2024 GWM Ora Review

Sitting as one of the most affordable electric vehicles on sale here in Australia, the GWM Ora is hard to ignore if you’re after an EV bargain, especially in light of the recent and significant price drops.

It’s one of the cheapest EVs but it’s also one of the smallest, which begs the question of what potential sacrifices you might be making when opting for the GWM Ora.

Let’s take a closer look at the latest 2024 GWM Ora to find out how it stacks up as a value proposition. 

GMW Ora Competition

How Much Does the 2024 GWM Ora Cost?

The 2024 GWM Ora range is priced from $35,990 for the entry-level Ora Standard Range.

Prices rise to $36,990 for the Ora Extended Range, while the range-topping Ora GT is priced at $43,990. 

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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GWM Ora Standard Range Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the GWM Ora Have?

GWM’s entry-level Ora Standard and Extended Range come riding on a set of 18-inch alloys and receive LED headlights, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control, leatherette upholstery with power-adjustable front seats, a wireless smartphone charger, a surround-view monitor with rear parking sensors and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Stepping up to the GWM Ora GT range adds upgraded 18-inch alloys, a bespoke front bumper and grille design, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, a panoramic sunroof, red brake calipers, a heated steering wheel, a powered boot lift and a parking assistant.

GWM Ora Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Both the entry-level GWM Ora and Ora GT come packaged with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system sitting atop the dashboard.

It’s paired next to the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with some fairly large black bezels separating both displays, with AM/FM radio on offer, Bluetooth and USB media inputs.

The GWM Ora and Ora GT both receive a six-speaker sound system.

Does the GWM Ora Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Those looking for wireless smartphone mirroring in the GWM Ora will be pleased - but only if you’re an iOS user.

That’s because the GWM Ora does indeed offer wireless Apple CarPlay, though Android owners are still left out in the rain, with the Ora not offering either wireless or wired Android Auto.

GWM says that Android Auto support will be rolled out to the GWM Ora range via a software update.

Is the GWM Ora Comfortable to Drive?

Behind the wheel, the GWM Ora proves itself a pretty capable little city runaround.

Underneath you’ll find a single electric motor that pushes out 126kW of power and 250Nm of torque to the front wheels which, combined with its 1,540kg weight, gives it some perky acceleration off the line.

Flatten your right foot and the Ora picks up the pace immediately thanks to its electric motor, offering more than enough motivation to keep up with traffic or merge on the highway.

Designed primarily as a daily driver for the city, the Ora has a great set of road manners when cruising around town.

The steering remains extremely lightweight, while the handling is fairly agile.

Combined with the Ora’s pint-sized wheelbase platform, it performs admirably on a daily run around town, through shopping centres and while parking - as any city should.

The suspension errs on the softer side, which means there’s a fair bit of body roll if you’re pushing through a corner.

That soft suspension setup does, however, make it pretty adept at tackling onramps, driveways, speed bumps and expansion joints around town.

The Ora’s regenerative braking system offers one-pedal driving which is another great addition for the urban jungle.

Leave the city in the rearview and the Ora feels confident on the highway, though there is some noticeable tyre roar, perhaps emphasised by the fact the electric motor offers a near-silent driving experience.

The Ora feels a little overwhelmed by rougher sections of country roads, speaking to its urban-centric design philosophy, which means it’s best kept in the urban jungle.

All up, though, the driving experience on offer in the GWM Ora is extremely user-friendly and proves itself a strong contender for a daily driver around town.

How Far Can the GWM Ora Drive on a Single Charge?

The GWM Ora range is offered with two different battery packs, split between Standard and Extended Range variants.

The GWM Ora Standard Range comes packaged with a 48kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers maximum claimed range figures of 310km on the WLTP test cycle.

Stepping up to the Ora Extended Range and the Ora GT and you’ll receive a larger 63kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery pack that offers 420km of range in the Ora Extended Range, dropping to 400km in the Ora GT.

• Ora Standard Range: 310km

• Ora Extended Range: 420km

• Ora GT: 400km 

• Ora Standard Range Energy Consumption: 16.7kWh per 100km

• Ora Extended Range Energy Consumption: 16.5kWh per 100km

• Ora GT Energy Consumption: 16.8kWh per 100km  

How Fast Can You Charge the GWM Ora?

The GWM Ora comes packaged with a CCS2 charging socket that can be DC fast-charged at speeds up to 80kW.

