GWM Ora 5 Review Australia 2026: Cheapest Electric SUV With V2L From $33,990

The GWM Ora 5 is the cheapest electric SUV in Australia with vehicle-to-load capability, starting at $33,990 drive-away. It packs a 58.33 kWh LFP battery, 435 km of claimed range (WLTC), 120 kW DC charging, and a 7-year unlimited-kilometre warranty. For buyers who need an affordable electric SUV that can also power a campsite, it is a genuine contender.

GWM (Great Wall Motors) sells the Ora 5 through the same dealer network that handles Haval and GWM utes. The brand has hundreds of service points across Australia, which gives it a practical advantage over newer entrants like Zeekr or GAC. The Ora 5 launched locally in mid-2026, and owners are now reporting real-world experiences that paint a mostly positive picture with a few software quirks.

This GWM Ora 5 review covers Australian pricing, specs, real-world ownership feedback, and how it stacks up against the BYD Atto 2, MG4, and Chery E5 in the electric vehicles segment.

GWM Ora 5 specs at a glance

Spec	Lux	Ultra
Price (drive-away)	$33,990	$36,990
Motor output	150 kW / 260 Nm	150 kW / 260 Nm
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Battery	58.33 kWh LFP	58.33 kWh LFP
Claimed range (WLTC)	435 km	435 km
Energy consumption	15.5 kWh/100 km	15.5 kWh/100 km
DC charging max	120 kW	120 kW
DC 10 to 80%	~30 minutes	~30 minutes
AC charging	6.6 kW	6.6 kW
Braked towing	750 kg	750 kg
Spare	Space-saver	Space-saver
V2L output	6 kW	6 kW
Length / width / height	4,471 / 1,833 / 1,641 mm	4,471 / 1,833 / 1,641 mm
Wheelbase	2,720 mm	2,720 mm
Boot space	362 litres	362 litres
Warranty	7 yr / unlimited km	7 yr / unlimited km
Battery warranty	8 years	8 years

Sources: GWM Australia Ora 5 brochure (June 2026) and model page (October 2026); CarExpert, August 2026; Zecar, 2026

GWM quotes the Ora 5’s range on the WLTC test cycle. WLTC is a Chinese test that usually reads higher than the WLTP figures most rivals quote, so allow for that when comparing.

The value proposition: 435 km claimed and V2L for under $34,000

At $33,990 drive-away for the Lux, the GWM Ora 5 offers more range than the BYD Atto 2 Dynamic ($31,990 before ORC, 345 km from a 51.1 kWh battery) while matching the BYD Atto 3 on battery size at a much lower price. The claimed 15.5 kWh per 100 km energy consumption means roughly $4.65 per 100 km at average grid rates of 30 cents per kWh. Fill up from a 7 kW home charger overnight for about $17.50.

V2L is the feature that separates the Ora 5 from the MG4 and Chery E5 at this price point. The 6 kW output is substantial. You can run a portable fridge, lights, and a phone charger simultaneously at a campsite. Some owners in Australian forums have used it to power tools at remote worksites. At 6 kW, you could even run a small air conditioner for a few hours, though that would drain the battery quickly.

For the average Australian commute of 35 to 38 km per day (ABS, 2020), the Ora 5’s 435 km claimed range means charging once a week at most. With an LFP battery, you can charge to 100% daily without worrying about long-term capacity loss.

GWM Ora 5 review: driving impressions

CarExpert rated the Ora 5 as “Good” in their Australian first drive. The 150 kW motor delivers adequate acceleration rather than anything thrilling. Power delivery was described as “doughy” by some reviewers, meaning the throttle response is smooth but not sharp. For a family SUV, that is fine. For anyone wanting sporty response, the MG4 or BYD Atto 3 are more engaging.

Ride quality drew positive comments. Seats were praised for long-distance comfort, with one owner logging 2,100 km in the first few weeks and calling the experience “great” overall. Suspension leans towards firm, which Australian reviewers noted may not suit rough regional roads as well as the softer-sprung BYD Atto 3. GWM had the local car’s suspension tuned by former Holden handling engineer Rob Trubiani (CarExpert and CarsGuide, July 2026), though reviewers still split on the result. Push hard out of a wet corner and the front tyres can scrabble for grip, with some torque steer, according to CarExpert and EV Central.

The 362-litre boot is the Ora 5’s weakest practical dimension. The BYD Atto 3 offers 440 litres, and the MG4 offers 363 litres (similar). If you regularly carry bulky items, measure first. A spare tyre is included, which is increasingly rare in budget EVs and a genuine practical advantage.

Real-world issues owners are reporting

Early Australian owners have flagged several software-related quirks:

CarPlay disconnections. Some owners report Apple CarPlay dropping out every 5 to 10 seconds, requiring an infotainment system reset. This appears to be a software issue rather than hardware, and GWM has been rolling out firmware updates. Check that your car is running the latest software at delivery.

Life Monitoring alarm. A “Life Monitoring alert” can trigger 10 seconds after locking the car if you use the door handle lock button. Using the proximity lock function (walking away with the key) avoids the issue. This is an annoyance rather than a defect, but it catches new owners off guard.

