GWM Cannon Alpha: payload, towing and specs
7 variants in our database, from $51,990 to $67,990 list.
The GWM Cannon Alpha is a five-seat dual ute, from $51,990 to $67,990 list, rated to tow up to 3,500kg. It comes either with a conventional engine or as a plug-in hybrid. Readers weighing it up usually also look at the Mazda BT-50, Isuzu D-Max and Toyota HiLux.
Also worth comparing: Ford Ranger MG U9 BYD Shark 6 Nissan Navara Ford Ranger Hybrid Mitsubishi Triton LDV T60 Max
What each variant can actually carry
Worked out for a typical touring load: two people, 150kg of gear and 150kg of accessories. “Spare payload” is what is left after that. “Max trailer” is the heaviest trailer that load still allows, which is usually well under the headline towing rating because GCM and towball weight both take their cut.
| Variant | Price | Payload | GCM | Rated towing | Spare payload | Max trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lux Turbo Diesel | $51,990 | 821kg | 6,555kg | 3,500kg | 361kg | 3,500kg (towing rating) |
| Ultra Turbo Diesel | $57,990 | 760kg | 6,555kg | 3,500kg | 300kg | 3,000kg (GVM) |
| Lux 3.0 Turbo Diesel | $58,990 | 945kg | 6,555kg | 3,500kg | 485kg | 3,500kg (towing rating) |
| Lux PHEV | $61,490 | 685kg | 6,745kg | 3,500kg | 225kg | 2,250kg (GVM) |
| Vanta 3.0 Turbo Diesel | $63,990 | — | 6,555kg | 3,500kg | — | not published |
| Ultra Hybrid | $64,990 | 735kg | 6,555kg | 3,500kg | 275kg | 2,750kg (GVM) |
| Ultra PHEV | $67,990 | 685kg | 6,745kg | 3,500kg | 225kg | 2,250kg (GVM) |
What’s left to carry as the trailer gets heavier
For the Lux 3.0 Turbo Diesel. Payload left for people, gear and accessories once the towball has taken its 10 per cent of the trailer’s ATM.
For the Lux Turbo Diesel. Payload left for people, gear and accessories once the towball has taken its 10 per cent of the trailer’s ATM.
For the Ultra Turbo Diesel. Payload left for people, gear and accessories once the towball has taken its 10 per cent of the trailer’s ATM.
For the Lux PHEV. Payload left for people, gear and accessories once the towball has taken its 10 per cent of the trailer’s ATM.
For the Ultra Hybrid. Payload left for people, gear and accessories once the towball has taken its 10 per cent of the trailer’s ATM.
For the Ultra PHEV. Payload left for people, gear and accessories once the towball has taken its 10 per cent of the trailer’s ATM.
Compare the GWM Cannon Alpha
Pick a rival. Bars are scaled to the highest figure among this vehicle and the 10 rivals listed above, so the longest bar on each row is the best of that group rather than simply the better of two.
Comparing the Lux PHEV with the Dual Cab Pickup BOSS. Each model is represented by the variant nearest its own median price, so every figure in a column comes from the same vehicle rather than the best one of each. See the full line-up.
