Why the Cannon Hi4-T Is the Plug-in Hybrid Ute Most People Should Buy
A plug-in hybrid ute is a pickup that combines a petrol or diesel engine with a chargeable battery and electric motor so you can drive meaningful distances on electricity alone, yet keep full towing and four-wheel-drive capability for heavy work and long trips. For most buyers who want an electric range ute without giving up everyday practicality, the GWM Cannon Hi4-T is the stand-out choice. It is a mid-size plug-in hybrid ute with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and electric motor that deliver 310kW and 750Nm in total. The 33.1kWh battery provides a claimed 115km of electric-only range, so many daily commutes can be handled on electricity alone. According to the manufacturer, fuel consumption is as low as 2.4L/100km on the NEDC cycle, making it a clear leader for drivers who want plug-in efficiency without losing traditional ute strengths.
Electric Range, Power and PHEV Towing Capacity Explained
If you care about electric range and PHEV towing capacity, the Cannon Hi4-T sets the benchmark in GWM’s plug-in hybrid ute line-up. Its 33.1kWh battery and claimed 115km electric-only range mean short trips, school runs and a lot of city commuting can be done without starting the engine. When you need full muscle, the combined 310kW and 750Nm output gives serious punch for overtaking and hauling. Braked towing capacity is rated at 3500kg, and the Hi4-T system retains a conventional transmission and mechanical four-wheel-drive layout so off-road capability is preserved even with the hybrid hardware. This combination of strong electric range, full-size towing figures and a traditional 4x4 drivetrain makes the Cannon Hi4-T the most convincing option if you want one ute that can act as an efficient commuter during the week and a proper tow vehicle on weekends.
Cannon Hi4-T vs Tank 500 Ultra Hi4-T: Which Plug-in Hybrid Ute Format Fits You?
GWM now offers more than one plug-in hybrid ute, with the Cannon Hi4-T joining a larger Hi4-T-based off-roader in the range. The Cannon Hi4-T is the mid-size workhorse: a traditional ute body with a tub, designed to keep payload, towing and off-road strengths while adding an electric driving option. It is aimed at drivers who need a dual-purpose vehicle for weekday jobs and weekend duties, and who want their plug-in hybrid ute to feel familiar in size and layout. The Tank 500 Ultra Hi4-T, by contrast, sits on a larger off-road platform, trading some of the Cannon’s workmanlike format for more cabin-focused space and comfort. Both share the plug-in philosophy, but if you want the most practical tray and the broadest spread of battery-electric driving plus serious towing, the Cannon Hi4-T remains the smarter default choice.
Why Plug-in Hybrid Utes Make Sense Over Traditional Powertrains
GWM states that the Cannon Hi4-T was developed to bridge the gap between traditional diesel-powered work utes and fully electric vehicles by combining battery-electric driving with conventional four-wheel-drive capability. In practice, that means you can treat it like an electric range ute for daily commuting, yet still rely on petrol and a 4x4 system when towing or heading away from charging infrastructure. A 115km claimed electric-only range ensures many owners can drive to work and back on battery power alone. When the battery and engine work together, the claimed total driving range stretches to 1037km, so long trips do not require constant charging stops. For buyers torn between a conventional ute and an EV, this blend of electric efficiency and truck practicality is compelling—and in GWM’s line-up, the Cannon Hi4-T is the model that best delivers it.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the GWM Cannon Hi4-T if you want a plug-in hybrid ute that combines 310kW, 750Nm and 3500kg braked towing capacity in a mid-size format.
- Skip the GWM Cannon Hi4-T if you prefer a traditional non-electrified ute and have no interest in charging or electric-only driving.
- Buy the GWM Cannon Hi4-T if your daily driving fits within its 115km claimed electric-only range and you value low fuel consumption at 2.4L/100km NEDC.
- Skip the GWM Cannon Hi4-T if you rarely tow, seldom leave the city and would rather move straight to a fully electric vehicle.
- Buy the GWM Tank 500 Ultra Hi4-T if you want plug-in hybrid technology in a larger off-road-focused platform with more emphasis on interior space.
- Skip the GWM Tank 500 Ultra Hi4-T if you prioritise a traditional ute tub and mid-size dimensions over a larger off-roader layout.
