GWM Ora 07 review – a characterful and comfortable left-field Tesla rival

Verdict  – is the GWM Ora 07 a good car?

GWM Ora is keen to put clear air between it and the first car the company brought to the UK, the Funky Cat. Now called the Ora 03, it's easier to take the brand more seriously and the 07 underlines its intention to rattle established players in the EV saloon sector. Priced at similar levels to the BYD Seal, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID.7, the Ora 07 still retains plenty of distinctive design cues, but there’s also a twin motor, four-wheel drive GT version with 402bhp and 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds. That’s a good way to show your intent and this model also has a solid 320-mile driving range. 

GWM Ora 07 models, specs and alternatives 

The GWM Ora 07 was still so hot off the press at the time of writing that we’re waiting for exact trim names and specifications to be fully settled. What we can tell you is the 402bhp GT version comes with twin motors and will cover 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 120mph. That puts it right alongside the BYD Seal 380, while drivers considering their options alongside a Hyundai Ioniq 6 or Volkswagen ID.7 may be intrigued by the GWM.

The main talking point for them may well be the styling of the Ora 07, which certainly gets noticed. It also delivers superb aerodynamics to help the 07 deliver up to 320 miles of driving range with the GT, or 395 miles with the two-wheel drive version that shares the same 83kWh battery. Recharging takes around 43 minutes from 10 to 80%, which is a little slower than the VW.

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Expect all Ora 07 models to be very well equipped, though again we’re waiting for the final confirmation of this as we write.

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The GWM Ora 07 will be available with two battery options and a choice of two- and four-wheel drive – the latter using two electric motors to deliver this. We’ve yet to see the full technical specifications for every version of the 07, but we know the GT model is capable of around 320 miles on a full charge. That puts it alongside all of its key rivals and recharging will take around 43 minutes from 10-80% using an 80kW to 100kW charge point.

The less potent models will need less time to recharge with the smaller battery option, but we’ll have to wait to know for certain what the numbers will be.

When it comes to costs, the GWM Ora 07 will pay £10 for the first year’s Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax). After that, it will revert to the standard £195 levy.

Company car drivers will pay 3% for Benefit in Kind tax for the 2025/26 tax year, with this figure rising by 1% per year for the following two years. This should still mean the GWM Ora 07 is competitive when compared to petrol or hybrid models.

What will the GWM Ora 07 cost to insure?

GWM Ora is still to confirm insurance groups for the 07 presently, but we expect it will begin around group 38 for the entry-point version and rise to as high as group 50 for the GT model with all-wheel drive.

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GWM Ora is still in the throes of fine tuning the 07 at the time of writing, so some issues may well have been addressed following our initial drive. The things that sprang to mind when we drove the 07 were the lack of manual control over the regenerative braking function and the tiresome audible warning from the cruise control – we don’t need to be told every time to “take care to pay attention.” GWM Ora has in the past been quick to sort such gripes, so we hope this is the case here.

It would be a shame to spoil the otherwise decent driving manners of the 07 with these niggles. For example, not being able to choose the lever of regenerative braking means you have to work this via the driving modes, and these are not always ideal for the conditions you find yourself in.

More broadly, the GWM Ora 07 is very comfortable and refined. It errs more on the side of refinement and luxury than the BYD Seal, so the handling displayed a bit more body lean in corners than the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 or Tesla 3. Again, GWM Ora told us this was being looked at before the car reaches customers.

What’s not in any doubt is how quick the GT model is. Give it full rein and 0-62mph comes up in 4.5 seconds, so a fraction behind the BYD Seal 380, but not so you’d notice on real roads. More relevantly, the 07 doesn’t deliver its power and acceleration in one giant gulp as so many EVs do. There’s a more progressive feel here that is to GWM Ora’s credit. The car also deals with uneven surfaces capably, though a full UK test drive will tell us more.

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Is the GWM Ora 07’s infotainment and navigation system easy to use?

