Big update for cut-price Chinese electric car: Will this facelifted version of the 2025 GWM Ora small electric hatch revealed in China improve GWM's chances against the 2026 BYD Dolphin and MG4?

GWM has revealed a significant facelift for its diminutive Ora hatchback in China, as it looks to better compete with its more successful key rivals.

The new Ora hatch looks largely the same from the outside, sporting a new lower grille piece and a more sporty looking bumper, with the largest changes reserved for the interior.

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The previous dual-10.25-inch screens on the dash have been replaced by a new 10.25-inch panel for the instrument cluster, and a much larger 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen, both running the brand’s latest ‘Coffee OS 3.0’ software suite. Both are backed by more powerful computing power for "lightning speed and silky response” according to the brand.

The new software suite is capable of supporting a new phone application with an array of Tesla-style remote controls, at least for its Chinese home market.

Other new interior features include a heated steering wheel, as well as heated and ventilated front seats, and there is a 50W wireless phone fast-charger in the new centre console. In addition, vehicle-to-load, which was missing from the previous car, has been added as part of this update, with a maximum output of 3.3kW. The Ora now also gets an internal household power outlet.

The Ora continues to be powered by a 126kW/250Nm electric motor on the front axle, with an LFP battery granting it a 430km range (according to the CLTC cycle) fast DC charging speed is quoted for the new model at 30 minutes, although this is measured from 30 - 80 per cent battery capacity. On the current locally-delivered car, charging is capped at 80kW for a 50 minute 10 - 80 per cent charge time.

Interestingly even the new 2025 model ships with a 6.6kW AC slow-charging capacity in China, while current Australian versions get an 11kW AC inverter.

The current GWM Ora sold in Australia is priced from just $35,990 making it one of the most affordable new electric vehicles on the market, but despite this it has struggled to make an impact compared to its rivals.

At just 271 units this year, it is easily outranked by the more affordable BYD Dolphin (which can be had for as little as $29,990 for the base Essential variant) and the MG4, which is more expensive starting at $37,990 but has been widely praised for its packaging and rear-wheel drive dynamics.

As GWM’s sole fully electric offering for now, it gives the brand a comparatively laggard image, although executives have long said fully electric SUVs are coming, leaning their emissions reductions hopes on an ever-expanding range of plug-in hybrid Cannon utes and Tank SUVs.

Australian media was permitted to drive a fully electric prototype of what appears to be an EV in the same small SUV size-bracket as the Haval Jolion, a potential rival to BYD’s Atto 3 and MG’s S5, you can read more about it here.