GWM POER300 2025 Review

Introduction

There are no prizes whatsoever for guessing where Great Wall Motors has its roots – yes, it’s another manufacturer originating from China, but this isn’t a new electric SUV or city car. Instead GWM has launched a pick-up truck complete with powerful diesel engine.

It’s called the GWM POER300, which pronounced ‘power’ (why can’t they just add the ‘W’ then?). But that gripe aside, this pick-up is aimed at rivals at the lower end of the market, such as the KGM Musso and fellow IM stablemate, the Isuzu D-Max.

There are three generously-equipped trims to choose from called Lux, Ultra and Vanta with prices starting from a tempting £31,495, making it the cheapest double-cab on the market right now.

All versions of this chunky four-door pick-up feature a 2.4-litre diesel engine that is matched to a nine-speed automatic transmission. And, like any workhorse-based model, it boasts all the off-road capabilities needed to put in a hard day’s graft.

With 97 per cent of all pick-ups sold in the UK being double-cab, that is the only style available to GWM customers. And with 86 per cent of those buyers choosing an auto gearbox, that’s the choice for the GWM POER300 too.

The background to GWM is a tad confusing. The manufacturer landed in the UK with the Ora Funky Cat in 2022, but this year there has been a complete rebranding process. Across the world, the same vehicles had different make and model names, but now there is a simpler global structure with GWM as the main banner manufacturer with brands called Haval, Ora, Wey, POER and Tank.

We opted for the range-topping GWM POER300 Vanta for some on and off-road driving in particularly brutal end-of-summer weather conditions.

At a glance

The GWM POER300 is a good looking pick-up truck with no added bells and whistles. While many manufacturers have pimped up their models with over-sized tyres, dazzling lighting bars and all manner of quirky design cues, this vehicle stays true to the working pick-up roots.

The double-cab model stretches in excess of five metres, so certainly stands out in any crowded car park and it looks imposing, but not overbearing when approached from any angle.

It features LED headlamps, privacy glass, a sunroof, the GWM name embossed into the tailgate, and auto-fold side mirrors. Our high-end Vanta specification gained lots of black trim giving it quite a menacing appearance. These add-ons included black fixed side steps, black wheels, a black sports bar, black door handles and mirror covers, plus a distinctive black grille and brand badging.

The vehicle is offered in five colour shades called Pearl white, Crystal Black, Pittsburgh Silver, Sapphire Blue and Lunar Red, as tested.

Key features

The GWM POER300 is available in three trim levels with all versions featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen with full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Entry-level Lux grade comes with LED headlamps, leatherette seats, a seven-inch driver information screen, a wireless phone charging pad, voice command, rear parking sensors, a park assist function, and auto-fold door mirrors.

Move up to mid-trim Ultra and you gain heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery with six-way power adjustment to the driver’s seat and four-way for the passenger side. There is the addition of ambient lighting, front footwell lights, privacy glass, auto dimming rear view mirror, front parking sensors, a sunroof, a 360-degree camera and a tailgate step.

Finally, Vanta specification adds black detailing to the wheels, mirror caps, side steps, door handles, front grille and emblem, wheel arches, along with a black sports bar.

Performance and drive

Beneath the bonnet of the GWM POER 300 is a 2.4-litre diesel engine that delivers 184PS and 480Nm of torque, which is considerably more grunt than its closest rivals. The vehicle can reach 62mph from a standing start in 11.0 seconds and maxes out at 99.2mph.

The engine is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles for added driver fun. Additionally, there are all the settings for combating trickier terrain, which we will get to a little later, along with more traditional drive modes for on-road cruising. These are called Eco, Normal and Sport (although the last setting is won’t rival any hot hatches).

The vehicle will sit comfortably at 60mph, but expect some engine noise and you do feel many of the road’s bumps and jolts along the way too. The comfort and refinement, like most pick-ups, would probably be improved by added some weight to the payload bay.

Although it may sound like we are criticising the handling, the same can be said of most of the POER 300’s closest rivals where refinement is hardly the biggest selling point.

