Ora is a young brand launched by the Great Wall concern in 2018, boldly pushing new brand development in China where the market is vast. The Ora series currently focuses exclusively on electric cars, and the brand’s design philosophy can be described as retrofuturism. The Ora 03 embodies this idea, drawing inspiration from beloved classics of the past while avoiding direct copies, a modern revival rather than a replica.
Seen from the rear, the hatchback carries a hint of the Italian Fiat 500. Its oval headlights and the row of longitudinal body grooves nod to iconic Porsche styling, while the chrome toggle switches on the front panel reference British Mini design. These cues blend into a cohesive, eye-catching silhouette that signals its electric identity to the observant observer. The effect is playful yet unmistakably contemporary.
All these elements come together to form a harmonious image that draws the eye of passersby, and the sharp observers will notice that Ora 03 is indeed an electric vehicle. Some might even wonder if it resembles a toy, given its compact, stylized charm. The reality, though, is different: it is a serious electric hatch with urban-ready manners and a surprisingly capable footprint.
not a baby
In overall length and wheelbase, Ora 03 exceeds the Kia Soul, which is marketed as an urban crossover in the local market. The Chinese hatch is 62 millimeters shorter but taller than the Mini Countryman, and it sits on the same modular LE MON platform that underpins several popular regional models, including Haval Jolion. The suspension setup mirrors that configuration, with front McPherson struts and a rear torsion beam, tuned for a balanced ride on city streets and light-dun terrain.
like a smartphone
There is ample space behind the steering wheel for a driver of average build, and the seating position offers a broad range of adjustment. The driver’s seat provides substantial travel, height modification, and reach-adjustable steering, though finding the optimal position may take a moment. A lower steering wheel can obscure portions of the dashboard, especially when paired with the two identical screens mounted within a shared rectangular frame, making the cockpit feel like a compact, high-tech space.
Inside the cabin, the driver can tailor performance attributes, including steering effort, throttle response, and the level of regenerative braking when releasing the accelerator. Accessing these settings requires navigating through the vehicle’s main menu, often best done in a safe, stationary moment in a parking lot. The system is powerful, and a careful, patient approach pays off.
Don’t go in!
Despite its electric propulsion, the Ora 03 presents itself with a traditional hatchback demeanor. The sense one might expect a second trunk to sit beneath the hood is not realized; instead, the powertrain components are housed in the rear area, with the inverter box and thick orange wiring visible from certain angles. One may recall a cautionary note often seen in automotive engineering: do not intervene, as components can be hazardous. In real-world city traffic in Sochi, the three-phase electric motor delivering 171 horsepower offers lively urban acceleration. At speeds beyond city limits, the car becomes less spry, though still competent for everyday commuting.
On curvy roads near Sochi, the one-pedal driving mode proves convenient for smooth starts and decelerations. When the driver releases the accelerator, the car decelerates with noticeable intensity, mimicking engine braking. If the regenerative system is softened in the settings, the Ora behaves more like a conventional gasoline car with reassuring, informative braking dynamics.
Steering responds willingly and remains predictable, inviting more spirited driving on winding routes. The suspension feels well tuned, resisting body roll and smoothing minor road imperfections. Ground clearance sits at a practical 145 millimeters, with the battery enclosure visible beneath the chassis. For ambitious off-pavement excursions, the Ora 03 is not designed to be a conqueror, but for everyday roads it delivers a composed ride.
What about your passport?
According to the manufacturer, the Ora 03 is capable of a 500-kilometer range on a single charge. In real-world use, battery life depends on conditions, but the official figure offers a solid target. During a test, the remaining range indicator showed 495 kilometers after a near-full charge prior to departure, aligning closely with the claimed specification.
After traveling 98 kilometers along coastal highways and serpentine sections, the dashboard displayed about 364 kilometers of remaining range, not the 397 kilometers that might be expected from pure arithmetic. This is in favorable conditions with an ambient temperature around 19 degrees Celsius. The decrease is modest and within typical expectations for an electric vehicle under mixed driving and climate effects.
Inside
The Ora 03 cabin is offered in three trim levels: beige-green, black-red, and classic black. The beige-green option is particularly striking when paired with a blue-green body tone and a white roof, creating a distinctive, youthful interior aesthetic. In addition to the standard version, Ora offers a GT package with sportier bumpers, a tinted windshield, forward collision warning, and launch control enabling the car to reach hundreds of kilometers per hour in 8.3 seconds versus 8.6 seconds for the standard variant. The GT package carries a premium price increase of about 100,000 rubles, with the GT listed around 4 million rubles compared to 3.9 million for the base model.
Prospective Ora 03 buyers should consider charging options carefully. From a regular 220-volt outlet, charging the battery from 15% to 80% takes close to a day. A Type 2 charging column reduces that time to about 6.5 hours, and CSS DC fast charging can bring the battery to 80% in roughly 42 minutes, depending on infrastructure and temperature conditions. It pays to plan charging stops for longer trips and be mindful of charging speeds in different environments.