GWM P300 2.4TD LTD 4X4 9AT (2026) Review

Summary

Here’s the real story on the 2026 GWM P300 2.4TD LTD 4X4 9AT review South African buyers have been waiting for. We’re talking proper overland kit, a cabin that finally feels worth the money, and a value equation that actually puts pressure on the Hilux and Ranger. Forget the usual brochure numbers - this is about how much you’ll really spend to run it and whether the LTD spec makes sense for local conditions, gravel and all.

Introduction

Right, so you want a bakkie that’s genuinely kitted out for adventure straight off the showroom floor? The GWM P300 2.4TD LTD 4X4 9AT is your out-of-the-box solution. No other double-cab at this price gets you a factory winch, snorkel, dual diff locks, and underbody armour before you’ve even greeted the fitment centre. This LTD spec is GWM’s big swing in the struggling P-Series lineup, and it’s aimed squarely at buyers tired of spending Saturday mornings at accessory shops. If you’re mostly doing school runs, you’re overbuying here. But if your weekends mean corrugated roads and muddy climbs, this is the GWM P300 that finally matters.

Key takeaway: The P300 LTD is a real-deal overland bakkie at workhorse money - if you’ll actually use the kit. If you won’t, stick to the cheaper LT.

Design & Exterior

One thing that’ll catch you out: the P300 LTD still wears the older P-Series LTD nose instead of the sleeker new look given to LT models. If you’ve only seen the LT in photos, don’t be shocked when the LTD on the dealer floor looks a bit different. Saw a bloke in the McCarthy GWM lot circle the LTD twice, convinced he’d been shown last year’s model. Easy mistake.

Footprint and stance

This bakkie is massive. At 5439 mm long, 1958 mm wide, and 1893 mm tall, it outstretches the Hilux and outbulks the Ranger. That’s not just numbers - it means threading it into a Cape Town CBD parkade is an exercise in patience, and passing a Pajero on a narrow farm road outside Dullstroom is proper tight. Ground clearance is 227 mm, and the approach angle stands at 27 degrees. You’re sorted for Sani Pass gravel before even thinking about upgrading tyres.

What the LTD adds visually

• Factory-fitted electric winch behind the bumper - no extra bull bar required
• Full-height snorkel for dust and water crossings
• Serious underbody plating
• Auxiliary switches wired in for spotlights, fridge, or compressor
• 220V plug point in the bin, straight from the factory

Cabin & Practicality

Big leap here for GWM: cabin quality has finally joined the party. If you remember the plasticky P-Series cabins from 2022, forget them. Now you get stitched, soft-touch trim where your elbows land, a steering wheel that’s chunky in a good way, and ventilated front seats plus a heated steering wheel - a huge win on a cold Gauteng dawn.

Ergonomics and the screen problem

But here’s the frustration: all climate controls are stuck in the touchscreen. No physical dials, just tapping and swiping. On the N1 between Bloem and Colesberg, that means a few seconds when your eyes are off the road. I’ll keep banging this drum - physical controls still matter, and GWM misses out here.

LTD-specific kit

• Seven airbags, including a front-centre bag (LT 4x4 only gets six)
• Selectable 2H/4H/4L transfer case with Snow, Mud, and Sand modes
• Electronic diff locks on both axles
• Transparent chassis-view camera (lets you “see” through the bonnet on tricky climbs)
• Ventilated seats and that heated steering wheel again

What the LTD gives up

Here’s a detail most will miss: LTD ditches front parking sensors, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with reverse AEB. So, if your biggest hazard is backing out of a Sandton parking bay, the LT 4x4 is the smarter call. The LTD is for buyers who want both diff locks and are happy with the trade-off.

On the Road

GWM’s 2.4-litre turbodiesel is good for 135 kW and 480 Nm, now mated to an in-house 9-speed auto (the ZF box is gone). On paper, at least, those numbers are solid mid-pack. The P300 is about 300 kg lighter than the P500 that uses this engine, so here it feels snappier and less lumbering than anywhere else in the lineup.

The gearbox quirk

This 9-speed has its own character: a little surge in first gear when crawling in traffic. Not a dealbreaker, but you notice it. Other GWMs have had this sorted by over-the-air updates, so expect a fix soon. At highway speeds - think N3 climbs with a load - it’s smooth, holds gears smartly, and doesn’t hunt like some 8-speed rivals.

