2023 GWM ORA Australia Electric Vehicle Walkaround Test Drive Review

[@LudicrousFeed]

Wallbox Pulsar Max | Use Code: LUDICROUS10 for 10% off at AU/NZ online store Australia: wallbox.com/en_au/buy-pulsarmax-au NZ: wallbox.com/en_nz/buy-pulsarmax-nz

[@SirGregoryFamilyYouTube]

Your financial disclosure is something I wish other vloggers would follow.

[@LudicrousFeed]

I’d like to be transparent moving forward

[@vijgai3]

Looks great as a second car - city run about. Simple cars like this make transition to an EV easy for the older generation.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Probably makes it easier for a lot of people

[@lspeegs]

Fits the second EV thing perfectly, until a Tesla model 2 arrives, I suspect that will be superior. MG4 and Dolphin probably fit that too.

[@stormjuice]

@@lspeegs I agree on the Tesla Compact, but comparing base models of Ora, MG4 and Dolphin, the Ora wins for me (don't have to pay $1200 over 4 years for MG4 services for starters). MG4 is a great car to drive though.

[@fatdoi003]

@@lspeegs Tesla never impressed me tbh... particularly its ergonomics doesn't suit my driving style.. a long range Dolphin or MG4 Xpower be nice.....

[@lspeegs]

@@fatdoi003 I have respect for the base MG4, it looks after the driver well. The passengers not so much. I spent half the time as a driver and half as a passenger in the test drives. If I was a MG4 driver only, I think it would have had the advantage. Maybe it's just me who worries about the time I spend in the other seats.

[@robnicholas7645]

I own an Ora and after the dealer showing me on a test drive, how to operate the indicators I have had no problems at all. It staggers me the the number of car experts that seem to have no end of trouble operating them!! They are so simple to use.

[@ad_fletch]

Likely just looking for reasons to dislike the car…

[@samirvasishth]

@@ad_fletchi did find it annoying at first. Unfortunately my dealer did not give me any tips 😂

[@LudicrousFeed]

After 24 hours I think I got the hang of it … 😅

[@lspeegs]

I have a Tesla Y and ORA you can get the knack of the indicators. That said I don’t get why you have to, indicators in most other cars are good. That also annoys me jumping from one to the other frequently. My daughter doesn’t drive the Tesla and has master the indicators. Anyway maybe I’m old but why mess with indicators. They worked great in my 30 years of driving on all ice cars. I don’t like Tesla ones much either hard to dismiss at times, compared to a Holden, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi etc.. all have decent simple indicators. You can live with them, but still not sure why you should have to adapt.

[@stormjuice]

@@ad_fletch not at all.... there are quite a few YT reviewers who had the same issue (me included), though my partner didn't have a problem. Heavy handed?

[@johnhedge1429]

Any news of the Zeekr X or the #1 coming to Australia?

[@jasoncarmichael4540]

I have to say your reviews are the best , you show everything, even the smallest detail, 😊

[@LudicrousFeed]

Thank you! Details matter 😉

[@jasoncarmichael4540]

@@LudicrousFeed iv got a question for you , does the battery in the ora require a full charge each week , or is it one that should only be charged to 80 percent?

[@LudicrousFeed]

It’s LFP so yes I’d recommend regularly topping to 100% for calibration

[@jasoncarmichael4540]

@@LudicrousFeed thanks mate

[@lspeegs]

I follow same charging practices as model Y rwd. Don’t see anything to contradict that in a manual for the Ora. For the standard range.

[@1MrBryn]

I drove this when they first came out and was honestly expecting the MG4 to be more my cup of tea based on reviews I'd seen. Turns out the MG felt quite cheap compared to the Ora and just didn't have the personality. So I still have this at the top of my list, with the Dolphin still to come

[@LudicrousFeed]

Great to have these three EVs at this segment of the market to suit varying needs 👍👍

[@lspeegs]

Same kind of experience here but the whole family ending up pulling the trigger on the ORA as a 2nd EV made more sense than the MG4. It was close, I'm sure either would have been ok. 3 drivers and 2 EV cars.

