Key Points
- The GWM Ora 5 is a new small electric SUV making its Australian public debut at the Melbourne Motor Show on 10-12 April 2026.
- It offers up to 430km of WLTP range and comes standard with a panoramic roof, power tailgate, 18-inch alloys and LED headlights.
- Australian launch is expected in June 2026, with pricing likely to start around $31,000 based on Thai market pricing.
GWM will show the Ora 5 SUV at the Melbourne Motor Show this weekend. It is the first time the car will be seen publicly in Australia. The show runs from 10 to 12 April 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Ora 5 is a small electric SUV. It is a bigger, taller sibling to the existing Ora hatchback. GWM calls it the next phase of its electric vehicle push in Australia.
What Is the Ora 5?
The Ora 5 is a small electric SUV. It sits above the Ora hatchback in GWM's lineup. The design keeps the rounded, friendly look of the Ora range but in a taller SUV body. It features circular headlights, full-width LED tail lights and a panoramic glass roof.
Inside, there is a floating central touchscreen running GWM's Coffee infotainment system, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging and multi-colour ambient lighting.
Standard features include a panoramic glass roof, power tailgate, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights.
Range and Specs
GWM claims up to 430km of range on the WLTP test cycle. That is a realistic figure for everyday use. The motor produces 150kW and drives the front wheels.
The Ora 5 went on sale in Thailand last month. Prices there start at the equivalent of about $31,000 AUD. Australia is a right-hand drive market like Thailand, so the car is already built for local roads.
GWM Ora Hatchback vs Ora 5 SUV
Spec | Ora Hatchback (2026) | Ora 5 SUV (2026) |
Body style | Hatchback | Small SUV |
Motor power | 126kW | 150kW |
WLTP range | Up to 400km | Up to 430km |
Battery | 57.7kWh LFP | 63.9kWh or 83.5kWh LFP (market dependent) |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Panoramic roof | Ultra trim only | Standard |
Power tailgate | Ultra trim only | Standard |
V2L | Yes (6kW) | TBC |
Starting price (AUD) | $35,990 | ~$31,000 (est.) |
How It Compares to Rivals
The Ora 5 enters a growing segment of small electric SUVs. Here is how it stacks up against four key rivals on paper.
Small Electric SUV Comparison
Model | GWM Ora 5 | BYD Atto 3 | MG S5 EV | Leapmotor B10 | Jaecoo J5 EV |
WLTP range | Up to 430km | Up to 420km | Up to 435km (est.) | Up to 420km (est.) | Up to 400km |
Motor power | 150kW | 150kW | 150kW (est.) | TBC | 130kW |
Battery | 63.9kWh LFP | 60.5kWh LFP | TBC | TBC | 60kWh LFP |
Starting price (AUD) | ~$38,000 (est.) | $48,750 driveaway | $47,990 driveaway | $41,990 driveaway | $36,990 driveaway |
DC fast charge | TBC | 88kW | TBC | TBC | 80kW |
Hybrid option | Yes (not confirmed for AU) | No | No | No | No |
Note: A chart comparing starting prices across these five models would work well here. Recommend a horizontal bar chart.
Hybrid Version: Is It Coming to Australia?
The Ora 5 is also sold as a hybrid overseas. The hybrid uses a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. GWM Australia has not confirmed whether the hybrid will come here.
A GWM spokesperson said: 'HEV represents a new addition to the ORA range expanding beyond its existing BEV offering. At this stage, the only information we can share is that all options remain under investigation for the ANZ region.'
What Else Is at the Melbourne Motor Show?
GWM is showing a broad lineup at the show. Alongside the Ora 5, visitors can see the plug-in hybrid versions of the Tank 500, Tank 300, Cannon Alpha, Haval H6 and Haval H6GT.
When Does It Launch in Australia?
GWM expects to launch the Ora 5 in Australia in June 2026. Pricing has not been confirmed locally. Based on Thai market pricing, it could start at around $38,000 AUD. That would put it below the BYD Atto 3, which starts at $44,990.
The Ora hatchback has not set strong sales numbers in Australia. GWM is hoping the SUV body style will have broader appeal.
About the author
Danny Thai
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
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