GWM ORA 5 Confirmed at $33,990 Driveaway: The Cheapest Electric SUV in Australia

Image credit: GWM Australia

GWM has priced the ORA 5 to fight. At $33,990 driveaway for the Lux, it's the cheapest electric SUV you can buy in Australia right now. That undercuts the BYD Atto 3 by roughly $10,000 on a driveaway basis, and slides in below the Jaecoo J5 EV ($35,990 plus on-roads). A 150kW motor, 430km of range, and V2L from a brand offering a 7-year warranty. The affordable EV space just got a lot more competitive.

Both variants are now in the CarSorted database. Compare them against every EV in Australia.

Two Variants, Driveaway Pricing

The $3,000 step from Lux to Ultra is well spent. You get a panoramic glass roof with electric sunshade, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate, a 9-speaker audio upgrade, 64-colour ambient lighting, and an electric tailgate. For a $36,990 driveaway EV, that's a lot of kit.

Powertrain and Range

Both variants run the same setup: a 150kW/260Nm front-mounted electric motor with a 58.3kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery from SVOLT. LFP chemistry is the same type BYD uses in its Blade Battery. It's known for thermal stability, long cycle life, and lower cost compared to NMC cells.

Range is approximately 430km under WLTC testing. Australian ADR figures may come in slightly different, but expect real-world range around 350-380km in mixed driving. That's more than enough for the daily commute and a solid buffer for weekend trips.

DC fast charging peaks at 120kW, with 30-80% in about 20 minutes. Not the fastest in the segment (the Ioniq 5 does 350kW), but perfectly adequate for the price point. For more on charging options, see our EV charging guide.

V2L with 6kW discharge is a standout at this price. That's enough to run a circular saw, power a campsite, or charge another EV in an emergency.

Interior and Tech

Image credit: GWM Australia

The cabin is built around GWM's Coffee OS system running on a 14.6-inch central touchscreen paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The layout is clean and minimalist with soft-touch materials throughout.

Image credit: GWM Australia

Boot space is 362 litres, which is modest but typical for a small SUV. The Atto 3 offers 440 litres, so if cargo is a priority, that's worth noting. Safety kit includes 7 airbags (with a centre airbag), 360-degree camera with transparent view, and adaptive cruise with stop-and-go.

Importantly, the chassis has been tuned specifically for Australian conditions by specialist Rob Trubiani, with steering and handling adjustments for local roads. That's the kind of detail that matters when you're driving on rough rural bitumen.

How It Compares

Our Take

At $33,990 driveaway, the ORA 5 Lux is the most affordable way into an electric SUV in Australia. The spec is strong for the money: 150kW, 430km range, V2L, adaptive cruise, 360 camera, and a 7-year warranty. The boot is a bit small and the brand is still building recognition, but the value proposition is hard to argue with.

The Ultra at $36,990 is the one we'd pick. The panoramic roof, heated/ventilated seats, and wireless charging make it feel like a $50k car for well under $40k. GWM is clearly pricing to grab market share, and this could be the car that does it.

Check the full specs: ORA 5 Lux | ORA 5 Ultra

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