[@stormjuice]

Totally agree. I said in my review that the Ora has personality, which is sadly lacking in a lot of cars. I was choosing between the MG4 and Ora, and chose the Ora because paying $1200 for servicing every 4 years would leave a bad taste in my mouth.

[@t8polestarcyan22]

MG 4 Excite 51 or SE Short range is no slouch. It has the same rear multi-link suspension as a top of a range such as Essence Long Range 77 or Trophy Long Range. To me, a BYD Dolphin is trying to be a SUV but it's a high riding hatchback! So my choice now narrows down to MG 4s.

[@w0bblyd0inkb0ink]

Is the battery liquid cooled temperature controlled?

[@LudicrousFeed]

Yes liquid cooled LFP

[@I_dont_want_an_at]

this guy is proof that an electric car won't make you happy. But....neither will any other purchase. You should still buy an electric car though if you can. They have use despite not providing happiness

[@LudicrousFeed]

It’s an EV hence I’m happy 😉 But gotta be honest with my reviews 🙏

[@samirvasishth]

You can get the charging speed by multiplying amps by 394 (voltage) or 24.8 kw when you were dc charging at 63 amps. Max i have got is 54.7 kw.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Yeah I don’t think a lot of people will want to do the maths - Hopefully they’ll have better telemetry at the next software update

[@lspeegs]

I just look at the Tesla app or the DC charger screen. But could use more information for sure. Has time remaining on my drivers screen that’s what I think my wife and daughter care about. How long is all that matters to them.

[@garytucker969]

I saw an Ora in Sydney area last week. Didn't get my phone out quick enough

[@LudicrousFeed]

Next time 😁

[@garryellis3085]

Good review tom thanks

[@LudicrousFeed]

Very welcome

[@I_dont_want_an_at]

it's quite lovely. For a car

[@coastalwombat2261]

Take delivery of our standard range ORA this Wednesday. I see it as an entry level EV that is easy to drive and adapt to with a number of limitations because of the price point. Would have paid for the extended range if it had been a LFP battery but no. Yes, it is a city run about and the boot is small. Agree with the point about the front space feeling less closed in without a chunky middle console (see the Dolphin for example). Probably not the last EV we will buy, but fits our purpose for now.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Good summary and congrats!

[@Carnormous]

Hi Tom I have to commend your great videos and true insight into all the features of the car. Far better than professionals. Keep up the good work!!

[@LudicrousFeed]

@@Carnormous Thank you, you're very kind

[@stormjuice]

@petercleasby2383 What colour did you choose?

[@lspeegs]

Hope you enjoy, approaching 1000km is a pleasure to jump into. If you use Apple Car Play. Seems to work very well and wirelessly which is nice. Has very nice screen to make CarPlay look good. I bet Tom didn’t mind the CarPlay back again. Tesla and Apple will probably never be proper friends unfortunately. If they were it would make a difference.

[@patrickryan6065]

GWM do build a great value car. The interior looks very impressive. Great review as always mate.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙏

[@jeroenjansen2709]

I test drove ine last saturday. High quality interior, earily silent, massive low down torque, more spacious than I expected, good roadholding.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Nice. Will you buy?

[@jeroenjansen2709]

@LudicrousFeed Yes and no. Yes, it is the car I really want. No, still too expensive and I will only lease it. Depreciation due to rapid technological development. Battery will have to be replaced after 5y?

[@LudicrousFeed]

@@jeroenjansen2709 My Model S is still going strong on its original battery after 9 years 💪 Scan My Tesla Model S 70D Battery Degradation after 7.5 years 109000km kzbin.info/www/bejne/apraiIx3eKp7aLc

[@enzodarro179]

I just picked up my first EV a (Model Y) I'm soooo happy. I just wish it still came with a 240Vac charger. I'm IN the EV club now!