Ride and refinement

Unladen, the leaf-sprung rear is bouncy over bad tar. I threw in 200 kg of firewood out near Harrismith, and it settled down nicely. Diesel noise at idle is louder than the Ranger Bi-Turbo, but a real step up from the old GWM 2.0TD. On one N3 stint, I caught myself turning the radio down, not up. Progress, honestly.

Real-world fuel returns

The factory's combined claim is 8.2 L/100 km. I logged anything from 7.9 to 9.4 L/100 km, depending on how you drive and what’s in the load bay. My best return, on a Gauteng-to-KZN N3 run with a light load, was 9.0 L/100 km. On the standard tank, that’s well over 800 km between fill-ups - critical when the next fuel stop is 200 km away in the Karoo.

Data & Comparison

This is where the GWM P300 LTD stands out: you’re not paying for engine bragging rights, you’re buying factory kit that would cost a fortune if you fitted it yourself.

Core specifications

How it stacks against rivals

Ownership economics

• Five-year total cost of ownership is R418,600
• Braked towing max: 3,500 kg (4x2 drops to 3,000 kg)
• Factory winch rated for 4.2 tonnes
• Auxiliary wiring saves R8,000–R12,000 in fitment costs

Market context

P-Series sales dropped in 2024, so the P300 is GWM’s reset button. Double-cab demand sits steady, with a segment trend score hovering between 62 and 66 through late 2025. That matters - resale values stay strong when demand holds. GWM’s slice of the bakkie pie is in the low-40s, enough to keep trade-in values healthy and dealers like HAVAL Fourways moving stock.

People Also Ask

What is the GWM P300 GWM P300 2.4TD LTD 4X4 9AT price south africa?

In 2025, expect to pay around R699,900, depending on dealer deals. That’s a full tier below flagship Hilux, Ranger, or Isuzu rivals - especially when you factor in the winch, snorkel, dual diff locks, and underbody protection, which would otherwise add R60,000 or more post-delivery.

How does the GWM P300 compare to the Hilux Legend?

Hilux Legend packs more power and torque, plus Toyota’s dealer safety net and resale. P300 LTD fights back with a 9-speed auto, front and rear diff locks, winch, and snorkel as standard. If you’re properly off-roading, GWM gives more hardware; for absolute peace of mind, Hilux still rules.

Are there known engine coil issues or engine coil problems on the P300?

No. The 2.4TD doesn’t use petrol ignition coils - just glow plugs for cold starts. No widespread engine coil faults or codes (like GWM error p0300) have popped up in SA. All clear so far.

What about GWM P300 finance options in South Africa?

All major banks and GWM’s own credit arms offer P300 finance - standard 60- or 72-month terms, with balloon deals if you need lower monthly numbers. Dealers can include the seven-year/200,000 km warranty to help keep your monthly payments realistic.

What GWM P300 accessories in South Africa price list items should I budget for?

LTD spec covers your winch, snorkel, and diff locks. The real must-haves? Rubberised bin, roller cover, solid canopy, plus a dual-battery camping system. Expect to spend R25,000 to R45,000, depending on your canopy and electrical plans.

Is the GWM P300 review consensus positive enough to trust?

Yes. In both South Africa and Australia (where it’s called Cannon), most owners and testers are positive: value is strong, cabin quality is up, and the 2.4 diesel is a proper jump from the old 2.0TD. Gripes are mostly about the touchscreen-only climate, gearbox surging at low speeds, and bouncy ride when empty. None are deal-breakers if you want the off-road spec.

Verdict

Your call on the GWM P300 2.4TD LTD 4X4 9AT really hangs on your needs. If you tow heavy, bash gravel, or run a farm where a winch might mean getting home, this is the smartest flagship double-cab buy right now. The factory kit almost pays back the price jump from LT 4x4. It’s what the LTD trim should have been from the start - a no-nonsense overland tool, straight out of the box.

If you’re living in heavy Joburg traffic, sacrificing city safety tech for off-road gear you’ll never touch doesn’t add up. Stick to LT 4x4 for that. And if you’re after the new P300 nose, know the LTD still wears the old P-Series face - refresh likely soon. The biggest letdown remains those touchscreen-only climate controls, and that matters because it’s every drive, not just the big trips.

Rating: 7.8 / 10

GWM’s LTD gives you real flagship hardware at a proper price. Let down by some ergonomic quirks, gearbox calibration, and the older face that doesn’t quite match the rest of the P300 line-up… but if you pack smart, this is the double-cab for real-world adventure.