GWM’s all new GWM Steed 5E has generated interest among the drivers. The Chinese automaker has dropped the price of its top-of-the-line hybrid pickup truck.
This discount is being introduced just as the price of petrol encourages a growing number of Australians to look for economical alternatives without sacrificing performance or practicality.
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What Makes the 2025 Cannon Alpha PHEV Unique?
The Cannon Alpha towers over with a unique style and strong features. This truck isn’t cut from the typical cloth in the ever-growing pickup segment; it sets new standards in the area of capability.
It’s a combination of practical and futuristic from GWM in this new version. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) option combines efficiency with the reliability of a traditional engine.
The preaching to the converted. Many customers were initially wary, owing to the higher cost of a hybrid car. Now, with lower drive-away costs, the disparities are much narrower.
Understanding the Price Cut
The drive-away cost of entry across the line-up has been cut by around $3,800. This will make the Cannon Alpha PHEV more competitive in the emerging hybrid truck segment.
The base model gets a price reduction from $60,990 plus on-road costs to $57,190 drive-away. It has also brought similar cuts to higher trim levels, some of which are more enticing options for potential buyers.
Analysts believe that this latest cut may be a move on their side to take on the fierce competition dished out by Japanese and American producers. Others think it’s part of GWM’s wider push to get a bigger foothold in Australia.
Whoever wins, consumers will likely be the winner here. Owning a truck that is both a hybrid and highly equipped is now more within reach than ever.
Also Read: Omoda C3 Small SUV Unveiled With Bold Sci-Fi and Lambo Cues
Technical Details To Look For
The 2025-model version keeps the beefy 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine joined up to an electric motor. Together they deliver a muscular 312 hp and 634 Nm of torque.
The battery’s size is 18.1 kWh, and the pure electric range is not less than 50 km. All of which makes it ideal for nipping around the centre of town gas free.
Towing capacity is an impressive 3,000 kg, which is on par with a lot of mainstream diesel rivals. 950kg of payload makes it suitable driver as day to day commuting as well as a fun and workhorse.
You will be able to charge your battery from 20% to 80% in around 36 minutes thanks to fast charging. Home charging with the included charger will require about 4 hours.
Comparing the Competition
The Australian market is getting hot for hybrid pick-ups. Other then given manufacturers (over the developing sector) have already released or at least annonunced their parts.
The table compares the Cannon Alpha PHEV to its closest competitors.
Model Drive-Away Price Combined Power Electric Range Towing Capacity Fuel Economy GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV$ 57,190312 hp50 km3,000 kg2.1 L/100kmToyota Hilux Hybrid$ 6
In terms of bang for buck, it is hard to go past the Cannon Alpha now. This latest price cut makes it the cheapest in a segment of similarly-sized hybrid pickups.
Real-World Fuel Economy
Fuels mileage will frequently appear brighter in the laboratory. When it comes to driving on that other planet, however, real-world testing reveals a somewhat different set of numbers that potential buyers should know about.
Under mixed driving, the Cannon Alpha PHEV uses around 3.2 L/100km. This rises to about 7.5 L/100km when the battery charge has been used up.
When you consider that traditional diesel pick-ups tend to sip 8-10 L/100km, there’s a significant saving to be had. Owners will likely save $5,000-$7,000 in fuel over five years.
And you can plug in and charge at home to save even more on operating expenses. Solar panel owners, in particular, are estimated to be able to power their daily commutes on free sunshine.
Cabin Comfort and Tech
Despite the lower price point, comfort, as far as aesthetic appointments are concerned, seems to be a no-compromise zone for GWM. Spending time in the cabin feels premium and not something that belongs in this segment.
The 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Surprised at how well voice command works too, it even understands my accent (Australian).
Special mention goes to the seats, which offer excellent support and above-average materials. There is plenty of space for rear passengers with dedicated climate control vents and everyone has enough legroom.
ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)
The 2025 model has safety all over it. Independent emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist are standard inclusions across the range.
Its surround-view camera system makes parking the hulking machine rather easy. Picture quality is crisp & clear even in low light.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are additional peace-of-mind features. These are especially useful when cutting lanes and reversing from a parking slot.
