GWM Ora 5 electric SUV review: Fun and funky styling taps into rising EV popularity

Has Australia reached a tipping point in its take-up of electric vehicles? Certainly, over the last few months and driven by instability in the Middle East, new car buyers have started taking EVs seriously. Sales have hit unprecedented levels, with latest data from June highlighting that almost one in four new cars sold for the month was an EV.

In what was a record month for the segment, Aussies bought over 32,000 new EVs in June, translating to one electric vehicle sold every 80 seconds. 

3

And it’s this groundswell that China’s GWM is hoping to tap into with its new Ora 5, an affordable small-size electric SUV that blends funky styling with some pretty sharp pricing.

How much is the GWM Ora 5?

There are just two variants in the Ora 5 range, the entry-level Lux priced at $33,990 drive-away and the $36,990 drive-away Ultra that brings some extra goodies to justify its dearer price.

Both variants share the same powertrain, pairing a 150kW/260Nm electric motor with a 58.3kWh battery for a claimed WLTC driving range of 435km. That places it right in the sweet spot of the segment, undercutting its main rivals including the BYD Atto 2 (from $31,990 before on-road costs, translating to around $35,000 drive-away) and the $37,990 drive-away Chery E5.

GWM hasn’t shied away from its equipment catalogue, the Ora 5 in either trim packed with the type of creature comforts and technology today’s new car buyers expect.

1

All of the basics are covered off including big screens, wireless smartphone mirroring, as well as a swag of advanced driver assist and safety technologies.

Ora 5 Lux standard features

• 18-inch alloy wheels with a space saver spare tyre
• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic wipers
• Roof rails
• Smart keyless access
• Rear privacy glass
• Synthetic leather steering wheel
• Synthetic leather upholstery
• Six-way electric driver’s seat
• Single-zone climate control with rear vents
• 10.25-inch driver’s display
• 14.6-inch touchscreen with live services
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Six-speaker audio system
• Standard, eco, city, sport and auto driving modes
• Seven airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking with cyclist, pedestrian and junction assist
• Lane keeping assistance
• Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention monitoring
• Traffic sign recognition
• Rear collision warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert with braking
• 360-degree camera

Ora 5 Ultra model adds to Lux

• Electric tailgate
• Panoramic glass roof with sunshade
• Heated mirrors with auto-folding functionality
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Memory for the driver’s seat
• Four-way electric front passenger seat
• Wireless phone charger
• 64-colour ambient lighting
• Nine-speaker audio system

Is there anything interesting about the GWM Ora 5’s design?

GWM has made much of its ‘Born from Nature’ design philosophy which, according to the brand “was heavily influenced by smooth and round rocks found on riverbeds” as well as the “smooth lines found on sand dunes”.

4

Make of that what you will, but certainly, its quirky styling and smooth surfaces sets the Ora 5 apart from its contemporaries, enough to earn its maker a 2025 London Design Award in the Automobiles / Vehicles category.

GWM should be applauded for its vibrant colour palette that runs the spectrum from the traditional white, black and grey to the bolder and altogether more vibrant Emerald Green, Cute Cyan and Flamingo Pink. No, the brighter, bolder hues won’t be to everyone’s taste, but kudos to GWM for daring to be different.

What’s the GWM Ora 5 like on the inside?

It’s the cabin where buyers could well be won over, a fresh and contemporary design that blends sleek styling and decent material quality with Millennial and Gen Z friendly technology.

6

Central to the cabin is a big 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that hosts the usual array of connectivity. It’s large and easy to use and plays host to the majority of the Ora 5’s functions.

An array of interesting textures and materials adorn most surfaces that lift the cabin ambience. A highlight are the coppery-bronze accents that trim the dashboard, speaker surrounds and door handles. 

Cloth seats are the order of the day in the entry-level Lux model, but they’re supportive and comfortable, although could do with a touch more under-thigh support.

