Toyota put on notice as new hybrid appears: 2026 GWM Ora 5 HEV SUV shown at Bangkok motor show, with a potential Aussies launch to take on the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Hyundai Kona Hybrid and coming Kia Seltos in the future

GWM’s Ora band confirmed in early March this year it was moving from making just electric cars to hybrids (HEVs ) and pure combustion vehicles, and now three weeks later the Ora 5 hybrid has debuted at the Bangkok motor show. 

The Ora 5 HEV is the same size as the electric version of the small SUV at 4471mm end to end and 1641mm tall, but is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine combined with an electric motor.

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Now on sale in fellow right-hand drive market Thailand, which oopens the door to an Aussie expansion.

The Ora 5 HEV has the same suspension tune as the EV and comes in two grades.

Standard features between the HEV and EV are identical with the top-of-the-range Ultra coming with LED headlights and daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, power tailgate and proximity unlocking. 

Inside, there’s power adjustable front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, air-conditioning, 14.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless phone charging.

The electric Ora 5 will come to Australia in mid-2026, but GWM Australia wouldn't confirm if it would be joined by the hybrid variant, too. 

“HEV represents a new addition to the ORA range expanding beyond its existing BEV offering,” said a GWM spokesperson. 

“At this stage, the only information we can share is that all options remain under investigation for the ANZ region.”

Currently GWM has the Ora small five-door hatch on sale in Australia, having arrived in 2023, and the Ora 5 EV SUV version will be sold alongside it.

Pricing for the Ora 5 EV in Australia has yet to be announced, but it will be more than the smaller Ora hatch's $32,990 drive-away starting point.

Buyers can expect the Ora 5 EV to come in closer to the Leapmotor B10 and Chery E5, both from $38,990.

A hybrid version could drop below the $30,000 mark.

GWM has been open about expanding the Ora brand even as it struggled with just the small and aging Ora hatch doing all the heavy lifting.

GWM Australia Chief Operating Officer, John Kett, told CarsGuide in 2025 that Ora will grow in Australia and even thrive in the years ahead.

“From our perspective, and without announcing our (future) portfolio, we have Ora sitting in the small car segment, and we will have a small SUV next year,” he revealed.

“And, we're still considering a mid-size SUV also coming out of the Ora line-up (for Australia).”