GWM Ute 2022: budget Chinese ute scores five-star ANCAP safety rating

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All GWM utility vehicles now come with a five-star safety rating after extensive testing by the ANCAP safety agency. 

The new rating only applies to dual-cab variants of the GWM Ute that were built from August 1, 2021 with earlier models containing several issues that are now being fixed by the manufacturer. More details below.

The GWM Ute was tested under the strict new 2020-2022 test criteria that found it scored 86 percent for adult occupant protection, while child occupant protection scored 87 percent. Vulnerable road user protection came in at 67 percent followed by 73 percent for safety assist. 

When compared to a class leading vehicle such as the Isuzu D-Max, which scored 83 percent in adult occupant protection, 89 percent for child occupant protection, 69 percent for vulnerable road user protection and 84 percent for safety assist, the GWM Ute fared well on the same criteria. 

The GWM Ute comes fitted with an array of airbags including dual frontal, side chest, side head and centre airbags. 

On the safety assist side of things, the GWM Ute is fitted with AEB which can function at highway speeds along with a lane support system that includes lane keep assist and emergency lane keeping functionalities. Blind-spot monitoring is also standard. 

Speed assistance with speed sign recognition is included but the car does miss out on features such as a driver drowsiness monitor. 

GWM’s learning curve

While GWM has achieved a notable feet with the Ute’s five-star rating, it only applies to models built after August 1, 2021 and with a vin number of LGWDCF195MJ623792 or later.

Earlier testing by ANCAP found that the GWM Ute had performance issues with the front head restraint and steering column components on models built between September 2020 and 31 July 2021 but these deficiencies have now been addressed on newer models.

Carla Hoorweg, ANCAP’s chief executive officer noted that GWM is now attempting to retrofit the upgrades on the older models and encouraged earlier buyers to take their car in for the fix.

“GWM has shown its willingness and strong commitment to providing its customers with the highest levels of safety by swiftly incorporating improvements to address deficiencies in existing vehicles and as a result, Australian and New Zealand consumers are being supplied with a safer vehicle,” she said.

The GWM Ute is powered by a 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine. It has a maximum braked towing capacity of 3000kg and has a seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty. 

Pricing starts from $33,990 driveway for the 4X2 Cannon and tops out at $42,490 driveway for the Cannon X flagship model.