Engine and driveline
| Variant | Engine | Transmission | 4WD system | Power | Torque | Kerb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lux Turbo Diesel | 2.4L turbo-diesel | 9sp auto | Torque-on-demand dual-range 4WD, rear diff lock | 135kW | 480Nm | 2,489kg |
| Ultra Turbo Diesel | 2.4L turbo-diesel | 9sp auto | Torque-on-demand dual-range 4WD, rear diff lock | 135kW | 480Nm | 2,550kg |
| Lux 3.0 Turbo Diesel | 3.0L turbo-diesel | 9sp auto | Torque-on-demand dual-range 4WD, rear diff lock | 170kW | 620Nm | 2,550kg |
| Lux PHEV | 2.0L turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid | 9sp hybrid auto | Torque-on-demand dual-range 4WD, rear diff lock | 300kW | 750Nm | 2,810kg |
| Vanta 3.0 Turbo Diesel | 3.0L turbo-diesel | 9sp auto | Torque-on-demand dual-range 4WD, rear diff lock | 170kW | 620Nm | — |
| Ultra Hybrid | 2.0L turbo-petrol hybrid | 9sp hybrid auto | Torque-on-demand dual-range 4WD, front and rear diff locks | 255kW | 648Nm | 2,575kg |
| Ultra PHEV | 2.0L turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid | 9sp hybrid auto | Torque-on-demand dual-range 4WD, front and rear diff locks | 300kW | 750Nm | 2,810kg |
Fuel and touring range
The official ADR 81/02 figure is measured unladen, at low speed, on smooth tarmac. We lift consumption by 40 per cent to allow for the weight, the all-terrains, the bar and the dirt, then divide what is usable in the tank by that — leaving 5 litres in it, because planning to run a tank dry is how you end up walking. Where we have measured a vehicle ourselves we use our own figure instead. A plug-in hybrid’s claim assumes a full battery, which is gone within the first hour of a long drive, so it gets multiplied by five rather than 1.4.
| Variant | Claimed | Tank | Touring use | Touring range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lux Turbo Diesel | 8.9L/100km | 78L | 12.5L/100km | 586km |
| Ultra Turbo Diesel | 8.9L/100km | 78L | 12.5L/100km | 586km |
| Lux 3.0 Turbo Diesel | 7.3L/100km | 78L | 10.2L/100km | 714km |
| Lux PHEV | 1.7L/100km | 75L | 8.5L/100km | 824km (PHEV, claim ×5) |
| Vanta 3.0 Turbo Diesel | 7.3L/100km | 131L | 10.2L/100km | 1,233km |
| Ultra Hybrid | 9.8L/100km | 80L | 13.7L/100km | 547km |
| Ultra PHEV | 1.7L/100km | 75L | 8.5L/100km | 824km (PHEV, claim ×5) |
Can it clear the gaps?
Against the longest stretch between fuel on each leg, using the Lux PHEV’s touring range of 824km — which already allows for a loaded 4WD and leaves 5 litres in the tank. Carrying fuel changes everything below; so does a headwind, soft sand and a heavy right foot.
distance between fuel how far this one gets
- Great Central Road Laverton to Yulara Carry fuel 1,107km gap, short by 283km
- Canning Stock Route Wiluna to Kunawarritji Carry fuel 1,100km gap, short by 276km
- Tanami Road Alice Springs to Halls Creek Carry fuel 1,050km gap, short by 226km
- Plenty Highway Alice Springs to Boulia Clears it 812km gap, 12km spare
- Anne Beadell Highway Coober Pedy to Ilkurlka Roadhouse Clears it 780km gap, 44km spare
- Gibb River Road Derby to Kununurra Clears it 706km gap, 118km spare
- Oodnadatta Track Marree to Marla Clears it 614km gap, 210km spare
- Birdsville Track Marree to Birdsville Clears it 532km gap, 292km spare
Distances are OTA’s own, last checked October 2026. Roadhouses close without notice. Never plan a remote crossing on one tank alone.
Against the longest stretch between fuel on each leg, using the Lux Turbo Diesel’s touring range of 586km — which already allows for a loaded 4WD and leaves 5 litres in the tank. Carrying fuel changes everything below; so does a headwind, soft sand and a heavy right foot.
distance between fuel how far this one gets
- Great Central Road Laverton to Yulara Carry fuel 1,107km gap, short by 521km
- Canning Stock Route Wiluna to Kunawarritji Carry fuel 1,100km gap, short by 514km
- Tanami Road Alice Springs to Halls Creek Carry fuel 1,050km gap, short by 464km
- Plenty Highway Alice Springs to Boulia Carry fuel 812km gap, short by 226km
- Anne Beadell Highway Coober Pedy to Ilkurlka Roadhouse Carry fuel 780km gap, short by 194km
- Gibb River Road Derby to Kununurra Carry fuel 706km gap, short by 120km
- Oodnadatta Track Marree to Marla Carry fuel 614km gap, short by 28km
- Birdsville Track Marree to Birdsville Clears it 532km gap, 54km spare
Distances are OTA’s own, last checked October 2026. Roadhouses close without notice. Never plan a remote crossing on one tank alone.
