The GWM Ora 03 is South Africa’s most affordable Electric Vehicle (EV), but it now faces fresh competition in the shape of the new Volvo EX30! Which one of these EV products represents a stronger buying proposition? Let’s take a closer look!
The Electric Vehicle (EV) market is steadily growing in South Africa – major brands, such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz have already launched a wide range of EVs in South Africa. Interestingly, of all the car manufacturers selling electric cars in South Africa, Volvo ended 2023 as Mzansi’s best-selling EV brand with more than 150 units of the XC40 registered throughout the year!
Granted, electric cars are anything but affordable in South Africa, yet brands such as GWM (and Volvo) are catering to buyers looking for more affordable EV solutions in the lower end of the market.
Enter the new GWM Ora 03! With pricing starting from R686 950 for the entry-level Ora 03 300 Super Luxury, this is the most affordable EV on sale in South Africa! Opt for the range-topping Ora 03 400 GT Ultra Luxury and pricing goes up to R835 950. The Ora 03 came to market in November 2023 and a total of 18 units were sold in 2023, which is a promising start for GWM’s first electric car on local soil.
However, the Ora 03 has staunch competition in the form of the new all-electric Volvo EX30 compact crossover which recently arrived in South Africa. The EX30 is smaller than the XC40 and its pricing structure is in the same realm as the Ora 03 with pricing starting from R775 900 and going up to R995 900.
This comparative article aims to help potential buyers make an informed buying decision. To do this, we will cover key aspects such as styling, performance, interior features, practicality and pricing and warranty details.
If, at the end of this article, you are still undecided as to what to buy, you are more than welcome to reach out to us for advice via X, Facebook or Instagram and our experienced test team will gladly assist you.
Note that we have yet to test the Volvo EX30 on local soil and we will therefore reserve judgment on its performance delivery and handling capability.
Exterior Styling
GWM Ora 03
The GWM Ora 03, also known as the Funky Cat in overseas markets, brings a fun(ky) design to a compact package. In pictures, the Ora 03 looks more like a hatchback than a crossover but it does have a fairly large footprint which makes it more comparable to a compact crossover (see practicality section below). In range-topping 400 GT guise, the Ora gains a GT body kit which includes a GT roof-mounted spoiler (with red GT lettering), 18-inch GT alloy wheels with red detailing and red brake calipers red detailing seen on the front and rear diffusers.
Volvo EX30
The soon-to-be-launched EX30 incorporates familiar svelte Swedish design cues from contemporary Volvo products, most notably the XC40 Recharge. While the EX30 adopts a boxy design typical for a vehicle in its class, the sloping roofline and contoured body panels give it a coupe-like appearance. The range-topping EX30 rides on 20-inch alloy wheels and while the EX30 isn’t purported to be sporty-looking, it rather adopts a refined styling approach that’s in line with Volvo’s current design language.
We think the Volvo has the Ora licked in the style stakes but you can be the judge and let us know which car you think looks better.
Performance and Efficiency
| GWM Ora 03 300 Super Luxury / Ultra Luxury | GWM Ora 03 400 Ultra Luxury / GT | Volvo EX30 Single Motor / Extended Range | Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance | |
| Powertrain | Front electric motor | Front electric motor | Rear electric motor | Front + Rear electric motor (AWD) |
| Power Output | 105 kW | 126 kW | 200 kW | 315 kW |
| Torque Output | 210 Nm | 250 Nm | 343 Nm | 543 Nm |
| 0-100 kph | 8.4 secs | 8.5 secs | 5.7 secs / 5.3 secs | 3.6 secs |
| Battery | Ora 03 300: 48 kWh Lithium-ion phosphate | Ora 03 400: 63 kWh nickel-manganese cobalt | 51 kWh Lithium-ion phosphate Extended Range: 69 kWh Lithium-ion phosphate | 69 kWh Lithium-ion phosphate |
| Electric Range | 300 km / 400 km | 400 km | 343 km / 480 km | 460 km |
| Energy Consumption per 100km | 16.7 kWh | 16.5-16.8 kWh | 17.5 kWh | 16.3 kWh |
| Maximum Charge Power | 64 kW | 67 kW | 134 kW (51 kWh) / 153 kW (69 kWh) | |
| Charge Rate | ||||
| 11 kWh AC Home Charger (0%-100%) | 5.5 hours | 6.8 hours | 6 hours (51 kWh) / 7 hours (69 kWh) | 7 hours |
| DC Fast Charger (0%-80%) | 50 mins (64 kW) | 59 mins (67 kW) | 27 mins (134 kW) / 28 mins (154 kW) | 28 mins |
| Estimated Charge Cost (0% – 100%) | ||||
| Home @ R3/kWh | R144 | R189 | R153 | R207 |
| Public @ R6.50/kWh | R312 | R410 | R332 | R449 |
GWM Ora 03
The GWM Ora 03 is offered with 2 battery options: a 48 kWh battery paired with a 105 kW/210 Nm front electric motor and a 63 kWh battery in combination with a more powerful 126 kW/250 Nm front electric motor. Depending on your battery choice, range varies from a claimed 300 km to 400 km respectively.
