mReview: GWM ORA 5 EV – from popular city hatchback to a versatile B-SUV tailored for Thai fans

GWM ORA 5 EV – Redesigned with a 'less is more' philosophy, reshaped as a B-SUV for broader day-to-day versatility.

What’s Great?

• Striking design that remains distinctly ORA.
• A complete repositioning from city hatchback to full-fledged B-SUV.
• GWM's Coffee OS delivers a smooth, user-friendly experience.

What’s Good?

• Customers can choose between EV or HEV powertrains with no compromise on equipment.
• Compact dimensions make city driving a breeze.
• Extended rear section adds genuine practical versatility.

What’s Not Great?

• The brake pedal sits higher than the accelerator, requiring a bit of adjustment.
• The battery floor pan in the EV version eats into cabin height noticeably.

Transitioning from one of Thailand's top electric city hatchbacks into a proper B-SUV, the ORA 5 feels equally confident in urban traffic and out on the open road. Offering a roomier interior and a slightly larger body without compromising driveability, it inspires complete confidence behind the wheel.

Having spent a fair bit of time on Thai roads, ORA vehicles have become second nature to us at Motorist, allowing us to drive this ORA 5 EV with complete confidence and a clear grasp of its character. The driving sensation feels remarkably close to the original ORA Good Cat... right down to that high-mounted brake pedal that might feel a touch awkward for some drivers to step on.

Navigating twisty lanes and weaving through congested city streets during peak hour, the car handles daily comfort demands admirably. Although a flutter of wind noise makes its way past the windows at higher highway speeds, it's hardly out of the ordinary for a car in this segment.

“As pretty as ever” might sound like a cheeky jab to some, but from a design perspective, preserving that original charm on a heavily overhauled platform is no easy task.

Beneath that familiar (and adorable) face, several updates improve everyday usability. For instance, the rounded headlight clusters no longer alternate between DRL rings and indicators, now housing projector LED units inside.

Additionally, the lower front bumper features an active shutter grille that opens and closes automatically to cool the electric powertrain and high-voltage battery when needed.

The ORA 5 EV is powered by a front-mounted single electric motor producing 204 hp (150 kW) and 260 Nm of torque. Paired with a 58.3 kWh battery pack, it delivers a claimed maximum range of 520 kilometres per charge (NEDC).

Offering over 500 km of range at a sub-700,000 THB entry point gives it a clear advantage over competitors. That said, with the larger body size, 260 Nm of torque feels sensible rather than scorching when trying to overtake at motorway speeds... but then again, where are we rushing off to?

Charging capabilities are identical across all trims, supporting up to 120 kW DC fast charging, matching standard public chargers across Thailand, alongside a 6 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) system for powering external appliances.

Sitting noticeably higher than the ORA Good Cat, it measures 4,471 mm long, 1,833 mm wide, 1,641 mm tall, making it an ideal B-SUV with a 2,720 mm wheelbase.

In truth, a 2,720 mm wheelbase paired with this level of cabin room is nothing to scoff at. Rewind two or three years, and these figures would have been considered exceptionally generous. However, with modern 2026 EV platforms adopting longer wheelbases to fit massive battery packs, the ORA 5's dimensions feel somewhat conventional by today's standards.

On the bright side, ORA raised the ground clearance to 175 mm, making it far better equipped to tackle steep speed bumps and cratered Thai roads.

The EV variant gets an exclusive option for a gorgeous, warm cream interior complete with cute tartan accents, available alongside Emerald Green or So Blue exterior paints with a black roof (HEV models get grey interiors only).

Beyond the charming interior trim, GWM's Coffee OS operating system deserves praise for being consistently user-friendly, with intuitive built-in navigation and straightforward setting menus.

While it's a slight shame that ORA dropped the massage seat function across all trims in favour of ventilated seats, it's hardly a dealbreaker. Let's be honest, no car massage seat can compete with the firm grip of a local Thai massage therapist anyway!

The bright cream interior with tartan accents is bound to steal the hearts of drivers nationwide. It features a new 14.6-inch central display with crisp 360-degree cameras, alongside a 10.25-inch driver cluster that is slightly overlapped by the steering wheel rim without affecting legibility.

Subtle yet effective headlight details give the ORA 5 a distinctly modern and sporty look compared to the outgoing Good Cat.

Call us old-fashioned, but sticking with conventional mechanical door handles is a welcome choice. If electrical issues ever crop up, at least you won't be locked out by stubborn flush pop-out handles!

The rear profile retains the signature lines of the Good Cat, but a closer look reveals a noticeably higher ride height and extra boot space.

A powered tailgate is reserved exclusively for the top ULTRA trim; Pro models get a manual tailgate across both HEV and EV variants. Tucked neatly beneath the rear spoiler is a hidden rear window wiper, too!

Standard boot space stands at 377 litres, expanding to 1,410 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded down, complete with a handy under-floor storage tray beneath the boot partition.

Rear seat space is decent enough for passengers of average height. Because the floor pan is raised to fit the battery, your knees end up slightly bent. That said, amenities are adequate, featuring rear air vents (single-zone), storage pockets, and a USB-C charging port.

If you previously fell for the Good Cat or are hunting for a stylish, value-packed car, the new ORA 5 hits the mark. Better yet, you can choose between EV and HEV powertrains without sacrificing equipment.

The only real difference lies in pricing, shaped by Thai government policy as follows:

• ORA 5 EV Pro: 649,000 THB
• ORA 5 EV Ultra: 719,000 THB
• ORA 5 HEV Pro: 729,000 THB
• ORA 5 HEV Ultra: 799,000 THB

Author’s Note – The GWM ORA 5 EV stands out as the only pure-electric B-SUV in its class offering a driving range exceeding 520 km per charge (NEDC). Beyond its head-turning looks, that impressive range is a decisive factor for most buyers.

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