GWM Ora 5 EV Ultra Luxury (2026) Review - An Ora 5 For All Tastes
The GWM Ora 5 replaces the Ora 03 with a bigger crossover body and three powertrain options: petrol, hybrid, or full-electric. We tested the R599,900 BEV with its 520 km claimed range and 150 kW motor. The bubble-car styling divides opinion, but the interior punches above its weight with quality materials and clever packaging. It's spacious, easy to drive, and well-equipped, though real-world consumption exceeded claims. The BEV makes sense for urban buyers wanting a practical electric runabout,
Pros
- Well-rounded package
- More space than one expects
- Effortless to drive
Cons
- Highway use eats into usable range
- On the pricer side of things
- Some small feature quirks
Find out what the fairer sex thinks of the GWM Ora 5 here: GWM Ora 5 (2026) First Drive Review
Mini gave us the Countryman, Fiat gave us the 500X, and now GWM is giving us the Ora 5, a scaled-up version of the Ora 03 that was first introduced to us back in 2023. The Ora 03 has since been discontinued locally, but the Ora 5 takes its place. And while it does simply appear to be an Ora 03 that was photocopied at 115%, it’s a fresh direction for the brand and more applicable to the local market.
While the Ora 03 was only offered in a BEV configuration, the Ora 5 offers three powertrain combinations to satisfy every appetite. You have the choice of either an internal combustion engine (ICE), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), or a full battery electric vehicle (BEV), a shift from the full-electric approach that the Ora sub-brand initially represented.
Category | Specification |
Price (R) | R599,900 |
Engine | Single Motor EV |
Power | 150 kW |
Torque | 260 Nm |
Top Speed | NA |
Transmission | Single-speed EV |
Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Economy | 15.5 kWh/100km (Claimed) |
Service Plan | 7 years/75,000km |
Rivals | Dongfeng Vigo E3, |
Top 5 similar cars to the GWM Ora 5
Styling
Ora is somewhat synonymous with rounded, bubble-like styling. The GWM Ora Good Cat, known as the Ora 03, was one of the first designs from the brand, penned by ex-Porsche designer Emanoel Derta, which is why the Ora products look so familiar.
The Ora 5, designed by ex-Opel designer Andrew Dyson, the man who gave us the Opel Astra GTC, does look like the Ora 03 was placed in a photocopier and then set to 115%. It has the same rounded front with circular headlamps, short overhangs and at the rear, high-level taillights that create an uninterrupted, somewhat bulbous bum.
But the Ora 5 is not small. No, it’s a crossover with sizeable proportions, measuring in at 4,471 mm long with a sizeable, 2,720 mm wheelbase. It is as long as a Corolla Cross and bigger than a Volkswagen T-Cross.
Interior and Technology
As unconventional as the exterior is, the interior design is far less jarring. The cabin is sleek and elegant, while maintaining an air of youthful energy. There is an excellent use of soft-touch materials and a variety of textures to give the cabin a wonderful depth without coming across as garish. Copper-coloured trim pieces and accents break the wash of dark grey leather and plastic, whilst chrome-coloured toggle switches offer a nostalgic throwback to classic-car motoring.
The dashboard is dominated by a large, 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system that houses most of the vehicle's controls and settings. It offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a surround view camera, and customizable themes for creating a specific ambient environment with the ambient lighting, sounds, and HVAC.
Ample storage is offered, dotted around the cabin, ranging from the front armrest, upper console (with wireless charging), lower console, door card bins, and glove box. A handy slot for your phone and two cup holders help the Ora 5 be as practical as its size suggests.
Performance
BEVs are inherently heavy due to the battery pack, but the Ora 5 BEV weighs in at a reasonable 1,655 kg, making it agile and manoeuvrable. Powered by a single synchronous motor that directs power to the front wheels through a single-speed reduction gearbox, the Ora 5 is capable of accelerating to 100 km/h from a standstill in only 8.0 seconds. The motor produces 150 kW and 260 Nm torque.
Four drive modes are on offer: an Eco mode, Normal mode, and Sport mode, with the fourth being a “Wellbeing” mode that not only alters the feel of the controls and the power delivery, but also adjusts various cabin parameters for a more stress-free drive.
Driving Impression
The GWM Ora 5 certainly doesn’t feel as big as its measurements would suggest. It is easier to park than one would expect, facilitated by the handy surround-view camera and light controls.
The EV powertrain offers immediate throttle response in Sport mode, but some may find it a little lazy in Eco or Normal modes. Switching between these hardly makes a noticeable difference in the range, unless you present it with a heavy foot.
The ride can be firm on the secondary ride, but primary ride characteristics allow you to clear speed bumps, entrances, and larger undulations without risk of a spine injury.
Visibility is respectable, but the robust C-pillar does present a significant blind spot. Wing mirror cameras help when turning and are activated with the indicator stalk at low speeds.
Fuel Consumption
The Ora 5 BEV is equipped with a 58.33 kWh battery pack, offering a claimed 520 km range from a full charge (NEDC) (435 km WLTP). Our test cycle returned a combined energy consumption of 17.8 kWh/100 km, slightly higher than the manufacturer's claimed 15.5 kWh/100 km.
The LFP battery can accept up to 120 kW of DC charge for rapid charging. Find out more about the network expansion here.
Safety
The Ora 5 is yet to be tested by the official NCAP channels, but with the 03 scoring 5 stars, GWM is confident that the new Ora 5 will fare similarly.
It’s equipped with 6 airbags, the standard array of ABS, EBD, ESC, and Traction control, while the ADAS system in the Ultra Luxury trim on test adds Forward Collision Warning & Autonomous Emergency Braking, AEB-Pedestrian + AEB-Bike, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Centring Keep, Blind-Spot Monitoring + Lane Change Assist, Emergency Lane Keeping, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert amongst some of its systems.
What safety features does the GWM Ora 5 have?
Pricing
Pricing for the GWM Ora 5 starts from as little as R364,900 for the petrol-only GWM Ora 5 1.5T Super Luxury. Our test unit was the range-topping model, costing R599,900.
The Ora 5 is sold with a 7-year/200,000 km warranty, an 8-year/150,000 km high-voltage battery warranty, and a 7-year/75,000 km service plan.
Model | Price |
GWM Ora 5 1.5T Super Luxury | R364,900 |
GWM Ora 5 1.5T Ultra Luxury | R409,900 |
GWM Ora 5 1.5T HEV Super Luxury | R424,900 |
GWM Ora 5 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury | R474,900 |
GWM Ora 5 EV Super Luxury | R549,900 |
GWM Ora 5 EV Ultra Luxury | R599,900 |
GWM Ora 5 EV pricing versus BYD Atto 3
Verdict
In full EV trim, the GWM Ora 5 is nowhere near as marketable as the rest of the range. There’s a stronger case for the HEV, while the full-ICE offering will also have its work cut out for it - the styling isn’t to everyone’s taste - they like looking at it, but wouldn’t want to own one.
The BEV unit we tested is ideal for the energy-conscious buyer looking for a trendy fashion accessory that meets their urban mobility needs: a fun, practical commuter that is easy to drive, fun to own, and doesn’t cost too much to run. It’s certainly not for everyone, but I don’t doubt that there will be takers for this electric alternative.
