2024 GWM Ora Extended Range review

The GWM Ora is a unique looking EV in an increasingly competitive area of the Australian car market. It's joined in the electric small car segment by the current best-selling small EV, the MG4, and the BYD Dolphin, both of which have impressed with their capability and sharp value. One of Australia's cheapest electric cars; we've now driven the GWM Ora Extended Range model to see how the Ora stacks up against its growing competition.

How much does a GWM Ora cost?

There are now four models in the GWM Ora line-up. On 4 April 2024, GWM confirmed updates to the drive-away pricing of its Ora range, addressing increasing competition in the electric vehicle market.

2024 GWM Ora range pricing

• GWM Ora Standard Range – 48kWh battery: $35,990
• GWM Ora Extended Range – 63kWh battery: $40,990
• GWM Ora Ultra – 63kWh battery: $43,990
• GWM Ora GT – 63kWh battery: $46,990

All GWM Ora models are backed by a best-in-class unlimited kilometre warranty: seven years on the vehicle and eight years on the high-voltage battery. GWM Ora owners also receive five years of capped price servicing at just $99 every 15,000km or 12 months, and five years of roadside assistance - representing one of the best aftersales deals available.

The Standard Range and Extended Range variants offer the same level of specification; the only difference is battery size. Features include 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch full-colour touchscreen, keyless entry, wireless phone charging with wireless Apple CarPlay, plush faux leatherette seats, 5-star ANCAP rating, AEB for pedestrians, cyclists and intersections, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera with configurable car display, blind-spot monitoring, steering assist, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.

GWM Ora Ultra model adds:

• Massaging Front Seat with Heating and Ventilation
• Electric tailgate-handsfree
• Panoramic sunroof
• Heated Steering Wheel
• 6-way Electric Driver Seat with memory
• Auto-folding Door Mirrors
• Auto Parking Assist

GWM Ora GT adds:

• GT Bumpers and Grille
• Red Calipers
• Front Crossing Traffic Alert and Braking

GWM Ora exterior design

You won't mistake the GWM Ora for anything else on the road, and it outshines its rivals at this price point. The Ora has a decidedly premium appearance that blends vintage charm with futuristic influences. Its rounded, almost bubble-like shape is reminiscent of classic European cars such as the VW Beetle. Smooth, flowing lines, oval LED headlights, and a minimalist front grille give it a cute and friendly look - with just the right amount of sophistication.

What is the GWM Ora like inside?

For its price, the GWM Ora doesn’t feel lacking in detail. First impressions of the interior are favourable, thanks to stylish contrast-stitched upholstery in a synthetic leather and suede finish.

The interior reflects its cutesy exterior but is also an exercise in refinement. The dash layout is clear, and the centre console area is well organised. The result is a lack of clutter, and the controls are simple to use. However, the lack of hard buttons means that most vehicle functions must be controlled via the touchscreen.

Build quality and plastic finishes are solid, and the heating toggles present a nice design detail. They’re reminiscent of the controls found in modern Minis. But where the Mini can feel contrived, the Ora’s designers have resisted over-complicating things.

The boot space is small with the rear seats up - it's just 282 litres. The shape of the boot makes it tight if you’re carrying a box or suitcase. It’s fine for the weekly shop, and at least its size prevents items from rolling around. Larger items will require folding the rear seats.

There’s good storage inside the cabin, and the absence of a handbrake or start/stop button in the centre console frees up space for two phone trays. Two USB-A charge ports are available in the front, and one in the rear.

Rear passengers are well accommodated, with decent room for two adults and cupholders in the centre armrest. There’s a surprising amount of headroom thanks to the high roofline. The same budget-luxe upholstery extends to the rear. However, there are no rear air vents, and only one charge port to share.

Is the GWM Ora good to drive?

The front-wheel drive GWM Ora Extended Range is powered by a torquey 126kW motor that delivers spritely performance. It drives well in both urban settings and on the open road, although even this extended-range model sees range diminish quickly on longer drives with fewer opportunities for regenerative braking.

Under official test cycles, the GWM Ora Extended Range (with a 63kWh battery) is rated for up to 420km of range. However, with usage averaging up to 17kWh/100km, my test route saw closer to 300km. Eco-conscious driving and use of the one-pedal driving mode would likely improve range, as would more city traffic.

A surprisingly user-friendly feature is the lack of a start button. Simply open the car and sit in the driver’s seat - the Ora is on and ready to go. It takes little time to get used to not starting the car manually, but it's important to lock the vehicle when parked so it powers down properly.

There are quirks. The rotary shifter doesn't allow quick transitions between drive and reverse, giving a stilted feel when performing a three-point turn or parking manoeuvre.

The indicators also frequently fail to self-cancel and are overly sensitive to steering corrections - often switching to the opposite indicator instead of cancelling, which is frustrating.

Still, the car performs well in tight urban spaces, aided by its excellent 360-degree camera that delivers great visibility even at low speeds. As an urban EV, the Ora is a good-value entry point into electric vehicle ownership.

How safe is the GWM Ora?

The GWM Ora has a five-star ANCAP rating and a strong suite of standard safety features. However, the performance of its driver assistance technology is concerning, often proving more distracting than helpful.

Like many systems, all safety features are enabled by default, including autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping assist. These are designed to protect the vehicle from immediate hazards or lane drift.

When well-calibrated, these systems gently assist. In the Ora, however, the calibration is inconsistent. The forward-facing radar and cameras often produce false positives - slowing the car even when a vehicle ahead is exiting, or veering aggressively when close to lane markings.

If you don’t indicate before shifting lanes - say, while returning to your lane after overtaking - the car may violently wrench the steering wheel in the opposite direction.

Inexperienced or unconfident drivers may find this unsettling. Experienced drivers may simply find it irritating. In short, other manufacturers execute this technology more effectively.

How does the GWM Ora compare?

Driver assistance technology aside, I enjoyed the GWM Ora Extended Range. I liked walking back to it in the car park and seeing its bold, funky exterior. I appreciated the interior ambience, although the heavy reliance on the touchscreen can be distracting and unintuitive.

The GWM Ora is a definitely affordable entry into electric motoring, but it is small and less practical than the MG4. It also isn’t as engaging to drive as the rear-wheel-drive MG. If you’re considering the Ora, it's definitely worth comparing the two with a decent test drive.

Another competitor is the diminutive BYD Dolphin. The Ora Extended Range tested here compares most closely in price to the 150kW BYD Dolphin Premium.

Should I buy a GWM Ora?

There are exciting developments at the affordable end of the EV market. For small car shoppers, the GWM Ora Extended Range represents a good entry point into electric vehicle ownership.

But is it the pick of the bunch? On balance, we’d recommend the MG4 over the Ora Extended Range. It’s more practical, more enjoyable to drive, and doesn’t cost significantly more. That said, both vehicles share similar frustrations with driver assistance systems.