BMW X1 vs GWM ORA
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Level at 75: here's what splits them
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 25 Jun 2026
BMW X1
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$61,800
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 115kW
- Economy
- 6.5 L/100kmWLTP test cycle, not directly comparable with ADR 81/02 figures
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 540L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
GWM ORA
15 of 27 standard · no option data · 12 no dataFrom
$31,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Hatchback
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 126kW
- Energy use
- 16.6 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 228L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$61,800RRP
- no option data for this car
$31,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW X1 sDrive18i
$61,800
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
GWM ORA Lux
$31,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 25 June 2026
$34,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by GWM Australia
No lowest cost is named: these totals leave out different parts (2026 BMW X1 sDrive18i excludes servicing and insurance; 2026 GWM ORA Lux excludes insurance).
Every column on the same basis: 15,000 km a year (fixed for every comparison) in VIC, repayment assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Each car's fuel or charging price is in its own breakdown. Estimate only, not a quote or an offer of credit.
No lowest cost is named: these totals leave out different parts (2026 BMW X1 sDrive18i excludes servicing and insurance; 2026 GWM ORA Lux excludes insurance).
Cash outlay over 5 years: the deposit, the repayments and the running costs. Excludes resale value. Every column on the same basis: 15,000 km a year in VIC, repayment assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Estimate only, not a quote or an offer of credit.
Standard features per $10,000: not ranked, too few features are known for both cars. On the rated figures, the GWM ORA leads on price per kw: $537 per kW on RRP for the BMW X1; $254 per kW on RRP for the GWM ORA. On the rated figures, the BMW X1 leads on price per litre of boot: $114 per litre of boot on RRP for the BMW X1; $140 per litre of boot on RRP for the GWM ORA. These ratios are not part of the CarSorted Score.
The GWM ORA starts $29,810 lower on RRP.
The GWM ORA currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The BMW X1 does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$139/wk(≈$601/mo)
Estimate on the GWM ORA at $34,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the GWM ORADriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
Both the BMW X1 and GWM ORA hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2022. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the BMW X1 and 92% for the GWM ORA.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the GWM ORA, against 5 on the BMW X1.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW X1 and 6 in the GWM ORA.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 5 of 10 key systems on the BMW X1 and 7 on the GWM ORA.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW X1
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006090 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-006063 · published 30 Aug 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, liquid may enter the electrical water pump connectors.Year range on the notice: 2011 - 2018
- 5 more on the model page.
GWM ORA
- REC-005843 · published 4 Dec 2023Due to a programming issue, if the operator removes the charging cable without cancelling the charge, an electrical arc between the charging plug and the vehicle may occur.Year range on the notice: 2023
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging and range
The rated figures side by side: electric range and fuel use with the battery depleted for a plug-in hybrid or range extender, the km each battery-electric car adds overnight on its own onboard charger, and the DC time in the window each document prints.
| 2026 BMW X1 sDrive18i | 2026 GWM ORA Lux | |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Petrol or diesel | Battery electric |
| Added overnight, 10A power point (2.4 kW) | Not applicable | 145 km in 10 h |
| Added overnight, 7.4 kW wallbox | Not applicable | 358 km in 10 hCapped: this car accepts 6.6 kW AC, a full battery |
| DC fast charge, as printed | Not applicable | 35 min, 0-80% |
| Charging connector | Not applicable | CCS2 |
| Portable charger supplied | Not applicable | No data |
| Type 2 cable supplied | Not applicable | No data |
| Front boot | No data | No data |
- Km added in 10 hours: the charger rate, capped by the car's own onboard charger, over its own rated energy use. A car without an onboard charger or energy figure is No data, never an assumed rate.
- DC times are printed only in the window the document gives (0-80% or 10-80%). Different windows are not one measure, so nobody leads across them.
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
59kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 80kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (6.6kW AC, 80kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW X1 features a 10.7-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the GWM ORA gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW X1 stands out with Apple CarPlay, head-up display, heated front seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio: features our data doesn't list for the GWM ORA. The GWM ORA counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW X1 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the GWM ORA offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW X1 and 1-zone in the GWM ORA.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW X1 uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The GWM ORA responds with a Electric making 126kW and 250Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds.
The GWM ORA has the clear power advantage at 126kW vs 115kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the GWM ORA is 0.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X1 measures 4,500mm long on a 2,692mm wheelbase, 265mm longer than the GWM ORA at 4,235mm (2,650mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW X1 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 540L in the BMW X1 and 228L in the GWM ORA, giving the BMW X1 a 312L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the GWM ORA's turning circle is 0.1 m tighter, 11.2 m against 11.3 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Front boot (frunk)
BMW X1
No data
GWM ORA
No data
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the BMW X1 costs about $2,048 a year (6.5 L/100km, at $2.10/L premium petrol) and electricity for the GWM ORA about $743 a year (16.6 kWh/100km, at $0.30/kWh electricity).
The weekly and 5-year figures in the price section above add repayments, rego, servicing and tyres to this; use our Fuel Cost Calculator for your own driving.
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km (BMW X1) and 7 years / unlimited km (GWM ORA).
- No break-even: the GWM ORA costs less to buy and less in energy.
Energy only. Excludes servicing, rego, insurance, finance interest and resale. Prices are compared only on one basis.
Where each one leads
The BMW X1: the bigger boot with the seats up (540L against 228L).
The GWM ORA: the lower starting price ($31,990 against $61,800), more power (126kW against 115kW) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Verdict
Level at 75: here's what splits them
The BMW X1 and GWM ORA are level on the CarSorted Score at 75 each, so neither takes the overall call. What splits them: practicality (BMW X1 ahead by 24 points), value (GWM ORA ahead by 15 points). Boot space with the seats up: 540L in the BMW X1, 228L in the GWM ORA. Warranty: 5 years on the BMW X1, 7 on the GWM ORA.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$139/wk(≈$601/mo)
Estimate on the GWM ORA at $34,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the GWM ORADriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW X1 and GWM ORA?
The GWM ORA is the cheapest at $31,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW X1 by $29,810.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: BMW X1 and GWM ORA all hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating (tested 2022). Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW X1 has the largest boot at 540L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW X1 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,700kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The GWM ORA has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The GWM ORA makes the most power at 126kW. The GWM ORA is quickest to 100km/h in 8.4s.
Track the BMW X1 & GWM ORA
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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