up to the level of rivals like the Ford Ranger.
It’s unclear how much difference the bigger battery and commensurately heavier kerb weight of the Hi4-T would make.
We also got to take the Cannon Alpha Hi4-T on the track because we couldn’t take it on public roads and, well, when are we ever going to take this on a track again?
The powertrain is smooth and responsive, and we didn’t notice any awkward transitions between petrol and electric power.
The steering felt a tad light in Normal mode, but you can toggle between drive modes that adjust parameters like steering weighting and powertrain response.
Like many hybrids however, there is an odd feel to the brake pedal.
| Off-road dimensions | GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T |
|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 224mm |
| Approach angle | 28.5 degrees |
| Departure angle | 23 degrees |
| Ramp breakover angle | 19 degrees |
| Wading depth | 800mm |
What do you get?
GWM hasn’t confirmed what the local Cannon Alpha Hi4-T range will look like. It currently offers three Cannon Alpha variants in Australia: two diesels and one hybrid.
Cannon Alpha Lux Diesel highlights:
- Automatic LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Fixed side steps
- Electronically locking rear differential
- Hill ascent control
- Hill descent control
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Full-sized steel spare
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Spray-on tub liner
- High-mounted tub light
- Rear privacy glass
- Black leatherette-accented interior
- Dual-zone climate control
- Light, Comfort and Sport steering modes
- Standard, Sport, Eco, 4L, 4H drive modes
- Auto hold
- 6-way power driver’s seat
- 6-speaker sound system
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Cannon Alpha Ultra Diesel adds:
- 60/40 split tailgate
- Spray-on tub liner
- Electronically locking front differential
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- LED front fog lights
- Panoramic sunroof
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Black leather-accented interior
- 8-way power driver’s seat
- 6-way power passenger seat
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Massaging front seats
- Driver’s seat memory and welcome function
- Wireless phone charger (front)
Cannon Alpha Ultra Hybrid adds:
- Analogue clock
- Head-up display
- Power-folding exterior mirrors with memory
- 64-colour ambient lighting
- Heated steering wheel
- Wireless phone charger (rear)
- 10-speaker Infinity sound system
- 2-way power-adjustable rear seats with welcome function
- Heated and ventilated rear seats
- Semi-automatic parking assist
- Auto Reverse Assist
Is the GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T safe?
The Cannon Alpha diesel and hybrid don’t currently have an ANCAP rating, though GWM says it’s working with the safety authority on this now.
Standard safety equipment in Australia includes:
- 7 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian detection
- Cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Front cross-traffic assist
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane centring
- Emergency lane-keeping
- Traffic sign recognition
- Surround-view camera with transparent chassis mode
- Front and rear parking sensors
Diesels have four parking sensors up front and four at the rear, while the Ultra Hybrid has six up front and six at the back.
How much does the GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T cost to run?
The Cannon Alpha Hybrid, like the rest of the GWM range, is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
It also comes with seven years of roadside assist, and seven years of capped-price servicing.
GWM hasn’t confirmed what service pricing will look like for the PHEV, though we’d expect overall warranty and roadside assist coverage to be the same.
CarExpert’s Take on the GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T
This segment that doesn’t currently exist in Australia is about to get very interesting.
Between market leader Ford and emerging brands BYD and GWM, as well as likely others to come, plug-in hybrid utes are about to put forward their case.
Consumer acceptance is likely to hinge significantly on cost, and we don’t yet know the premium GWM or Ford’s PHEV utes will carry.
You do take a hit in terms of payload with the PHEV version of the Cannon Alpha, but it’s just as capable off-road.
The PHEV powertrain offers an impressive claimed electric-only range, plus it proved smooth and responsive in our (admittedly limited) testing.
Then there are the usual Cannon Alpha strengths, such as modern in-car tech and a luxurious interior.
We’re keen to get more time behind the wheel, but the Cannon Alpha Hi4-T is shaping up to be a compelling ute offering for Australia.
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