GWM ORA 5: first impressions of the Chinese SUV arriving in Spain with petrol, hybrid and electric versions

GWM has chosen the ORA 5 as its launch model to start its commercial journey in Spain. And the choice is an interesting one, because the Chinese brand is not landing with a niche electric car or a large SUV that would be hard to fit into our market, but with a compact, family-oriented model available with three propulsion technologies.

The letters GWM stand for Great Wall Motor, one of China’s largest private automotive groups. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Baoding, the manufacturer is present in more than 170 countries and sells its vehicles under several brands. Its catalogue ranges from urban SUVs to off-road vehicles, pick-ups and electrified models.

In Spain, GWM will operate through its own subsidiary rather than through an independent importer. The company intends to have more than 30 sales and after-sales points by the summer and to exceed 50 facilities before the end of 2026. In addition, it will have a national spare parts warehouse in the Corredor del Henares, complemented by the European logistics centre in the Netherlands.

And the car tasked with opening the way is this GWM ORA 5, a model we had the chance to get to know up close in a first static hands-on session.

A compact SUV, though not exactly small

Photographs can be misleading. Thanks to its rounded shapes and a design that dispenses with pronounced edges, the ORA 5 looks smaller than it really is. It measures 4.47 metres long and 1.64 metres high, which places it squarely among compact SUVs. To put it in context, it is longer than models such as a Hyundai Kona, a Peugeot 2008 or a Toyota C-HR, and in dimensions it approaches family SUVs from the next category up.

However, GWM has avoided the aggressive look that characterises many of today’s SUVs. The front is clean and recognisable, with oval headlights reminiscent of a drop of water and a fairly voluminous bonnet. The profile combines well-defined wheel arches, 18-inch alloy wheels, a rising waistline and a steeply raked rear pillar. The sloping roofline gives a certain SUV-coupé air, without clearly compromising rear headroom.

The rear is probably the most original area. The tail lights are integrated beneath the rear window and remain practically hidden when switched off, which allows a very clean surface. The result is a car with plenty of personality that is easy to tell apart, something that cannot always be said of new models arriving on the market.

In the electric version, careful aerodynamic work allows a drag coefficient Cx of 0.26, a noteworthy figure for an SUV of this height. The ORA 5’s design was recognised at the 2025 London Design Awards.

First impressions of the GWM ORA 5 interior

The first sensation on opening the door is much better than one would expect for its price. The dashboard has a horizontal, simple design, with padded surfaces in the most visible areas and decorative elements that give a well-finished look. The door trim, steering wheel controls and overall fit and finish also make a good impression. Even the sound of the doors closing adds to that sense of solidity. It may seem a minor detail, but it is one of those things that help a car feel more sophisticated and better built than its price might suggest.

Another point in its favour is that GWM has not moved absolutely every function onto the screen. Beneath the central display there are several physical controls shaped like small levers, similar in concept to those used by MINI. They provide direct access to some everyday functions, mainly related to climate control.

The steering wheel buttons are also physical. It may sound elementary, but it is appreciated at a time when too many manufacturers rely on touch surfaces that do not always respond well and force the driver to take their eyes off the road.

Two screens and a very fast multimedia system

The instrumentation uses a digital display of 10.25 inches, while the multimedia system is operated from a floating central screen of 14.6 inches. The size is impressive, but the speed of operation matters more. During this first hands-on session, the system responded smoothly when switching between menus and applications. The graphics look modern, transitions are quick and the resolution is good. It is something these new Chinese models are getting us used to.

Underneath is the Coffee OS 3.0 digital architecture, developed by GWM. The system uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155P processor, accompanied by 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. It also supports over-the-air (OTA) remote updates, connected navigation, an app store and voice control with artificial intelligence features.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work wirelessly. Depending on the version, there is also 50 W wireless charging, several USB and USB-C ports, a mobile app for controlling certain functions remotely, and an audio system with up to nine speakers.

Good driving position and plenty of space in the back

Although it has a clear SUV look from the outside, the driving position is not excessively high. You sit more integrated into the cabin, with your legs slightly more stretched out than in other models of this type, coming a little closer to the driving position of a saloon car. The seats are comfortable and offer good support. The basic trim includes heated seats, while the Advance versions add ventilation, electric adjustment for both front seats and driver memory.

In the rear seats there is enough space for two adults of above-average height to travel comfortably. The width available makes it possible to use the middle seat occasionally, although, as with most compact SUVs, the layout is far better suited to four passengers than to five adults. The sense of space improves considerably in the Advance versions thanks to the 1.65 square metre panoramic roof.

GWM has also paid attention to storage spaces. The brand advertises 33 compartments spread throughout the cabin, and there are generous recesses both in the centre console and in the doors. The boot offers 422 litres of capacity in the petrol and electric versions. In the hybrid this drops to 390 litres due to the placement of some drivetrain components. It is not the largest boot among 4.5-metre SUVs, but its shape is quite practical and the available space should be sufficient for family use. With the rear seatbacks folded down, maximum capacity reaches 1,120 litres.