[@LudicrousFeed]

Woohoo congrats!

[@jkye1980]

I love this interiors, current on sale model doesn’t have this

[@LudicrousFeed]

👍

[@jimmyk6952]

I think similar price better to pick up MG4 more stylish and fun driving for sure

[@t8polestarcyan22]

Independent rear suspension cannot be substituted which the MG 4 have.

[@gregb1599]

2 weeks later anyone that have already brought this recently may be a little pissed in NZ as its just dropped $5k across the range!

[@LudicrousFeed]

🤦

[@t8polestarcyan22]

GWM Ora was relatively a rip off back then compared to MG ZS EV Excite. After MG 4 have been introduced GWM lowered the price tag of this Good Cat in order to be competitive with BYD Dolphin and MG 4.

[@lozzyloulou1]

Nice integrated dash

[@jeffreyborg]

Interesting about the cruise and no regen. Seems to be plucked from the ice platform parts bin

[@ematejowsky]

Not showing regen on the screen doesn't prove it isn't happening. Disappointing if true. Cruise killing one pedal is also disappointing.

[@Driving-on-sunshine]

Great review as always, this was Jules backup plan if the Dolphin was too expensive. We were looking at the Red with two tone red interior, as Children of the Revolution born in the 60’s we loved the retro look of this car, but Jules as an artist was drawn to the Pink interior with mermaid scales on the dashboard of the Dolphin 🤣

[@LudicrousFeed]

I love the retro feel of the Ora 😍

[@lspeegs]

Was going to wait for Dolphin but got ORA, it’s a very nice. In the low end spec much more powerful than the dolphin. Reviews overseas had the dolphin at about 12s 0-100 and that was not worth waiting for.

[@stormjuice]

Can't get the red two-tone in Australia, unfortunatley.... it's black on everything except the Aurora Green.

[@lspeegs]

@@stormjuicegot the green here, seemed to be the pick but that’s a personal thing some hate that colour I’m sure.

[@stormjuice]

@@lspeegs Green isn't anywhere near the top of my list either, and definitely not cream interior... I must be crazy for choosing the same combination :)

[@jasoncarmichael4540]

I really love the look of the car

[@LudicrousFeed]

Agreed, it’s special

[@lspeegs]

It’s quite striking in person.

[@stormjuice]

It has... personality

[@sydjaguar]

Excellent Camera work, Tom. I felt like I was in the car.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stormjuice]

@@LudicrousFeed Tom could you please tell me how you managed to record the infotainment screen without flicker? Framerate? I tried many framerates with a DJI Action 3 and couldn't get anything usable.

[@LudicrousFeed]

@@stormjuice I used a mounted GoPro 9 on 4K/30 for the wide shot

[@stormjuice]

@@LudicrousFeed I'll try that. Same for the close-up of the screen I assume?

[@LudicrousFeed]

@@stormjuice Close up: Sony ZV-1

[@CoachThomas]

Why cover the DC flap? Teslas don’t cover it, always wondered why?

[@LudicrousFeed]

Protect from the elements I guess

[@EmmaRides]

So mini inspired

[@LudicrousFeed]

Not a bad thing 🙏

[@glennpulford4860]

Great Wall Is manufacturing the new EV Mini.. I’d take the Ora over the Mini though.

[@stormjuice]

The designer is from Porsche, so was also 356 and 911 inspired. As well as Mini, because GWM have a joint venture to produce the next Mini (same platform as the Ora).

[@ad_fletch]

Haha that tiny parcel shelf. Would prefer to have a rear wiper on upright screen like that but oh well. The stepped boot profile reminds me of my early 2000s Renault Megane - not the best in terms of volume. Shame no frunk/froot to supplement it.

