GWM Ora 5 Review 2026 | Melbourne First Drive

Written by Riz Akhtar

I spent a full day behind the wheel of the all new GWM Ora 5, the small electric SUV that GWM Australia has priced from $33,990 drive-away for the Lux grade and $36,990 drive-away for the Ultra. The Ora 5 has now landed in Melbourne showrooms including Dandenong GWM, and after driving it through the city, along the Eastern Freeway and through the Yarra Valley, it stands out as one of the more polished electric SUVs to arrive at this price point.

The GWM Ora 5 is a small electric SUV that sits above the outgoing Ora hatch in GWM's local line up. Pricing starts from $33,990 drive-away for the Lux and $36,990 drive-away for the Ultra, which adds a panoramic glass roof, upgraded audio and wireless phone charging. Both grades share the same electric powertrain, so the choice largely comes down to equipment rather than performance.

At just under 4.5 metres long, the Ora 5 is noticeably roomier than the original Ora hatch, which returns to GWM's local range later this year. GWM says the design draws inspiration from nature, including the shape of river stones, and the finished car reads as fresh rather than derivative even though certain angles echo more expensive European styling cues.

GWM Australia had already logged more than 3,000 expressions of interest before the car went on sale, an early sign of how the pricing has resonated with first time EV buyers.

The interior build quality is a step up from what buyers might expect at this price, with a 14.6 inch centre touchscreen that proved simple to navigate during my test and a clear driver display carrying the key information a driver actually needs on the move.

Through the streets of North Melbourne and onto the Eastern Freeway, the Ora 5 felt composed, with acceleration and regenerative braking settings that can be tuned to suit the driver. Stop start traffic was comfortable thanks to auto-hold, and the car never felt like it was working hard to keep up with city conditions.

The real test came on the winding roads through the Yarra Valley, where GWM's local suspension tuning stood out. Body roll was minimal and the car held its line through corners with a level of feedback that many less locally tuned rivals in this segment still lack. The slight firmness in the ride suits Australian roads without tipping into harshness.

How Far Can the GWM Ora 5 Travel on a Single Charge?

The Ora 5 is powered by a 150kW front mounted motor paired with a 58.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, giving a claimed WLTP range of up to 430km. Across a mix of city and highway driving on my test route I averaged 15kWh per 100km, a reasonable figure given the conditions and one that lines up closely with GWM's own claims.

That range figure puts the Ora 5 ahead of the BYD Atto 2, which is rated at 345km WLTP, making the GWM a genuinely competitive option for buyers cross shopping the small electric SUV segment.

How Fast Does the GWM Ora 5 Charge?

DC fast charging is rated at up to 120kW, enough to take the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in around 20 minutes at a compatible charger. The Ora 5 also includes vehicle to load capability, supplying up to 6kW of external power, which is handy for running tools or appliances away from home.

What Colours and Warranty Cover Does the GWM Ora 5 Come With?

Buyers can choose from Pepper White, Emerald Green, Cute Cyan, Flamingo Pink and Crystal Black. Pepper White is a no cost standard colour, while the remaining shades carry a $595 premium.

GWM backs the Ora 5 with a 7 year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and an 8 year, unlimited kilometre warranty on the high voltage battery pack, matching the cover offered across the rest of the GWM range.

How Does the GWM Ora 5 Compare to the BYD Atto 2?

On paper the Ora 5 undercuts or matches the BYD Atto 2 on price depending on the grade chosen, while offering a longer claimed range at 430 km against the Atto 2's 345 km. Where the two cars will likely be decided on is showroom experience and local dealer support, both of which Booran Motor Group offers across its Melbourne locations.

Where Can You See and Test Drive the GWM Ora 5 in Melbourne?

The team at Dandenong GWM can show you through an Ora 5 in more detail, and book you in for a test drive, alongside Booran's broader electric vehicle range and GWM stock.