We kick-started our report from the Auto China 2026 motor show in Beijing with GWM, as the Chinese automaker has yet again showcased its latest B-segment SUV crossover, the Ora 5.
Available in full combustion, hybrid (HEV), and battery electric (BEV) forms, this cutesy crossover has also been confirmed to become the next GWM model to debut in Malaysia.
Ora Good Cat Hatch, But Make It a Crossover
At one glance, one can be forgiven for mistaking the Ora 5 with its smaller hatch sibling, the GWM Ora Good Cat, as both models share the same design ethos featuring several curvy and rounded elements.
As a result, the Ora 5 looks very identical to the Ora Good Cat, the only notable differences being the roof rails it comes equipped with, as well as its healthier ground clearance of 175 mm.
Speaking of which, the Ora 5 is indeed a larger vehicle of the two, and with its overall dimensions of 4,471 mm long, 1,833 mm wide, 1,641 mm tall, and 2,720 mm wheelbase, it is also larger than many other popular B-SUVs on our market, including the Proton X50, Honda HR-V, and Chery Tiggo Cross.
Some other key highlights include rounded LED headlights, a clean front face with a wide lower air intake, full-width LED taillights with lower-mounted turn signals, 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rail, and many more.
More Spacious & Premium Interior
Inside, the Ora 5 is not only more spacious than its hatch twin but also feels and looks more premium thanks to the elaborate use of different materials.
Depending on the trim level, buyers can spec the Ora 5 with multiple upholstery options, including this unique fabric finish with a plaid pattern that reminds us of a certain Anglo-German electric hatch that GWM helped to manufacture.
Tech amenities are also quite decent in the Ora 5, with key highlights including a 14.6-inch main infotainment unit, a smaller 10.25-inch digital metre cluster, powered and ventilated front seats, a 50-watt wireless charger, multiple USB-C ports, a full panoramic roof, and many more.
Moving to the rear, the Ora 5 is noticeably more spacious than the Ora Good Cat and is on par with many of its aforementioned future rivals. Although no specific dimensions were given to us, the legroom and headroom for rear passengers are quite decent, and the rear seats are also reclinable to allow better flexibility.
Practicality-wise, both the ICE and BEV versions of the Ora 5 boast a healthier 422-litre boot space, while the HEV gets a smaller 390-litre boot instead. Should you opt for the version with a spare tyre, these figures drop to 362 litres for the ICE and BEV versions and 272 litres for the HEV.
Three Powertrain Flavours, HEV First for Malaysia?
As mentioned prior, the Ora 5 is available in three powertrain flavours, and we’ve been given hints that the HEV version might be heading to Malaysia first, thus potentially expanding GWM Malaysia’s hybrid offerings.
And unlike the Good Cat, the Ora 5 underpins the new GWM One platform, with the hybrid version using the brand’s latest Hi2 series-parallel hybrid powertrain system with a single front-mounted (FWD) motor and a small battery pack.
The setup uses a 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbocharged petrol engine that is mated to a 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) with an electric motor integrated into it, delivering a combined output of 223 PS (164 kW) and 476 Nm. This grants the Ora 5 HEV with a respectable 0-100 km/h time of 7.7 seconds, while its V-max is capped at 180 km/h.
On the battery front, the Ora 5 HEV packs a small 1.09 kWh unit that GWM claims can deliver up to 1,100 km of total driving range when combined with its relatively large 55-litre fuel tank.
Coming to Malaysia Soon
Last but not least, GWM Malaysia has also confirmed that the Ora 5 SUV is slated to make its local debut soon, although no solid timeline was given to us, at least for now.
Having said that, the automaker previously shared its product roadmap for the next two years, where some of the new models set to be launched this year include the GWM Tank 300 HEV, as well as two B-segment SUVs, with one of them already confirmed to be the Ora 5.
With the Thai-spec Ora 5 HEV retailing at THB 729,000 (RM88,795), can GWM Malaysia price this upcoming hybrid B-SUV below RM100,000 to make it viable against the likes of the Chery Tiggo Cross Hybrid and other electrified B-SUVs in Malaysia?
