- New GMW POER300 put through its pace
- Off-road challenge for the UK's newest pick-up
- POER300 didn't miss a beat despite sopping-wet weather
- Lease the GWM POER300 pick-up now with Select Van Leasing
It's not everyday you end up praying for rain.
But I was rooting for monsoon conditions as I set off for the Midlands, and some off-roading fun and games, in an all-new pick-up truck.
When it comes to off-road adventures, it's surely a case of 'muddier the merrier'.
About the GWM POER300 pick-up
For our day’s activities, we headed to the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre, an area of 160 glorious acres set in the Warwickshire countryside, just on the outskirts of Coventry.
It was the first UK test drive of the Great Wall Motor (GWM) POER300 - pronounced ‘Power’, a new double-cab pick-up boasting a very attractive pricing structure.
With costs starting from £31,495, there are three trims to choose from called Lux, Ultra and Vanta and all vehicles are powered by a 2.4-litres diesel engine, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Is the GWM POER300 pick-up good off-road?
While we tested the vehicle on the road and you can read our comprehensive review of the GWM POER300, we are concentrating on the off-road experience as any good pick-up needs to be up for a challenge in its day-to-day working life.
The GWM POER300 is certainly more workhorse than glamour puss, with a no thrills design, but generously-equipped interior, offering a mix of hard-wearing surfaces and modern-day technology.
The model we took off-roading was the top-of-the-range Vanta specification that is priced at £36,830 (excluding VAT).
And we should also point out at this stage that the vehicle was riding on standard tyres, so there was no clever trickery on GWM’s part.
The course wasn’t particularly long, about 45 minutes or so and, on a gloriously sunny day, would not have proven too extreme for any pick-up to conquer.
However, torrential downpours that caused regional flash flooding made the setting a lot more demanding, especially as we were in the last group, so any once-solid mud tracks had turned into slippery trenches filled with water, making it difficult to judge the ideal route.
Does the GWM POER300 have hill descent control?
There were inclines where all you could see from the driver’s seat was the front of the bonnet and overcast sky, then there were drops where the Hill Descent Control (HDC) set-up proved its worth. With this activated, you can take your feet off the accelerator and brake pedals and let the vehicle roll forwards, with the HDC overseeing the speed and braking in a most efficient manner.
There are all the usual selectable 4WD settings to make life easier too. The default setting is 2H for normal day-to-day driving and this delivers power to the rear wheels. The pick-up will automatically switch into 4H (Four-High) mode for improved traction on loose or slippery surfaces. This all goes on efficiently in the background as you drive along.
But when the going gets tough, there is 4L (Four-Low) mode which delivers maximum torque and control at lower speeds on tricky off-road terrain. Additionally, there is a Rear Lock Differential which, without going into the depths of car mechanics, locks the two rear wheels together so they spin at the same rate. This prevents any extra wheel spin on ultra-slippery surfaces such as snow or deep mud.
We spent most of the time in the 4L setting which means the vehicle crawls along, but the speed can be increased via the steering wheel paddles when driving along a less demanding section on the course.
Despite really deep sunken tracks caused by previous off-roaders, the POER300 dug deep (literally) and didn’t miss a beat. Yes, it took a bit more throttle power than normal due to the conditions, to climb the slippery banks, but there were no first refusals and no unintentional sideways drifting.
One clever feature we are yet to mention is the anti-wind-up release mechanism. This helps prevent any drivetrain damage if the vehicle is accidently being driven in 4L mode on a decent surface, such as a road.
Would the GWM POER300 suit active families?
The answer is a resounding ‘yes’. While SUVs are the general go-to arena for adventurous families, the GWM POER300 can certainly double up as a family vehicle for fun-packed weekends away. Its one-tonne payload capacity means camping gear, bicycles and hiking kit can be carried with ease and the model can be purchased with a lockable hardtop cover to protect any valuables from the elements and prying eyes.
Additionally, the towing capabilities impress too. The vehicle can pull a trailer or caravan weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.
We had a quick run-out in the POER300 pulling a trailer with a GWM Haval Jolion Pro car on board and the pick-up was more than capable. Admittedly the terrain was not particularly demanding, but the grass and gravel was slippery and there were some deeper boggy areas, plus gentle inclines that could have caused an issue or two.
However, the POER 300 coped well and completed the circuit without a care in the world.
GWM POER300 - should you lease one for its off-road skills?
The GWM POER 300 is an impressive piece of kit. Yes, it could certainly be more refined on the Tarmac, but it overcame every challenge that the off-road course team and Mother Nature threw in its path.
And that makes good reading for anyone in the market for a proper workhorse pick-up that still delivers on the creature comforts front too.
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