We took our entry level GWM Ora up to the Cottages for the weekend, and it was a revelation. Even the gen Z crew were impressed, and they’re never impressed by anything.

All Ora models have the same 126kw/250Nm motor with either a 48kWh or 63kWh battery. The 8.5 second 0-100 isn’t super-fast, and even in SPORT mode, the motor doesn’t have the instant torque that EVs are known for. We thought that might make the drive a bit hows-your-father, but it didn’t. It was bonza!

We shared the driving, rotating through the Ora, and Casper’s EV6 GT, and was an hour and a half before we pulled into the Cottages compound. After that obligatory blatt up the M1, we toasted sausages over the open fire to share our thoughts.

The pricing of the recently introduced EV is a little confusing, and is the subject of current offers and incentives. The ORA range is currently between $38,163 and $50,603 drive away with a 2023 5-star ANCAP safety rating.

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ABOVE: 2023 GWM Ora

Casper:

The Ora is 1/3-ish the price of my Kia EV6 GT, with much less power. Surprisingly it is no less fun. $38,163 drive away is astounding value for a car that is better equipped than similarly sized ICE models.

If the Ora had been around when I got the EV6, I’d have bought the Ora and saved the rest for a deposit on a house.

Ethan:

We used a fair whack of battery on the trip up. We used Sport Mode, not sparing the horses. We were able to charge the Ora overnight at the Cottages not a second EV charger has been installed on the farm. Max’s mum has a bunch of solar panels, and a small wind turbine, so the farm frequently supplies all its needs.

It allows free overnight guest charging, even though the rate is not overly shocking. Get it? Charge? Shock?

The Ora did far better on the back roads than we thought, and certainly kept up with the traffic on the highway.

Max:

Ora is so ugly, that it is cute.

There is so much space inside, even in the back. Luggage was tough shove for 4 of us, but it is a trick Ora will rarely be called on to fulfil, it is a city car.

If range was a problem on this base model, an extra 6 grand gets you the bigger battery for $44,343 (drive away). This is the cheapest EV in the country, and will fairly flog the competition to within an inch of its life. GWM will sell as many Oras as it can ship in.

Raffy:

I’m not the kind of boy who like shops in the bargain basement, but if I didn’t know better I’d say Ora was made by a European brand, possibly Italian.

The clock was the wrong time, and none of us could find a way to change it. Other than that, the twin LCD screens are perfectly set out. The display shows cars and other objects around the Ora, and when set, also shows the lanes and distances to other motorists. Some of the ICE brands in this price range still have conventional dials, a crappy engine, sub-par transmission, and a severe shortage of standard inclusions. Let that sink in for a bit.

Once word gets around, Ora is going to be a popular lad. There is nothing the gays like more than fresh meat.

Nicco:

Although Fiat’s 500e is my “Favourite Gay EV” based on looks, the Ora kicks serious arse on price and range. Even the base model Ora betters the single-model Fiat by far.

The drive is astounding for a Chinese car, and we should know, we had an early Great Wall. It was utter rubbish, whereas the Ora, made by the same people, is brilliant. It is stylish and comfortable, but has a few annoying quirks that need to be sorted out by updates.

The one-pedal driving doesn’t stay on after a restart, and for some reason the wireless Apple Carplay was a little moody.

Alan:

I have been saying for several years that the Chinese car makers are ignored by other car makers at their peril.

The Ora is the best value EV bar none, in this, or any other price range. Condsider this: Our $38,163, 310km standard range car provedadequate for our tests. The long-range version, top-drawer GT costing a fraction over 50 grand, has 420km, worth of range. It is a small car, so the MG ZS EV wins on dollars vs space, but it is nowhere near as nice inside, or as nice to drive. Ora is a complete revelation.

The shortage of controls outside the menu system is annoying, but not a deal breaker.

I love this car, a lot. It suits my relaxed style of driving, and is the perfect car for city chores. The final nail in the coffin of most of the opposition is the 7-yr warranty and 5-yr roadside assist/capped price servicing. That kind of warranty is offered by few other marques, and when coupled with the price, makes even the Korean mastheads look expensive.

I sense the chsrge of the Chinese Light Brigade is afoot, and if the established carmakers don’t watch their P’s and Q’s, will find themselves going the way of Holden.