Handing over the extra $3000 for the Ultra brings more upmarket items such as faux leather seats in either grey or near-as-white cream, seat heating, panoramic roof, wireless phone charging, and powered tailgate. We’d suggest it’s three grand well spent over the Lux. Either shade of leather can be ordered at no additional cost. My preference for the white interior strays into masochism but it looks elegant and enhances and elevates the lightness of the cabin.

6

There’s a surprising amount of space in the second row for such a compact SUV. Anyone under 180cm tall won’t struggle to get comfortable, although three adults abreast might be a little too cosy. Cargo lugging capacity of 362L, expanding to 1060L isn’t too shabby either. And in something of an anachronism, the Ora 5 is equipped with a space saver spare wheel and tyre package. Huge props to GWM.

What’s the battery size and driving range of the GWM Ora 5?

GWM has developed its own lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology, called sVolt. In the Ora 5, it measures in at 58.3kWh, providing a claimed 435km of range, based on WLTC testing. That trumps its main – and more expensive – rivals in the segment with BYD Atto 2 claiming 345km while the Chery E5 comes in at 430km.

GWM says the Ora 5 will use electrons at the rate of 15.35kWh/100km, a claim we bettered on test, recording an indicated 15.0kWh/100km.

2

Replenishing the battery at a maximum DC capacity of 120kW will take around 30 minutes from 10-80 per cent.

How much does it cost to service the GWM Ora 5?

GWM covers the Ora 5 with its standard seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, adding a good dollop of peace of mind to a segment brimming with relatively unknown challenger brands. The LFP battery is warranted separately, covered for eight years/unlimited km.

Scheduled maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first and is covered by a fixed-price servicing plan for the first seven years or 105,000km, each visit to the workshop asking for an affordable $195.

What’s the GWM Ora 5 like to drive?

On the road, the Ora 5 does most things pretty well, with some exceptions. Its performance is brisk enough, with a decent surge of speed taking off from standstill without breaking the demerit points bank. 

4

On the move, thanks to the instant torque of the front-mounted electric motor, the Ora 5 SUV can surge ahead for overtakes without too much fuss, effortlessly piling on the speed as needed.

Ride quality is good, but not outstanding. The Ora 5’s suspension – MacPherson struts up front and multi-link at the rear – is locally tuned for comfort and that plays out on smoother suburban sections of road where the cabin remains nicely isolated from the outside world. Navigating some rural b-roads does highlight some room for improvement, the Ora 5 a touch jittery over rippled and patchworked surfaces.

Once out on the highway, some road noise does creep into the cabin, the lack of engine and exhaust noise amplifying every ripple under the wheels.

The steering has some pleasing heft to it, at once responsive and nicely direct to inputs, while brake pedal feel is reassuring. There’s no telltale jump between regenerative and friction braking, always a plus.

As a compact SUV weighing around 1685kg, the Ora 5 is no corner carver, but it did handle itself with a measure of composure during some more adventurous driving through some hilly back roads. The chassis itself feels nicely balanced and while there is a modicum of body roll through tighter corners, it’s not so much as to cause concern.

5

More concerning are the poorly calibrated safety assist systems which operated on a hair trigger with the commensurate beeps and bongs that infuriate and distract. The biggest culprits are the driver attention monitoring system and seat belt reminders, although I suspect the latter was a fault rather than poor application. If GWM is serious about standing out in a crowded marketplace, then a software update for the Ora 5 SUV should be a priority.

What’s the verdict on the GWM Ora 5?

There’s no question the GWM Ora 5 SUV mostly does what an urban-focussed EV is supposed to do, offering a pleasant time behind the wheel and a very usable driving range.

Its sharp pricing alone, allied with very friendly servicing costs, should see it garner attention from an ever-growing number of Aussies looking to make the switch to EVs.

2

Add in its fun and quirky styling and thoroughly modern cabin, topped by nice road manners and decent, if not thrilling performance, and it’s not a stretch to imagine the Ora 5 climbing up the new car sales charts.

GWM Ora 5 SUV specs