Should you buy a GWM Ora 03?

On balance, even a rock-bottom price tag isn’t enough to make us recommend a GWM Ora 03. It’s a lot of car for the money and offers something that’s a bit different and even zany in the already style-heavy small EV class, but its rivals outclass it in every meaningful metric other than list price.

Take the MG4 EV as a prime example. It’s similarly priced but has better battery tech, a bigger boot and it’s far nicer to drive. Against such talented rivals, the stylish-but-mediocre Ora 03 simply cannot cut it.

If you have your heart set on a retro-styled EV with an affordable price tag, the new Hyundai Inster or Renault 4 are far more compelling.

What we like

The cabin is certainly an inviting place, with loads of space and a nice overall finish. Equipment levels are generous and there is a charm to it. A comfortable ride helps make it that bit easier to live with day to day.

What we don’t like

The boot much smaller than other electric cars with a similar footprint and even gets beaten by some superminis. The range is a bit mean on 48kWh versions and the rapid charging rate is nothing to write home about these days. You’ll also find more entertaining EVs to drive such as the Cupra Born and MG4 EV.