The Hyundai Kona small SUV is the Korean model’s best-selling mannequin in Australia, and the Kona Electric can also be its hottest electrical car (EV), nevertheless it’s underneath risk from varied new opponents from China, together with the GWM Ora 5, which arrived in Australian showrooms again in June.
Both are small, five-door, five-seat electrical SUVs, however their respective designs alone symbolize totally different approaches and fully totally different characters, with the Ora 5’s extra upright stance and plain attraction geared toward a unique viewers to the glossy, futuristic traces of the Kona Electric.
Ultimately, they’re designed to do the identical factor, however the cute and playful look of the Ora 5 and the extra angular, much less natural form of the Kona Electric would be the deciding elements for a lot of out there for a compact battery-powered crossover, so for them it might come all the way down to solely style and value.
In this spec battle, nevertheless, we glance beneath the pores and skin of those two splendidly totally different approaches to the identical problem of shifting as much as 5 folks with battery-electric energy with grace, tempo and area, to seek out what set these two fashions aside past their designs and value tags.
How a lot do they value?
The GWM Ora 5 is obtainable in two mannequin grades, kicking off at $33,990 drive-away for the entry-level Lux and topping out at $36,990 drive-away for the Ultra.

| Model | Price earlier than on-road prices | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|---|
| GWM Ora 5 Ultra | – | $36,990 |
| Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range | $46,000 | $47,990* |
*Offer legitimate till December 31, 2026
The five-grade Hyundai Kona Electric lineup begins at $46,000 earlier than on-road prices for the Standard Range variant, provided with a 99kW powertrain, whereas a stronger 150kW Extended Range additionally provides a bigger battery for $50,000 plus ORCs. However, each are presently on supply from $47,990 and $51,990 drive-away, respectively, till December 31.
All different Kona Electric grades additionally rating the beefier 150kW Extended Range powertrain, together with the mid-spec Elite for $53,000 plus ORCs, the Premium for $60,000 plus ORCs, and the range-topping Premium N Line for $63,000 plus ORCs.
The vehicles proven right here each put on premium paint, the Ora 5 in placing Flamingo Pink for an additional $595, which is similar value charged for the Meta Blue hue on the Kona Electric.
Pepper White is the one exterior paint color that does not value additional for the Ora 5, whereas Atlas White and Mirage Green are customary colors for the Kona Electric.
What do you get?
Given the value distinction between these two fashions, we’ve in contrast the range-topping Ora 5 Ultra SUV with the entry-level Kona Electric Standard Range, that are separated by $11,000 primarily based on present promotional drive-away pricing for the Hyundai.


If you are not satisfied by the Ora 5, the upper mannequin grades of the Kona Electric value significantly extra, however general these automobiles are carefully matched when it comes to dimension and functionality.
The Kona Electric measures 4355mm lengthy, whereas the Ora 5 is sort of 120mm longer at 4471mm, with the GWM having a 60mm-longer wheelbase in addition to shorter entrance and rear overhangs than the Hyundai.
The Ora 5 can also be 8mm wider at 1833mm, whereas its 1641mm peak is 61mm taller than the Kona’s.
Standard gear on each automobiles embrace:
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- LED headlights with auto-high beam
- LED tail-lights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Heated, power-folding mirrors
- Keyless entry, begin
- Digital instrument cluster
- Touchscreen infotainment show
- DAB+ digital radio
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Wireless cellphone charger
- Satellite-navigation
- Connected providers
- Over-the-air software program updates
- Power home windows entrance and rear
- Dual-zone local weather management
- Rear passenger air vents
- Reversing digital camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Space-saver spare wheel
- Vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality
The Ora 5 Ultra comes with 18-inch alloy wheels in comparison with the Kona’s 17-inch rims, and likewise provides rear privateness glass, a panoramic glass roof, and an influence tailgate as customary.
Inside, the Ora 5 Ultra has artificial leather-based seat upholstery, plus power-adjustable, heated and ventilated entrance seats and a heated steering wheel. The Kona Electric has black fabric seat upholstery with manually adjustable entrance seats.
However, the Kona Electric hits again with a bigger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in comparison with the Ora 5’s 10.25-inch digital show, however the Ora 5 has an even bigger 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. It additionally has a full 360-degree digital camera displaying a number of views and angles, which might be accessed by a steering-wheel shortcut button.
The Kona has a reversing digital camera with guides, nevertheless it does not supply surround-view monitor, and whereas each have entrance and rear parking sensors, solely the Ora 5 Ultra comes with a powered tailgate.
The Ora 5 Ultra additionally has ambient lighting with 64 colors and varied sequences, plus a nine-speaker stereo in comparison with the Kona Electric’s six audio system.
It’s price noting that many of those options are customary in larger grades of the Kona Electric, which after all value greater than the entry-level variant we’re evaluating right here.
Are they secure?
The Hyundai Kona Electric wears the identical four-star ANCAP security score as the remainder of the Kona lineup, achieved in 2023. The GWM Ora 5 is presently unrated, because it hasn’t but been assessed by the impartial auto security organisation.