A 12.3-inch infotainment screen in the GWM Ora 07 will feel par for the course for cars of this class nowadays. That doesn’t detract from it being a good set-up to use and doesn’t require the driver to lean over or reach far to work it.

The on-screen icons are clear and set far enough apart that you won’t miss hitting the right one. It’s also quick to react to a press of your finger. UK cars will come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for easy connectivity with your smartphone, and there’s a wireless charger to keep your phone topped up with charge even when using apps on a longer journey.

We also like the 10.25-inch main dash display, which GWM Ora has given a bit more style to by dividing it beneath a triple-cowled binnacle. This gives the illusion of there being three individual screens showing separate information. It works well and gives the 07’s interior a feel that’s a notch above its rivals.

Is the GWM Ora 07 well equipped?

The exact trim details for the GWM Ora 07 had not been confirmed at the time of writing, but we do know the car will be well equipped in standard form. The lower trim model is set to come with 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, keyless entry, motion sensitive boot opening, and parking assistance. 

There will also be a 360-degree surround view parking camera that works with the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. This will have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a 10.25-inch display in front of the driver is divided into three circular dials. Leather upholstery should be included, along with electric front seat adjustment and air conditioning.

The GT model that we’ve driven is likely to have 19-inch alloy wheels and red-painted brake calipers to set it apart from the lower level trim. It also has twin electric motors to give it four-wheel drive. This model will also be distinguished by the option of a tan leather interior.

What options should you choose on the GWM Ora 07?

GWM Ora is still to firm up any options for the 07, though we would expect to see a choice of metallic paint colours.

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The driver and front passenger in the GWM Ora 07 are looked after as well as in any of this EV’s rivals. Supportive, comfortable seats can be adjusted electrically, while the steering wheel moves for reach and height to give a good driving position. Very tall drivers might find the seat doesn’t move back quite far enough, but it shouldn’t pose any real worries.

Vision for the driver is good to the front and sides, with windscreen pillars that are no thicker than most in the class. For parking, the 360-degree surround view camera is welcome as the slope of the 07’s rear window can make it tricky to judge the car’s extremities otherwise.

Finding somewhere to keep your sunglasses, phone or keys isn’t a problem in the 07. There are reasonably sized door pockets aided by a lidded cubby in the centre console between the seats. Underneath the span of the forward centre console section is another storage tray, where you’ll also find charging sockets. As with many cars, the glovebox is mostly taken up by the owner’s manual but does offer some hidden and lockable storage.

The GWM Ora 07’s rear doors are, like the front pair, frameless and open to an acceptable angle to give simple access to the back seat. Slotting a child’s car seat into the gap might be a little trickier, but there are ISOFIX mounts in the two outer chairs.

Rear occupants are not quite as well catered for space as those in the front. Shoulder room is decent, but the high-set floor due to the battery pack underneath means limited foot space under the front seats and occupants’ knees are pushed a bit higher than feels natural or ideal for longer journeys. Head room is also not as good as in a Volkswagen ID.7 or Skoda Enyaq because of the 07’s roofline.

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Does the GWM Ora 07 have a big boot?

Given the GWM Ora 07’s fastback styling, it would be a fair assumption to think it would have a hatchback tailgate. However, the 07 follows the design idea of something like a Bentley Continental GT instead and sticks with a boot rather than tailgate. It’s not a major issue when loading up with shopping or even suitcases, but larger loads will be more of a struggle when compared with a Volkswagen ID.7 hatch or Skoda Enyaq Coupe.

The rear seat back is divided 60:40 and tips down to extend the load space, but we have yet to be told the exact size of the 07’s boot. To be competitive in this class, it will need to be at least 400-litres in size to match the BYD Seal or Hyundai Ioniq 6.

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GWM Ora is yet to appear in our Driver Power satisfaction survey, so it’s hard to say where the company ranks for reliability. 

How safe is the GWM Ora 07?

