GWM Steed Reviews

After an extended pre-launch campaign, the Haval H10 has finally received a price tag for the Chinese domestic market.Starting from the equivalent of A$45,500, and stretching to A$50,000 in China, the H10 sits perched atop the Haval SUV line-up. This pricing, with the usual premium added by the time it arrives in Australia, would see the SUV start at around $60,000+ locally, if it comes.The H10 rides on the company’s new GWM One architecture which it currently shares with the Wey V9X.It uses the latest iteration of the company’s signature all-wheel drive Hi4 system, but doesn’t have the same rugged hardware as the alternate Hi4-T system despite its clear off-road aspirations.Hi4 pairs the front 1.5-litre engine to the wheels via a hybrid transmission and four-speed gearbox, while the rear axle is purely electric, leaving room under the floor for a large battery pack. In contrast, the Hi4-T system used on various Tank and Cannon models from GWM’s range trades away the larger battery size for a proper longitudinally-mounted transmission and transfer case, with a hardware link to the rear axle and differential.As such, the H10 has a massive 42.8kWh battery granting the over-five-meter-long SUV a pure electric driving range of up to 232km, according to the more lenient Chinese measuring standard.The engine produces 123kW/243Nm, while the front transmission-mounted electric motor produces 100kW and the rear motor produces 220kW. GWM claims total system outputs for the H10 are 440kW/722Nm.The brand says the huge SUV will sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds, and uses 6.6L/100km of fuel even when the battery is drained.Despite not being equipped with Hi4-T, the H10 still has an approach angle of 24 degrees, a departure angle of 25 degrees, a breakover angle of 20 degrees and unladen ground clearance of 220mm. It features an electronic crawl mode in place of hardware low-range, and features a differential lock inside the rear motor for more intense off-road scenarios.The suspension features electromagnetic adaptive dampers with a double wishbone front and multilink rear set-up with coils all round. Notably the car features Continental tyres rather than the usual Giti tyres which ship on many GWM models.Interestingly, and as previously revealed in regulatory filings, the H10 is available in two body styles, almost like the Land Rover Defender from which it clearly sources inspiration. One is a 5138mm long five-seat version, while the other is a 5299mm long six-seat version, with the extra length applied to the frame beyond the rear axle.Both share a 3000mm long wheelbase, 2050mm width and 1970mm height. The five-seater has a boot capacity of 815 litres, while the six-seater gets 316 litres which expands to 1056 litres with the third row folded.The interior features all of GWM’s latest kit, including a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster running the brand’s latest ‘Coffee OS3’ software. At least one trim level features a 17.3-inch roof-mounted entertainment screen for rear passengers, paired with a 7.1 format 1560W 21-speaker audio system.While Australia has been identified as a priority market for GWM and the brand has previously told CarsGuide the H10 could be a go locally, representatives have said the brand may have trouble with the overlap between products like the H10 and other boxy SUVs from its Tank off-road brand, particularly the LandCruiser-esque Tank 500 which currently occupies this space.What may be more likely for an Australian arrival, at least in the short term, is the company’s far more luxurious Wey V9X.Wey will sit atop GWM’s portfolio as a luxury brand to rival the likes of Denza and Zeekr in Australia. Stay tuned for more on GWM’s aggressive new model plans for the remainder of 2026 soon.

