Car review: GWM Ora 5 SUV
Following its strategy of offering vehicles that are great value for money, GWM is now in the top 10 car brands sold in Australia.
The new Ora 5 SUV is exactly that – it’s Australia’s most affordable SUV electric vehicle (EV) and it’s also full of kit.
Value for money
The Ora 5 SUV has a features list that you would normally see in a car costing $10,000 more than the $33,990 driveaway price. Features include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, telematics via the GWM app, leatherette multi-function steering wheel and a six-way power driver seat.
For $3000 more, the Ultra variant adds a glass roof, an electric tailgate, nine-speaker audio, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting and wireless phone charging. Both versions have seven airbags and a comprehensive list of active driver safety and assistance technologies. With capped pricing servicing at $195 year, even the running cost is good value.
The Ultra is the pick of the pair. Later this year there will be an even cheaper hatch model available which will be a more city centric car with lower driving range.
Design and function
Externally, the Ora 5 SUV is distinctive as there isn’t a single flat panel on the car’s body, and GWM says the designer avoided any harsh lines and aggressive styling in favour of smooth, flowing surfaces inspired by the natural world. This results in a bit of an arty appearance that drivers either love or hate.
The four-leaf clover design wheels add to the edginess, and GWM claims they have less drag than a conventional wheel and increase the driving range by 5km.
The Ora 5 sits at the larger end of the small SUV class, giving it generous interior space finished in materials that feel a cut above the car’s price. There are more than 30 storage areas in the cabin, including dedicated umbrella holders integrated into the front-door pockets. And, unlike many newer vehicles, the Ora 5 has a spare wheel.
There’s a mounted 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment display on the dash and handy toggle switches for quick access to the main air-conditioning controls. This is complemented by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver.
The Ora 5 also has a very useful Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, providing up to 6kW of power output to operate compatible external 240V appliances and equipment during camping trips, outdoor activities or anything else you need. Probably because of its left-hand drive origins, the charging plug is located on the driver side front guard which could be an issue for kerb charging where the cable has to cover a longer distance.
On the road
GWM has joined Kia and Hyundai in tuning its suspension for Australian roads, and it makes sense. Australia has a wide variety of roads and surfaces and this tune is evident. Ex-Holden chassis guru Rob Trubiani did the tune at the Lang Lang proving ground, and it handles country roads well but can feel a little firm around town.
The Ora 5 packs a 150kW/260Nm front motor and a 58.3kWh battery, with a claimed range of up to 430km. The regenerative braking is not sufficient for truly one pedal driving and unlike some EVs, the Ora 5 SUV can tow 750kg. GWM says their safety testing of the battery includes submerging it in water for 48 hours.
A final word
As petrol prices climb the market is increasingly moving to EVs, I think GWM are on to a winner with the Ora 5 SUV because its great price, excellent value and very usable range.