The GWM WEY 05 is a premium plug-in hybrid SUV, priced around €55,900 in Germany — comfortably under an Audi Q5 or BMW X3. It offers a class-leading 146 km WLTP electric range (we managed 121 km in real Munich driving), 476 hp with 0–100 km/h of about 5.0s, and a luxurious Nappa-leather cabin with three screens.
It rides on a 5-star Euro NCAP-rated platform and comes with a 5-year vehicle / 8-year battery warranty. The trade-offs: unproven resale, a growing service network and an infotainment learning curve.
GWM WEY 05: Price, Specs & Verdict at a Glance
The GWM WEY 05 has arrived in Germany, and Great Wall Motor isn't just entering the market — it's going straight for the premium SUV segment, taking aim at the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. Here are the numbers buyers ask about most, up front.
| Specification | Figure |
|---|---|
| Price (Germany) | ~€55,900 |
| Powertrain | 2.0L turbo PHEV + 2 electric motors, AWD |
| Combined power | 350 kW / 476 hp |
| 0–100 km/h | ~5.0 seconds (GPS-verified) |
| WLTP electric range | Up to 146 km (121 km in our test) |
| Transmission | 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) |
| Safety | 5-star Euro NCAP (as Coffee 01) |
| Warranty | 5-year vehicle / 8-year battery |
First Impressions & the Interior
Your first contact with any car sets the tone, and the WEY 05 makes a strong one: it feels substantial and tech-forward. The design is bold and modern, distinctive without copying its European rivals, and build quality holds up — we found tight, consistent panel gaps and a deep, lustrous paint finish. On German streets it has genuine road presence.
A High-Tech, Well-Equipped Cabin
Step inside and technology dominates. Three screens span the cabin — a digital instrument cluster, a large central display and a front-passenger screen. The Nappa leather seats are soft and supportive, most switchgear feels good to the touch, and the cabin is packed with features that cost extra on German rivals.
The WEY 05 (Mocha) platform underpins a mid-size luxury crossover, and the equipment-for-money story is central to its pitch: heated and ventilated seats, ambient lighting, a premium sound system and a full driver-assistance suite come as standard where premium-badge rivals charge extra.
Infotainment: A Flawed Gem
The infotainment looks impressive, responds well most of the time, and has crisp, modern graphics. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both work properly. The honest caveat: the menu structure takes time to learn, and early software can feel busy — buyers should spend time with it on a test drive to judge whether it suits them.
The Powertrain: Built for Range
The heart of the WEY 05 is its plug-in hybrid system — its main technological advantage and primary selling point in a market full of PHEVs.
Understanding the DHT
At its core sits a 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), combining a 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors. This differs from the typical P2 or P4 hybrid systems used by many European competitors — the DHT is designed specifically to maximise electric-only driving, delivering both high efficiency and strong, immediate power.
The 146 km Range Test
The official WLTP figure reaches up to 146 km — class-leading. We ran a real test to verify it. Starting fully charged in Munich, across dense city traffic and faster cruising, we managed 121 km on pure electric before the petrol engine engaged seamlessly.
That result stands out. A recent ADAC test showed many plug-in hybrids in Germany struggle to achieve even 65% of their WLTP range — the WEY 05 delivered comfortably above that, which for a daily commuter can mean genuinely petrol-free weeks.
Autobahn Performance
With a combined 350 kW (476 hp), the WEY 05 has real pace. On an unrestricted autobahn stretch the experience is one of effortless, rapid acceleration, with safe, easy high-speed merges. Our GPS-verified 0–100 km/h of about 5.0 seconds matches tests by Auto Motor und Sport.
On the Road: German Tuning?
A premium SUV has to feel right across city, country and autobahn — and this is where a newcomer is really judged.
Around town, the WEY 05 is easy on its occupants, masking expansion joints and potholes better than some European rivals thanks to its mass and suspension tuning. On the open road it's composed and quiet, tuned for smooth, efficient progress rather than sharp driver engagement. Its greater width and mass make tight parking and narrow lanes more of a handful, so it's a cruiser first, a back-road tool second.
