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GWM Cannon XSR 2025 review: snapshot

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EXPERT RATING
6.9

Likes

  • Still under $50K
  • Front diff lock
  • Snorkel as standard

Dislikes

  • Value for money suffers
  • Loses some driver aids
  • Less user-friendly four-wheel-drive system
David Morley
Contributing Journalist
7 Mar 2025
2 min read

As the flagship model grade in GWM's facelifted Cannon line-up, it naturally costs more. At $49,990, it's about $9000 more, in fact. So you’d expect it to have more of everything. It doesn’t.

As the most off-road oriented model in the Cannon line-up, the XSR has shallower front and rear bumpers for extra approach and departure clearance when off road. It also has a different four-wheel-drive system to the other Cannons. Neither of these things really improve the XSR. The bumpers mean the model loses safety gear including rear cross-traffic assistance, blind-spot warning and emergency lane-keeping as well as other driver aids.

The part-time four-wheel-drive system meanwhile (other Cannons have permanent four-wheel-drive) means that the XSR has no facility to use four-wheel-drive on, say, damp bitumen or a gravel road. Depending on where you sit, this is probably a backward step, especially for towing. Speaking of which, the XSR can now tow 3500kg on a braked trailer.

To justify the extra cost, the XSR gets off-road gear like tougher side-steps, a snorkel and a locking front differential.

It uses the same 2.4-litre 135kW/480Nm four-cylinder turbo diesel as the other Cannons, tied to a nine-speed automatic transmission and high and low gear ratios.

Read the full 2025 GWM Cannon review

GWM Cannon 2025: XSR (4X4)

Engine Type Diesel Turbo 4, 2.4L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 8.4L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $47,990

Pricing Guides

$38,990
Price is based on the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the lowest priced GWM Cannon 2025 variant.
LOWEST PRICE
$38,990
HIGHEST PRICE
$47,990
David Morley
Contributing Journalist
Morley’s attentions turned to cars and motoring fairly early on in his life. The realisation that the most complex motor vehicle was easier to both understand and control than the simplest human-being, set his career in motion. Growing up in the country gave the young Morley a form of motoring freedom unmatched these days, as well as many trees to dodge. With a background in newspapers, the move to motoring journalism was no less logical than Clive Palmer’s move into politics, and at times, at least as funny.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$47,990
Lowest price, based on new car retail price.
For more information on
2025 GWM Cannon
See Pricing & Specs

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