GWM ORA 5 HEV Arrives in Spain: A Compelling Hybrid Option

The GWM ORA 5 HEV has arrived in Spain, presenting a hard-to-ignore combination: 223 horsepower, an ECO label, and a price of €28,950 before discounts or incentives. After testing it, it's clear that this hybrid version is the best fit for the Spanish market, surpassing both the electric and gasoline versions.

Why the Hybrid Stands Out

While it costs €2,000 more than the gasoline version, the hybrid offers a significant 63 horsepower boost, improved performance, lower homologated consumption, and the DGT's coveted ECO label. The numbers add up quickly.

Exterior Design and Dimensions

Measuring 4.47 meters long, 1.83 meters wide, and 1.64 meters high, the GWM ORA 5 firmly positions itself within the compact SUV segment. The wheelbase reaches 2.72 meters, a reasonable figure for effectively utilizing the interior space. The design is intentionally unconventional for an SUV of its size, and I appreciate GWM’s boldness. The oval Full LED headlights have personality, the surfaces are clean, and the 18-inch wheels fill the wheel arches well.

A particularly striking detail is the rear lights, which are integrated into the rear window. This is an unusual solution that differentiates it without resorting to spoilers, fake moldings, or an endless collection of edges. The result is quite balanced, although I understand that some may disagree. There's a certain retro feel in some of the shapes, especially around the optics, but combined with a clearly SUV-styled body that doesn't pretend to be larger or more aggressive than it actually is.

Interior and Equipment

Inside, a 14.6-inch central screen takes center stage, accompanied by a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel. It features connected navigation, OTA updates, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The presentation feels quite technological from behind the wheel, although I still believe that delegating too many functions to the screen doesn't always improve ergonomics. For daily use, I still prefer a physical control for certain operations, allowing me to keep my eyes on the road.

The base equipment is remarkably comprehensive, starting with the 'Explore' trim, which includes 18-inch wheels, automatic climate control, heated front seats, electric driver's seat adjustment, and mobile connectivity. The 'Advance' trim adds an electric tailgate, a 1.65 m² panoramic roof, ventilated seats, synthetic upholstery, configurable ambient lighting, a 50W wireless charger, and a nine-speaker sound system. The rear seats offer dedicated ventilation outlets and dimensions that make it perfectly suitable as a family car. However, the hybrid's trunk capacity is 390 liters, compared to 422 liters for the gasoline and electric versions.

A Minor Drawback

This isn't a spectacular volume for a 4.47-meter SUV, and it loses a few points in this area.