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LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES<br />
Budget Utes<br />
BUDGET BUYS<br />
The GWM Ute<br />
Cannon-L goes<br />
up against the<br />
Ssangyong Musso<br />
XLV Ultimate in the<br />
budget dual-cab<br />
ute category<br />
WORDS SCOTT NEWMAN,<br />
BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS,<br />
TOM FRASER, LOUIS CORDONY,<br />
EVAN SPENCE<br />
IMAGES ELLEN DEWAR,<br />
ALASTAIR BROOK AND CRISTIAN<br />
BRUNELLI<br />
Dual-cab utes are a bit expensive these<br />
days, aren’t they? But they do not need<br />
to be. While, no doubt, we would all<br />
love to have $70,000 or more to splash on a<br />
jacked-up trayback, those who have a more<br />
limited budget need no longer miss out thanks<br />
to these two – the GWM Ute Cannon-L and<br />
Ssangyong Musso XLV Ultimate.<br />
You can drive away in either of these for<br />
around $40,000, including on-roads. The GWM,<br />
which stands for Great Wall Motors, costs<br />
$37,990 driveaway for the mid-spec Cannon-L<br />
variant we have here, while the Ssangyong,<br />
even in long-wheelbase XLV guise, lists at<br />
$41,790 driveaway, which currently includes<br />
three years of free servicing.<br />
Do not think these bargain basement<br />
prices mean you miss out on kit, though. Both<br />
are fully loaded, with the Musso Ultimate<br />
offering powered, heated and ventilated front<br />
seats, HID headlamps, a 360-degree camera,<br />
smartphone mirroring, front and rear park<br />
assist, autonomous emergency braking, lane<br />
departure warning, blind spot detection, lane<br />
change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.<br />
The GWM Ute packs even more in, including<br />
active cruise control, climate control and a<br />
220v power outlet, though it lacks the Musso’s<br />
ventilated seats and reach-adjustable steering<br />
wheel, which are weirdly limited to the top<br />
spec Cannon-X. Its cabin presents well, with<br />
a range of leather surfaces and metal-look<br />
inserts, while the seats are comfortable, with<br />
plenty of bolstering.<br />
The lack of steering wheel reach adjustment<br />
is an ergonomic demerit, as is the T-bar<br />
gearshifter that can make choosing the right<br />
gear confusing, while the dead pedal sits<br />
unusually close and the wide centre console<br />
eats into legroom. Visibility is hampered by<br />
thick A-pillars and the rear sports bar but the<br />
rear seat is relatively comfortable, with good<br />
under-thigh support.<br />
Swap into the Musso and it is a similar<br />
story, though the fact the centre rear seat uses<br />
only a lap belt is unacceptable in a modern<br />
80 <strong>ATN</strong> July 2021 FULLYLOADED.COM.AU
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