GWM Ora 03 (Funky Cat) Review: Range, Boot & UK Verdict

The GWM Ora 03 is one of the most distinctive small electric cars to reach British roads — and one of the most talked-about. It launched here as the Ora Funky Cat (and is sold in China as the Good Cat), before Great Wall Motor renamed it the Ora 03 in 2024 to tidy up its global line-up.

Its retro-futuristic looks were penned by Emanuel Derta, a designer with several Porsche projects on his CV — which goes a long way to explaining the rounded, almost 911-like nose. But striking styling alone doesn't make a car right for the UK.

This review covers the design, cabin, real-world range, safety and running costs — and answers the question now on a lot of buyers' minds: with GWM pulling the Ora 03 from UK sale, is it still worth considering on the used market?

Is the GWM Ora 03 Still on Sale in the UK?

In short, not as a new car. In 2026 GWM withdrew the Ora 03 from UK sale after consistently weak demand — just over 500 cars in its best full year and only 26 registrations in the first quarter of 2026. New orders have stopped, and the brand has signalled it will return to the UK with a more SUV-focused range.

The important news for buyers and owners is that this is not the end of the road. GWM has confirmed that servicing, repairs and aftersales support continue through its UK dealer network. Parts and accessories remain available, so running an Ora 03 is still perfectly practical.

It also reshapes the value story. Rather than a showroom purchase, the Ora 03 is now a used proposition — and a tempting one. Tidy examples start from around £9,000, comfortably less than a comparable petrol hatchback, which turns this quirky EV into one of the cheapest routes into electric motoring.

Head-Turning Exterior Design

The Ora 03's most obvious strength is its design. It deliberately avoids the sharp, angular lines that dominate today's market, choosing a softer, more distinctive look that grabs attention.

A Retro-Futuristic Look

Large, round headlights dominate the front end, and smooth, curved body panels make the car instantly recognisable. The styling nods to classic European design — think old Mini and a hint of vintage Porsche — without slipping into pure pastiche like the Fiat 500e or MINI Electric.

That Porsche flavour is no accident. Designer Emanuel Derta previously worked on several Porsche models, and you can see it in the bonnet bulges and Fuchs-style alloy wheels. The result blends nostalgia at the front with a cleaner, more modern rear.

UK cars came in a range of vibrant colours that suit the playful styling, with bright shades emphasising the smooth curves and chrome detailing — pink being one of the more sought-after finishes on the used market.

Build Quality Impressions

Seeing the car in person creates an immediate impression of solidity. The paint finish is deep and even, and the panel gaps are tight for a car at this price, suggesting high manufacturing standards.

The doors close with a reassuring thunk, and the same sense of quality extends to the tailgate and other exterior fittings. Well-designed LED lighting front and rear, plus the smart alloy wheels, complete the premium look.

Inside the Premium Cabin

Step inside and the Ora 03 punches well above its price. The design is clean and minimalist, with technology front and centre, creating a modern and welcoming space — arguably the car's single biggest selling point.

A Premium Atmosphere

A floating panel houses two 10.25-inch screens — one for the driver's display, one for infotainment — combined into a single sweep that keeps the dashboard tidy and open.

Material choices impress in the places you touch most. The quilted synthetic leather on the seats and door panels feels genuinely upmarket, backed by soft-touch surfaces across the upper dashboard. Harder plastics appear lower down to hit the price, but they're well hidden.

Following an earlier software update, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, alongside a wireless charging pad and an effective "Hello Ora" voice assistant. The menus take a little learning but are logical once you settle in.

Practicality and Space

Front passengers get plenty of space and adjustment, helped by the airy dashboard design. Rear room is fine for children or for adults on shorter trips, though taller passengers will find head and legroom tight on longer journeys — normal for this compact class.

Boot space is where the Ora 03 faces its toughest challenge. At 228 litres it trails most key rivals, as the table below shows.

The 228-litre boot copes with the weekly shop or a couple of weekend bags, but it's well short of the 363 litres in its key rival, the MG4. That matters for families or anyone who regularly carries bulkier loads — and it's one reason a good boot liner is a popular first accessory.

Driving on UK Roads

Stylish looks and a smart cabin are appealing, but the drive defines a car. We assessed the Ora 03 across a mix of British roads to see how it copes in the real world.

