The GWM Ora 5 arrives in Spain with a striking design, agile handling, and a price just above €25,000. With a seven-year warranty, this hybrid SUV takes on established rivals and could make buyers rethink their options.
When a new brand steps up to challenge the Qashqai and Formentor, most people expect a quiet entry. The GWM Ora 5, now on sale in Spain for just over €25,000, does the opposite. This is not just another SUV. Its playful shape and sharp handling in corners make it stand out, especially in a segment where driving feel rarely gets top billing.
GWM, or Great Wall Motor, is a big name in China. Its move into Spain is anything but casual. The company is launching three models here: the Jolion Max, the tough H7, and the compact Ora 5, now in the spotlight as a hybrid. GWM already has nearly 40 dealerships open or about to open, aiming for 50 by 2026. The plan is to cover 80% of Spain. The Ora 5 comes with a seven-year or 150,000 km warranty, and the battery is covered for eight years or 160,000 km. GWM wants to win over buyers who are wary of new brands.
GWM has publicly set a goal to reach about 3% of the Spanish car market within 2–3 years, underlining its long-term commitment to the region.
The Ora 5 is hard to miss. The front has a sculpted hood and round LED headlights pushed to the corners, giving it a lively, almost cartoon-like face. The body is smooth and rounded, with few sharp lines. The rear is bold: taillights are hidden behind the rear window, so the tailgate looks clean. Even the logo hints at anime. Standard 18-inch wheels and silver roof bars add to the look. Practical touches like regular door handles and black plastic trim keep it usable for daily life.
Inside, the Ora 5 follows the minimalist style seen in many Chinese cars. The dashboard is dominated by a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital cluster behind the wheel, both running GWM’s Coffee OS 3.0. The system responds quickly, but almost everything needs a tap or swipe—there are hardly any physical buttons. Materials are mixed: soft plastics on the dash, harder ones on the rear doors, and seats in either fabric or synthetic leather. The Advance trim even offers a two-tone brown interior with a houndstooth pattern for those who want something different.
Rear passengers get good headroom, even for people over 1.90 meters. The flat floor makes the middle seat more usable, though the car is not especially wide. The rear bench does not slide or recline. The boot holds 390 liters, which is average for this class, but its boxy shape and double floor help with loading. Fold the seats and you get 1,088 liters—enough for family trips or big items.
According to leading Spanish business media, GWM plans to expand its model lineup in Spain to seven vehicles by late 2026 or early 2027. The Ora 5 is already being rolled out in other European countries, with the first customer delivery confirmed in Poland and regional dealership launches underway in the Basque Country and Gipuzkoa.
GWM keeps things simple: two trims, Explore and Advance. The Advance adds a nine-speaker sound system, ventilated and heated electric front seats, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and a powered tailgate. Even the base Explore is well equipped. It comes with a full set of ADAS, adaptive cruise control, lane and blind spot alerts, driver monitoring, keyless entry, navigation, and voice control—all included in the price.
Under the hood, buyers can pick from three options: a 1.5 Turbo petrol (160 CV), a hybrid (223 CV), or a fully electric version (204 CV, 435 km WLTP range). All are front-wheel drive. The hybrid, tested here, pairs a 1.5 Turbo Miller-cycle engine with a 75 kW electric motor and a 1.09 kWh battery. It puts out 223 CV and 476 Nm. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and claims 5.1 l/100 km. The electric model supports fast charging up to 120 kW, reaching 80% in 30 minutes.
On the road, the Ora 5 hybrid is a surprise. The steering is direct, with little slack. The driving position is lower than most SUVs, giving a sense of control and comfort. The suspension is soft enough for comfort but keeps the car steady in corners. It handles bends with more confidence than most rivals. Power comes on smoothly, with seamless shifts between petrol and electric. The brakes feel solid. Real-world fuel use is still to be confirmed, but the first impression is of a well-tuned, enjoyable family SUV.
Prices are sharp: €22,450 for petrol, €24,350 for hybrid, and €25,950 for electric, all before financing discounts. With financing, prices drop further. The Ora 5 is a real threat to established brands. The market is changing fast, as shown in the recent comparison between Volkswagen Polo and Kia Niro, where hybrid and electric choices are now front and center for buyers.
GWM’s plan is not just about price or warranty. By offering a car that looks different, drives better than expected, and comes packed with features, the Ora 5 makes buyers rethink what they can get for €25,000. There is still room to improve—infotainment controls and some ADAS settings could be better—but the direction is clear. With more launches set for 2027, GWM is not just entering Spain. It is changing what a family SUV can be.
