This is the GWM Poer 300

When a pick-up comes in at one end of the market and shouts “workhorse,” you expect rolling steel, basic fabric seats and minimal frills. Then walks in the GWM Poer300 — pronounced “Power” — and it throws a fresh sheet of paint over the boring playbook. Chinese maker GWM is entering the UK pick-up battlefield with this bold, diesel-powered double-cab that undercuts many rivals on price while packing in serious kit. If you’re after a full-sized pick-up that delivers value, capability and a touch of style, this one deserves a proper look.

The Poer300 lands with a 2.4-litre turbo diesel (roughly 181-183 bhp, around 480Nm torque) mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox and selectable four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. It has all the credentials of a full-on utility truck: 1-tonne plus payload, 3,500 kg braked towing, and a load bed that’s square, deep and built for business. What sets it apart is how GWM has managed to wrap that workhorse DNA in sharper styling, better tech and a starting price that catches you off guard.

Prices for the UK start at £31,495 (ex VAT) for the base trim, which makes the Poer300 one of the most affordable double-cabs in the UK. Even when you step up through mid and top trims, you stay under many rivals’ entry levels. That pricing alone gives it a strong opening line in the fight.

Look at the Poer300 and you’ll notice the uplift immediately. The body looks chunkier, more purposeful, even a little menacing – the kind of presence many work vehicles lack. The double-cab stance is wide and muscular; the wheel arches are pronounced; the front remains bold yet modern. From the side you get classic pick-up proportions but the styling is more contemporary than many of its rivals.

Inside, the styling moves beyond purely functional. The cabin has a strong tech flavour with a large touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and a suite of driver-assistance systems that five years ago you wouldn’t expect in this price bracket. The cabin materials are generally good — some bits feel basic (the steering wheel, some plastics) but by the standards of a pick-up this is high up the table.

One of the standout points of the Poer300 is how generous the standard kit is. From the base trim you get LED lights, wireless smartphone mirroring, decent infotainment, rear parking sensors, and a full safety suite. On stepping up you get heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, a sunroof, a 360-degree camera system and a clever tailgate step built into the bed edge to make climbing in easier. According to Fleet News, the Ultra trim introduces many of these upgrades and the top Vanta trim delivers aesthetic upgrades (black wheels, black trim, side-steps) rather than mechanical changes.

Practical dimensions are strong too. GWM lists the tray at 1,520 mm × 1,520 mm, with the truck’s overall length at 5,416 mm.

The load bed is truly square, which makes it more usable for real-world trades or cargo work than many “double-cab” pickups whose beds are narrower or more compromised.

For value buyers — small businesses, tradesmen, fleet operators — the Poer300 makes a compelling case because it simply offers more kit at a lower headline price than many rivals.

Mechanically, the Poer300 is traditional in all the right ways. The turbo-diesel engine gives you plenty of grunt for towing and off-road work; the nine-speed automatic smooths things out; selectable 4WD and a rear diff-lock mean this thing can go places many rivals will shy away from.

What’s important to understand is that this is a pick-up built for work and practicality, not luxury limousine speeds. For that job it succeeds.

Fuel economy is quoted at around 32.7 mpg combined, and whilst it doesn’t beat the most efficient SUVs, for a one-tonne plus payload pick-up this is respectable.

Any competent pick-up must deliver usable ride & handling as well as brute strength. The Poer300 handles this with mixed success.

On the plus side: The steering is light and accurate for a truck, visibility is good (a crucial factor for daily use), and the auto 4WD system switches modes intelligently when grip is lost. The sheer capability is there: approach angle 27°, departure angle 25°, ground clearance around 230 mm.

These numbers match many purpose-built off-road machines and give the Poer300 strong cred for farms, tracks or remote jobs.

Some critics argue that if you’re using this mainly as a commuter car or expecting luxury SUV comfort, the Poer300 shows its rugged underpinnings. But if you accept that you’re buying a proper pick-up, then it’s manageable.

The cabin ergonomics make for a comfortable daily drive too. The driving position is high and commanding, you can see far ahead, and parking/visibility are helped by the large mirrors and optional digital rear-view camera. If you’re using the third row or heavy load bed, the step-in aids and tailgate step are smart practical touches.

For a full-size double-cab pick-up, the Poer300 is impressively usable. The bed size, the payload capability (just over 1,000 kg), and the towing capacity (3,500 kg braked) place it firmly in the commercial/utility category.

If you’re a contractor hauling kit, or a farmer towing a horse trailer or simply need something that can work hard, this truck ticks many boxes.

For family or mixed uses, the double-cab layout offers genuine space for five adults and luggage. Tall-legged passengers in the rear might bump their heads on the roofline when the truck is unladen or on rough terrain.

Boot/tray access is easy, and the wide tailgate opening and practical bed sides make loading easier. The cabin materials and storage spots are plentiful (huge tray between front seats, ample door bins, wireless phone charger, etc).

Warranty and ownership are strong selling points too: a five-year/125,000-mile warranty (in UK spec) gives peace of mind.

Service intervals and build-quality are reported as competent for the class, though long-term reliability will inevitably be judged as the field data accumulates.

Here the Poer300 excels. Starting price (ex VAT) from around £31,495, up to high-trim values still under the cost of many competing trucks.

Given the standard equipment and capability, the value proposition is strong. GWM is clearly targeting models like the KGM Musso, Maxus T60 Max, Isuzu D-Max and even some trims of the Ford Ranger. Many of those cost more, or offer less kit for the same money.

The caveats: rivals may offer more refined ride comfort, better finish, more widespread service networks and longer heritage in the UK pick-up space. If you prioritise showroom luxury, brand cachet or plush ride over pure value and capability, you might look elsewhere. But if you balance what you pay with what you get, the Poer300 stands out.

The GWM Poer300 is not perfect — it will not soothe every rough road into velvet, it may not offer the showroom glamour of some premium rivals, and the diesel-only powertrain means it’s behind the curve of electrification trends. But it doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: a tough, well-equipped, capable double-cab pick-up that punches above its price.

If your brief is “get a proper pick-up that works hard, looks sharp and won’t bankrupt me”, then the Poer300 should be at the top of your shortlist. For small businesses, tradespeople, outdoor professionals or anyone who simply needs more vehicle and less frills, it hits almost every target. The ride & finish may not be luxury SUV-level, but the capability and value more than compensate.

In short: GWM may not yet have the recognition of Ford or Toyota in the pick-up market, but with the Poer300 they’ve arrived with serious intent. This feels less like a test and more like a statement: cheap isn’t cheap looking, function doesn’t have to mean fashionless, and you can bury a lot of value under some bold styling.

Expect to see these trucks doing real work — and perhaps turning heads while doing it.

 

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