GWM Ora 5 Electric SUV Confirmed for Australia as Brand Targets EV Growth

GWM Australia is preparing to launch the Ora 5 electric SUV, a critical model designed to lift the brand out of its current "underrepresented" status in the local EV market.

Finishing the year in 17th place for electric vehicle sales in 2025, the manufacturer admits it has a significant opportunity to grow as it shifts focus towards the popular SUV body style.

GWM Australia and New Zealand COO, John Kett, confirmed that the Ora 5 will act as the vanguard for a rapidly expanding portfolio that could see the Ora sub-brand grow to four models by the middle of 2027.

By entering this space, GWM intends to offer a high-tech alternative to established competitors like the BYD Atto 3 and the MG ZS EV.

Kett noted that having this technology in an SUV body style much earlier would have already secured the brand a significantly larger share of the Australian market, but the upcoming 2026 launch represents a major turning point for their local electric ambitions.

Based on GWM’s latest modular platform, the Ora 5 is larger than the brand's current electric hatch, measuring 4471mm in length with a 2720mm wheelbase.

In the Chinese market, the electric model uses a front-mounted motor producing 150kW and 260Nm.

Two Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery options are available overseas - 45.3kWh and 58.3kWh - offering ranges of up to 480km and 580km respectively under the CLTC testing cycle.

Local range figures will likely be lower once adjusted for the more stringent WLTP standards used in Australia.

The cabin of the Ora 5 is centred around a 15.6-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument display.

The vehicle utilises "Coffee OS 3" software, which the manufacturer claims is a more responsive system than previous versions used in earlier models.

Notably, GWM has opted to retain physical switches for several essential functions, a departure from the screen-heavy interfaces that have drawn criticism from some Australian consumers for being difficult to use while driving.

A key part of GWM’s strategy to localise its products involves veteran chassis specialist Rob Trubiani.

While Trubiani’s "DNA" is already being integrated into the upcoming Tank and Cannon models - refining everything from suspension to ADAS safety tuning - GWM intends to extend this local engineering input to the Ora range as the lineup expands.

The manufacturer aims to use Trubiani’s expertise to ensure the steering and handling characteristics of the Ora 5 meet the specific expectations of Australian drivers and our unique regional road conditions.

Pricing will be a major factor in how the Ora 5 competes with rivals like the BYD Atto 3 and the MG ZS EV.

With the current Ora hatch priced from $35,990 driveaway, and the new Jaecoo J5 EV entering the market with a $36,990 driveaway launch offer, the Ora 5 is expected to sit in the high-$30,000 to low-$40,000 range.

This would position it as a higher-riding, more practical alternative to the entry-level hatch while still targeting the budget-conscious end of the SUV market.

While the electric variant is the primary focus for the Australian launch, GWM has developed petrol, hybrid (HEV), and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of the Ora 5 for its home market.

The company has indicated that its "middle Australia" strategy provides the flexibility to introduce these alternative powertrains locally should market demand for non-electric options remain high.

To support the rollout, GWM is also investing two million dollars into a "Master Tech" training curriculum and providing upfront contributions to dealers for showroom upgrades.