GWM Cannon Alpha vs Toyota HiLux

The Cannon Alpha Lux PHEV is $59,990 against the HiLux SR5 V-Active's $65,990, so the GWM undercuts the Toyota by $6,000. The running-cost story is where the PHEV shines: with ~115km of electric range, a home-charging owner can do most daily driving on cheap electricity and only burn petrol on longer hauls and while towing. Its 1.7L/100km combined figure assumes a charged battery, so treat it as a best case.

The HiLux is a conventional diesel helped by its 48V V-Active system at 7.2L/100km, roughly $2,050 a year over 15,000km. A home-charging Cannon Alpha can undercut that significantly; one that's never plugged in will not. Warranty favours GWM at 7 years versus Toyota's 5, while the HiLux's class-leading resale cushions its higher price.

The Cannon Alpha holds a current 5-star ANCAP rating (2024) with the full active-safety suite. The all-new HiLux's rating was still pending in our data at the time of writing, so confirm it before you buy. Both are heavy utes that carry a mass advantage in a crash, the Cannon Alpha especially so at 2,810kg.

The Cannon Alpha leans plush and big, with a premium-feeling cabin, large screens and limousine-like rear legroom from its 5,445mm length, plus the quiet refinement of electric drive around town. It's pitched as much at families as tradies.

The HiLux is the establishment benchmark for support: a tough, work-ready cabin and the deepest accessory and aftermarket ecosystem in the country. It's also lighter (2,180kg vs 2,810kg) and carries more payload (940kg vs 685kg, the Cannon's battery weight eats into its load capacity) and clears more ground (225mm vs 210mm). For pure work and serious off-roading, the HiLux has the harder-earned reputation.

On paper it's a rout. The Cannon Alpha's plug-in hybrid makes a combined 300kW and 750Nm against the HiLux's 150kW and 500Nm, double the power, and with instant electric torque it feels genuinely fast for a heavy ute. Crucially, it keeps the full 3,500kg braked tow rating, matching the HiLux where the BYD Shark 6 (capped at 2,500kg) cannot.

The HiLux's strength is the relaxed, proven, no-fuss diesel experience: it never asks you to think about battery charge, it's lighter so more of its gross combined mass is free for the trailer, and its 48V system keeps it efficient. Charging on the Cannon Alpha is modest (50kW DC), so you'll charge it overnight at home. So both tow 3,500kg, but the Cannon Alpha brings electrified muscle and cheap home-charged running, while the HiLux brings effortless diesel reliability and more payload.