The list of Australia’s favourite off-road SUVs is set for a massive shake up in the coming years, as a 4WD-obsessed boom in the Chinese market starts to overflow to Australia.The GWM Tank 300 and Tank 500, as well as Denza’s B5 and B8, might have been the first to tackle ever-popular legends, the Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol and Ford Everest, but they will soon be joined by new offerings from GAC, Geely and Chery.Below is a list of the five off-road hybrid SUVs either confirmed to be heading to Australia or highly likely for an Australian arrival with the intention to unseat some of the world’s most popular 4WDs.Also known as the Geely Battleship 700, this large hybrid off-roader is part of an all-new family of flagship products for the Geely brand.It will debut a new off-road architecture for Geely, which can be equipped with either a 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre engine mated to a front electric motor, and dual rear electric motors that feature a mechanical differential lock.There is no mechanical connection between the front and rear axles, with that space taken up by a 47kWh battery pack, which grants it up to 185km of CLTC driving range, according to preliminary specs out of China.Combined power for its tri-motor system is a headline-grabbing 830kW, and the boxy off-roader has luxurious interior fittings which take Geely into new territory. Pricing is yet to be revealed, and while the Galaxy Cruiser hasn’t been confirmed for an Australian arrival, it is slated for a UK arrival, confirming right-hand drive production.Read more about the Geely Galaxy Cruiser hereWith styling more reminiscent of the Toyota Prado rather than the Defender-esque look of the Geely, GAC’s upcoming Yue 7 was recently revealed at the 2026 Beijing Motor Show.Also a plug-in hybrid with no mechanical connection between the engine and rear axle, the over-five-meter-long SUV boasts formidable off-road angles.It is not as punchy as the Geely claims to be, with a mere 400kW of combined power on tap from its 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motor set-up, which is a familiar formula for these Chinese 4WDs.It will be offered with either a 28.3kWh or 46kWh battery pack, which grants it either 116km or 188km of CLTC electric driving range, respectively.The computer-based 4WD system is said to be capable of sending power to just one wheel at a time if needed and simulating low-range driving.While GAC Australia is yet to comment on the arrival of the Yue 7, the company is plotting 10 new models in our market in just five years, with the local boss telling CarsGuide recently this will include a large SUV and a pick-up truck.Read more about the GAC Yue 7 hereThe Chery sub-brand’s flagship off-road machine is squarely designed to target rivals like the Tank 500 and Denza B5, according to executives.Unlike some of its rivals here, the V27 doesn’t ride on a ladder-frame platform and instead rides on a car-line monocoque underpinnings.This isn’t an indicator of its off-road performance, with prior iterations of the famous Mitsubishi Pajero and current Land Rover Defender also based on unibody platforms.The V27 uses a range-extender hybrid system (meaning the 1.5-litre engine is not mechanically connected to the front or rear axles), being purely electrically driven at the wheels.It uses a 34.3kWh battery pack which grants it 150km of electric driving range to an also lenient NEDC standard and power outputs from its dual-electric motor set-up combine for a total of 335kW/505Nm.Despite being over five meters in length, the V27 is only a five-seater, but has a cavernous boot area, and like the above GAC Yue 7 is able to be equipped with a tailgate mounted full-size spare.Expect to learn more later in 2026 as the iCaur brand gears up for its Australian debut.Read more about the iCaur V27 hereYou may remember Freelander as a Land Rover nameplate from the 90s, but it has now been spun off as a new sub-brand and joint-venture between Land Rover and Chery, as the British company embraces ‘China Speed’ for best use of its intellectual property.Utilising a Chery platform and Huawei cabin tech, the Freelander 8 large SUV also wears iconic elements of the Freelander nameplate’s British design.A far cry from the original Freelander of the 90s, which was a relatively small but capable SUV, the new model is a large three-row offering chasing the trendy boxy bodystyle trend in the Chinese market.Also using a 1.5-litre engine in a range-extended set-up, the brand has at least confirmed that it will have some kind of tough off-road ability despite an over-three-meter long wheelbase.Power figures are yet to be confirmed, but it will get over 200km of electric driving range from an enormous 60.33kWh battery pack, while promising 2000kg of towing capacity and at least a central differential lock.Read more about the Freelander 8 hereGWM’s long-expected off-road monster is still on the cards for an Australian launch. The good news is, the brand is strongly considering an upcoming updated model featuring the company’s new 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine.The bad news is this update, which is expected to be the first version of the 700 available in right-hand drive, isn’t due until 2028.The Tank 700 is available in both rugged Hi4-T form, which maintains the mechanical linkage from the engine to the rear axle, maintaining a low-range transfer case and placing the electric motor in the transmission, as well as new-age Hi4-Z form that forgoes the mechanical connection for a larger battery and more electric driving characteristics.As for specs the latest Hi4-Z version produces a combined 720kW/1375Nm, according to Chinese specs. Its 59kWh battery pack grants it a WLTC-measured 190km EV driving range.Expected to be priced well north of $100,000 in Australia (perhaps even more in its ultimate V8 form), the Tank 700 would move GWM into new pricing territory and test the limits of what its buyers are prepared to pay. Even so, GWM is expected to debut a Tank model even higher up the price scale, with an expected Tank 800 to be launched on the same GWM One platform as the flagship Haval H10 and Wey 9X from the Chinese giant’s other sub brands.Read more about the GWM Tank 700 here

