GWM Cannon vs Haval H6

What's the difference?

GWM’s top-spec Cannon, the XSR, is a dual-cab 4WD ute worth checking out.

At a little more than $50,000, drive-away (nationwide), with twin lockers, a snorkel, underbody protection and Cooper Discoverer AT3 all-terrain tyres, this off-road-focussed Cannon variant also now has a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine rather than the previous-generation’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

Lower-spec Cannons have undergone a refresh of sorts, including a revised front, but the XSR’s major change is the new engine. No matter, because there’s enough on offer in this top-shelf package for it to retain its value-for-money appeal.

But does the new engine make a difference to the XSR’s off-road performance?

Read on.

There are good surprises and bad surprises. Like the time I was driving my ute and the steering wheel came off. Bad surprise. Or the time the chicken shop accidentally gave me a large chips when I paid for a medium. Good surprise. The Haval H6 also surprised me. And it was up there with a large chips type of surprise.

See, my expectations of Haval have been of a brand which is really big in China where its owned by Great Wall Motors, but can’t keep up with the likes of Toyota and Mazda when it comes to driving and styling. Instead, their strength seemed to be just value-for-money.

Surprise! The new generation H6 isn’t just good value-for-money any more. It’s still really well priced but it has stunning looks, too. But that wasn’t the biggest surprise.

If you are considering a mid-sized SUV such as a Toyota RAV4 or Mazda CX-5, I strongly suggest you widen the net and consider the H6, too. Let me explain.