GWM’s Ora 5 is now on sale in Spain for just over €25,000, bringing playful styling and sharp cornering to a segment where driving feel rarely gets top billing. The hybrid SUV is part of the Chinese automaker’s push into the Spanish market, where it takes on established rivals such as the Qashqai and Formentor.
GWM, or Great Wall Motor, is a big name in China. Its move into Spain is a serious one. The company is launching the Jolion Max and the tough H7 here, alongside the compact Ora 5, now in the spotlight as a hybrid. GWM already has nearly 40 dealerships open or about to open, and aims to reach 50 by 2026. It plans to cover 80% of Spain. The Ora 5 comes with a seven-year or 150,000 km warranty; the battery is covered for eight years or 160,000 km. GWM wants to win over buyers wary of new brands.
GWM has publicly set a goal of reaching about 3% of the Spanish car market within 2 to 3 years, signaling its long-term commitment to the region.
The Ora 5 is hard to miss. Its sculpted hood and round LED headlights, pushed to the corners, give the front a lively, almost cartoon-like look. The body is smooth and rounded, with few sharp lines. At the rear, the taillights sit behind the rear window, leaving the tailgate looking clean. Even the logo hints at anime. Standard 18-inch wheels and silver roof bars add to the look. Practical touches, including regular door handles and black plastic trim, make it suitable for daily use.
Inside, the Ora 5 follows the minimalist style seen in many Chinese cars. A 14.6-inch central touchscreen dominates the dashboard, while a 10.25-inch digital cluster sits behind the wheel. Both run GWM’s Coffee OS 3.0. The system responds quickly, but almost everything requires a tap or swipe, and there are few physical buttons. Materials vary: the dashboard has soft plastics, while the rear doors use harder ones. Seats come in fabric or synthetic leather. The Advance trim also offers a two-tone brown interior with a houndstooth pattern.
Rear passengers get good headroom, even those over 1.90 meters tall. 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, average for this class, while its boxy shape and double floor make loading easier. Fold the seats and capacity rises to 1,088 liters, enough for family trips or large items.
Spanish business media report that GWM plans to expand its lineup in Spain to seven vehicles by late 2026 or early 2027. The Ora 5 is already rolling out in other European countries. The first customer delivery has been confirmed in Poland, while regional dealership launches are underway in the Basque Country and Gipuzkoa.
GWM keeps things simple with two trims: Explore and Advance. The Advance adds a nine-speaker sound system and electric front seats that are both ventilated and heated. It also includes ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof and a powered tailgate. Even the base Explore is well equipped. Its standard kit includes a full set of ADAS, adaptive cruise control and lane and blind spot alerts. Driver monitoring is included, along with keyless entry, navigation and voice control, all in the price.
Buyers can choose a 1.5 Turbo petrol engine (160 CV), a hybrid (223 CV) or a fully electric version (204 CV, 435 km WLTP range). All are front-wheel lead. The hybrid tested here pairs a 1.5 Turbo Miller-cycle engine with a 75 kW electric motor, backed by a 1.09 kWh battery. It delivers 223 CV and 476 Nm, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and claims fuel consumption of 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. Its driving position sits lower than in most SUVs, giving a sense of control and comfort. The suspension is soft enough for comfort yet keeps the car steady in corners. It handles bends with more confidence than most rivals. Power comes on smoothly, and shifts between petrol and electric are smooth. 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 €22,450 for petrol, €24,350 for hybrid and €25,950 for electric, all before financing discounts. Financing lowers the prices further. The Ora 5 poses a real threat to established brands. The market is changing fast, as the recent comparison between Volkswagen Polo and Kia Niro shows: hybrid and electric choices now sit front and center for buyers.
Price and warranty are only part of GWM’s plan. With distinctive looks and better-than-expected driving, the Ora 5 gives buyers a generous feature list for €25,000. There is still room to improve: infotainment controls and some ADAS settings could be better. With more launches set for 2027, GWM is entering Spain as a challenger to expectations of what a family SUV can be.
