GWM Cannon Alpha vs HSV Maloo
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Utes compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 1 Oct 2026, price 8 Sep 2026
GWM Cannon Alpha
From $52,990
Ute
Diesel
2.4L 4-cylinder Turbo Diesel
135kW
8.9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
—
HSV Maloo
$58,990 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
Ute
Petrol
—
317kW
—
ANCAP: no data
—
HSV Maloo: we're still completing length, width, height, wheelbase and kerb weight, plus 8 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The GWM Cannon Alpha starts from $52,990 before on-road costs, while the HSV Maloo opens at $58,990. That makes the GWM Cannon Alpha the more affordable entry point by $6,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $58,289 and $64,889 respectively.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The GWM Cannon Alpha features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the HSV Maloo gets a 8-inch display.
The GWM Cannon Alpha stands out with Apple CarPlay and power tailgate — features our data doesn't list for the HSV Maloo. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the GWM Cannon Alpha gets synthetic leather upholstery while the HSV Maloo offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The GWM Cannon Alpha uses a 2.4L 4-cylinder Turbo Diesel producing 135kW and 480Nm of torque, sent through a 9-speed automatic to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.5 seconds.
The HSV Maloo lines up making 317kW and 550Nm, paired to a tr6060 tremec 6-speed manual driving the rear wheels.
The HSV Maloo has the clear power advantage at 317kW vs 135kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
13.0m diameter
Large
Based on 13.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 11.3 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
2.0 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the GWM Cannon Alpha if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer GWM's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the HSV Maloo if: You prioritise performance, or prefer HSV's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The GWM Cannon Alpha comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (66 vs 38), taking 1 of 2 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: safety (GWM Cannon Alpha ahead by 40), practicality (GWM Cannon Alpha ahead by 36), reliability (GWM Cannon Alpha ahead by 30). The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, GWM Cannon Alpha and HSV Maloo?
The GWM Cannon Alpha is the cheapest at $52,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the HSV Maloo by $6,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The GWM Cannon Alpha uses the least fuel at 8.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
GWM Cannon Alpha holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for HSV Maloo, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The GWM Cannon Alpha has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The HSV Maloo makes the most power at 317kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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