The base Ora 03 300 Super Luxury offers basic performance for city commuting and while its outputs are modest, the instantaneous torque delivery endows it with nippy acceleration from a standstill.
Opt for the Ora 400 GT and performance increases notably to deliver a fun driving experience. Ride quality errs on the firmer end of the spectrum, but not at the expense of overall comfort.
As with most EVs, the battery’s charge depletes much quicker at highway speeds, where there are fewer opportunities for regenerative braking, thereby increasing the need for recharging. Therefore, the Ora is most efficient in an urban setting, which offers regular opportunities to harvest energy through braking.
Volvo EX30
On paper, the Volvo EX30 offers significantly better performance potential than the Ora 03. Like the GWM, the Volvo is available with a choice of 2 batteries: 51 kWh and 69 kWh. Unlike the Ora 03, the EX30 makes use of either a rear-mounted single-electric motor with 200 kW and 343 Nm or a twin motor setup (front and rear) that delivers 315 kW and 543 Nm; the latter is technically all-wheel-driven.
Based on the Swedish marque’s claimed acceleration figures and power outputs, the EX30 is expected to deliver excellent performance in terms of acceleration and ride comfort and it should, at the very least, be on par with the XC40 Recharge in this regard. We will hopefully have the Volvo EX30 on test soon for a thorough evaluation and we’ll update this article accordingly thereafter.
Interior Execution and Features
For this comparison, we’ll compare the features found in the range-topping derivatives of each model.
Use our handy Compare Tool to compare cars!
| Ora 03 400 GT | Volvo EX30 Ultra Twin Motor Performance | |
| Infotainment system | 10.25-inch touchscreen | 12.3-inch portrait-orientated |
| Digital Instrument Cluster | 10.25-inch instrument cluster (configurable) | None. Integrated into infotainment system. |
| Android Auto / Apple CarPlay | Yes, both | Yes, both |
| Bluetooth, Voice Control, USB, Wireless Charging | Yes to all, 2 USB ports (front and rear) | Yes to all, 4 USB-C ports (front and rear) |
| Rear View Camera | 360-degree panoramic | 360-degree |
| Steering Adjustment: Rake / Reach | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes, adaptive | Yes, adaptive |
| Air Conditioning | Yes, automatic | Yes, 2-zone |
| Panoramic Sunroof | Yes, sliding | Yes, fixed |
| Upholstery / electric seats | Artificial leather, heated / ventilated with electric adjustment for the driver’s seat. | Recycled upholstery, electrically adjustable, heated |
| Front / Rear Park Distance Control | Yes, front and rear | Rear |
| Safety / Driver Assistance Features | 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control with traction control, secondary collision mitigation, lane-change and -keeping assist, lane-departure warning, front and rear cross-traffic assist, front and rear collision warning, smart dodge system, traffic jam assist, parking assist, tyre pressure monitoring | 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control with traction control, collision avoidance and mitigation, lane keeping aid, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, run-off road mitigation, front and rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision warning, post-impact braking, pedestrian/cyclist detection, park pilot assist, tyre pressure monitoring |
GWM Ora 03
The Ora 03 is equipped with a modern and stylish cabin that exhibits an upmarket look and feel with a combination of soft-touch and hard material finishes. Its modern cabin architecture is pleasing to the eye and the semi-minimalist design approach should find favour with local buyers. The Ora 03 features a wide, dual-screen setup that houses both the infotainment system and the instrument cluster in a single panel, much like we’re familiar with in the latest cars from Mercedes-Benz.
In line with GWM’s product strategy, the specification list of the Ora 03 is mightily impressive (even in base form) – prospective buyers are offered most of the bells and whistles they may want/need, as well as a comprehensive list of safety and driver-assistance features. Interior fit-and-finish is, well, excellent.
