GWM Cannon vs Mazda BT-50
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 29 Aug 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$39,490RRP
- no option data for this car
$38,400RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the GWM Cannon & Mazda BT-50
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The GWM Cannon starts from $39,490 before on-road costs, while the Mazda BT-50 opens at $38,400. That makes the Mazda BT-50 the more affordable entry point by $1,090.
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 $43,439 and $42,240 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mazda BT-50 by roughly $1,995 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the GWM Cannon and Mazda BT-50 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the GWM Cannon and 86% for the Mazda BT-50.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the GWM Cannon, against 4 on the Mazda BT-50.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the GWM Cannon and 6 in the Mazda BT-50.
Recalls on our record
GWM Cannon
- REC-006123 · published 28 Oct 2024During the installation of the diesel fuel filter assembly, the incorrect lubricant type was used on the fuel filter sealing rubber “O-ring”.Year range on the notice: 2023
Mazda BT-50
- REC-006284 · published 3 Mar 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the left leaf spring bracket may have been insufficiently welded and could crack resulting in a loss of vehicle control.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-005070 · published 10 Mar 2022Due to a manufacturing issue, the transfer case blanking plug may not have been installed correctly during production.Year range on the notice: 2021
- REC-000899 · published 20 Jan 2021The rear seat belt pretensioner connector lock, may not have been installed correctly during vehicle assembly and will not tension properly.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2021
- 11 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The GWM Cannon features a 14.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mazda BT-50 gets a 7-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The GWM Cannon stands out with power tailgate — features our data doesn't list for the Mazda BT-50. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the GWM Cannon gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Mazda BT-50 offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The GWM Cannon uses a Diesel producing 120kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a 4WD layout.
The Mazda BT-50 responds with a Diesel making 120kW and 400Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels.
Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The GWM Cannon measures 5,416mm long on a 3,230mm wheelbase, 96mm longer than the Mazda BT-50 at 5,320mm (3,125mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the GWM Cannon generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Mazda BT-50 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,200kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.5m to 13.0m
Based on 13.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,366/year for the GWM Cannon and $1,967/year for the Mazda BT-50. That is a $399 annual difference in favour of the Mazda BT-50.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (GWM Cannon) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda BT-50). The GWM Cannon has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the GWM Cannon if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer GWM's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mazda BT-50 if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (76 vs 70). The GWM Cannon and Mazda BT-50 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mazda BT-50 will save you roughly $399 a year in fuel. The GWM Cannon adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, GWM Cannon and Mazda BT-50?
The Mazda BT-50 is the cheapest at $38,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the GWM Cannon by $1,090.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mazda BT-50 uses the least fuel at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: GWM Cannon and Mazda BT-50 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda BT-50 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The GWM Cannon has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
