GWM powers ahead with fine pickup

It is spelt Poer, but is pronounced "power" – another motoring manufacturer naming foible. I suppose it's a talking point, and the GWM POER300 lands in a pick-up market that's getting even more crowded, with Mitsubishi returning to the fray and the new Musso Rhino making a play for buyers.

Still a relatively fresh name in the UK, the Chinese manufacturer shifted over 1.2 million vehicles globally last year. The POER300 is a second-generation model, following on from the Great Wall Steed, and comes in three trims – Lux, Ultra, and Vanta – with prices kicking off at £31,495 ex. VAT.

In addition, there's a 5-year/125,000-mile warranty for peace of mind.

Powertrain

Under the bonnet sits a 2.4-litre turbodiesel good for 184 PS and a chunky 480 Nm of torque, available from 1,500rpm all the way to 2,500rpm. It is mated with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, which GWM claims 97 per cent efficiency.

On the road - a genuine cruiser

I covered more than 550 miles in the POER300 over a week, mixing motorway slogs with A-road and some tighter B-road stuff. Wind noise is kept well in check, tyre roar rarely intrudes, and the diesel clatter is a distant hum – the sound deadening is clearly a priority. Decent refinement given the price tag and the kind of vehicle it is.

What really stands out is the ride. Instead of fidgeting and crashing over broken surfaces, which is can do when unladen, with more weight in the load area the POER300 just absorbs it. It feels more SUV than load-lugger on the motorway and steering is pleasantly light around town, a boon for parking, though it borders on numb at higher speeds.

With peak torque arriving from just 1,500rpm, the engine rarely sounds or feels strained, and overtaking is brisk - it hits 60 in a surprsingly quick seconds. There is some turbo hesitation from a standstill which is frustrating in stop-start traffic.

The real problem, however, is cornering. Take a bend with even mild enthusiasm and the POER300 wallows like a seal, leaning heavily and losing composure. That's not what this truck is built for, especially when laden, but the body roll actively discourages any spirited driving.

Fuel economy and off-road

GWM quotes 32.7 mpg on the WLTP cycle. Over my mixed route, I saw 34.1 mpg – and on a steady motorway cruise, the trip computer crept towards 36 mpg.

I didn't get the chance to properly off-road the POER300, so I can't speak from first-hand experience. But its predecessor, the old GWM Steed, had a decent reputation in the rough stuff, and this new model builds on that with a Torque On Demand 4x4 system (2H, 4H, 4L), a rear locking diff, hill descent control, and decent ground clearance.

Cabin and kit

Visually a pleasant design, you get LED headlamps, side steps, and roof rails. The Vanta trim goes darker with black wheels, grille, mirrors, and a sports bar.

Inside, it's a more grown-up affair. It features dark trim with chrome highlights, and the central feature is a 12.3-inch touchscreen, supplemented by a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster. I like the chunky, aviation-style gear selector, and the wireless charging pad is handily placed.

Standard spec is generous: wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors, and park assist. Step up to Ultra and you get a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, proper leather, power adjustment for both front seats, ambient lighting, privacy glass, front sensors, a 360-degree camera, and a sunroof. The tailgate step ladder is a bonus – it makes clambering into the load bed far less awkward.

Towing and payload

It'll tow 3.5 tonnes braked, with a gross train weight of 6,200kg. The load bed is long and wide enough for a Euro-pallet, and payload is up to 1,070kg – right up there with the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.

Safety

There are ten ADAS systems onboard including collision warning, lane keeping, blind-spot monitoring, the camera and seven airbags.

The tax catch

Since April 2025, double-cab pick-ups are treated as cars for Benefit-in-Kind tax. At 221 g/km, the POER300 falls into the top 37% bracket – so higher-rate taxpayers face a hefty annual bill.

The list price stays under £40k, which softens the blow slightly, but it's still a bitter pill if it's a lifestyle and workhorse combo you want. To mitigate the tax, GWM, along with others, is looking at introducing a single cab option, which would take it back into the van category.

Verdict

The POER300 rides better than any workhorse has a right to when laden and its refinement, payload, towing capability, and real-world fuel economy make it exceptional value from £31,495. The cabin is genuinely SUV-like, and the kit list is generous.

But the numb steering, pronounced body roll, and frustrating turbo lag are reminders that this is a pick-up, not a crossover. And the tax hit at 221g/km will sting lifestyle buyers.

Factfile

• GWM Poer300 2.4D Turbo Ultra
• Price: From £31,495 to £45,331 (depending on trim and excluding VAT)
• Mechanical: 180-184bhp, 2,370cc, diesel turbo engine driving four wheels via 9-speed auto gearbox
• Max speed: 99.2 mph
• 0-62mph: 11.0 seconds
• Combined mpg: 32.7
• CO2 emissions: 221g/km
• Warranty: 5yrs/125,000 miles