Volvo EX30
Inside the EX30, Volvo has taken its modern and minimalist approach to the next level! For starters, you’ll notice that there are virtually no buttons in the EX30. Moreover, there’s no instrument cluster either and all functionality is housed in the large portrait-style infotainment system, which will require familiarisation! However, buyers will appreciate the familiar (and expected) high levels of build quality and ergonomically designed seats. The EX30’s cabin is trimmed with a wide variety of renewable and recycled materials.
Volvo has long claimed to be the safest car brand on the planet and the long list of safety- and driver-assistance features on offer is a testament to that claim.
Dimensions and Practicality
| Ora 03 | Volvo EX30 | |
| Length | 4 235mm | 4 233 mm |
| Width | 1 825 mm | 1 837 mm |
| Height | 1 603 mm | 1 549 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 650 mm | 2 650 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 1 580 kg | 1 833 kg |
| Ground Clearance | 120 mm | 177 mm |
| Load Bay Capacity | 228 to 858 litres (no frunk) | 318 to 904 litres (7L frunk) |
| Seat Configuration | 60:40 split | 60:40 split |
| Turning Circle | 11.2 m | 10.6 m |
Practicality Summary
Interestingly, the GWM Ora 03 is similarly sized to the Volvo EX30; their wheelbases are of equal length.
The EX30, however, boasts a more forgiving ground clearance of 177 mm and offers more space for people and luggage thanks to its boxier, crossover/SUV shape. An additional 7 litres of space is offered in the Volvo’s frunk, whereas the Ora 03 doesn’t have one. Also, the Volvo has a tighter turning circle than its Chinese rival, which means it will be slightly easier to manoeuvre in close-quarter driving situations.
As far as practicality is concerned, we think the Volvo EX30 trumps the Ora 03.
Pricing and Warranty
| GWM Ora 03 | Price | Volvo EX30 | Price | |
| Entry | Ora 03 300 Super Luxury | R686 950 | EX30 Core Single Motor | R775 900 |
| Ora 03 400 Super Luxury | R775 950 | EX30 Plus Single Motor Extended Range | R865 900 | |
| Mid | Ora 03 400 Ultra Luxury | R805 950 | EX30 Plus Twin Motor Performance | R935 900 |
| EX30 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range | R965 900 | |||
| Top | Ora 03 400 GT Ultra Luxury | R835 950 | EX30 Ultra Twin Motor Performance | R995 900 |
| Vehicle Warranty | 7-year / 200 000 km | 5-year / 100 000 km warranty | ||
| Battery Warranty | 8-year / 150 000 km | 8-year / 160 000 km | ||
| Service Plan | 7-year / 105 000 km | None |
GWM Ora vs Volvo EX30: What to buy?
If you’re shopping for a brand new battery-electric vehicle (EV) with a budget of under R1 million, your options are limited to the Ora 03, outgoing Mini SE, BYD Atto 3 and the new Volvo EX30.
The Ora 03 makes a strong buying proposition for buyers who are looking for an urban EV that offers basic performance and practicality. Its strong standard feature set further adds to its value appeal. With (relatively) keen pricing of below R700k, the Ora 03 300 Super Luxury is a fantastic entry point for first-time EV buyers who don’t want to break the bank AND it’s worth mentioning that this derivative is a finalist in the Electric Vehicle category of the 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards with the winners to be announced at the end of February 2024! Watch this space! It’s also worth noting that the Ora 03 does offer a longer vehicle warranty and service plan, which should give buyers some added peace of mind.
The Ora 03 is surprisingly spacious, but it may not suit buyers who want a more conventional (albeit all-electric) small crossover ownership experience. Yes, the Volvo is pricier than the (undeniably stylish) GWM, but it’s also significantly more powerful by comparison and offers a modicum more practicality! While the Twin Motor EX30 is certainly nice to have (provided your budget can stretch to just under R1 million), we think the 200-kW EX30 Plus Single Motor Extended Range is the sweet spot in the range.
While the Ora 03 might make more sense at the lower end of the price spectrum, its performance value tapers off higher up the model range. You don’t want to be paying more for less, do you? Note that the price gap between the entry-level Ora 03 300 Super Luxury and the range-topping Ora 03 400 GT Ultra Luxury is R149 000. You’ll have to decide for yourself if the additional 100km range, extra 21 kW and 40 Nm and a few additional features are worth the extra outlay. We think not… For roughly the same money, the Volvo EX30 Plus Single Motor Extended Range makes a stronger case for itself.
With that said, we think the EX30, on paper at least, represents a better overall value proposition – well, if you can afford it…
Buy a new GWM Ora / Buy a used GWM Ora
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