| Category | GWM Ora 5 SUV | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Adult occupant safety | – | 80 per cent |
| Child occupant safety | – | 84 per cent |
| Vulnerable highway consumer safety | – | 64 per cent |
| Safety help | – | 62 per cent |
Neither has been examined to the most recent ANCAP protocols, which had been launched in 2026, with the Kona’s 2023 rating legitimate till December 2031.
Standard security options throughout each fashions embrace:
- 7 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking incl. pedestrian, bike owner detection
- Forward collision warning
- Adaptive cruise management with Stop & Go perform
- Traffic signal recognition
- Blind-spot detection
- Blind-spot collision avoidance
- Lane-keeping help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Door-opening warning
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Reversing digital camera (360-degree digital camera on Ora 5)
- Tyre stress monitoring
- 2 x ISOFIX youngster seat mounting factors
The Ora 5 has youngster presence detection, a function assessed by ANCAP underneath its present protocols, however the Kona Electric has additional options included in its Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2.0 system, together with lane-change collision avoidance, along with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert.
What are they like on the within?
The Ora 5’s bigger exterior dimensions additionally imply extra cabin area, with an particularly roomy second row in comparison with the Hyundai. However, its second-row seat lacks a fold-down centre armrest, and the funky ambient lighting masking the sprint and entrance door trims does not proceed to the again.

The GWM does have a row of gorgeous aircraft-style chrome toggle switches beneath its centre touchscreen for fast entry to air-conditioning, driving modes and the hazard lights, even when the panoramic glass roof is operated by the touchscreen.
The latter has a customisable menu, permitting you to convey often used features to the house display screen, and it additionally has two programmable quick-access buttons on the steering wheel.
There’s additionally a centre console with good storage choices, and although the centre cubby is a tad small, there is a second stage of storage beneath, providing ample area under the cupholders.
The Kona has way more buttons, together with for the separate climate-control show and drive modes, in addition to a programmable steering-wheel button on your most popular features.

The Hyundai has a deeper centre console, with one stage to the Ora’s two, but additionally has stowable cupholders and easier-to-access USB-C ports, in addition to a shelf on the entrance passenger-side dashboard above the glovebox.
It additionally has deeper door bins and a fold-down rear armrest, and there is additionally solely a single USB-C port on the again of the Ora 5’s centre console, the place the Kona Electric gives two, in addition to a 250V energy socket as customary.
The Kona Electric additionally has a 407-litre boot (with its customary cargo shelf in place), which is expandable to 1241L with the second-row seatbacks folded down, in comparison with the Ora 5’s 362L boot, which grows to 1060L behind the entrance seats.
Both automobiles have 60:40-split/folding rear seatbacks, and a space-saver spare wheel underneath the boot ground. The Kona additionally has a 27L ‘frunk’ up entrance, whereas the Ora 5 has no storage underneath the bonnet.
| Dimensions | GWM Ora 5 Ultra | Hyundai Kona Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4471mm | 4355mm |
| Width | 1833mm | 1825mm |
| Height | 1641mm | 1580mm |
| Wheelbase | 2720mm | 2660mm |
| Cargo capability | 362L (rear seats up) 1060L (rear seats folded) |
407L (rear seats up) 1241L (rear seats folded) |
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Both automobiles on this bench-test comparability have an electrical motor driving the entrance axle, with the GWM popping out on high (no less than on paper) for energy, battery dimension, and claimed driving vary.