Against the longest stretch between fuel on each leg, using the Ultra Turbo Diesel’s touring range of 586km — which already allows for a loaded 4WD and leaves 5 litres in the tank. Carrying fuel changes everything below; so does a headwind, soft sand and a heavy right foot.
distance between fuel how far this one gets
- Great Central Road Laverton to Yulara Carry fuel 1,107km gap, short by 521km
- Canning Stock Route Wiluna to Kunawarritji Carry fuel 1,100km gap, short by 514km
- Tanami Road Alice Springs to Halls Creek Carry fuel 1,050km gap, short by 464km
- Plenty Highway Alice Springs to Boulia Carry fuel 812km gap, short by 226km
- Anne Beadell Highway Coober Pedy to Ilkurlka Roadhouse Carry fuel 780km gap, short by 194km
- Gibb River Road Derby to Kununurra Carry fuel 706km gap, short by 120km
- Oodnadatta Track Marree to Marla Carry fuel 614km gap, short by 28km
- Birdsville Track Marree to Birdsville Clears it 532km gap, 54km spare
Distances are OTA’s own, last checked October 2026. Roadhouses close without notice. Never plan a remote crossing on one tank alone.
Against the longest stretch between fuel on each leg, using the Lux 3.0 Turbo Diesel’s touring range of 714km — which already allows for a loaded 4WD and leaves 5 litres in the tank. Carrying fuel changes everything below; so does a headwind, soft sand and a heavy right foot.
distance between fuel how far this one gets
- Great Central Road Laverton to Yulara Carry fuel 1,107km gap, short by 393km
- Canning Stock Route Wiluna to Kunawarritji Carry fuel 1,100km gap, short by 386km
- Tanami Road Alice Springs to Halls Creek Carry fuel 1,050km gap, short by 336km
- Plenty Highway Alice Springs to Boulia Carry fuel 812km gap, short by 98km
- Anne Beadell Highway Coober Pedy to Ilkurlka Roadhouse Carry fuel 780km gap, short by 66km
- Gibb River Road Derby to Kununurra Clears it 706km gap, 8km spare
- Oodnadatta Track Marree to Marla Clears it 614km gap, 100km spare
- Birdsville Track Marree to Birdsville Clears it 532km gap, 182km spare
Distances are OTA’s own, last checked October 2026. Roadhouses close without notice. Never plan a remote crossing on one tank alone.
Against the longest stretch between fuel on each leg, using the Vanta 3.0 Turbo Diesel’s touring range of 1,233km — which already allows for a loaded 4WD and leaves 5 litres in the tank. Carrying fuel changes everything below; so does a headwind, soft sand and a heavy right foot.
distance between fuel how far this one gets
- Great Central Road Laverton to Yulara Clears it 1,107km gap, 126km spare
- Canning Stock Route Wiluna to Kunawarritji Clears it 1,100km gap, 133km spare
- Tanami Road Alice Springs to Halls Creek Clears it 1,050km gap, 183km spare
- Plenty Highway Alice Springs to Boulia Clears it 812km gap, 421km spare
- Anne Beadell Highway Coober Pedy to Ilkurlka Roadhouse Clears it 780km gap, 453km spare
- Gibb River Road Derby to Kununurra Clears it 706km gap, 527km spare
- Oodnadatta Track Marree to Marla Clears it 614km gap, 619km spare
- Birdsville Track Marree to Birdsville Clears it 532km gap, 701km spare
Distances are OTA’s own, last checked October 2026. Roadhouses close without notice. Never plan a remote crossing on one tank alone.
