GWM Cannon Side Steps: Fixed vs Electric (2026)

Which side steps fit Cannon?

Stand next to a GWM Cannon and you notice it immediately — the sill sits notably high compared to older single-cab utes, and getting a rear passenger or a loaded bag in without a step takes real effort. GWM Cannon side steps address that step-up across three fitment styles: OEM bolt-on replacements, fixed tubular or board steps, and electric retractable units.

All three styles are confirmed compatible with the standard GWM Cannon dual-cab body from 2020 through to the current 2026 model year. The mounting points on the cab and rear door sill area have not changed across that production run, so a step set listed for 2020 fits the 2026 build.

The Alpha Ultra PHEV is a different story. The question of whether electric side steps integrate cleanly with the PHEV's CAN bus architecture has been raised, and no confirmed install has been reported at the time of writing. The PHEV was only added to the Alpha Ultra line in early 2025, per the Cannon Alpha platform history, so if you own one, treat electric step compatibility as unverified until you speak with your supplier directly.

Fixed vs electric: which type?

Fixed steps — OEM-style pressed-steel boards or tubular BEAST-style bars — sit permanently below the sill. They are the simpler, cheaper option, with OEM-style sets starting at around AU$439 and board steps in the AU$449–AU$499 range. The trade-off is ground clearance: a fixed step typically drops effective sill clearance by 80–150 mm, which matters the moment you take the Cannon off-road.

Electric retractable steps solve that problem. They fold flush under the body when the door closes and extend when it opens, triggered through the factory CAN bus or a door-open signal. Weight capacity on heavy-duty electric units reaches around 300 kg, and pricing sits in the AU$1,295–AU$1,495 bracket. That is roughly three times the cost of a fixed set.

The honest split: if your Cannon is doing the school run and occasional weekend touring on formed tracks, fixed steps are fit for purpose and the savings are real. If you do serious off-road work — rocky tracks, creek crossings, corrugated outback roads — the clearance hit from a fixed step becomes a liability and the electric premium earns its keep.

If you are also looking at underside protection to go with your steps, see our GWM Cannon bull bar and recovery guide for how other accessories stack on the same platform.

Cannon side step specs compared

We cross-check listings against factory mounting points before recommending any step. Here is how the main categories compare across the specs that matter most to Australian buyers.

OEM-style steps are direct bolt-on replacements — no drilling, no bracket fabrication. Heavy-duty board and tubular steps may require a bracket kit, but that hardware is typically included. Electric retractable units always require bracket mounting and wiring, with assembly required in every case we have seen listed.

Will electric steps harm Cannon electrics?

This is the question competitors skip, and it is the one worth answering carefully. Major Australian suppliers explicitly market CAN bus plug-in operation for the standard GWM Cannon diesel — meaning the step module reads the door-open signal from the factory bus without cutting or splicing wiring. On the standard diesel Cannon, that integration approach is confirmed and supported.

The Alpha Ultra PHEV is a separate concern. Whether the PHEV's CAN bus architecture differs enough to cause problems has been raised as an open question, and at the time of writing no confirmed electric step install on an Alpha Ultra PHEV has been reported. Do not assume diesel fitment data transfers to the PHEV.

The broader principle matters here: any dual-cab platform integrating aftermarket electrical accessories into a factory CAN bus deserves careful, tested fitment rather than a casual wire-and-hope approach. That is doubly true for a newer PHEV drivetrain where the electrical architecture is less documented.

If you are on a standard diesel Cannon, confirm with your supplier that their specific electric step kit is tested on your build year. For broader context on Cannon accessory risks, our GWM Cannon accessories failure data article is worth reading first.

How to install Cannon side steps

OEM-style fixed steps are genuinely DIY-friendly. They bolt directly to the existing mounting points on the Cannon dual-cab body — no drilling, no modification to the body panels. Budget around one to two hours for a careful first install, including fitting both sides and checking all fasteners.

1. Confirm fitment and gather tools. Confirm your Cannon variant and build year against the step's fitment listing. Gather a socket set, torque wrench and the supplied bracket kit before you start.
2. Position the first step. Offer the step up to the factory mounting points on one side of the dual-cab body. Loosely fit the bolts so you can align it before final tightening.
3. Align and torque to spec. Level the step, then torque the fasteners to the manufacturer's spec. Do not over-tighten — this can distort the bracket interface and cause rattles on corrugations.
4. Repeat on the other side. Fit the second step the same way, checking both steps sit level and symmetrical front to rear.
5. Wire electric units (if fitted). For electric steps, mount the brackets, then connect the module to the door-trigger circuit or the factory CAN bus at the nominated point. Have an auto-electrician verify the wiring if in any doubt.
6. Test and re-check fasteners. Open and close each door to confirm operation (electric), then re-check all fasteners. Re-check again after your first serious off-road trip.

Electric retractable steps add two layers of work: bracket mounting follows the same bolt-on principle, but wiring the CAN bus module is a separate task.

Assembly is always required — these do not arrive pre-wired. For a standard diesel Cannon, a competent DIYer with electrical experience can handle it, but if you have any doubt, have an auto-electrician verify the wiring. On the PHEV, professional installation is the only approach we can endorse until supplier confirmation exists.

Australia-specific fitment considerations

Corrugated outback roads are the enemy of fixed low-profile steps. The vibration load on bracket-mounted steel steps over hundreds of kilometres of washboard is real, and a step that feels solid after a suburban install can develop movement after a long dirt run. Check fasteners after the first serious off-road trip.

Electric step motors are exposed to dust ingress on unsealed roads — relevant for buyers in regional WA, the NT and inland QLD. Sealed and waterproof motor units exist, but not all listings specify an IP rating. Ask before you buy if your Cannon spends regular time on dirt.

Coastal owners face a different problem. Salt air accelerates corrosion on powder-coated steel faster than on polished stainless or anodised aluminium. If you are parking near the water regularly, stainless or aluminium steps justify the premium regardless of off-road use.

Wider board steps also offer a genuine secondary benefit: door-ding protection in tight urban carparks. A board step positioned at door-edge height absorbs the light impact from an adjacent car door before it reaches your Cannon's paintwork — real-world value that has nothing to do with the step-up height.

Finally, regional Cannon owners frequently note that GWM dealer support thins out away from major centres. Fixed bolt-on steps require no dealer involvement to fit or remove — a practical advantage if your nearest service centre is three hours away. You can check current factory accessory options on the official GWM Australia site.

Fitment check

Confirmed compatible with: GWM Cannon dual-cab 2020–2026. Cross-reference your build variant (standard diesel, Alpha, or Alpha Ultra PHEV) with the supplier's fitment listing before purchasing, as electric step CAN bus compatibility has only been confirmed for the standard diesel at the time of writing. Contact us with your VIN to verify before ordering.

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