Electric car buyers in Australia are facing a new concern.There are demands for increased responsibilities for car manufacturers to correctly state how long EV batteries should last, according to a report from the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA). The report warns that buyers could face a “wave of litigation” when EV batteries need replacement outside of warranty as their cost could exceed the vehicle’s remaining value.One particular dealer said Chinese-built cars are “not holding their charge” or are “blowing up on fire”.The report suggests manufacturers should be required to define acceptable battery thresholds or disclose the expected degradation of a unit. Most batteries carry an eight-year or 160,000km manufacturer warranty, but dealers are looking for greater clarity on what this means.The new initiative would require manufacturers to provide clear indicators of acceptable battery performance.A battery would be considered to be performing at an acceptable level if it has at least 70 per cent of its total capacity remaining after more than eight years, for example. The EV driving range debate continues to rage on and it remains a substantial roadblock for buyers considering switching from petrol- and diesel-powered cars. Many EVs now boast more than 500km of driving range, but people have also started to recognise that most journeys do not require significant amounts of driving. The convenience and accessibility to home and public charging have also increased the convenience of EVs. Reported driving range figures on a particular car can vary greatly depending on the testing cycle used. The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) is viewed as the most accurate standard available. Its testing figures often come in noticeably lower than the older New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) and the even more generous China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).As much as these systems do their best to mirror real-world driving, they can never be truly accurate because of the different ways people use their cars.Consumers often experience range anxiety or disappointment when EVs fail to achieve the range advertised in brochures, according to AADA. AADA has put forward a series of reforms for the Australian Consumer Law to adopt, but it remains to be seen whether any of these will make their way into legislation. 

Is Australia ready for the return of a modern, big single-cab ute?GWM admits it honestly does not know.But the Chinese brand might be willing to take a punt on the two-door coupe utility version of the body-on-frame P300 Bakkie – as the Cannon range is known in South Africa and some other markets – should Australian consumers demand it.Or, in other words, a spiritual successor to the iconic Ford Falcon RTV Rugged Terrain Vehicle – a raised and more-rugged version of the BA through BF II series ute made and sold in Australia from 2003 until the FG series arrived in 2008.Two-door coupe-utility models have largely disappeared from mainstream one-tonne ute price lists in Australia, even though they are commonplace elsewhere.The P300 Bakkie is available as both a Single Cab 2WD and 4WD across the globe.Speaking to CarsGuide at the recent China Auto Show in Beijing, GWM Australia and New Zealand Head of Marketing and Communications, Steve Maciver, revealed that his company is bold enough to take on a chance if an opportunity does exist.“Personally, I love it,” was his reaction after pointing to one at the motor show.“It looks good. Whether there's a big market for it. Who knows?“But I think, in terms of being a brand able to take brave decisions, do something a little bit different, right, potentially bring something in and test the market (it could work in Australia).”Maciver also agreed that there might be a niche to exploit now that Toyota has abandoned the bottom end of the base 2WD low-rider tray market with the deletion of the old 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the latest version of the HiLux Workmate range.“Yes,” he said. “But we do have to think about complexity... and that makes it challenging at times for consumers and challenging for our dealers.”Released in 2019 in China and a year later in Australia, the P300 series Cannon is GWM’s global workhorse ute, and is offered in a range of four-cylinder petrol, turbo petrol hybrid and turbo diesel models.

The 2026 GWM Ora 5 Ultra, starting from $36,990 drive-away, is a small electric SUV from China as part of the relaunch of the Ora brand in Australia after the mildly received Ora hatchback a few years ago.It boasts Australian ride and handling tuning, plus a decent list of standard features including 18-inch wheels, auto LED headlights and LED tail-lights, rain-sensing wipers and tinted privacy glass, a large 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless phone mirroring, a 10.25-inch driver display, synthetic leather upholstery and electric driver’s seat adjustment.The extra $3000 the Ultra costs over the base Lux grade adds an electrically adjustable front passenger seat, seat ventilation and heating for both up front, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof and three extra speakers for nine in total.It has a single 150kW/260Nm electric motor at the front axle drawing from a 58.3kWh battery. Its claimed consumption figure of 15.5kWh/100km results in a 435km range under WLTC testing according to GWM. DC fast-charging is maxed at 120kW, for a 30-minute charge from 10 to 80 per cent.The Ora 5 remains unrated by ANCAP for now, but it has seven airbags and a pretty comprehensive list of features including door-open warning and rear cross-traffic alert.GWM’s seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty also includes eight years (unlimited km) for the battery, plus there’s seven years of roadside assistance and seven years capped-price servicing at $195 per service (every 12 months or 15,000km).

