GWM Ora 5 Hatch Confirmed for Australia: How to Accessorise the New Budget EV Contender
CarMoods TeamThe budget electric car battle in Australia just gained another contender. GWM has confirmed a hatchback version of its Ora 5 for local showrooms, due later this year and expected to slip under the $33,990 entry point of the Ora 5 SUV it's based on.
The Ora 5 Hatch keeps the SUV's 58kWh battery and a claimed 435km of WLTP range, but sits lower with a sportier stance and ditches the roof rails. Its targets are obvious: the BYD Dolphin Essential and the MG4 Urban, the two cars that have defined the affordable EV hatch segment here.
Whichever badge wins your driveway, one thing is true of all three: compact, cleverly packaged cabins that reward a few smart upgrades. Here's how owners of these city-sized EVs can lift comfort and style from day one — starting with our GWM, BYD and MG accessory ranges.
Jump to: Why the Ora 5 Hatch matters · Steering wheel style · Comfort upgrades · EV essentials · FAQ
Why the Ora 5 Hatch Matters
Small electric hatches are where the value war is being fought. BYD moved the goalposts with the Dolphin Essential at $29,990 before on-road costs, MG answered with the MG4 Urban from $31,990 drive-away, and GWM clearly wants a slice of the same pie.
For buyers, that competition is excellent news. A sub-$35K price no longer means a bare-bones cabin — these cars come well equipped. What they share, though, is a compact interior where every surface earns its keep. That makes accessory choices matter more, not less: the right pieces add comfort and personality without eating into precious space.
It's the same lesson we covered when the Geely EX2 was announced — the budget EV era rewards owners who personalise thoughtfully.
Steering Wheel Style: The First Upgrade That Changes Everything
Budget EVs keep costs down partly through simpler interior materials, and the steering wheel is where you notice it most. A quality cover transforms the one surface you touch on every single drive.
For GWM owners, a carbon-fibre-look cover adds a sportier feel that suits the Ora's cheeky character — and gives winter mornings a warmer grip than bare synthetic leather.
Editor's Choice
GWM TANK Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel Cover
A grippy carbon-fibre finish with GWM branding that sharpens the look and feel of your wheel instantly.
Shop nowBYD Dolphin drivers can do the same with a brand-matched cover — the carbon-fibre and leather combination wears well and hides fingerprints far better than gloss trim.
Bestseller
BYD Carbon Fiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover
Brand-matched carbon-fibre styling with a soft leather grip, made to suit BYD's wheel profile.
Shop nowComfort Upgrades for City-Sized Cabins
Small EVs are brilliant urban companions, but their firmer, upright seats can feel flat on longer runs. A brand-matched neck pillow fixes the gap between headrest and neck that almost every compact car leaves behind.
Recommended
GWM Tank Neck Pillow & Lumbar Support Cushion
Cradles your neck and lower back on longer drives, with GWM badging that looks factory-fitted.
Shop now
Staff Pick
BYD Leather Car Neck Pillow Headrest Cushion
Soft leather cushioning that supports your neck at the wheel of a Dolphin, Atto 3 or Seal.
Shop nowPair either with a matching lumbar cushion from our neck pillow and lumbar support range and even a firm city-car seat becomes a place you're happy to spend an hour in.
Practical EV Essentials Worth Buying Early
Electric hatches carry their weight low and their batteries under the floor, so protecting that floor matters. Custom-fit TPE mats shield the carpet from winter mud and wet shoes, and hose off in minutes.
Recommended
MG MG4 EV Floor Mats 2022-2024 TPE 3D All Weather Car Trunk Pad Set
Laser-measured 3D mats that protect an MG4's floor and boot through every season.
Shop nowAnd if your EV supports vehicle-to-load, an adapter turns your car into a mobile power point — handy for camping, worksites or blackouts.
Type2 V2L Discharger Adapter 16A 3.5KW EU Socket for BYD MG Renault
Draws power from your EV's charge port to run appliances anywhere you park.
Shop nowPro tip
Check your EV's V2L output limit in the handbook before plugging in high-draw appliances — most budget EVs supply around 3.3–3.6kW, enough for a kettle or fridge but not both at once.
Our top picks
- 🥇 GWM TANK Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel Cover Editor's Choice Shop →
- 🥈 BYD Leather Car Neck Pillow Headrest Cushion Staff Pick Shop →
- 🥉 MG MG4 EV Floor Mats TPE 3D All Weather Set Bestseller Shop →
The Bottom Line
The Ora 5 Hatch won't reach showrooms until later in the year, but its arrival confirms where the market is heading: affordable, well-equipped electric hatches from GWM, BYD and MG fighting for the same driveway. Whichever one you choose, a handful of well-chosen accessories — a quality steering wheel cover, brand-matched comfort cushions and all-weather floor protection — will make a compact cabin feel far more personal.
Browse our full interior accessories range to get your small EV feeling like yours from the first drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the GWM Ora 5 Hatch arrive in Australia?
GWM says the Ora 5 Hatch is due in Australian showrooms later in 2026. Exact pricing and specifications haven't been announced, but it's expected to cost less than the Ora 5 SUV's $33,990 starting price.
How far can the Ora 5 Hatch travel on a charge?
It shares the Ora 5 SUV's 58kWh battery, with a claimed driving range of 435km on the WLTP cycle.
Will GWM Tank accessories suit an Ora?
Universal-fit items like neck pillows, lumbar cushions and seat belt pads work across GWM models. Steering wheel covers depend on wheel diameter, so check your wheel size — most GWM models use the common 37–38cm fitment.
What accessories should a budget EV owner buy first?
Start with all-weather floor mats to protect the resale value, then a steering wheel cover and a neck pillow for daily comfort. Decorative touches can follow once the practical basics are covered.