Against the longest stretch between fuel on each leg, using the Ultra Hybrid’s touring range of 547km — which already allows for a loaded 4WD and leaves 5 litres in the tank. Carrying fuel changes everything below; so does a headwind, soft sand and a heavy right foot.
distance between fuel how far this one gets
- Great Central Road Laverton to Yulara Carry fuel 1,107km gap, short by 560km
- Canning Stock Route Wiluna to Kunawarritji Carry fuel 1,100km gap, short by 553km
- Tanami Road Alice Springs to Halls Creek Carry fuel 1,050km gap, short by 503km
- Plenty Highway Alice Springs to Boulia Carry fuel 812km gap, short by 265km
- Anne Beadell Highway Coober Pedy to Ilkurlka Roadhouse Carry fuel 780km gap, short by 233km
- Gibb River Road Derby to Kununurra Carry fuel 706km gap, short by 159km
- Oodnadatta Track Marree to Marla Carry fuel 614km gap, short by 67km
- Birdsville Track Marree to Birdsville Clears it 532km gap, 15km spare
Distances are OTA’s own, last checked October 2026. Roadhouses close without notice. Never plan a remote crossing on one tank alone.
Against the longest stretch between fuel on each leg, using the Ultra PHEV’s touring range of 824km — which already allows for a loaded 4WD and leaves 5 litres in the tank. Carrying fuel changes everything below; so does a headwind, soft sand and a heavy right foot.
distance between fuel how far this one gets
- Great Central Road Laverton to Yulara Carry fuel 1,107km gap, short by 283km
- Canning Stock Route Wiluna to Kunawarritji Carry fuel 1,100km gap, short by 276km
- Tanami Road Alice Springs to Halls Creek Carry fuel 1,050km gap, short by 226km
- Plenty Highway Alice Springs to Boulia Clears it 812km gap, 12km spare
- Anne Beadell Highway Coober Pedy to Ilkurlka Roadhouse Clears it 780km gap, 44km spare
- Gibb River Road Derby to Kununurra Clears it 706km gap, 118km spare
- Oodnadatta Track Marree to Marla Clears it 614km gap, 210km spare
- Birdsville Track Marree to Birdsville Clears it 532km gap, 292km spare
Distances are OTA’s own, last checked October 2026. Roadhouses close without notice. Never plan a remote crossing on one tank alone.
Off-road geometry and dimensions
Angles and clearance are the manufacturer’s, measured at kerb weight on standard tyres. Load the back of a ute and the departure angle goes with it.
Drawn from the Lux Turbo Diesel. Every variant’s figures are in the table.
| Variant | Clearance | Approach | Rampover | Departure | Length | Width | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lux Turbo Diesel | 224mm | 28.5° | 19.0° | 23.0° | 5,445mm | 1,991mm | 3,350mm |
| Ultra Turbo Diesel | 224mm | 28.5° | 19.0° | 23.0° | 5,445mm | 1,991mm | 3,350mm |
| Lux 3.0 Turbo Diesel | 224mm | 28.5° | 19.0° | 23.0° | 5,445mm | 1,991mm | 3,350mm |
| Lux PHEV | 210mm | 28.5° | 19.0° | 23.0° | 5,445mm | 1,991mm | 3,350mm |
| Vanta 3.0 Turbo Diesel | 224mm | 28.5° | 19.0° | 23.0° | 5,445mm | 1,991mm | 3,350mm |
| Ultra Hybrid | 224mm | 28.5° | 19.0° | 23.0° | 5,445mm | 1,991mm | 3,350mm |
| Ultra PHEV | 210mm | 28.5° | 19.0° | 23.0° | 5,445mm | 1,991mm | 3,350mm |
Servicing a GWM away from the city
Remote support rated 2.5 out of 5.
More on the GWM Cannon Alpha
Figures are the manufacturer’s. People are counted at 80kg each and towball weight at 10% of a trailer’s ATM. Only a weighbridge settles what your own vehicle weighs.
