At a time when most new cars are increasingly adopting aggressive designs, no matter what the body style or segment, the Ora Good Cat (Ora 03 in the UK) stands out with its playful, rounded exterior.
Recently, we got to spend some time around the electric compact hatchback in a global-spec model to assess whether its comfort, space, and everyday usability matches up to its charming exterior.
Design
The Good Cat features a soft, friendly exterior defined by rounded proportions, retro-style circular headlamps, and no sharp creases or LED gimmicks.
The curvy front fascia and round lighting elements inevitably bring the VW Beetle to mind. However, in person, the Ora 03 still manages to establish a distinct identity through its detailing and proportions.
In profile, the rising beltline and the 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels give the hatchback a slightly sportier stance than its overall shape suggests.
At the rear, the swoopy tailgate integrates a split tail light that stretches almost across the entire car. A diffuser-style valance adds a tinge of sportiness to the character without disturbing the car’s basic design.
Interior
The Ora Good Cat continues the retro theme inside, with a two-spoke steering wheel, a toggle switch bar for climate controls and hazard warning, classic colour schemes, and quilted upholstery. The dashboard features a curvature that continues into the door panels, and curved sections are seen in the centre console as well.
A dual cockpit display setup, comprising a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment system, gives the Good Cat a touch of modern styling. Unlike the version we saw, the UK-spec model has a more upmarket centre console featuring knurled dial serving as the gear selector.
Experience in the Ora Good Cat
I am 5’7″ tall and had no issues with ingress or egress in the Ora Good Cat. Forward and side visibility from the driver’s seat is good. Rear visibility is also decent, even though the rear windscreen is not all that big.
I had around five inches of headroom in the front seats. The backrest offers adequate support, but under-thigh support could have been better, and the seat base feels a little shorter than ideal.
In the rear, I had about three inches of headroom. Someone around 5’10” or taller may not find the rear seat comfortable. Under-thigh support is limited, and a longer seat cushion would have helped. Legroom is generous, and knee room is not an issue.
Rear-seat amenities include a fold-out centre armrest with cupholders, a USB Type-A charging port, a small storage space behind the centre console, and two seatback pockets. There are no rear AC vents.
Specifications
The Ora Good Cat is 4,235 mm long, 1,825 mm wide, and 1,603 mm tall and has a 2,650 mm wheelbase. It offers 228 litres of boot space, which can be expanded to 858 litres by folding the rear seat.
GWM offers the 03 in the UK in standard-range and long-range variants with 48 kWh LFP and 63 kWh NMC battery packs, respectively. The former delivers a WLTP range of 193 miles, and the latter up to 260 miles.
Both variants have one motor driving the front wheels, with 126 kW (169 bhp) and 250 Nm (184 lb.-ft.) of torque. The compact hatchback accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 8.3 seconds in the standard-range variant and 8.2 seconds in the long-range variant. It achieves the same top speed in both variants of 99 mph.
Price
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The Ora 03’s prices in the UK range from GBP 24,995 to GBP 32,995. Currently, GWM is offering a GBP 3,750 discount across the range.
Since 2014, I’ve worked as an international automotive editor, attending global motor shows, industry events, media drives, and tracking the latest developments across the sector, with a particular focus on electrified vehicles.