AEB sensitivity. Phantom braking has been reported by some owners, though others with the sensitivity set to low experienced no issues over hundreds of kilometres. The AEB sensitivity is adjustable in the settings and persists between trips.

None of these are deal-breakers, and GWM’s dealer network can address them during scheduled servicing. Similar software teething issues affected the MG4 and BYD Atto 3 at launch, and both improved through over-the-air updates.

How the GWM Ora 5 compares to its competition

Model	Drive-away price	Battery	Claimed range	DC charging	V2L	Warranty
GWM Ora 5 Lux	$33,990	58.33 kWh LFP	435 km (WLTC)	120 kW	Yes (6 kW)	7 yr / unlimited km
BYD Atto 2 Dynamic	~$31,990	51.1 kWh LFP	345 km	82 kW	No	6 yr / 150,000 km
MG4 Excite 64	~$38,990	64 kWh NMC	450 km	140 kW	No	7 yr / unlimited km
Chery E5	~$40,000	61.6 kWh LFP	430 km	120 kW	No	7 yr / unlimited km
BYD Atto 3 Essential	~$44,000	60.48 kWh LFP	420 km	80 kW	Yes (2.2 kW)	6 yr / 150,000 km

The Ora 5 wins on value per kilometre of range. At $33,990 for 435 km, that is $78 per kilometre of claimed range, though its WLTC figure flatters it slightly against rivals’ WLTP numbers. The BYD Atto 2 is cheaper overall but has significantly less range and no V2L. The MG4 charges faster (140 kW) but costs $5,000 more and lacks V2L.

For budget EV buyers, the Ora 5 hits a sweet spot between the ultra-affordable BYD Atto 2 and the more established MG4.

Charging the GWM Ora 5 at home

On a standard 10 A household powerpoint, a full charge would take over 24 hours. Not practical. A dedicated 7 kW wall charger reduces that to about 8 to 9 hours, which comfortably covers overnight charging.

The Ora 5’s on-board charger accepts 6.6 kW AC, according to GWM Australia’s brochure, with a full charge in about 6.6 hours. Some reviews quote 11 kW on three-phase, but that isn’t the Australian specification, so a three-phase wallbox won’t charge it any faster. A single-phase 7 kW unit is all you need. The 6.6 kW limit is slightly slower than the 7.4 kW most competitors accept, adding roughly 30 to 45 minutes to a full overnight charge. Not meaningful for overnight charging, but worth knowing.

DC charging peaks at 120 kW, giving a 10 to 80 percent fill in about 30 minutes at a Chargefox or Evie station. That is adequate but not fast by 2026 standards. The Zeekr X RWD (230 kW, 18 minutes) and MG4 (140 kW, 26 minutes) are quicker on the road.

If you have solar panels, pairing the Ora 5 with a solar-diversion charger can cut your charging costs to near zero. At a typical NSW feed-in tariff of 5 to 7 cents per kWh versus a grid rate of 30 to 35 cents per kWh, routing surplus solar into your car saves roughly 24 cents per kWh.

FBT and novated lease eligibility

At $33,990 to $36,990 drive-away, the Ora 5 sits well under the 2026 to 2027 FBT threshold of $91,661 for fuel-efficient vehicles (ATO). As a battery electric vehicle, it qualifies for the full FBT exemption on a novated lease.

At a salary of $80,000 per year, a novated lease on a $34,000 EV can save roughly $6,000 to $10,000 over a 3-year term compared to buying outright, depending on your tax bracket and lease structure. The 7-year warranty means you are covered well beyond a typical 3 to 5 year lease term.

GWM is also adding a free 7 kW wall charger, worth $599 RRP, for eligible novated lease buyers whose Ora 5 is delivered by 31 October 2026. Installation isn’t included. Servicing is cheap at a flat $195 every 12 months or 15,000 km under GWM’s capped-price program, or $975 over five years. For a head-to-head with its closest rival, see our GWM Ora 5 vs MG4 Urban comparison.

Safety rating

The GWM Ora 5 has not yet received an ANCAP safety rating as of September 2026. That matters for fleet and novated lease buyers whose employers may require a minimum safety rating. The closely related ORA Good Cat (the Ora 5’s predecessor platform) achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP rating in 2022, which gives some confidence, but the Ora 5 needs its own local assessment.

Standard safety equipment includes AEB, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert across both variants. The Ultra adds a surround-view camera.

Who should buy the GWM Ora 5

Buy the Lux if: you want the cheapest way into a genuine electric SUV with V2L and over 400 km of range. Daily commuters, families on a budget, and novated lease buyers get strong value here.

Buy the Ultra if: you want heated and ventilated front seats, driver seat memory, a heated steering wheel, a powered tailgate, a panoramic roof and the nine-speaker sound system. The $3,000 premium is modest for the additional equipment, and ventilated seats make a real difference in an Australian summer.

Look elsewhere if: you want faster DC charging (consider MG4 or Zeekr X), sportier driving dynamics (MG4 XPower), or a proven safety rating (BYD Atto 3 with 5-star ANCAP). Boot space is also tight at 362 litres compared to the best small EVs in the segment.