That said; the vehicle is well balanced on twistier country lanes and the elevated driving position offers a great view across the hedgerows. We would have preferred slightly more steering feel though.

It feels large when manoeuvring through busy town centres or on narrow lanes and you will need a parking space that spans in excess of five metres, but generally the performance is akin to competitor models.

We also took the POER 300 on an off-road course, which had become really boggy and slippery due to sporadic deluges of rain. This is the arena where all the 4x4 settings with low ratio gears really come into play. And in fairness to this attractively-priced pick-up, it coped with steep climbs, weaving through deep tyre track trenches and was nicely controlled during any descents too.

Towing shouldn‘t pose any issues either as the POER 300 can pull a braked trailer or caravan weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. We tested this whilst pulling a trailer carrying a car across wet grass and gravel – the vehicle didn’t miss a beat.

Running costs and emissions

The appeal of pick-ups took a bit of a hit this year when the Benefit in Kind tax rules changed. And it is quite a minefield. Basically double-cab pick-up trucks with a payload of 1,000kg are no longer classed as commercial vehicles but as passenger cars.

So, instead of there being a flat rate charge for fleet drivers, the rate is now based on the cost of the vehicle, along with its carbon emissions output. 

Entry-level Lux grade costs £31,495, the Ultra trim is £34,830 while the top-of-the-range Vanta model is £36,830 (all prices are excluding VAT).

But the day-to-day running costs are not helped by the high carbon emissions figure of 230g/km – an output similar to its immediate competitors. That means a POER 300 buyer who is in the 20 per cent income tax bracket will pay £2,838 per year for the entry grade vehicle, while those in the 40 per cent band will have to find £5,676.

Fuel efficiency is fairly decent with the POER 300 delivering a WLTP-tested 32.7mpg on a combined run and the annual road tax stays as a set rate, which is £345 for 2025/26.

For added peace of mind, the GWM POER 300 has an impressive warranty too covering five years or 125,000 miles. It is a little difficult to predict the vehicle’s reliability, but it is proving very popular in Australia where driving conditions are far more demanding.

Interior and tech

Climbing onboard the POER 300 is made simpler thanks to the side staps and high-mounted grab handles. Interestingly, there is no overhead grab handle for the driver’s side as there is a sunglasses storage compartment in its place.

Once inside, it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position with powered seats and ample steering wheel adjustment available. The seats offer plenty of support and look upmarket too with leather upholstery. In fact, the cabin looks quite swanky for a working pick-up with a nice balance of hard-wearing, wipe-clean surfaces where they are needed, alongside lots of high-end fixtures and fittings.

The main focal point is the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen which offers access to the many on-board features, including full smartphone integration via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, an audio set-up, all the safety assistance settings and lots more besides. There is no integrated sat nav system, but most people use their smartphones for any maps and directions these days, so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

All the main driving data is clearly displayed on a seven-inch display behind the steering wheel and there is a chunky aviation-inspired gear lever, along with lots of physical controls.

The touchscreen is a bit hit and miss, making it quite frustrating to operate on the fly, especially if you are being shaken around due to a bumpy road surface. But that aside, all the dials and controls were simple to use with separate controls for the climate settings, a dial to move through the various drive modes and buttons for any 4x4 functions.

Practicality and boot space

Practicality is a key factor for any pick-up owner, especially as the latest taxation rules have made them less attractive to purchase. The GWM POER 300 has a strong road presence stretching 5,416mm in length, 1,947mm wide and 1,884mm high, with a 3,230mm wheelbase.

The square bed area measures 1,520mm wide and deep, with a one-tonne payload capacity. It is accessed via a solid drop down tailgate, and on Ultra and Vanta grades, there is a practical fold-down slip-resistant step which can support up to 150kg of weight.

There is plenty of room inside the vehicle with ample space for a couple of six footers up front. And the elevated seating position results in good driver visibility forwards, sideways and over the shoulder, but the view through the back screen is slightly obscured by the rear headrests. Finding the ideal driving position is made easier thanks to powered seats and these can be heated or ventilated for added comfort.