| Specifications | GWM Ora 5 Ultra | Hyundai Kona Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electrical | Single-motor electrical |
| Battery | 58.3kWh LFP | 48.6kWh lithium-ion |
| Peak energy | 150kW | 99kW |
| Peak torque | 260Nm | 255Nm |
| Drive kind | FWD | FWD |
| Kerb weight | 1685kg | 1615-1690kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.0 seconds | N/A |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 15.5kWh/100km | 14.8kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary | 435km (WLTC) | 370km (WLTP) |
| Max DC cost fee | 120kW (10-80% in 30 min) | 100kW (10-80% in 45 min) |
The Kona Electric Standard Range gives modest 99kW/255Nm outputs in comparison with the GWM’s 150kW/260Nm, and whereas Hyundai does not declare a 0-100km/h time for the Kona, it does weigh as much as 70kg lower than the Ora 5’s 1685kg quoted kerb weight.
Both have a CCS2 charging port, supply scheduled charging, and now have vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, with the Hyundai providing as much as 3kW and the GWM as much as 6kW.
How a lot do they value to run?
GWM gives a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee for the Ora 5 Ultra SUV, with automobiles used for business purposes, together with rideshare, hire-car and rental use, coated for a similar timeframe however restricted to 150,000km.

The high-voltage battery pack is roofed for eight years/limitless kilometres, whereas roadside help is included should you service your Ora 5 Ultra at an authorised GWM outlet.
Capped-price servicing can also be provided for the primary 5 scheduled providers, with 12-month/15,000km intervals.
Hyundai gives roadside help for the lifetime of the Kona Electric should you service it by an authorised Hyundai service facility, even after the new-vehicle guarantee has expired.

Under its Lifetime Service Plan, it gives capped-price servicing for all new fashions, and for formally imported Australian-market Hyundai automobiles from the 1986 mannequin 12 months, the 12 months the primary Hyundai supplier opened in Australia. Service intervals for the Kona Electric are 24 months/30,000km.
The Kona Electric is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, prolonged to seven years if all scheduled servicing is accomplished on time at an authorised Hyundai supplier.
The Kona Electric can also be coated for as much as seven years towards paint sturdiness and corrosion defects, whereas its high-voltage battery is roofed for eight years or 160,000km, whichever happens first.
CarExpert’s choose: GWM Ora 5 Ultra
It hardly appears honest evaluating two vehicles with a value distinction of $11,000, nevertheless it’s clear that – on paper no less than – the Ora 5 Ultra SUV holds its personal towards the Kona Electric in most key areas.

The Korean-made Hyundai holds the aces for model recognition however, to be honest, GWM has been in Australia since mid-2009, when it was often known as Great Wall Motors, giving it the longest native presence of any Chinese auto model.
The Kona Electric additionally has an even bigger boot, arguably marginally higher ADAS, an extended capped-price service program, and an ANCAP security score, even when it is solely 4 stars.
Yet, as soon as once more, the Ora 5 Ultra might be had with a big up-front money saving, which is just too massive to disregard given how aggressive it’s in different areas it’s, too. Yes, the Kona comes with a stronger 150kW motor within the subsequent grade up, however once more that solely strengthens the worth equation of the Ora 5 Ultra.
It has an extended vary between fees in addition to extra energy, its cabin comes throughout as extra luxurious and up to date, and it gives handy day-to-day options missing within the Hyundai comparable to a 360-degree digital camera.
There’s additionally a wow issue to the Ora 5 SUV’s design, particularly in Flamingo Pink – which gained’t be for everybody, notably those that choose the extra masculine, techno-looking Kona – and a unusual, playful character, each in and out.
So the Ora 5 wins this Spec Battle on value, practicality, energy, vary, and magnificence.
MORE: Explore the GWM Ora 5 showroom
MORE: Explore the Hyundai Kona showroom
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