GWM Cannon vs Isuzu D-Max

The price gap is the headline: $39,490 for the GWM Cannon Premium against $58,700 for the entry D-Max SX 4x4 dual-cab, a $19,210 difference. The Cannon delivers a 5-star, well-equipped 4x4 ute for value-car money.

Running costs lean to the Isuzu, its more efficient 3.0-litre uses 7.1L/100km versus the Cannon's 8.3, worth roughly $340 a year over 15,000km. Trivial against the purchase gap. Warranty favours GWM at 7 years/unlimited versus Isuzu's 6-year/150,000km.

Resale is the D-Max's quiet advantage: Isuzu utes hold value strongly thanks to their reputation among tradies, fleets and tourers, which narrows the real-world cost gap over a long ownership period. The Cannon is newer to the market, so its residuals are still establishing.

Both are 5-star ANCAP, the Cannon dated 2021 and the D-Max 2022, with autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist and the rest of the active-safety suite standard. The D-Max in particular has been praised for the breadth of its standard safety tech. Both are heavy utes that carry a mass advantage in a crash. There's little to separate them on everyday safety.

The Cannon Premium is generously equipped for the money, with a big touchscreen, modern cabin tech and a comfortable, car-like interior that feels a step above its price. For buyers who want a well-appointed 4x4 ute without spending big, it makes a strong case.

The D-Max is the established workhorse: a tough, no-nonsense cabin, proven switchgear, and the deep dealer, parts and accessory support that comes from decades in the Australian market. For remote work and touring where reliability and parts availability are everything, that ecosystem carries real weight. Both clear about 232–235mm and have genuine low-range 4WD.

The D-Max's 3.0-litre turbo-diesel makes 140kW and 450Nm against the Cannon's 2.4-litre with 120kW and 400Nm. The Isuzu's extra power and torque make it the stronger tow vehicle, and it backs that with the full 3,500kg braked rating versus the Cannon's 3,200kg, a meaningful 300kg if you tow at the limit. It also carries more payload (1,065kg vs 995kg).

The Cannon's smaller diesel is competent and the truck is genuinely capable, but it asks you to work it a little harder when loaded or towing heavy. Both use automatics and proper 4WD systems. So the D-Max wins on outright capability and efficiency; the Cannon wins decisively on price while still doing most of what a dual-cab needs to do.