GWM UTE Problems

The short answer is very good. It never fails to amaze first-timers just how capable modern 4X4s really are. With decent tyres, and a transfer-case with low-ratio gears, the GWM ute is likely to have more off-road capability than most owners will have brave pills.

Of course there are limitations, but for the average weekend away camping in the bush, the GWM will absolutely make it there and back. The good news is that you don’t even have to modify a vehicle like the GWM to be capable off road. Even in its stock standard form, it will amaze you where it will go. That said, throw some proper tyres on it, and it’ll be even more capable.

Of course, the counter-point here is that even the best off-road vehicle will run into trouble if it’s being driven by somebody who has no idea what they’re doing. So an off-roading course is a good idea, as is joining a club that takes newbies out to teach them the ropes in the field.

The cost can vary depending on what state or territory you live in and in what post-code (regional areas often have lower registration fees than metropolitan areas). That said, according to the QLD Transport Department’s website, that doesn’t apply in the sunshine state.

As such, for a full 12 months of registration, including compulsory third-party insurance on a 2022 GWM Ute, you’re looking at $816.55.

This is a potentially lethal fault as anything amiss with a car’s braking system is a major recipe for disaster. It sounds as though the braking system is applying pressure when you hit the brake pedal, but not allowing the pressure to release when you take your foot off the brake.

If yours was an older car, I’d be suspecting the flexible brake hoses had collapsed internally, allowing the brake fluid to pass through them one way but not return. However, this seems unlikely in a car as new as the one you’ve described. Which leads me to think that perhaps the brake master cylinder is at fault or, perhaps the anti-lock braking system is the culprit as this system controls the flow of fluid to each caliper. Either way, it’s straight back to the dealership for a warranty claim, but I’d be taking the vehicle there on the back of a truck as it really doesn’t sound safe to drive as it is. Driving a car with binding or dragging brakes can very quickly overheat the brake fluid, leading to a complete brake failure with obvious potential results.

If you’re unhappy with the service from your dealership, I would suggest contacting the manufacturer’s customer service division and stating your case. I’d also be asking for a replacement car until yours is fixed.

You’re in a bit of a spot here, Rod, because you want vehicle that can handle beach driving every now and then (so, a four-wheel-drive) but one that will spend the bulk of its time in an urban setting. That means a vehicle with a diesel engine is not your ideal solution, yet the vast majority of four-wheel-drive utes are, indeed, diesel powered.

Diesel is a problem for folks like you because modern diesel engines don’t appreciate being used for short, urban journeys. The fact is, these modern diesels are fitted with diesel particulate filters (DPFs) which aim to clean up the tailpipe emissions. That’s fair enough, but when driven in an urban environment without a good run at highway speeds every few weeks, the DPF can clog up and that’s when the problems – and repairs costs – start.

Beyond that, a diesel can easily cost more to service and maintain over the long term, even if it gets more kilometres per tank than a petrol. You might just find that, in an overall sense, the diesel will be costlier to own and run.

Perhaps a better alternative for you is an SUV with a petrol engine and all-wheel-drive. These won’t have the low-ratios of a four-wheel-drive ute for heavy-duty off-roading, but they should be able to handle loose surfaces like a sandy track down to a fishing spot. The catch is that if you do get an SUV stuck on the beach, you won’t get much sympathy for taking the vehicle out of its depth (literally). Perhaps an older four-wheel-drive with a petrol engine would be your best bet. Look at vehicles like a 2015 to 2017 Toyota HiLux ute which was available with four-wheel-drive and a very handy four-litre petrol V6 engine. That way, you’ll get both the driveline and the engine that best matches your requirements.