Judge the infotainment yourself on a test drive: the most consistent owner question about the WEY 05 is software usability. It's not a dealbreaker — CarPlay and Android Auto sidestep most of it — but the native system has a learning curve, so spend real time with it before you commit rather than relying on the showroom first impression.
The Ownership Question
Analysing the Price Tag
At around €55,900, the WEY 05 undercuts comparable premium PHEV SUVs while offering more standard equipment. The value case is clear on paper: class-leading EV range, strong performance and a loaded cabin for less than an equivalent Audi Q5 or BMW X3.
Service, Warranty & Trust
The honest counterweight is ownership certainty. GWM's service network in Europe is still growing, and resale values for a new-to-market Chinese premium brand are unproven. Offsetting that is a strong 5-year vehicle / 8-year battery warranty and a 5-star Euro NCAP-rated platform — GWM is clearly aware that trust is what it must earn, and the warranty is how it's buying goodwill.
The Verdict: Impressive, With Caveats
The GWM WEY 05 is a genuinely impressive first serious swing at the European premium segment. The equipment, the real-world electric range and the performance are all there, at a price that undercuts the establishment.
Who should buy it? Value-focused buyers who want maximum equipment and EV range and aren't wedded to a premium badge or worried about residuals. Who should wait? Buyers who prioritise proven resale value and a dense service network. If you want to see it in motion, this WEY 05 video review is a useful companion to the numbers here.
GWM's broader European push is worth watching — see our analysis of MG's European sales for how Chinese brands are reshaping the market, our BYD DM-i review for a key PHEV rival, and our GWM Tank 300 capability test for the brand's off-road side. Browse GWM accessories if you're building out a GWM.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the GWM WEY 05 cost in Europe?
The WEY 05 is priced at around €55,900 in Germany — positioned deliberately below premium rivals like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, while offering more standard equipment. Exact pricing varies by market and specification, so confirm the current on-the-road price with your local GWM dealer, but the value proposition is a heavily-equipped premium PHEV SUV for meaningfully less than the established German brands.
What is the electric range of the GWM WEY 05?
The official WLTP electric range is up to 146 km — class-leading among plug-in hybrids. In our real-world test starting fully charged in Munich, across dense city traffic and faster roads, we achieved 121 km on pure electric before the petrol engine engaged. That real figure is notable: an ADAC test found many PHEVs in Germany struggle to hit even 65% of their WLTP claim, while the WEY 05 delivered well above that.
How powerful is the GWM WEY 05?
The WEY 05 produces a combined 350 kW (476 hp) from its 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors, driving all four wheels. That's enough for a GPS-verified 0-100 km/h of about 5.0 seconds — matching independent tests by Auto Motor und Sport — and confident, effortless high-speed merging on the autobahn.
Is the GWM WEY 05 a safe car?
The underlying platform earned a 5-star Euro NCAP rating (tested as the Coffee 01), and the WEY 05 comes heavily equipped with driver-assistance systems as standard. As always, check the specific rating for your market and model year, but the safety pedigree is a genuine strength rather than an afterthought.
What warranty does the GWM WEY 05 come with?
GWM backs the WEY 05 with a 5-year vehicle warranty and an 8-year battery warranty in Europe — competitive with, and in the battery's case exceeding, several established brands. This matters for a newcomer, as a strong warranty offsets some of the uncertainty around long-term reliability and resale value.
Is the GWM WEY 05 worth buying over an Audi Q5 or BMW X3?
For the right buyer, yes. You get more standard equipment, a class-leading electric range and strong performance for less money. The honest trade-offs are unproven resale value, a still-growing service network, and an infotainment system with a learning curve. If you prioritise value, equipment and EV range over brand badge and established residuals, the WEY 05 makes a compelling case.