Zippy City Performance

The Ora 03 is happiest in town. The electric motor delivers instant response, giving brisk acceleration from a standstill that's ideal for nipping through traffic and away from junctions.

The steering is light and direct, which makes tight streets and awkward parking spaces easy, and the turning circle is usefully small. Adjustable one-pedal driving is particularly effective in stop-start traffic once you adapt to it.

Ride quality is generally comfortable and the suspension smooths out most minor surfaces. On typically broken British roads, however, sharp-edged potholes and larger speed bumps can send a noticeable thump through the cabin — the ride can feel a little fidgety.

Real-World Range and Charging

A common question is what real-world range the Ora 03 delivers. The official WLTP figure for the 48kWh battery is 193 miles; later versions with the larger battery claim up to around 260 miles. Real-world driving, as ever, tells a more modest story.

In mixed UK use across city streets, A-roads and short motorway stints, expect roughly 160–180 miles in mild weather. In cold winter conditions that drops to around 130–150 miles — a typical 25–30% reduction that matches independent UK range tests and is normal for most EVs.

For charging, the Ora 03 supports up to 11kW AC and around 64kW DC rapid charging. A full top-up on a 7kW home wallbox takes overnight, while a 10–80% rapid charge takes a manageable 45–60 minutes. That peak DC rate is roughly half what rivals such as the MG4 manage, so longer trips need a little more planning.

Technology and Safety

Where the Ora 03 really makes its case is equipment and safety — a key area for a brand still building trust with UK buyers.

Five-Star Safety Record

One of the strongest trust signals for a newer brand is independent crash testing. The Ora 03 earned a full 5-star Euro NCAP rating when tested in 2022 — a genuine endorsement of its underlying engineering.

That rating comes with a generous list of standard safety kit on UK cars, including:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane-keep assist
• Blind-spot detection
• 360-degree camera system

Fitting this level of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) as standard is a real selling point. Many rivals reserve these features for higher trims or charge extra.

Living With the Tech

Listing features is one thing; living with them is another. On UK roads we found the suite mixed. The 360-degree camera is excellent and makes parking simple.

Some systems are over-eager, though. The lane-keep aid can tug firmly at the wheel on narrow country lanes, and the driver-monitoring camera is sensitive, often chiming if you glance away for a moment. Owners on forums such as SpeakEV share tips for dialling the sensitivity down — but the settings reset each journey, so it's worth knowing about before you buy.

Price, Value and Running Costs

So is the Ora 03 good value? On the used market today, increasingly so. With prices from around £9,000 it undercuts most petrol superminis of similar age, and you get a well-equipped, well-built EV with a premium-feeling cabin for the money.

Ownership costs stack up well, too. GWM backs the car with a 5-year, unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, plus five years of AA breakdown cover from new — much of which can still apply to younger used cars. Service intervals are a relaxed two years or 18,000 miles, keeping maintenance bills low.

When you factor in the standard 360-degree camera, heated synthetic-leather seats and full safety suite, the Ora 03 offers strong kit-per-pound. Owners consistently single out the upmarket cabin and standout looks as the reasons they chose it over an MG4, accepting a little less boot space for a car that feels more special day to day.

Buying Used and Keeping It Going

It's worth remembering that GWM (Great Wall Motor) is not a fragile start-up. It's a major global manufacturer, and although the Ora 03 has bowed out of UK showrooms, the dealer network continues to handle servicing and repairs.

For everyday owners that means keeping an Ora 03 on the road is straightforward — the main thing to budget for is the consumables and fitted accessories that protect a car you'll likely keep for years.

Our Final Verdict

After weighing it up, the Ora 03's place in the UK EV landscape is clear: a car of real character, with obvious strengths and a few honest compromises — and now, an unusually keen used price.

The Ora 03 is an excellent used choice for the style-conscious driver who mainly covers town and commuting miles. If you value cabin atmosphere and equipment over maximum practicality and long-distance ability, it makes a compelling, affordable case.

If maximum boot space and the longest range are your priorities, the MG4 remains the more logical — if less charismatic — pick. But for a characterful EV that feels special and turns heads, a used Ora 03 is well worth a look.

Frequently Asked Questions