The Cannon XSR, Chinese-brand GWM’s new top-of-the-range ute, includes visual and mechanical upgrades aimed at making it the go-to vehicle for those seeking a budget-friendly off-road adventure machine.
But it costs about $7500 more than you’d pay for the standard Cannon X on which this special edition ute is based.
Is it worth the extra cash?
Price and features of the 2024 GWM Cannon XSR
The XSR has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $52,990, excluding on-road costs, so it's still about $20,000 cheaper than similarly-equipped top-spec Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux utes.
Standard features include a 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a 7.0-inch digital driver info display, quilted leather seat trim, quilted leather door trim, 18-inch black alloy wheels, a sports bar, an assisted tailgate (with a pop-out step) and roof rails.
It has LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, side steps, powered mirrors, keyless entry, push-button start, power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather steering wheel, single-zone climate control air conditioning, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, tinted rear glass, and a six-speaker audio system.
As well, the XSR gets a part-time 4WD system (with 2WD high-range, 4WD high-range and 4WD low-range), rather than full-time 4WD, which is on lower-spec GWM utes; a front differential lock (in addition to the existing rear diff lock), raised air intake (aka a snorkel) and Cooper Discoverer AT3 all-terrain tyres.
It also has a new black grille, steel front and rear bumpers, an underbody bash plate, wheel-arch flares, red brake callipers, and a sunroof.
The XSR is 5439mm long (with a 3230mm wheelbase), 1958mm wide, and 1918mm high. It has a listed kerb weight of 1965kg.
The XSR’s five-seat interior is neat and spacious but there are parts, such as some buttons, dials and switches, that feel a bit flimsy and cheap.
Upfront there are two USB ports, a wireless charging pad, a 12V plug and a capacious centre console.
The driver’s seat is six-way power adjustable; the front-seat passenger seat is four-way power adjustable. Both seats are comfortable without being too plush.
Second-row passengers get a firm but comfortable seat and amenities include a USB port, a 220V plug, and a fold-down centre armrest.
The second-row seat base can be folded out of the way to make room for more gear if no-one’s in the back seat.
The XSR’s tub has a liner, tie-down points and a pop-out step hidden in the top of the tailgate. The tailgate can’t be locked.
The XSR has the Cannon’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 120kW at 3600rpm and 400Nm from 1500rpm to 2500rpm. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The XSR has part-time 4WD – with 2WD high-range, 4WD high-range and 4WD low-range – rather than the full-time 4WD set-up that’s in standard Cannons.
Listed fuel consumption is 9.4L/100km on a combined cycle.
We recorded actual fuel consumption, from pump to pump, of 11.2L/100km but that was after a lot of low-range four-wheel driving.
The XSR has an 78-litre tank so, going by that fuel figure, you could reasonably expect a driving range of about 665km* from a full tank. (* That figure has had 30km subtracted from it as a safe-distance buffer.)
The Cannon range has the maximum five-star ANCAP rating from testing in 2021, however, this rating does not cover the Cannon XSR because this vehicle is untested.
Standard safety gear on the XSR includes seven airbags, AEB (sans pedestrian detection) forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assistance, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera and tyre-pressure monitoring.
It does not have front parking sensors, lane-change assist or a door-open warning.
The XSR is covered by a seven year/unlimited km warranty.
The first service is scheduled at the six-month/5000km mark (and costs $260), then every 12 months or 10,000km, with each service costing $360 a pop.
Driving the 2024 GWM Cannon XSR
The XSR is a big ute with a touchy throttle, too-loose steering, thrashy transmission, stiff ride on upgraded suspension, and an unwieldy 13.7m turning circle,
But it’s not all bad news.
Its engine can feel underdone when challenged, but it has a relaxed feel when cruising on the open road and if you don’t ask too much of it then you likely won’t feel let-down.
Overall, the XSR does okay on sealed surfaces, but it’s not as refined or compliant as it should be.
On the dirt track leading to our 4WD test track, the XSR was very skippy over corrugations and tended to thump through potholes.
But it feels at home during low-range 4WDing.
Off-road traction control and other driver-assist systems including hill descent control, are adequate without being as smooth as the equivalent systems in more expensive vehicles.
It also has Crawl Mode (allows for no-pedal, low-speed driving) and Turn Assist (which brakes the XSR’s inside rear wheel to reduce the ute’s turning circle on traction-compromised surfaces).
The over-sensitive throttle is far from ideal during low-speed low-range 4WDing when you need absolute control for safe driving, but I did become used to it – or at least I put up with it.
The upgraded suspension has boosted wheel travel and this ute’s Cooper Discoverer AT3 all-terrain tyres perform well in the dirt and mud.
The Cannon XSR has towing capacities of 750kg (unbraked) and 3000kg (braked).
What we think of the 2024 GWM Cannon XSR
All in all, the XSR is a twin-locked 4WD that’s okay on-road and capable off-road.
It certainly has enough gear onboard – including front and rear diff locks, a snorkel and all-terrain tyres – to be taken seriously as a 4WD, but it should be better and more refined in other aspects at this price-point.
Still, it represents the opportunity to save big bucks on a twin-locked off-road vehicle.
