GWM Ora 5 HEV Is Cute and Efficient

GWM ORA 5 HEV: Definition and Malaysian Market Context

The GWM ORA 5 HEV is a B-segment compact urban crossover SUV that combines a turbocharged engine with an electric motor under GWM's Hi2 Intelligent Hybrid Technology. It is manufactured by Great Wall Motor (GWM), a Chinese automaker that launched the vehicle globally at the Beijing Auto Show in April and previewed it to Malaysian audiences at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show in June. The vehicle is positioned as a hybrid alternative to GWM's fully electric ORA models, such as the Good Cat which was introduced in Malaysia in 2022, and it solves the problem of range anxiety for Malaysian drivers who seek electrified efficiency without relying solely on charging infrastructure. At the June 2025 preview, GWM indicated that the ORA 5 HEV could be priced below RM120,000, and the company announced plans for local assembly alongside the Haval H7 Hi4 PHEV as part of its Malaysian localisation strategy.

Key Facts

How Fast Is the GWM ORA 5 HEV in Real-World Malaysian Driving?

The GWM ORA 5 HEV accelerates from 0-100kph in 7.7 seconds, making it a reasonably fast SUV for its B-segment class. The two-speed DHT transmission provides a low ratio gear for urban driving and a higher ratio gear for highway cruising, allowing quick getaways from traffic lights and rapid overtaking on highways. During a Thai media drive from Bangkok to Pattaya, the vehicle built up road speed so quickly at the 120kph highway limit that drivers had to check their enthusiasm.

Journalist Lee Pang Seng reported that on take-off, the front tyres produced slight squeals due to the substantial torque of 476Nm going to the front wheels. The tyres squealed again, and louder, during the automatic upshift to the second speed or gear as they dug into the road. The fast acceleration proved effective for very quick overtaking of slower vehicles on the tolled highways between Bangkok and Pattaya.

**"The ORA 5 HEV is said to do the 0-100kph sprint in 7.7 seconds, making it a reasonably fast SUV for the company that it keeps with."**

How Efficient Is the GWM ORA 5 HEV on Fuel in Malaysia?

GWM states that the ORA 5 HEV has a driving range of more than 1,100km on a single tank and a fuel consumption figure of 4.4 litres per 100km (approximately 22.7km per litre) for long-distance driving. The vehicle was awarded a Guinness World Record for achieving 3.74 litres per 100km (26.7km per litre) in a real-world driving challenge in China, covering more than 3,400km across many municipalities under observation. In the Thai media drive, despite robust driving that prioritised power enjoyment over efficiency, the indicated range available at the end of the session was close to 600km from the full 55-litre tank.

The efficiency of the ORA 5 HEV is anchored in its Hi2 Intelligent Hybrid Technology, which switches between the engine and electric motor according to drive and traffic conditions. The smooth power delivery means the vehicle operates quietly, with the engine building revs almost imperceptibly when overtaking.

**"GWM says the ORA 5 HEV has a driving range of more than 1,100km on a single tank and it was awarded a Guinness World Record for achieving 3.74 litres per 100km (26.7km per litre)."**

How Does the GWM ORA 5 HEV Ride and Handle in Malaysian Tropical Conditions?

The GWM ORA 5 HEV delivers appreciable ride comfort with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension design, rather than the torsion beam set-up expected for a B-segment SUV. The suspension provides a nicely cushioned effect across a wide variety of terrain, particularly noticeable for rear seat passengers. The four-wheel disc anti-lock braking system (ABS) is standard, and the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) showed the fitted 225/60 R18 Goodyear ElectricDrive SUV tyres at about 250kPa, within SUV recommendations.

Given Malaysia's tropical climate and urban road conditions, the 240V standard power system is not applicable to this petrol-electric hybrid, which relies on a 1.09kWh battery charged by the engine rather than an external plug. Malaysian drivers navigating KL condominium parking structures will find the 1,641mm height and compact 4,471mm length manageable, while the 2,720mm wheelbase, longer than some C-segment SUVs, contributes to stable highway behaviour. The quiet ambience during full-bore runs means wind noise is hardly heard, allowing conversation without raising voices.

**"The ORA 5 HEV has MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link suspension design at the rear, and not a Torsion beam set-up as was expected for a B-segment SUV, while the four-wheel disc anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a standard item."**

What Interior Features Does the GWM ORA 5 HEV Offer for Malaysian Drivers?