With access to a DC fast charger, you’ll be able to bring the GWM Ora Extended Range & GT from 0 - 80 per cent in a claimed 40 minutes, rising to one hour in the Ora Standard Range.

Using a 50kW DC charger you’ll bring the Ora Standard Range’s battery from 0 - 80 per cent in 46 minutes, rising to one hour in the case of the Extended Range & GT.

With a three-phase AC charger, a full charge takes 4.4 hours in the Standard Range, rising to just under six hours in variants with a 63kWh battery.

Charging at home with a 32-amp wall box will bring the 48kWh battery pack to 100 per cent in 6.5 hours, rising to 8.5 hours in the case of the Ora Extended Range & GT.

One drawback of the Ora as an everyday EV is the less-than-optimal DC fast charging speeds that lag a number of its key rivals.

Is the GWM Ora Practical and Spacious?

While it doesn’t have a huge footprint, the GWM Ora is a pretty heavy hitter when it comes to interior space and practicality.

This is largely due to its battery-electric architecture, which has allowed GWM to get creative in its design- while maximising interior accommodation.

Up front, the Ora’s cabin offers decent headroom for taller drivers and front passengers, with solid forward visibility that helps to add light and confidence behind the wheel.

The cabin design itself is clean and uncluttered, with just a handful of physical switches sitting below the infotainment display and air vents for quick access to the climate and demister settings.

The driver and front passenger are separated by a chunky centre console that houses a storage tray at the base of the dash, a pair of cup holders and a wireless charging pad.

There’s also some additional storage available inside the folding armrest and in the bulky door bins that can easily swallow up a large water bottle.

Move to the rear and you’ll be surprised to find just how spacious the Ora’s second row is.

There’s more than enough legroom for tall adults to get comfortable behind a leggy driver and front passenger, with decent but not abundant headroom and large windows to add some light into the rear.

It’s certainly spacious in the second row, with a USB port and folding armrest with cup holders,  for rear passengers but no rear air vents.

The GWM Ora comes packaged with a pair of ISOFIX anchors as well as three top tether mounts on the seatbacks to help accommodate a range of forward and rear-facing child seats.

How Big is the GWM Ora’s Boot?

While the GWM Ora’s rear seat accommodation is outstanding for a vehicle of this size, it looks at though this has come at the expense of boot space.

Measuring just 228L with the rear seats standing, the Ora doesn’t lead the segment when it comes to cargo space in the rear.

Folding down the rear seats does, at least, unlock a maximum of 858L worth of boot space which is helpful when lugging around sports gear, a large shopping run or a dart to the airport.

For those wondering, the GWM Ora does not offer any additional storage underneath the bonnet, as many other EVs do.

Is the GWM Ora Safe?

GWM hasn’t skimped on safety equipment, even with its most affordable member of the Ora range.

As standard, the GWM Ora range comes packing an autonomous emergency braking system with pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle detection, as well as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts; the latter of which are must-haves for the urban jungle.

The Ora also receives adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist with lane departure alerts, reverse collision alerts, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alerts and seven airbags.

Does the GWM Ora Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The GWM Ora has been given the five-star tick from ANCAP after receiving the following marks in its 2022 safety tests.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 92%

• Child Occupant Protection: 84%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 74%

• Safety Assist: 93% 

What Warranty Does the GWM Ora Come With?

GWM offers the Ora range with a lengthy warranty program.

Every member of the GWM Ora lineup receives a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while the battery itself receives eight years of protection.

GWM also offers five capped-price services that total $99 per visit, or $495 over the course of five services.

There’s also a five-year roadside assist membership thrown in.

Service intervals for the GWM Ora range stand at 12-months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the GWM Ora Worth it?

For the money, it’s hard to ignore the allure of the GWM Ora, especially when you take its impressive practicality chops and lengthy ownership program available.

It’s important to note, though, that when comparing rivals in the EV segment, the Ora Standard Range’s limited range figures and the lack of fast DC charging speeds may prove frustrating over time. 

Having said that, it demands a spot on your affordable EV shortlist simply because of the undeniable value proposition on offer.

If you’re tossing up your best options in the world of battery-electric vehicles, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

Five GWM Ora Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Eight-year warranty for battery pack

3. 310 - 420km range figures from 48kWh and 63kWh batteries

4. 228 - 858L boot space

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating