GWM Ute - offroad vs Ranger PX1, towing analysis (GWM Poer)

#greatwallute #greatwall #towing
In October 2020 Chinese carmarker Great Wall replaced their Steed ute with the, well, Ute, also known as the Poer. Yes, that's it's name. Ute. Is that a better name than Poer? Anyway, I had a brief drive of one, and also got hold of the towing stats. So this video explains its tow capability (note - number crunching, not a test drive) and I put it up against my Ranger PX1 to see how it goes over a slippery cross-axled ascent.
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[@hambo76]

Thanks for a great review! I just did a 1,000km drive to Cobbold Gorge (QLD) and the car performed admirably! It traveled about 50km of corrugated roads and we did some light off-roading too, none of which produced any rattles or creaks in the vehicle. As for not being miles better than a PX1, let alone a PX3 or a Hilux, it's not marketed as such a vehicle and at $20,000 less than either of these, I'm happy with that. Besides, who really stresses their Rangers or Hiluxes to these extremes anyway? I'm sure GWM will release something more rugged and/or powerful but for me, I want to go camping, put the mountain bikes on the back, tow a 1.8T camper trailer or go on Bunnings runs. It's an absolute bargain for all those things!

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks Hambo, very useful feedback and I agree!

[@ashmodownunder]

Great content. Thanks for putting in the time to calculate correct towing capacities.

[@L2SFBC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@julesmarwell8023]

i could buy one except I dont want to invest my money on the ccp of chayna. besides its labelled made in chayna so it must be crap cheap as shyt

[@brucecrawford7029]

I've always had Hiluxes because they were the best and daylight second over the last 20 years. Then along came Ford, Mitsubishi Isuzu etc wanting to cash in on this lucrative market where people pay whatever the asking price because they all colluded on price except Mitsubishi to get some market share. I swore I'd never buy a Great Wall and felt sorry for those that drove them. But my attitude changed completely when I researched the Cannon X. China have gone all out and over the top to get some market share. The Cannons have the XF 8 speed in most and the Isuzu frame. They no doubt would have picked apart the market leaders and copied every aspect of hilux Ford etc. I pick my Cannon X up Thursday and was lucky to get it as their now a 5 month wait time.

[@terranowe]

what do you mean they have the isuzu frame? copied the chassis of the old or new isuzu? where did you read this?

[@pamlove421]

I'm curious how you are enjoying your CannonX? Funny thing about the Chinese, they like to copy other folks' design. I can't imagine driving a Chinese vehicle & up until I watched this video I wasn't aware they even manufactured vehicles. The price seems decent, as China goods often are. I hope you're enjoying your Cannon! 👍🇺🇸

[@observadoroculto5965]

Excellent test drive, I do now buy my GWM p-series.

[@frankguernier2280]

Honest video. It's interesting that when you really boil the weights down that 435kg actual load carrying capacity would before than eaten up by passengers, full tank of fuel. Bull bar, tow bar, tools etc etc . If we were encouraged to put our 4wds over a weigh bridge with full fuel and all of the "necessary" goodies. Most of us would get a fright.

[@carrefourcn]

Great video,well done

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks please share 👍

[@ETGLOVERR]

In our market, it's known as the GWM Cannon ute

[@Bobtubeau]

Best offroad review I've seen so far. Do you know how the musso compares with the same tests (tow and offroad)?

[@L2SFBC]

Sorry no haven't been able to test it.

[@cyclemoto8744]

Thanks Robert.

[@scarey2me]

Great review. Excellent info.

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks please share!

[@jameschen7357]

I've done test drive on various utes and bought a ranger wildtrack x at the end. GWM is definitely a good car if you don't mind it's turbo lag. It can be improved a bit by firmware upgrade but idrive throttle would be a must if you're like me :) Ranger is way better in power performance. Other brands like navara and hilux are just way overpriced.

[@hambo76]

My pleasure and subscribed! I'm looking to buy a camper trailer in the next few months so any tips would be really useful here :)

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks for the sub!

[@cardi60]

Great video, though I think you were going gentle on the trucks would have liked to see you gun it lol.

[@jongs11]

Wow great review

[@metaworx3957]

Hi Mate. Thanks for this review. However….. I might be wrong, but I do believe the comparison is not correct. You had the Cannon in standard ‘all wheel drive’ mode, while the Ford Ranger was in 4 High? Or did you a actually press and hold the traction controll button for a couple of seconds to go into “Cross Country Expert Mode” which is 4H? Your feedback would be much valued.

[@metaworx3957]

Oh, also many thanks for the explaining of towing weights and limits.

[@L2SFBC]

Hi - both cars were in low range. High range would have been inappropriate for that climb.

[@metaworx3957]

@@L2SFBC hmmmm…. There goes my theory out the window. Thanks for the prompt reply though. The traction controll settings and 4x4 settings on the Cannon is doing my head in. My old 2009 PK Ranger manual simply had 4H and 4L. I kind of miss the simplicity……

[@Monkeybrains90]

Cannon is simple,push the 4l button for 4l,hold traction button for 4h

[@rjl110919581]

thank you share detail video

[@skuzy]

other known brands have engines that have proven they can run for 20+ years and clock 200/300k+ kms. I wonder if the GWM can do the same? only time will tell i imagine..

[@L2SFBC]

Yep!

[@cavanor2949]

the GW4D20 has been made since 2010 in various revisions.

[@mrmokdavid618]

How nice if this car got manual transmission and solid axle

[@Berzertles]

Luckily, I read somewhere that sometime this August, the ute will be getting an update. Manual option, more versions, better throttle response amd much more.

[@paultabone2010]

How would GWM go towing a 2500kl caravan around Australia 🇦🇺.

[@L2SFBC]

If they lend me one I'll find out!

[@paultabone2010]

@@L2SFBC this is a lot of great information thanks.

[@gl8cier]

Thanks for the comparison Robert, did you have this test with the new throttle calibration gwm announced recently (ie this month) ? Also did you have a chance to test cross country expert mode? Apparently it is a 4 high mode. Thanks

[@Catlinscoast]

I don't think he was using xcountry expert mode . And he was still bias to ford. Why didn't he borrow his mates px3 ? Apples for apples. Not apples for plums. Px1 being the plumb ofcourse

[@L2SFBC]

No I didn't get a chance to evaluate the throttle map changes as explained in the video. As for the PX1 I just needed a benchmark. Didn't need to be a PX3.

[@gl8cier]

@@L2SFBC thanks Robert

[@karl4834]

@@Catlinscoast Biased towards Ford??? Odd, I thought he was quite objective and not only gave the GWM a fair shot and good explanation about the traction control - which at best on his own model was only marginally better - but at the end cautioned people not overlook the Chinses models as they're improving at a great rate.

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks Karl - want to stress again the PX1 is an old model, so the GWM should have outperformed it nicely. It didn't. But, a benchmark nevertheless.

[@Berzertles]

I am not old enough to start driving, and this might be a bad question but do you think this would be a great choice as my first car? I know it's big, but I might learn how to drive with my dad's 2020 Holden Acadia like my sister currently is, which is big already, so that by the time I get my license, I would be used to driving big cars. Thanks for the awesome review! 👍

[@Cusk0]

I would say no. Find a good second hand ute from a proven company that is known for making good utes. You'll get a lot more bang for buck and probably some nice modifications like bullbar, rock sliders, snorkel etc which can be expensive to add yourself.

[@tonydoggett7627]

No! because if you got a loan for a new vehicle you would also need comprehensive insurance. Which for a young driver is very expensive. Combine this with depreciation of a Chinese vehicles, It doesn’t add up! Go 2nd hand Japanese < $5000 for a first car.

[@Berzertles]

Thanks for the advice. I want a ute that I don't see on the road that much. The Ssangyong Musso, Mahindra, LDV T60 And this thing are the only ones I can think of.... So far from the reviews that I've seen, the Musso is the one that I've heard the most positive things about, in terms of reliability, cabin room and ride comfort. I think I might buy a second hand one.

[@L2SFBC]

Not a bad first choice. Cheap, same and don't worry about the size you'll manage it just fine. No need to start with a tiny car.

[@markmcgowan2224]

Real Australians don’t buy Chinese cars. Say no to communists.

[@bvward]

Robert, inline or transverse engine alignment? Any option for a front locker (or some form of posi)?

[@L2SFBC]

Don't know sorry...just had so little time. Was half a day and had to drive 2 cars look at 3 and listen to a presentation. I ignored the new Jolion SUV as there was no time and my readers don't care. Could have spent a day with the Tank alone!

[@supercruiser4925]

Warranty years are false advertising because most manufactures don't honour their warranty or don't cover the essential mechanical breakdowns in their warranties.

[@zwen3763]

Yep. You put a sticker on your car and bye bye warranty.

[@thatdave86]

The small motor must be a draw back ,and you need to do the actual tow test with both vehicles Another thing will be longevity

[@terranowe]

ranger raptor is same size engine isnt it? power outputs and longevity more relevant

[@trevorrogers8289]

It’s far more about how an engine makes its power than just how much power it has on paper. Eg drove the cannon x and ldv t60 lux back to back last week and I was getting the 70km/hr very quickly and having to back off each time being it got there so easily. The ldv which is 40hp more, felt like a dog in comparison and I had to work it to get it there. Towing my show different when it’s heavy enough but for the most part, the cannon goes great.

[@DoctorTooploop]

but is the GWM reliable?

[@Cusk0]

I guess the question is why would you get this when a little more gets you a fantastic Japanese 4WD that's been proven and will have good resale value? My concerns with the GWM are 1. It has not passed ANCAP, it's safety is all theoretical. 2. It'll depreciate like milk compared to a Triton. 3. Little to no aftermarket products to make it more capable off road by reputable brands. 4. Why are Great Wall hiding behind a new badge? 5. If the Steed was so terrible what has changed to sway your opinion?

[@hambo76]

Define 'a little more'? When pressed, a little more is about $10,000 which is the cost of a good used camper trailer! 1. Its ANCAP test is being finalised now - looking at 4 stars. 2. That's just your opinion. I doubt it'll hold its value compared to a Hilux but an owner is already $15,000-$20,000 ahead already! 3. Not yet but it was only released in December. 4. Why did Toyota hide behind Lexus? 5. Because it's not a Steed?

[@ralphiusmaximus5675]

@@hambo76 where did you get info about 4 stars?

[@hambo76]

@@ralphiusmaximus5675 From a GWM dealer in Western Australia - just passing along in good faith.

[@ralphiusmaximus5675]

@@hambo76 thanks for that info. How you finding this Ute?

[@hambo76]

@@ralphiusmaximus5675 I'm loving it so far - I can't compare it to any other ute as this is my first but it's taken us to Cobbold Gorge loaded with camping gear and for most people that's as hardcore as it gets.

[@lukedontknow9283]

My 2008 Navara had more power then that car

[@vincegiangiuliani8444]

buy the ford, not the chinese shitbox