Euro NCAP has yet to carry out its assessments on the GWM Ora 07. However, the Ora 03 has been tested and scored a full five stars, so the company knows how to make safe cars and it bodes well for the larger and pricier 07.

The 07 comes with all of the safety equipment to be on a par with rivals in this sector, so you get lane keeping and warning assistance, automatic emergency braking and collision warning, blind spot alert, and traffic sign recognition. There is also adaptive cruise control as well as a range of airbags and other safety kit.

What are the GWM Ora 07 service intervals?

You will need to book in a GWM Ora 07 for regular maintenance every 18,500 miles or two years, depending on which comes round sooner.

What is the warranty on the GWM Ora 07?

GWM Ora provides a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty as standard with the 07, and this same cover applies to the paint. There is also a separate eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty for the car’s high voltage main battery.

Should you buy a GWM Ora 07?

Until we drive full UK specification cars over here, we can’t give a definitive verdict on the GWM Ora 07. However, the signs are very positive this will be an intriguing and effective rival to the likes of the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3, as well as others like the Volkswagen ID.7 hatch and Hyundai Ioniq 6.

Some will see the 07’s looks as a real attraction as it makes it stand out and gives the car a very distinct character where some of its EV rivals can appear a bit anonymous. Others will shy away from the looks, but we’d recommend they sit in the 07 and give it a chance from the driver’s seat. It’s very stylish in here and feels a cut above many of its rivals in the appearance and finish. We particularly like the main dash display that’s divided into three circular dials and the centre console with its physical controls for the air conditioning.

Comfort is another strong point for the GWM’s front passengers, but you may want to double check your teenage kids will fit and be happy in the back seats. We’d also advise checking out the boot and its layout as some might find the lack of a proper tailgate hinders the 07’s practicality too much.

On the road, there’s a lot to like about the GWM Ora 07 for its focus on comfort over outright handling or performance. This is not to say it’s slow, especially in GT guise with its twin motors, four-wheel drive and 402bhp that enables it to cover 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds. More important is the 320-mile driving range of this model, which increased to 395 miles with the two-wheel drive version.

GWM Ora might not worry Volkswagen and Tesla sales too much with its 07, but it does bring an interesting new car to the table that broadens the appeal of the EV family car market.

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What  is the best GWM Ora 07  for families?

Whichever GWM Ora 07 you choose, they all come with the same fastback body style. This means there’s no hatchback as you get with a Volkswagen ID.7 hatch, but the boot opening is big enough for the usual chores of shopping and shoving in sports bags. We’d also check that older children or grandparents are happy in the back seats as space for heads and knees is not as good as in some others in this sector.

What is the best GWM Ora 07 for keen drivers?

If you want to enjoy every opportunity for fun driving in a GWM Ora 07, you need the GT model. It comes with twin electric motors that up the power to 402bhp and add all-wheel drive to the mix. This offers good cornering grip and rapid acceleration – 0-62mph comes up in 4.5 seconds – yet the 07 doesn’t leave its occupants wishing they’d had a lighter lunch every time the throttle is pressed to the floor.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the GWM Ora 07 range?

It’s tempting to choose the GT version of the GWM Ora 07 for its quick-fire performance, but our sensible side guides us towards the two-wheel drive model. It still has a nifty turn of speed yet increases the claimed driving range to 395 miles on a full charge, which means you need never worry about tackling longer trips.

GWM Ora 07 alternatives

The GWM Ora 07 arrives into a corner of the EV market where there are a lot of very talented and appealing cars to pick from. As well as the Tesla Model 3 that has been the most popular, you can also look to the BYD Seal, Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Volkswagen ID.7 Hatch as direct rivals to the 07. You would also have to put the Skoda Enyaq Coupe and Polestar 2 on your list of contenders due to their many skills. It would also be remiss not to look at the Kia EV6 and BMW i4, while a suitably left-field alternative can be found in the Genesis GV60.

• BYD Seal
• Hyundai Ioniq 6
• Tesla Model 3
• Volkswagen ID.7 Hatch