2026 GWM Cannon gets hardcore off-road treatment and it could come to Australia

The 2026 GWM Cannon range has been revealed in China, led by a heavy-duty ‘Off-road’ package to better challenge the likes of the Ford Ranger Raptor, Nissan Navara Warrior and upcoming Toyota HiLux GR Sport.

Reported by Car News China, the updated Cannon was revealed late last week at the Guangzhou International Auto Show, just days after the plug-in hybrid Nissan Frontier Pro dual-cab – a key rival – was confirmed for Australia.

While the changes for the 2026 model year (MY26) Cannon (nee Poer) in China largely reflect the existing versions sold here, a hardcore off-road package that winds up the dual-cab ute’s off-road ability was also introduced in its domestic market. 

GWM Australia told CarExpert it is keen to expand the local Cannon lineup, with a spokesperson saying the off-road package is “under consideration for the ANZ [Australia, New Zealand] markets, but no final decision has yet been made on timing”.

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The Australian GWM Cannon lineup already comprises the more adventurous XSR model grade, which includes all-terrain tyres among its standard equipment, but the new options in China for the MY26 Cannon go much further. 

In addition to all-terrain tyres, off-road mods include a 3mm ‘chassis armour’ to protect the ladder-frame chassis, a front-mounted T-Max winch, and K-Man branded nitrogen shock absorbers, plus a snorkel.

As part of the package, there’s also off-road side steps and steel bumpers at both ends, which may or may not comply with Australian Design Rules (ADRs).

The Cannon Off-road package offers 228mm of ground clearance – the same as the Cannon-XSR and up from the standard model’s 194mm, but shy of the Ford Ranger Raptor’s 272mm – as well as 500mm water wading and nine driving modes including an Expert, Rock as well as Snow, Sand and Mud settings.

The Borg Warner 4×4 system includes front, centre and rear differential locks. 

There’s also a creeper rock-crawling mode for the Off-road Cannon, which has the same 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster found in the Australian XSR. 

There’s no change to the 135kW/480Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and nine-speed automatic with two-speed transfer case, a powertrain combination it shares with the GWM Tank 300 in local showrooms. 

The Cannon-XSR was the model variant that successfully scrambled up Beer O’clock Hill at The Springs 4×4 Park in Queensland after the owner of a BYD Shark 6 was unable to negotiate the notorious hill climb. 

Beer O’clock Hill was also used to show off the Kia Tasman’s capability in June 2025, after the Korean brand’s first dual-cab ute went on sale in Australia. 

The Cannon has been the best-selling pickup in China for 27 consecutive years, but is comprehensively outsold by market-leading HiLux, Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and other utes in Australia. 

In September 2025, a single-cab Cannon 4×4 – powered by a twin-turbocharged petrol V6 – was unveiled in China, and GWM Australia is also evaluating it for local showrooms, although it’s yet to release and two-door versions of the Cannon here. 

“It’s of interest and we’ll have a look at it but ultimately it’ll come down a couple of things,” GWM Australia marketing chief Steve Maciver told CarExpert at the time. 

“Do we think there is demand there for a single-cab ute and at what price point? Of course, the dual-cab option would provide a larger opportunity. 

“In addition, we now live in an environment where we have to consider NVES [New Vehicle Efficiency Standard]. 

“We are well-placed with strong hybrid and plug-in hybrid options across the range and if we can continue growing share with those powertrains, internal combustion options like a V6 could become a possibility.” 

MORE: Explore the GWM Cannon showroom