Zakirin
When Great Wall Motor (GWM) introduced the ORA Good Cat to Southeast Asia, it established a clear identity around retro-modern styling and pure electric propulsion. With the GWM ORA 5 HEV, previewed ahead of its Malaysian launch, GWM is making a strategic pivot. By pairing its distinctive design language with an all-new 1.5-litre turbocharged hybrid powertrain, the ORA 5 targets drivers who want the avant-garde aesthetic and electric punch of an EV without the constraints of charging infrastructure.
Here is a comprehensive look at what the ORA 5 HEV brings to the competitive compact crossover segment.
Design & Road Presence: The Cat Grows Up
At first glance, the ORA 5 is clearly part of the “Cat” lineage, featuring soft organic surfacing, ovoid LED headlights, and a minimalist rear end where the light bar integrates seamlessly across the lower section of the rear windscreen. The look earned it the 2025 “Design of the Year” title at the London Design Awards.
However, in metal and glass, the ORA 5 is far from a standard hatchback:
- Generous Footprint: Measuring 4,471 mm in length, 1,833 mm in width, and 1,641 mm in height with a 2,720 mm wheelbase, it is substantially longer and wider than the Good Cat (+236 mm length, +70 mm wheelbase).
- Class Placement: It sits right between compact B-segment crossovers (like the Honda HR-V and Proton X50) and larger C-segment contenders (like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Jaecoo J5).
- Sensible Practicality: GWM opted for conventional physical pull door handles rather than flush pop-out units, paired with functional roof rails and 18-inch dual-tone alloys wrapped in Prinx XNEX Sport EV rubber. Ground clearance sits at an urban-friendly 175 mm.
Powertrain & Performance: GWM’s ‘Hi2’ Hybrid Tech
The biggest technical highlight is the debut of GWM’s Hi2 Intelligent Hybrid Technology. Unlike GWM’s all-wheel-drive Hi4 platform, the “2” in Hi2 signifies a dual engineering objective: maximum fuel economy and robust performance.
- The Engine & Motor: The setup combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine (150 PS / 240 Nm) with a front-mounted P3 electric drive motor (190 PS / 236 Nm) and a compact 1.09 kWh lithium-ion battery.
- Transmission & Output: A two-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) orchestrates the system, delivering a combined output of 223 PS and a massive 476 Nm of torque to the front wheels.
- Acceleration: The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 7.7 seconds. Power delivery off the line mimics a pure EV, offering immediate low-end thrust that makes city overtaking effortless.
Efficiency & Cruising: Over 1,100 km on a Single Tank
Efficiency is where the ORA 5 HEV stakes its biggest claim:
- Fuel Consumption: The official claimed WLTC fuel consumption is 4.4 L/100 km (22.7 km/L). In Chinese efficiency trials, the model even secured a Guinness World Record by returning 3.74 L/100 km over a 3,000 km cross-province run.
- Range: Equipped with a standard 55-litre fuel tank, the car offers a theoretical driving range of over 1,100 km, making cross-country trips completely devoid of range anxiety.
Cabin Quality, Space, and Technology
Step inside, and GWM’s interior refinement is immediately evident. The cabin is trimmed in premium soft-touch leatherette, complemented by rose-gold highlights and configurable ambient lighting.
- Infotainment & Audio: The centerpiece is a responsive 14.6-inch floating touchscreen powered by Coffee OS 3.0, paired with a 10.25-inch digital driver display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, alongside a 50W cooled wireless charging pad and an available 9-speaker sound system.
- Seating & Comfort: Higher-spec Ultra trims add ventilated front seats with driver memory, a 6-way power driver’s seat, and a large fixed panoramic glass sunroof that brings substantial light into the cabin.
- Cabin Quirks: Ergonomically, the retro toggle bank below the screen looks sharp, though it only toggles basic functions—temperature adjustments still require navigating the touchscreen. In the back, legroom and headroom are plentiful thanks to the 2,720 mm wheelbase, though rear passengers share a single central AC vent, and the elevated floor reduces under-thigh support slightly on long journeys.
- Cargo Capacity: Boot space is rated at 272 litres with the rear seats up. While adequate for daily groceries and weekend carry-ons, it is comparatively smaller than segment leaders like the Corolla Cross (440L).
Ride, Handling, and ADAS Safety
The ORA 5 HEV rides on front MacPherson struts and an independent multi-link rear suspension.
- Ride Comfort: The damping is tuned squarely for compliance. Potholes, road joins, and urban speed bumps are absorbed smoothly, and cabin noise levels remain remarkably quiet during electric-only crawling.
- Handling: Dynamic enthusiasts will notice some body lean under brisk cornering, and the front tires can chirp if you bury the throttle through all 476 Nm from a dead stop. It prioritizes comfortable daily commuting over track-like precision.
- Safety Suite: Level 2 ADAS comes comprehensively equipped, featuring Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (with curve speed adaptation), Forward Collision Warning, AEB, Lane Centering, and Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking on higher trims.
Quick Comparison: How It Stacks Up
| Spec / Feature | GWM ORA 5 HEV | Honda HR-V e:HEV RS | Toyota Corolla Cross HEV |
| Powertrain | 1.5T Hybrid (2-Speed DHT) | 1.5L NA Hybrid (e-CVT) | 1.8L NA Hybrid (E-CVT) |
| Combined Output | 223 PS / 476 Nm | 131 PS / 253 Nm | 122 PS (Combined) |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | ~8.9 seconds | ~10.5 seconds |
| Claimed Fuel Economy | 4.4 L/100 km | 4.1 L/100 km | 4.3 L/100 km |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,610 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Boot Space | 272 Litres | 312 Litres | 440 Litres |
| Primary Strength | Torque, range, tech & design | Handling & seat modularity | Proven reliability & boot volume |
The Verdict
The GWM ORA 5 HEV delivers an appealing middle ground in an evolving market. It solves the primary hesitation around pure EVs—charging downtime—while retaining the punchy torque, high-tech interior, and standout styling that put ORA on the map.
While buyers requiring maximum boot volume or physical climate dials might still glance at traditional Japanese rivals, the ORA 5 HEV counters with superior torque figures, generous rear passenger space, and genuine 1,100 km cruising capability. If priced competitively against current B- and C-segment hybrid benchmarks, GWM has an exceptionally strong contender on its hands.