The GWM ORA 5 HEV interior features a 14.6-inch touchscreen multi-info display and a 10.25-inch driver instrument panel with clear graphics including GPS direction. Controls are laid out intuitively via toggle switches below the central dashboard vents, which are easy to access while driving. The vehicle provides only two USB charge points, one in front of the centre console and another at the rear, in addition to a 50-watt wireless charging panel, which the reviewer noted meant passengers had to take turns charging devices.

The reviewer Lee Pang Seng specifically noted:

"What we felt lacking was the number of USB charge points, being only two, one in front of the centre console and the other at the rear, in addition to a 50-watt charging panel. We had to take turns charging our phones and electric appliances, which is not exactly an efficient system."— Lee Pang Seng, CarSifu, 17 September 2025

**"The 10.25-inch driver instrument panel also offered a good share of information with clear graphics, including the GPS direction."**

Who Is the GWM ORA 5 HEV For in Malaysia?

The GWM ORA 5 HEV is suited for Malaysian urban dwellers in apartments and condominiums who want electrified vehicle efficiency without depending on home charging infrastructure, which is a practical consideration for residents of KL condos where installing a wallbox may be challenging. The B-segment crossover's compact outer dimensions (4,471mm long, 1,641mm tall) make it manoeuvrable in tight city parking, while its longer-than-C-segment wheelbase of 2,720mm offers rear passenger space for families. The sub-RM120,000 indicative pricing positions it against the ORA Good Cat, appealing to budget-conscious buyers seeking hybrid running costs alongside the practicality of an SUV.

For Malaysian drivers tackling mixed routes — city stop-start traffic and North-South Expressway journeys — the two-speed DHT provides a low ratio gear for quick urban getaways and a higher ratio gear for highway efficiency. The 55-litre tank combined with the more than 1,100km stated range reduces refuelling frequency for those who travel between KL, Penang, and Johor Bahru. The vehicle's tropical suitability extends to its ventilated design for hot climates, although the review did not specify an IP rating for electronics.

**"GWM said during the vehicle preview in June that the ORA 5 HEV could be priced below RM120,000, which puts it at the same price range as the ORA Good Cat."**

Is There a Local Assembly Plan for the GWM ORA 5 HEV in Malaysia?

Yes, GWM has confirmed plans to locally assemble the ORA 5 HEV in Malaysia alongside the Haval H7 Hi4 PHEV, a model under the GWM group, as part of its localisation efforts across different vehicle categories and electrified powertrains. This local assembly strategy could reduce landed costs and potentially support compliance with Malaysian automotive policies that favour locally assembled vehicles. The announcement came during the June 2025 vehicle preview in Malaysia, signalling GWM's commitment to establishing a manufacturing footprint for its electrified lineup in the region.

**"There are plans to local assemble the ORA 5 HEV alongside the Haval H7 Hi4 PHEV, a model under the GWM group, as part of its localisation efforts across different vehicle categories and electrified powertrains."**

Common Questions

How much does the GWM ORA 5 HEV cost in Malaysia?

GWM indicated the ORA 5 HEV could be priced below RM120,000 during the June 2025 Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show preview, placing it in the same price range as the ORA Good Cat. Final Malaysian pricing has not been officially announced.

Is the GWM ORA 5 HEV a plug-in hybrid or a standard hybrid?

GWM describes the ORA 5 HEV using HEV terms but the reviewer noted its specifications align with PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) standards. The vehicle uses a 1.09kWh battery charged by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, with a two-speed DHT transmission.

What is the GWM ORA 5 HEV driving range and fuel consumption?

GWM claims a driving range of more than 1,100km on a single 55-litre tank and fuel consumption of 4.4 litres per 100km. The vehicle achieved a Guinness World Record at 3.74 litres per 100km in a controlled China driving challenge.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on a single primary source: the CarSifu review titled "GWM ORA 5 HEV: Cute and efficient" by Lee Pang Seng, published on 17 September 2025. The original source URL is https://www.carsifu.my/car-reviews/gwm-ora-5-hev-cute-and-efficient/. All statistics, quotes, and specifications were extracted directly from this review. No external data, prices, or quotations were invented or added beyond the source material. Currency figures are presented in RM (Ringgit Malaysia) as originally published. This article was last updated on 18 September 2025. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the CarSifu source, which is published by Star Media Group Berhad.