The brand claims that two dog crates can be carried, and it has used easy-to-clean materials in the rear part of the cabin, a detail aimed at owners who regularly travel with pets.

Three engines for the GWM ORA 5

One of the major differences of the ORA 5 compared with other models of Chinese origin is its multi-energy range. It can be chosen with a petrol engine, a self-charging hybrid system or fully electric propulsion. In all cases, even with the combustion engine, it comes with an automatic gearbox and front-wheel drive.

GWM ORA 5 petrol: 160 CV

The entry-level version uses a 1.5 turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 160 CV and 270 Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, reaches 190 km/h and has a homologated combined consumption of 6.9 l/100 km. It qualifies for the C environmental badge from the DGT.

Its main argument is price. With a list price of €26,950 before discounts, it is one of the most affordable automatic SUVs of its size on the Spanish market.

GWM ORA 5 HEV: 223 CV and ECO label

The hybrid combines a specific 1.5 turbo engine with two electric units and a 1.09 kWh battery. The system develops 223 CV and 476 Nm, figures well above those of most of its direct rivals. GWM uses a second-generation DHT hybrid transmission that can switch between different operating modes depending on speed, the power demanded and the battery level.

It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, reaches 185 km/h and has a homologated consumption of 5.1 l/100 km. As a non-plug-in hybrid, it carries the ECO label. On paper, it looks like the most balanced version in the range. It costs only €2,000 more than the petrol, offers better performance, significantly reduces homologated consumption and adds the benefits of the ECO label.

GWM ORA 5 EV: 204 CV and 435 km of range

The electric version uses a front motor producing 204 CV and 260 Nm, powered by a 58.3 kWh LFP battery made by SVOLT, a company belonging to GWM’s industrial ecosystem.

It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 170 km/h. Its homologated consumption is 15.5 kWh/100 km and it offers 435 km of WLTP range, which can reach 603 km in urban use. It accepts charging of up to 11 kW on AC and up to 120 kW on DC. According to the brand, it can recharge from 30 to 80% of the battery in about 20 minutes. This is not a record charging power, but it should allow travel without major complications, especially considering the announced consumption and a range that comfortably exceeds 400 kilometres.

Multi-link rear suspension and European tuning

All versions use independent suspension, with a MacPherson layout at the front and a multi-link system at the rear. This solution is not common across all SUVs at its price and should combine good comfort with better control of body movements. GWM says the chassis has been specifically adapted for Europe. Part of the validation work was carried out on Spanish roads, tuning the suspension, steering and electronic systems to our road surfaces and driving conditions.

We will have to wait for a dynamic road test to draw definitive conclusions, but the first static impression is of a well-insulated car with convincing build quality. The seats, door fit, materials and perceived solidity place the ORA 5 among the new Chinese SUVs that no longer need to rely solely on price as their selling point.

Plenty of equipment from the Explore version

The range is built around two trims: Explore and Advance. The Explore already includes 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, keyless entry and start, automatic climate control, heated front seats, electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, a digital instrument cluster, a 14.6-inch multimedia screen and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also features seven airbags and more than 20 driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane centring and driver monitoring.

The Advance adds a panoramic roof, electric tailgate, synthetic leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, electric and ventilated front seats, driver memory, 64-colour ambient lighting, a 50 W wireless charger and a nine-speaker audio system.

GWM ORA 5 prices in Spain

These are the official prices, excluding promotions, financing and possible aid:

Matt paint carries an approximate surcharge of between €635 and €660, depending on the version.

The advertised price of €19,950 corresponds to the petrol ORA 5 Explore after applying discounts, trading in a used vehicle and financing the purchase. In the example published by GWM, the promoted RRP before financing is €22,450 and requires a deposit of €5,181.90, plus the corresponding arrangement fee.

All ORA 5 models come with a 7-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty. For the high-voltage battery, coverage is 8 years or 160,000 kilometres.

First verdict on the GWM ORA 5

GWM will not have it easy. The compact SUV segment is packed with alternatives, and the Chinese brands arriving in Spain are no longer competing only among themselves, but with well-established European, Korean and Japanese manufacturers. Yet the ORA 5 has strong arguments to attract attention. It has a different design, offers a spacious and well-finished interior, comes with plenty of equipment and lets you choose from three propulsion systems.

The petrol version is especially competitive on price; the electric one combines 204 CV with a reasonable range; and the 223 CV hybrid seems, at least on paper, the most interesting option in the range in terms of performance, consumption and running costs. What remains to be checked is how it behaves on the road, especially the operation of the hybrid system, the real-world consumption of all three versions, the feel of the steering and the calibration of its many driver-assistance features.

ORA 5 – Image gallery