GWM Ora 03 review
The sporty-looking GT variant adds a unique set of diamond-cut 18-inch alloy wheels, sportier exterior styling treatment, ventilated front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and an all-important heat pump that gives more efficient interior heating in colder weather by utilising waste heat from the electric drive motor.
Along with a change of name and a broader range of trim levels, the 03 has had a price cut. The entry-level Pure starts at just under £25,000, while the bigger battery 63kWh Pro trim starts at just under £29,000. Meanwhile, the top-of-the-range GT trim with a heat pump and panoramic glass roof comes in at around £32,000.
Our network of trusted dealers is currently offering discounts on the recommended retail price of a new Ora 03 via our Find a Car service. Alternatively, you can lease an Ora 03 or buy a used Ora 03 (or a used Ora Funky Cat – as it was formally known), all on Auto Express.
Sadly, the Ora 03 doesn’t match better handling small EV rivals like the MG4 or Renault 5 due to a fidgety low-speed ride and vague steering. The electric motor with 169bhp is nippy enough with a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds in entry-level Pure trim, while the regen brakes offer a single pedal drive mode for maximum efficiency in town. Lots of tyre noise at higher speed spoils its ability to hack long-distance driving. Read more about the Ora 03’s electric motors, performance and drive…
Whether you go for the 193-mile base Pure with a 48kWh battery, or the 260-mile Pro trim with a 63kWh, the Ora 03 comes up short against the MG4. What’s more, insurance costs, when compared with the cheaper to buy Renault 5, are likely to be expensive thanks to the 03 starting in group 26, whereas the R5 is in group 18. Charging times aren’t the best either, which isn’t ideal when you have to go on longer trips. A heat pump only comes as standard on the most expensive GT trim. Read more about the Ora 03’s range, charging and running costs…
The retro theme of the Ora 03 is evident by the choice of bright two-tone colour options, both inside and out. The dashboard has toggle switches just like a MINI, but it doesn’t have the premium feel of the MINI due to some flimsy-feeling controls and plenty of hard plastic. The infotainment system is hampered in the useability stakes by its small font that’s hard to read at a glance while driving. Read more about the Ora 03’s interior, design and technology…
Priority in terms of the available space inside the Ora 03 has gone to the passengers rather than the boot, because while you can fit adults in both the front and rear seats (albeit with slightly compromised head room for those in the back thanks to the curved roofline of the 03), the 228-litre luggage space of the 03 is more on par with the smaller MINI Cooper than either the MG4 and VW ID.3 that the Ora is closer in size to. You’ll also have to put with a high loading lip that makes putting heavier items inside more awkward than it ought to be. Read more about the Ora 03 boot space, comfort and practicality…
We don’t yet have enough data to include the brand GWM Ora or the Ora 03 in our annual Driver Power customer satisfaction survey rankings, so we can’t comment on what the ownership experience will be like or how dependable the cars will be. However, the 03 does come with a long five-year, unlimited mileage warranty and five years’ worth of AA breakdown cover to offer peace of mind. Safety experts Euro NCAP have deemed it to be a very safe car, and it comes with all the latest safety assistance technology – although some of its warnings are rather irritating. Read more about the Ora 03’s reliability and safety…
The 03 (also known as the Ora Good Cat in other markets) was GWM Ora’s debut model in the UK. It’s a five-door, five-seat small electric car that looks set to challenge the likes of the BYD Dolphin, MG4, MINI Cooper, and Renault 5
The biggest rivals the 03 has to overcome are the established MG4 and incoming Renault 5. The MG is more efficient than the 03 and has a greater range of battery size options, which is important for anyone looking for a car with some long-distance ability. The Renault 5 offers a similar range despite having a smaller battery, and along with more affordable insurance costs, it should be cheaper to run than the 03. It can also be had for less money than a 03, with a starting price of just £23,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
The GWM Ora 03’s standout looks, pleasant to-look-at interior, strong safety and high equipment list help, but the poor driving experience, annoying autonomous tech and small boot mean cheaper EV rivals are a better bet.
There are two versions of the GWM Ora 03. We think if you really must have an 03, you’re best off with the cheaper Pure trim with the 48kWh battery, although even then, it’s pricier than rivals.
We’re yet to try the GWM Ora 03 in summer weather, but its Funky Cat forebear using the same 48kWh battery pack and electric motor as the 48kWh Pure 03 only returned 2.8mi/kWh in colder winter conditions, whereas an MG4 tested at the same time managed 3.1mi/kWh.
That’s hard to say for an EV from an all-new company to UK shores. It has a longer manufacturer’s warranty than most, and you get five years of AA breakdown cover to offer you some reassurance.
The standard manufacturer’s warranty from GWM Ora is five years with unlimited mileage. An eight-year/100,000-mile warranty covers the battery pack.
Like many electric cars, the GWM Ora 03 has longer service intervals than most petrol and diesel cars, needing routine maintenance every two years or 18,000 miles.