China's GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV Delivers Impressive Power, Yet Stumbles on Minor Issues: Review | Carscoops

      Great Wall Motor's response to the BYD Shark 6 is impressive, yet it has some frustrating shortcomings.

      **PROS:** Powerful, high-quality interior, strong off-road capabilities

      **CONS:** Slow powertrain, odd spare wheel placement, overly aggressive safety systems

      In certain markets, such as the United States, electric pickup trucks have recently captured attention with notable models like the Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck, and Ford F-150 Lightning. Despite the excitement, sales have been underwhelming and are now declining, suggesting that many truck purchasers aren't ready to fully transition to electric vehicles. This opens the door for hybrid pickups, which are beginning to appear as a more viable option.

      The U.S. features many hybrid pickups, including variants of the Toyota Tundra, Ford F-150, Ford Maverick, and Toyota Tacoma. Additionally, a growing number of plug-in hybrid pickups are entering the market in regions like Australia, offering the performance of a robust hybrid combined with fuel efficiency that traditional diesel or petrol trucks couldn’t achieve.

      One significant competitor in the hybrid pickup segment has been China's BYD Shark 6, but in Australia, it's not the sole appealing choice anymore. Ford has introduced a plug-in hybrid version of the popular Ranger, and another Chinese manufacturer, Great Wall Motors (GWM), is marketing its well-received Cannon Alpha PHEV. That’s the darkened pickup visible in this review; it looks quite attractive, doesn't it?

      **QUICK FACTS:**

      So, what exactly is it?

      The Cannon Alpha PHEV is from the same company that has given us China’s alternative to the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Tank 500, which we have recently reviewed. Notably, the Cannon Alpha actually shares its foundation with the Tank 500, providing a solid base.

      Under the hood of the pickup, specifically in the flagship Ultra trim we evaluated, lies a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine coupled with an electric motor, producing 120 kW (161 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). Combined with the combustion engine’s output of 180 kW (241 hp) and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft), the total power reaches an impressive 300 kW (402 hp) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft).

      Although peak power is less than the Shark 6’s 321 kW (430 hp), the torque exceeds BYD's 650 Nm (479 lb-ft). The Ford Ranger PHEV lags considerably with 207 kW (277 hp) and 697 Nm (514 lb-ft).

      Furthermore, the GWM’s powertrain impresses with a substantial 37.1 kWh battery pack, allowing for up to 115 kW of all-electric driving.

      Pricing is quite competitive. In Australia, the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV starts at AU$59,990, reaching AU$66,990 for the Ultra we assessed. This is higher than the Shark 6’s AU$57,900 starting price but lower than the Ranger PHEV, which starts at AU$71,990.

      The front section of the Cannon Alpha PHEV’s interior closely mirrors that of the Tank 500 we previously evaluated. Given how surprised I was by the luxurious feel of the Tank considering its price, I found similar satisfaction with the quality of the GWM pickup.

      The middle dashboard showcases a lovely faux wood trim and features a freestanding 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Cannon Alpha is also outfitted with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a head-up display.

      Similar to the Tank 500, a compact analog clock in the dashboard adds a sophisticated touch, complemented by physical climate control shortcut buttons directly beneath it. The air vents have metallic details, and there’s an abundance of soft-touch leather on the dashboard, door panels, and center console. This interior is atypical for a pickup truck, and it greatly enhances the overall experience.

      The comfort and technology offerings are also well above the standard for traditional trucks. Features include a heated steering wheel, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, and a more advanced and feature-rich infotainment system compared to what’s commonly found in this segment.

      Like the Tank 500, the touch screen is very responsive, and the menus are intuitive and straightforward. However, the digital gauge cluster could use improvement. While it’s large and clear, personalization options are limited, and it only displays small readouts for speed and power output. There’s no option for traditional gauges, nor is there a tachometer, which is a bit odd.

      Other notable features include a wireless smartphone charger and a solid gear selector. Large buttons activate the front and rear differential locks, engage 4L, and switch between driving modes. Unfortunately, there are some unused buttons, especially considering that the Ultra is the top-tier model.

      The