Funky and Affordable Ora
Sydney Times motoring writer Bardy Clarkson reviews possibly the cheapest little EV from China.
Right, then. The GWM Ora. Sounds like a cross between a grumpy granny and a forgotten Pokémon evolution. But peel back the weirdly named skin, and what do you find? An electric car, that’s what. A Chinese electric car, at that. The world is sceptical about their sudden influx. As the cheeky old Top Gear reviewers might sneer, a technological abomination cobbled together with chewing gum and leftover firework fuses.
But, hang on a minute… it doesn’t look half bad. A sort of squashed Beetle vibe, all retro curves and big headlights that bugger off at night like frightened rabbits. Not exactly gonna set hearts racing for everyone, but at least it won’t make your retinas scream for mercy.
Inside, however, it’s where things get… interesting. Think IKEA showroom – neon blue trim, not too many buttons, not one but TWO touchscreens. Honestly, I half expected more Chinese frills, a disco ball to drop from the ceiling, but it is actually restrained styling. Driving? Well, it zips around town like a caffeinated hamster. Steering’s light as a feather, handling’s as predictable as a drunk octopus. But for nipping to the shops and back, it’ll more than do the trick. Range? Ha! No worries – you’ll be able to manage with a claimed 310km on the basic model. That’s average – so you won’t be spending more time plugged in than a teenager mobile phone charger.
But here’s the thing: it’s cheap. Dirt cheap. Like from $35k drive away. Which, for an electric car that doesn’t spontaneously combust every Tuesday, is actually quite impressive.
So, is it a good car? Well, the seats do feel designed for little Chinese rear ends. But it’s roomier inside than a Toyota Corolla, despite being 6 inches shorter in length. Is it a fun car? Sort of, or perhaps it just looks it. But it’s a cute, affordable way to get around without guzzling dinosaur juice.
Verdict? The Ora’s not gonna win any awards compared to upmarket EVs, which are scarily fast. But for the price, you get a quirky, electric runabout that won’t leave you bankrupt or covered in soot. Will it hold together? Who knows? At least it should for 7 years – that’s the unlimited mileage guarantee.
So, if you’re looking for a cheap, cheerful chariot to navigate the urban jungle, the Ora might just be your oddly shaped ticket to freedom. Unless you are a fossil who prefers cars like their whiskey: big, neat, with a burner up front and a splash of cynicism about climate channge.
So if you see a GWM Ora creeping up beside you at the lights, don’t bother flooring it. You’ll only embarrass yourself against EVs.
*As a public service to our readers we provide our readers with information about where to test drive the vehicle see below
GWM Dealer Sydney
At GWM Ryde, we’re proud to be a customer-centred business. We believe the moment we hand you the keys is just the beginning of our customer experience. That’s why, from our comprehensive warranties to roadside assistance, we always go the extra mile to ensure GWM owners receive the assistance they need.