The Zeekr 8X is about to face a new competitor, and it could be headed to Australia.The GWM Wey V8X is a five-seater large fully-electric SUV.Key details about this new EV have just been revealed in Chinese approval documents.It measures 5000mm long, 2025mm wide, 1808mm high and has a 2968mm wheelbase.This means it is similarly sized to the fully-electric Zeekr 8X, due in Australia next year, as well as the diesel-powered Ford Everest. We don’t know if the Wey V8X will be made available in Australia in the future, but if it does, it will likely sit at the pointy end of the lineup. It would give the brand another fully-electric option, with the recently-introduced Ora 5 compact SUV its only model in that space. The Wey sub-brand has been officially confirmed for Australia, with the V8X’s larger sibling the V9X and 80 people mover expected to launch here first.It is unclear whether the smaller V8X will join those models later on.  GWM Australia has been contacted for comment to see if the car will launch Down Under. The car appears to be initially targeted for the Chinese market at this stage. It is powered by a dual electric motor all-wheel drive set-up. The front motor produces 220kW, while the rear motor adds 320kW, combining for 540kW in total.The car’s battery size and driving range have not been confirmed yet. It has a rounded overall exterior shape, including a curved headlight design and can be optioned with 20- or 21-inch wheels. There is a single rear light bar at the back, as well as conventional physical door handles. GWM has experienced a more than 20 per cent year-on-year sales increase so far, led by its Haval Jolion budget small SUV. The brand will introduce several new models across its lineup before the end of the year, like a diesel-powered Tank 500 4WD and an updated version of the Haval Jolion Max.

Starting at $33,990 drive-away, the 2026 GWM Ora 5 Lux is a competitively priced small electric SUV from China that marks the relaunch of the Ora brand in Australia after the Ora hatchback faced an arguably unenthusiastic reception on launch a few years ago.With Australian ride and handling tuning and some updated ergonomics and tech, the Ora 5 SUV comes with a decent list of standard features including 18-inch wheels, auto LED headlights and LED tail-lights, rain-sensing wipers and tinted privacy glass, a large 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless phone mirroring, a 10.25-inch driver display, synthetic leather upholstery and electric driver’s seat adjustment.A single motor mounted at the front axle provides drive, with 150kW/260Nm outputs. It draws from a 58.3kWh battery and has a claimed consumption figure of 15.5kWh/100km, which GWM says results in a 435km range under WLTC testing.DC fast-charging is maxed at 120kW, and takes about 30 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent.ANCAP hasn’t completed an assessment of the Ora 5 SUV yet so, for now, the model remains unrated. It does however have seven airbags and a pretty comprehensive list of features including door-open warning and rear cross-traffic alert.GWM’s seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty (with eight years for the battery), plus seven years of roadside assist and seven years capped-price servicing at $195 per service (every 12 months or 15,000km) is a strong ownership proposition.

GWM is relaunching its Ora brand with another go at creating a hero model, this time a small SUV called the Ora 5. There are supposedly some big improvements compared to the electric hatchback that arrived a few years ago, so we headed to the Australian launch of the new model in Victoria to find out if that’s true.