[@ad_fletch]

PS great review - all the detail is appreciated. Interior looks as good as Hyundai/Kia and more comfortable than Polestar 2.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Thanks! Good quality interior 👍

[@lspeegs]

That boot is perfect for the coles/woolies half-a-trolly. Otherwise you might use the back seat space. Not a full trolly shopper most of the time, guess I'm not going to costco in an ORA. Or the airport with 4 people and luggage.

[@t8polestarcyan22]

Is it really a ground up platform? I've heard from a salesman that it's based on Haval Jolion.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Short answer is yes, but … doing some more reading, the LEMON platform was designed to be used by the Great Wall brand across ICE, PHEV and EV vehicles

[@t8polestarcyan22]

@@LudicrousFeed But anyway it's a good car nerveless. It should easily fit into a small garage which even a Euro B Segment hatchback cannot fit. If you only fit a car like Honda Jazz/Fit, this Ora can.

[@gregb1599]

To bad they still do not have the ultra or GT models as the extras on those are impressive. Like the heated/ventilated and even massage seats! Memory seats including side rear view mirrors though the camera so facial recognition which sounds cool, as well as kick activated electric boot.

[@LudicrousFeed]

I believe the Ultra variant is available in Aus

[@gregb1599]

@LudicrousFeed Our Trademe dealer listing's always says coming soon for the Ultra and GT models. They must be soon as our dealer said about a month, and that was about a month ago. I do find it odd that all our models get the same motor, yet in China only the GT gets the 126kw motor and that claims a 0-100kph in 6.9 seconds, while our models only get a claimed 8.5 second with the same 126kw motor.

[@davidtrajano9802]

Com 100 % da carga completa qual é a autonomia do carro ?

[@LudicrousFeed]

Approx 350-400 real world range

[@mrgrunty]

Seems like the BYD Seagull would be a closer model and should probably be priced in the low 30k region accordingly.

[@LudicrousFeed]

My understanding is that the Seagull is of similar size to the Kia Picanto hence significantly smaller than the Ora

[@stormjuice]

Seagull is MUCH smaller. The Ora in pics and video is deceptive... it's MUCH bigger in real life.

[@I_dont_want_an_at]

I love the increasing variety in new teslas like this one

[@twilinski1]

Overall a good review, however, two big items are missing: No information about Over The Air Updates. No information about the Ora App.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Cheers I don’t often get access to the apps when I review press or dealer cars sadly

[@waynehobbs5175]

Great review Tom and sufficent for me to eliminate it as a contender for the following reasons: left indicator stalk on RHD cars is just cost cutting and unnecessary. No rear wiper on a hatchback, no deal. Tiny boot and the centre infotainment screen is too small. IMO MG4 creams it. Looking forward to your Dolphin base model review. We have an Atto3 and love that it regens even when using active cruise control. At its pricepoint my money would be spent on MG4 instead.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Agreed that the MG4 is a good buy at this price point. Dolphin will be interesting

[@yggdrasil9039]

I think it's 126kW, which is one kW of power more than an MG4 😀 All very comparable, except the base spec Dolphin only 70kW and 0-100 in 12 seconds

[@LudicrousFeed]

Yes the base Dolphin specs don’t quite match the Ora or MG4 Excite 🤔

[@yggdrasil9039]

@@LudicrousFeed I'm sort of hoping BYD will lower the base 70kW Dolphin to $35k on that basis, especially if it doesn't sell as well as the base MG4 and Ora for that reason. Although I think the Dolphin has slightly better tech. Will see. Fingers crossed!

[@lspeegs]

Hopefully I ruled the dolphin out as I couldn’t test drive it and overseas reviews were pretty clear about the lack of power in the base model. If only the ORA was RWD and had more traditional indicators, it would be much better.

[@stormjuice]

@@yggdrasil9039 The base Dolphin is for fleets, whose drivers don't care (or know) about EFV torque. Nice username btw, oh World Tree.

[@yggdrasil9039]

@@stormjuice Ahh, that explains why BYD are giving one away for free this weekend! Cheers

[@p.goonan7569]

V to L/G?

