GMW gives its best-selling pickup some key updates for 2026

Earlier this year, GWM Philippines revealed the refreshed Cannon pickup truck at the 2025 Manila International Auto Show. Featuring a new look for the 2025 model year, the workhorse gets a more rugged yet flashy exterior with the blacked-out trim accents, new LED headlights, a more stylish & tech-laden cabin, and creature comforts other midsize pickups can only dream of having.

Clearly, GWM has been busy giving its popular pickup truck one heck of a makeover to keep customers happy. But if you thought the brand is done giving the Cannon upgrades, the automaker has just given the pickup more toys and key updates.

That’s right, GWM is getting ready to reveal yet another updated version of the Cannon for the 2026 model year. But before you scoff and say it’s only getting minor changes, GWM actually went to the trouble of making important revisions.

While it gets the same exterior changes as the recently refreshed pickup, the 2026 Cannon will come with an upgraded drivetrain courtesy of a BorgWarner 4A+ MLock intelligent 4WD system. It now comes with three locking diffs to provide the utmost traction on any kind of terrain. Combined with the 2.4L turbo-diesel engine that makes 178 PS with 480 Nm of torque and a 9-speed automatic gearbox, the 2026 Cannon can easily tackle the harshest of terrains with ease.

GWM upgrades the Cannon pickup truck yet again image

Other key upgrades the pickup will receive include tank turn capability, 4x4 crawl mode, new vehicle stability systems, and intelligent hill-descent control features for better off-road capability.

Hop inside, and some might say the interior remains relatively unchanged. But for 2026, the Cannon now comes with a new digital instrument cluster and an even bigger touchscreen infotainment display. We’re not sure of the exact size, but it’s clearly bigger than what the 2025 Cannon has for the Philippine market. More importantly, the new touchscreen will come with the brand’s new Coffee OS 3 infotainment system, which supports AI-powered software, as well as additional wireless connectivity features.

Other interior features available include wireless charging pads, a host of USB charging ports, 12V power outlets, and a drive mode selector.

With the 2026 GWM Cannon set to officially make its big reveal, it might be a while before the updated pickup truck makes its way here. We’re hoping GWM Philippines introduces some of its key changes in the not-so-distant future.