Price (base/test): NIS 200,000/225,000
Competitors: Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Xpeng P7
Liked: Design, character, range, equipment, space, warranty, price
Disliked: Urban comfort, trunk, operation, performance, and fast charging speed
Score: 8/10
Ayalon Highway, late afternoon. The driver of the white Porsche 718 Boxster slowed down from his supersonic cruising speed and looked at the ORA. I could almost hear what he was thinking: "What is this car, is it a new Porsche Panamera? It looks like a Panamera, but not exactly." He examined the car for a few more seconds as he drove beside me, then sped up again.
Yes, even when imitating, you have to know whom to imitate. 90% of the electric sedans you see on the road or in the showroom have taken "inspiration" from the Tesla Model 3. At ORA, the European brand of Chinese Great Wall, they decided to aim higher and took their inspiration from the Porsche salon.
ORA has previously launched a car in China that clearly took inspiration from the new Beetle, including a 5-door version that Volkswagen never produced, and in the family model 03 (formerly Funky Cat), they chose a generic cute design, with quotes from the Beetle and the new BMW Mini.
The 07 is the big sister, a four-door coupe sedan, larger than the Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Xpeng P7. It arrived here at a time when electric car prices are higher than ever following a tax increase at the beginning of the year, with the state threatening to impose a mileage tax on electric cars from 2026, and Great Wall itself announcing the closure of its European headquarters in a market that has become increasingly challenging for Chinese manufacturers, while discussing the launch of a third model for Europe, this time a family crossover.
So besides direct competition with other electric cars, the 07 finds itself facing a challenging environment. It's a shame they didn't call it 007.
Design: The 07 definitely attracts attention, with the test car in the expensive version also featuring an electrically retractable rear spoiler to convey the sporty message, but we will have to see if it lives up to the promise. The design is indeed more interesting than average but less clean than the Panamera. The dimensions are also somewhat mismatched: it is 15 cm longer than the new Model 3, but 7 cm narrower. The wheelbase is the same, so the newcomer is less efficient in its design.
Interior: The driver's area continues to reference Porsche, with the digital dashboard divided into three "tubes," with an option for luxurious brown leather and quite a bit of nickel. There is a large and wide multimedia screen (12.3 inches), but it is also part of the problem. The 07, like many other electric cars, falls victim to transferring almost all vehicle operation to the screen. Although, unlike Tesla, there is a separate dashboard and in the test car, an effective head-up display, but why is it necessary to adjust the air vent direction from the screen with numerous sub-screens and not-so-quick responses instead of simply directing them? Just because Elon Musk does it, why add more electric motors and cables that make the car more expensive and will eventually break down at a significant cost? Next time, ORA, copy Hyundai Ioniq 6.
Material quality is good, and the front seats are comfortable. Rear visibility is symbolic due to the coupe structure, forcing the driver into the not-always-healthy habit of relying on the reverse camera. Rear space is good, but the seat is low, reminding you that this is a sporty car.
The trunk, with a volume of 333 liters, is something more suitable for a supermini car today. Given the limited volume, it would have been wise to invest in lines and storage solutions around it, to optimize the use of what is available.
Equipment: The base PURE model with the smaller battery at NIS 195,000 as a launch price (NIS 200,000 list price) comes with a 12.3-inch multimedia screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a 10.3-inch digital dashboard, wireless phone charging, panoramic roof, split climate control with rear outlet, leather upholstery, electric front seats with heating, automatic parking system, 360-degree camera, remote control app, and more.
The Pro+ trim level with the larger battery tested (NIS 220,000 launch price, NIS 225,000 list price) adds a head-up display, massage, heating, and ventilation in the front seats, electric trunk lid, Infinity sound system with 11 speakers, and an electrically retractable spoiler. Quite respectable for the price.
Safety: The 07 has not yet been tested in the European crash test but comes with a range of active safety systems: autonomous emergency braking for forward and reverse driving, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, lane keeping, and child reminder alert. The Pro+ trim level adds driver alertness control based on a camera, cruise control that adjusts speed before a curve, and active recognition of a child left in the vehicle.
Performance: Both 07 models come with the same power unit, a 204 hp electric motor that sends its power to the front wheels. This is a common power output nowadays in much cheaper family cars and crossovers. On a car that weighs 2 tons, it is less impressive and certainly does not provide the performance to match the sporty design.
Even in sport mode (there are also normal and economical modes), it does not deliver the quick accelerations of other electric sedans at its price. What it does have is the option to choose an artificial engine sound from the gasoline era, a gimmick we've encountered so far in truly sporty electric cars, and it’s not clear if it suits this car.
Range: The promise is an impressive 570 km combined range, we achieved around 470 km during the test days. This is quite a large gap, but still an excellent range, allowing for a relaxed trip to Eilat without range anxiety. On the other hand, the offered fast charging speed of 85 kW is one of the slowest on the market, and if you need to fill the battery from 10 to 80 percent, it will keep you at the station about 15 minutes longer than competitors.
Comfort and Handling: Generally good comfort, a bit less in the city, despite the long wheelbase that usually helps in this matter. Noise insulation is reasonable, and road behavior is safer than sporty, without any feeling from the steering and brakes, and precise control of body movement in turns as one would expect from a sporty car. The safety systems are overly intrusive with too many alerts, not always understandable.
Bottom line: The ORA 07 is an interesting addition to the market, with a serious attempt to give the new electric car the character of a much more expensive vehicle. It is also super equipped, even in the base version, practical - except for the trunk - enjoys a relatively long actual range, and its prices are competitive relative to the market. It also offers a relatively long warranty on the car, 5 years with unlimited km, but BYD and Xpeng already offer longer warranties.
A bit more investment in substance rather than gimmicks, especially in human engineering, safety system calibration, and adding more electric horses to the motor, would provide a more complete and successful product.
On the Technical Side: 07 ORA Pro+
Engine: Electric, 204 hp power, 34.7 kgm torque Transmission: Auto, direct transmission, front-wheel drive
Electric: Battery (kWh): 86 Slow charging rate: 11 kW Fast charging rate: 85 kW
Performance: 0-100 km/h (seconds): 8.2 Top speed (km/h): 170 Combined range (manufacturer, km): 570 Combined range (test, km): 470
Dimensions: Length (m): 4.87 Width (m): 1.86 Height (m): 1.5 Wheelbase (m): 2.87 Trunk volume (liters): 333 Tires: 235/50R18 Curb weight (kg): 2,065
Safety: European crash test score: Not yet tested Active safety: Autonomous emergency braking for forward and reverse driving, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, blind spot monitoring and collision prevention, child reminder alert
Warranty: 5 years with unlimited km for the car, 8 years or 160,000 km for the battery