The re-launch of the Ora brand for GWM was just the start of a huge list of launches set for the second half of 2026, the brand has revealed.GWM Australia’s Managing Director, Andrew Gao, told media that Australia is one of GWM’s top three “strategic international markets”, so it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that the brand plans to launch nine new models or variants in Australia before the end of the year.The new 2027 GWM Ora 5 SUV is one, but several more models and variants are set to land later this year, including two more variants of the Ora 5, new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel-powered Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha variants, a new Haval H7, plus a new Haval Jolion Max and the introduction of a new sub-brand, Wey.Starting with Ora, there is set to be a hatch version of the Ora 5, sharing a body style with the new SUV but with a lower ride height. It’ll likely share the same specifications as the SUV, which has a 150kW/260Nm front-mounted electric motor. A longer, ‘Touring’ version classed as a mid-size SUV will join the two Ora 5 variants later.GWM also plans to introduce its Hi4-T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain to its Cannon ute, similar to that already found in the larger Cannon Alpha. The Cannon Alpha range itself will also be expanded to include a more off-road focussed Cannon Alpha XSR, while a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine is set to become available for it and the Tank 500 4WD.For the new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, Australia has been picked as the “lead global market to launch the powertrain”, with Australian customer feedback and local engineering talent being used to shape the new running gear and ensure its suitability for local needs.GWM has already been testing the new 3.0-litre diesel in Australia, having racked up tens of thousands kilometres with at-the-limit 3.5-tonne towing weights being hauled.The mid-size SUV space, one of Australia’s most competitive markets, is also set for more competition with GWM to introduce a new Haval H7, replacing the current generation’s single-variant and its front-drive hybrid powertrain.A hybrid and all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid drivetrain will both be available in the new H7, which has had a big visual refresh. Front and rear diff-locks are already confirmed for the model, too, so its off-roading ability is set to surpass the current-gen H7.The Haval Jolion Max is also set to join the line-up, with PHEV and full-EV versions on the cards for the mid-size SUV.Finally, GWM will launch its Wey luxury arm in Australia by the end of the year, adding a fifth sub-brand to the GWM family. Which models will arrive locally are yet to be fully locked-in, but GWM says large SUVs and MPVs will be the focus.Don’t be surprised if the Wey V9X Large SUV and Wey G9 people mover are early on the cards for our market.The new model assault comes as GWM renews its push to become a top-five brand in Australia, recording an all-time peak of 6104 cars sold in June 2026.John Kett, Chief Operating Officer for GWM Australia told media at the launch of the Ora 5 SUV that GWM Australia’s access to the full global catalogue of models is key to its future plans.“For the first time, GWM Australia has access to GWM's complete global portfolio,” Kett said.“It means we're no longer planning around the business we have today, we're planning around the business we're becoming. More importantly, it allows us to do something very few automotive manufacturers can do.“We can build our portfolio around our customers instead of asking our customers to fit our portfolio.”To reach its goal of becoming one of Australia’s top-five brands by sales, Kett says GWM will need to shift 75,000 new cars a year across its brands. In June, it finished eighth with Mazda, Hyundai, and Kia between it and fifth.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular and mainstream in Australia, however many lack a feature that limits their long-distance driving capabilities.And that's a spare wheel. For decades it has been a common-fit item that is extremely handy if you get a puncture out on the open road.What is becoming more popular now, especially in electrified vehicles, is to replace the spare wheel with an inflator kit as this space is usually being taken up by the high-voltage battery.The inflator kits typically include a 12V-powered air compressor and a 'can of goo' which plugs up minor air leaks in the deflating tyre.However, these inflator kits won’t help in every event of a puncture, especially if it’s a more significant one that compromises the tyre sidewall, for example.In these circumstances you’re typically left needing to call a tow truck, which is incredibly painful if you’re away from a town with a tyre repair shop.There aren’t many out there, but here is a rundown of all the new EVs currently available in Australia that have some form of physical spare wheel. The 2027 Chery E5 is the only new EV passenger car in Australia to feature a full-size spare wheel.There is now only one trim level of the E5 (formerly known as the Omoda E5) offered in Australia. It’s priced from $37,990, drive-away.The 2027 GWM Ora 5 has just launched in Australia and it features a space-saver spare wheel across the line-up.At launch two trim levels are on offer, Lux and Ultra, with pricing starting at $33,990, drive-away.The 2027 Hyundai Kona Electric has a space-saver spare wheel available across the line-up.The Kona Electric is offered in five trim levels now and pricing starts at $46,000, before on-road costs.The 2027 Toyota HiLux BEV is the only electric ute currently available in Australia with a spare wheel of any kind. It’s a full-size unit in this case.There are currently three versions of the HiLux BEV offered in Australia, the SR dual-cab chassis, SR dual-cab pick-up and SR5 dual-cab pick-up. Pricing starts at $74,990, before on-road costs.A number of electric commercial vans feature full-size spare wheels as standard.It’s more common for these types of vehicles to feature spare wheels, though they’re not standard in every electric van.A number of companies offer aftermarket spare wheel solutions for many popular EVs, like the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, among others.These kits typically include a space-saver spare wheel, a jack and related tools to get the wheel on and off.As there’s no dedicated spot in the car for this to be stored, this type of kit typically has to go in the boot which sacrifices space for other items.