[@LudicrousFeed]

Not as yet

[@lspeegs]

No plans for that in the manual, MG4 however I think would be a better choice for that.

[@millsy3224]

Tom they're known as toggle switches.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Nice! I learned something today 😃

[@lspeegs]

@@LudicrousFeed I'd remap the fan on/off button with fan up/down and holding down for fan off. Plus add one more button for volume up/down and hold down for mute. Can't deny a physical button is nice and they just slightly missed on those two functions.

[@saevans63]

I live in the country so this EV is probably impractical for me. The boot size is disappointing. I think it is more suited to be a second city runaround vehicle for doing the shopping etc. Otherwise nice vehicle with good attention to detail

[@LudicrousFeed]

Great little town runabout

[@andrewgraham7659]

So in reality range it's about 260km at an estimate.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Probably. I’ll do a proper long drive when I get the loaner loan later in 2023

[@pmacgowan]

Nice little town car

[@LudicrousFeed]

Agreed

[@I_dont_want_an_at]

this is the tesla for me

[@I_dont_want_an_at]

i don't need a car to monitor me. I'm in charge

[@I_dont_want_an_at]

WARNING: THE SUNGLASS HOLDER MAY NOT FIT YOUR SUNGLASSES. THIS IS A KNOWN FAULT IN SOME GWM VEHICLES. BE WARNED!

[@LudicrousFeed]

Good to know

[@pkerry12]

Yeah once U go tesla cheaper EVs just don't cut it to me.

[@motorozer]

Looks like a 2015 Tartan Prancer

[@LudicrousFeed]

Oh wow that is one whacky car 😁

[@stormjuice]

I released a review of the Ora today as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/onLPc6uObrqajtU I also had issues with the indicator.... definitely needs improving (though many others say it's fine.... maybe I'm heavy handed). I've linked to your review in the details of my review. You explain the indicator sensitivity much better than I do :)

[@LudicrousFeed]

🙏💯

[@malihabadi0]

I'm waiting for the vlogger to say "Tesla is better"

[@LudicrousFeed]

The vlogger will diplomatically say that Tesla does not currently have a product in this segment of the market 😁

[@TassieEV]

Did you specify the boot space capacity in litres? It doesn't look very large though. Being ground up EV GWM really could've done a better job on frunk which others offer(both overseas and even locally). Wonder if it's the Funky Cat or Good Cat since for some reason locally they didn't keep that name. Did they mention in the specs if it has connectivity and OTA so has App support? No Piano Black something Hyundai/Kia could take note of and many other car makers. Good centre console something Polestar should take note of. The MG charges faster though over 100kW and is priced competitively to this but this is definitely slow on DC as both Dolphin & MG4 charge faster, but they need to show charge speed in the car that is a poor exclusion on GWM.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Thanks for the suggestions - I did what I could in the 24h so hopefully I can do a few more tests in my longer loan. I find specifying boot capacity in L is only useful when done in comparison with similar vehicles. With rear seats up: GWM Ora 228L BYD Dolphin 345L MG4 363L

[@weirenwu7680]

it has not android auto now. Maybe can update late.

[@LudicrousFeed]

Let’s hope

[@stormjuice]

Android Auto is due Feb 2024

[@lspeegs]

@@stormjuiceI hope they add "save setting as bootup default" to everything in the driving settings. Mostly the one pedal driving turning off is annoying. That's actually more annoying than the indicators and so easy to correct via software :) If anyone talks to a head guru at GWM ORA, tell them. Might as well delete eco+ if you somehow end up on that mode the car is not broken, just doesn't go over 85km/hr in that mode. I get it, save electrons, but I personally think it should be at least 100km/hr or just don't have eco+. One pedal disables eco+ so will solve both if that can be a bootup default. I'm not using Android, but definitely should have it. If it works as well as Carplay some very happy android users ahead.