Back seat passengers benefit from generous amounts of legroom and the rear seats slope backwards too, so head space should be okay for taller occupants.

There are numerous nooks and crannies to store goods too with a generously-sized glovebox with an open tray above it, door bins, a deep central cubby, sunglass holder, front cup holders, wireless charging pad, seat back pockets, a small compartment next to the driver’s door, plus USB-A and USB-C ports to stay connected on the move. There is a fold-down rear armrest, but no further cup holders.

Climbing into the vehicle can be challenging but the process is made all the easier thanks to large side steps, plus numerous door and overhead grips.

Pick-ups need to perform aways from the comfort of Tarmac roads and the POER 300 does just that. While the vehicle runs predominantly in two-wheel drive, which is more economical, it switches automatically across to four-wheel drive when extra grip is needed. Additionally, there is a 4L (Four-Low) Mode that delivers maximum torque and control at lower speeds when faced with more challenging terrain, plus a Rear Locking Differential for when the going gets really tough.

The POER 300 can wade up to depth of 500mm, has ground clearance of 232mm, with approach and departure angles of 27 and 25 degrees respectively.

Safety

The GWM POER has not been tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating, but the vehicle gained high marks in other regions including in Australasia where it received a maximum five-star ANCAP score.

The rigid body structure is not only beneficial to performance, but also while supporting occupant safety in the event of a collision.

Additionally, the vehicle has a total of 10 driver assistance safety aids, including front and rear collision warning, lane keeping assist with lane centring assist, a smart dodge system (which helps give large vehicles a wide berth when overtaking), autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear cross traffic alert, a 360-degree camera (not Lux models), lane departure warning and emergency lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection and lane change assist, traffic sign recognition, plus seven airbags.

If all the beeps and warning sounds are too much, there is a short-cut button on the steering wheel that directly links to the ADAS systems in order to deactivate them.

Options

The GWM POER 300 features plenty of tech as standard making the buying choice simple. The high-end Vanta gains a great deal of styling specifications thanks to the introduction of numerous black design cues, but the step up from mid-range Ultra is mainly cosmetic.

There are no optional packs with limited accessories currently available at launch, including a bed liner, towbar and a canopy. Prices for these add-ons are not available at this time.

According to a GWM spokesman, additional options will likely be introduced a little further down the line.

Rival cars

There have been lots of manufacturers enter and then leave the pick-up market in recent years, such as Mercedes for example, and the likes of VW have made welcome comebacks.

But costs across the sector vary considerably with premium models with all the bells and whistles carrying startlingly high price-tags.

The GWM POER 300 is definitely targeting the lower end of the market with its attractive entry price of £31,495, before VAT, so it has rivals in its sights such as the KGM Musso, Maxus T60 and Isuzu D-Max.

Verdict and next steps

It’s difficult to sum up the pick-up market in recent years. What was once viewed as an area where workhorses thrived had turned into a bit of a fashion-led sector with lots of bling and over-exaggerated design features.

But, changes to the tax laws came into force earlier this year and, as a result, expensive pick-ups became costly vehicles for businesses. That means the sector may start reverting back to its original roots with great value, go anywhere vehicles that are happier in a quarry rather than on a catwalk.

So, where does the GWM POER 300 fit into the mix then? The answer is simple as it carries the lowest price-tag, yet still delivers the goods when push comes to shove.

If you need further convincing, there is high demand for hard-working pick-ups in Australia and the GWM POER 300 has already proven itself to be a great success out there with impressive sales figures since launch.

But introducing a newcomer to UK buyers could prove trickier.

KGM has rebranded from SsangYong in recent times, but the Musso is a very respected model, as is the Isuzu D-Max. So while the POER 300 is aiming to attract customers at the lower end of the pricing scale, it will be interesting to see how much brand snobbery comes into play.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the GWM POER300

**Correct as of 16/09/2025. Based on 12 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 24 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £3,044.04 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.