GWM has added a traffic sign recognition system as well that presents the speed limit on the digital instrument cluster. It comes in quite handy for unknown terrain, as an opponent may crash into a wall or missed the correct route to take.
On-Road Performance And Driveability
The Cannon Alpha PHEV is less of a boat to drive than one would assume from behind the wheel. The switch between electric and petrol power is done smoothly so as not to cause lurching or stuttering during acceleration.
It also gets out the gate pretty quickly – 0-100 km/h is clocked in at about 7.5 seconds. That places it among the faster hybrid vehicles in its segment, bucking the stereotype of anemic hybrid performance.
But capability off-road wasn’t sacrificed in the name of electrification. 4WD system is effective on loose surfaces although not the body rolls decent ground clearance does keep the underbody safe.
The suspension is well managed, striking a good balance between comfort and performance. It handles road imperfections well yet stays composed when loaded or for trailering.
Ownership Experience
The GWM seven-year unlimited-kilometer warranty is here to stay. This does geteddy large atomizers well-detailed through everything from the battery to the electricals, something that hybrid owners frequently bitch about.
Service periods are recommended every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, whichever occurs first. There’s five years of capped-price servicing to help owners budget for maintenance costs.
Dealer network had developed especially in last few years. Support and parts have come a long way, and Most major cities now have several service centers.
Only resale value is still bit of a question mark. Being a newer brand in Australia, GWM cars usually also depreciate faster than established marques such as Toyota or Ford.
Is the Price Cut Enough?
With the competitively priced drive-away cost, it is more attractive to opt for the Cannon Alpha PHEV but there are reasons potential buyers will need to carefully consider.
The saving at the beginning needs to be compared to a possible resale value in three to five years. Traditionally established brands tend to keep their value better, despite being the more expensive purchase.
You also need to budget the total cost of ownership, looking at insuring, maintaining and fuel economy. For a lot of users, and especially those doing high annual kilometers, the maths swings decisively in favour of the PHEV.
For business use, the X-Trail also scores thanks to the instant asset write-off rules, a tax position that only increases the attractiveness of the already well-priced offers.
Who should look at the Cannon Alpha PHEV?
This is a car that plays especially well to a certain kind of buyer. It will attract small business owners who want a work vehicle but want to appear environmentally forward-thinking.
Farmers and other rural land owners who have installed solar farms on their property will be able to use their available infrastructure to charge up their daily commute for next to nothing,” he said.
City tradesmen who spend the week working in the electric range but want to be at home on the weekend will be among the dual-purpose crowd.
Decisions, decisions. If you’re a fleet manager looking to make the switch to cleaner driving and you’re hoping your new vehicles will make sense from a practical point of view, here’s some numbers that stack up in favour of taking the plunge vs conventional vehicles.
The 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is tremendous value after price cut. It’s what hybrid performance and utility should be more like.
Some potential buyers may still have concerns over brand perception, but the generous warranty and growing network of dealers ought to allay those for most people. It’s a value proposition that’s too good to pass up.
For those who are prepared to look beyond established names, this car pays them back with the technology of tomorrow and a substantial amount of operational savings today. The initial leap of faith may be rewarded throughout ownership.
As Australia moves ever-closer towards electrified transport, cars like the Cannon Alpha PHEV are a great ‘half-way house’ for commuters. They also provide a hit of electric driving without the range anxiety or infrastructure worries of full EVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to charge the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV?
On a regular household outlet, a full charge will fill it up in about 4 hours. Public fast chargers can replenish the battery from 20 percent to 80 percent in roughly 36 minutes.
Can I tow on electric alone?
Sure, but towing in all-electric mode will have range crippled. For best towing performance, a hybrid is suggested.
What is the worst case if the battery is completely discharged?
The car operates in the normal hybrid way, the petrol engine charging the battery when it’s braking and slowing down.
Does the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV qualify for government incentives?
This varies by state. Today, certain states flag hybrid cars, based on which they give lower standard fees for stamp duty, and some give direct rebates. You should consult your local transportation authority for details.
How does the warranty compare to other brands?
GWM offer one of the industry’s most impressive warranties – seven years unlimited kilometres. Most rivals provide a five-year guarantee, however, some will beat the seven years.
