Operating up towards the Toyota Hilux is a bit like being in a Marvel film: Thanos simply ain’t simple to beat. The tight pick-up truck market has seen Toyota’s stalwart high our gross sales charts for years now (together with the Mitsubishi Triton and not too long ago, Isuzu D-Max) and naturally they’re the primary names which can be dropped when one’s searching for a high-rider with a mattress.

Opponents have come and gone, many extra will do, however the man of the hour is the GWM Cannon. Poised to tackle the vehicles Malaysians are so conversant in, here is our temporary preliminary impressions behind the wheel.

Design and options

GWM Malaysia is eager to introduce two variants of the strongly-named Cannon in our nation – a tidy lifestyle-focused one alongside the extra tenacious workhorse variant. The instance we’re driving in white is the latter.

Often known as the Poer in different markets (quick for Powerful, Off-road, Enjoyable, Reliable….yeah) the distinction between the 2 sorts are clear. The P11 – the mannequin code of the cheaper variant – comes with halogen projectors, bulb-type rear lights, and thick tyres wrapping the 17-inch wheels.

Naturally the fancier Cannon (P12) eschews all that with LEDs up back and front, slaps on 18-inch wheels, concurrently gaining heated seats and a digital instrument cluster so as to add to all that.

Digressions apart, each get a 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder with 163 PS and 400 Nm, paired to a ZF-made 8-speed automated transmission. Worth-concious buyers may wish to be aware that that is the second most cost-effective street tax for a pick-up truck in Malaysia at RM 440, simply behind the D-Max’s RM 400 its 1.9-litre mill instructions.

Additionally of be aware that the business model seen right here in white is a 4×2, the pricier Cannon P12 is part-time 4×4.

High quality and inside impressions

There’s solely a lot to anticipate from a truck that most likely will not see one other carwash past the free ones service centres throw in, and to border in that context the Cannon appears to have its priorities so as. Materials combine appears hardy sufficient and presumably very simple to wipe down, however sure plastics really feel a bit too low cost.

What it does nicely are the infotainment (9-inch digital show with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) and normal no frills character: the analogue dials, for instance, are easy and clear, and main controls just like the air-cond in addition to drive mode selector are easy-access switches and knobs.

The upscale P12 is an entire new take. There’s much more leather-based in there, nicer plastics, a digital instrument readout, and a bunch of extra consolation options.

As an entire, this P11 Cannon provides sufficient of what one may worth in a pick-up truck, however that is to not say it is with out its head-scratchers both. Irritating of all is that it lacks the good thought that is the step-up ladder nestled inside the tailgate – that is within the P12, however certainly these working with the P11 can recognize having simpler entry to the mattress, no?

Value will be cited as a cause for omission, however here is the kicker: there is a mechanised sunroof. Which most likely negates any financial savings from not placing on the step help within the first place. For a function we have hardly seen anybody working on the websites ask for…

For what its price although, inside house ought to match 5 adults simply good with out an excessive amount of of a problem.

Driving impression

The two.0-litre is unquestionably in our record of quietest diesels we have had the pleasure of driving. It is plain spectacular at how easy and refined it’s, with solely little or no of its vibrations and clatter making its method into the cabin.

We’re very curious on what our dB meter will learn, together with the gas financial system – however alas that’ll have to attend till we get the automobile for longer after it is launched correct. At present’s drive was only a quick one round GWM’s new 4S in USJ Subang.

Journey high quality is nicely, par for the course of a work-oriented truck, so take it light and it ought to be moderately snug getting round city. The steering ratio is fairly extensive, so taking tight U-turns proves a bit of unwieldy.

Verdict

Just like the Haval H6 we drove simply minutes earlier than this, the GWM Cannon begins off on the suitable foot. Based mostly on the quick expertise, the refinement is the primary high quality that sticks in our minds, and we’re rightly tantalised to see how the top-spec Cannon improves on issues, with its Degree 2 semi-autonomous ADAS and all that.

However insofar the place it sits, it is nonetheless fairly a populous section. There’s the most affordable variants of the Japanese makes, plus additionally the fairly aggressive Chinese language upstarts just like the Maxus T60 and JMC Vigus Professional.

Finally it is all about how a lot sense one can get for the Ringgit, so worth and aftersales will show to be that universe-balancing snap.