2023 GWM Ora price and specs: Good Cat becomes Australia’s cheapest electric car

The 2023 GWM Ora electric car from China – also known as the Ora Good Cat, Ora Cat 01 or Ora Funky Cat overseas – is the new title-holder as Australia's most affordable electric vehicle, priced from $44,490 drive-away.

However, the three model grades in the Ora line-up from Great Wall Motors (GWM) in Australia are dearer than expected – especially when compared to equivalent examples of the same car sold in China or Thailand.

Industry estimates 12 months ago pegged some versions of the GWM Ora below $40,000 drive-away in Australia – based on pricing in China or Thailand – with top-of-the-range versions expected to be about $45,000 drive-away.

Prices revealed today list the entry-level GWM Ora Standard Range from $44,490 to $47,891 drive-away (depending on state and territory, as stamp duty and registration fees vary).

The flagship, long-range Ora GT variant costs up to $58,405 drive-away.

While the entry price is higher than anticipated, the Ora Standard Range is Australia's new cheapest electric car, costing $1049 to $1705 less than the MG ZS EV Excite small SUV ($46,195 to $49,130 drive-away depending on state and territory), after its prices were increased in January 2023.

The BYD Atto 3 Standard Range small electric SUV costs $48,610.92 to $50,839.35 drive-away, depending on state and territory.

It is also worth noting Australia's pricing is in line with the UK, where a model equivalent to Australia's Ora Standard Range costs £30,495 ($AU52,800) – matching the price of an MG ZS EV equivalent to Australia's Excite model.

All GWM Ora variants come with a high level of standard equipment – with dual interior screens, 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, leather-look power-adjustable seats, and a full suite of advanced safety technology across the range.

The Ora hatchback measures 4235mm long, 1825mm wide and 1603mm tall, with a 2650mm wheelbase – placing it approximately halfway between a Toyota Yaris and Toyota Corolla in terms of footprint, and 50mm shorter in overall length (but 36mm wider) than a Volkswagen Golf hatch.

Compared to these cars, the entry-level Ora is about $3000 dearer than a top-of-the-range Toyota Corolla Hybrid, and similarly priced to a Volkswagen Golf 110TSI R-Line, the most expensive model grade before the GTI and R hot hatches.

Powering the Ora Standard Range is a 48kWh battery pack claimed to deliver 310km of driving range in European WLTP testing, while the Long Range and GT upgrade to a 63kWh battery with 420km of claimed WLTP driving range.

All versions are powered by a 126kW and 250Nm electric motor driving the front axle.

Charging times are claimed as 41 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent with the 48kWh battery. GWM Haval Australia doesn't quote a figure for how much charging power the Ora cars can accept (though overseas specifications quote 80kW).

The Ora Good Cat has earned a five-star safety rating in Europe, and GWM Haval Australia says it is "working directly with [local safety watchdog] ANCAP towards updating this for Australia and New Zealand and expect to be able to confirm this shortly."

Production of Standard and Long Range versions of the 2023 GWM Ora electric hatchback for Australia has begun, ahead of first deliveries due this April.

The company says "the GT model will be available later than the other two Ora models," but says an exact showroom arrival date is "still to be confirmed."

Note: All prices above are drive-away.