GWM Ora 5 vs Hyundai Kona Electric: how the new Chinese EV stacks up on paper

The contest: new challenger against the incumbent

The GWM Ora 5 arrived in Australian showrooms in June 2026, and CarExpert deputy news editor Damion Smy has run the rule over how it stacks up against the Hyundai Kona Electric, the electric version of Hyundai's best-selling model in Australia. Both are five-door, five-seat electric small SUVs, but CarExpert describes them as representing completely different characters: the Ora 5's more upright stance and playful look against the Kona Electric's sleek, futuristic lines. ¹³

GoAuto reported at launch that the Ora 5 was priced from $33,990 drive-away for the entry Lux grade and $36,990 for the flagship Ultra, positioning it in one of Australia's most price-sensitive EV segments. The publication noted the model expands GWM's local electric offering beyond the outgoing Ora hatchback, with rivals including the BYD Atto 2 (from $31,990), GAC Emzoom (from $25,590), Jaecoo J5 (from $36,990), Leapmotor B10 (from $37,888) and MG S5 (from $40,490). ⁵

Pricing: an $11,000 gulf between the two

CarExpert's comparison pits the top-spec Ora 5 Ultra against the entry-level Kona Electric Standard Range, separated by $11,000 on current promotional drive-away pricing. The five-grade Kona Electric line-up starts at $46,000 before on-road costs for the Standard Range with a 99kW powertrain, with the 150kW Extended Range from $50,000 plus ORCs, rising through Elite ($53,000), Premium ($60,000) and Premium N Line ($63,000) plus ORCs. Hyundai's drive-away offers of $47,990 and $51,990 for the first two grades run until December 31, 2026. ¹³

Both test cars wore premium paint at the same $595 surcharge: Flamingo Pink on the Ora 5 and Meta Blue on the Kona Electric, according to CarExpert, which notes Pepper White is the only no-cost Ora 5 colour, while Atlas White and Mirage Green are standard on the Kona Electric. GWM's own Australian site confirms the Lux and Ultra drive-away prices from $33,990 and $36,990, noting the listed Lux price is for private buyers in Victoria. ¹²³

GWM is also running a novated lease promotion on the Ora 5: a complimentary 7kW wall charger valued at $599 RRP for eligible purchases through participating providers, with the vehicle delivered on or before October 31, 2026. According to GWM Australia, installation is excluded, the offer is limited to one charger per eligible vehicle while stocks last, it cannot be combined with other offers, is not redeemable for cash or transferable, and the company reserves the right to vary, extend or withdraw it at any time without notice. ²

Powertrains and size: GWM leads on paper

On the specifications CarExpert tabulated, the Ora 5 Ultra out-qualifies the Kona Electric Standard Range on power and claimed range: 150kW/260Nm from a 58.3kWh LFP battery against the Hyundai's 99kW/255Nm from a 48.6kWh lithium-ion pack, with claimed ranges of 435km WLTC and 370km WLTP respectively. GWM quotes 0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds, a figure Hyundai does not claim for the Kona, though the Korean car weighs as little as 1615kg against the GWM's quoted 1685kg kerb weight. Both drive the front wheels and use CCS2 charging, with the Ora 5 rated at 120kW DC (10-80 per cent in 30 minutes) against the Kona's 100kW (10-80 per cent in 45 minutes). ¹³

Vehicle-to-load capability is common to both, but the Ora 5 offers up to 6kW of external discharge where the Kona Electric offers up to 3kW, CarExpert reports. GoAuto adds that the Ora 5's braked and unbraked towing capacity is listed at 750kg, and that AC charging takes up to 6.6 hours. ¹³⁵

The Ora 5 is also the larger car. CarExpert measures it at 4471mm long, 1833mm wide, 1641mm tall with a 2720mm wheelbase, making it almost 120mm longer, 8mm wider, 61mm taller and 60mm longer in the wheelbase than the Kona Electric. However, the Hyundai counters with a bigger 407-litre boot expanding to 1241L with the seats folded, versus the GWM's 362L/1060L, plus a 27-litre front frunk the Ora 5 does not have. ¹³

Equipment and cabin: Ultra trim does the heavy lifting

Both vehicles share a lengthy standard equipment list, including LED lighting with auto high beam, keyless entry and start, digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment, wireless phone charging, satellite navigation, over-the-air updates, dual-zone climate control, a space-saver spare wheel and V2L, per CarExpert. The Ora 5 Ultra adds 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, a panoramic glass roof, a power tailgate, synthetic leather upholstery with power-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 64-colour ambient lighting and a nine-speaker audio system, where the entry Kona Electric makes do with 17-inch wheels, black cloth and manually adjustable front seats. ¹³

The Kona Electric's counters include a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster against the Ora 5's 10.25-inch unit, though CarExpert notes the GWM's 14.6-inch infotainment screen is bigger and it alone offers a full 360-degree camera. On practicality, CarExpert found the Hyundai has deeper storage, stowable cupholders, two rear USB-C ports and a 250V power socket against the Ora 5's single rear USB-C, and a fold-down rear armrest the GWM lacks, while the Ora 5's second row is especially roomy. ¹³

Safety and running costs

Safety ratings are a point of difference. CarExpert reports the Kona Electric carries the Kona range's four-star ANCAP rating, achieved in 2023 and valid until December 2031, while the Ora 5 is currently unrated. GoAuto separately reported the Ora 5 is undergoing ANCAP assessment with a rating expected towards the end of 2026. CarExpert notes neither car has yet been tested under the ANCAP protocols introduced in 2026. The Ora 5 does bring child presence detection, which ANCAP assesses under current protocols; the Kona offers additional features in its Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2.0, including lane-change collision avoidance. ¹³⁵

On ownership, GWM offers a seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty (150,000km cap for commercial use), an eight-year unlimited-kilometre battery warranty, roadside assistance with servicing at authorised outlets, and capped-price servicing at 12-month/15,000km intervals, with GoAuto reporting fixed pricing of $195 per scheduled service for the first seven years. Hyundai's Kona Electric gets a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty extendable to seven years with on-time servicing, an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty, and capped-price servicing at 24-month/30,000km intervals under its Lifetime Service Plan, CarExpert reports. ¹³⁵

CarExpert's verdict and global context

CarExpert named the Ora 5 Ultra its pick in this spec battle, arguing the $11,000 saving is too big to ignore given the GWM's competitiveness on power, range, cabin presentation and features such as the 360-degree camera. The publication notes the Kona Electric holds the aces for brand recognition and keeps advantages in boot space, driver-assistance scope and its ANCAP rating, but also points out GWM has sold vehicles in Australia since mid-2009 as Great Wall Motors, the longest local presence of any Chinese auto brand. This is CarExpert's assessment based on paper specifications rather than a drive comparison. ¹³

The Ora 5 is rolling out internationally with market-specific variants. In Spain, business daily Expansion reports the Ora 5 launched as GWM's first model there in petrol, hybrid and electric forms, with the EV from 23,950 euros including discounts and incentives; GWM Spain's managing director Jose Ignacio Olazabal told the outlet he expects the EV to take more than 10 per cent of the model's Spanish sales. GWM Philippines has opened order books for a 2027 Ora 5, and CarGuide.ph reports 430km WLTP range with the Coffee Pilot Ultra ADAS system. In Brazil, car.blog.br reports sales began in June 2026 at R$159,000 in a single version. The Australian market, by contrast, receives the Ora 5 as a BEV-only proposition in Lux and Ultra grades. ⁷⁸⁶⁴