Driving the Future: A Closer Look at the Innovative ORA Good Cat EV

The ORA Good Cat is the first-ever electric vehicle (EV) offering from the Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors (GWM). This quirky and retro-inspired hatchback is making waves in various markets around the world, with slightly different names depending on the region. In Australia, it's known as the GWM Ora, while in Thailand, it's called the ORA Good Cat. Regardless of the name, this EV is turning heads with its unique design and promising features.

Redefining the EV Experience with the ORA Good Cat

Exterior: A Blend of Retro Charm and Modern Flair

The ORA Good Cat's design is a standout feature, blending retro influences with contemporary elements. Its curvaceous body, round LED headlights, and smooth contours give it a quirky and eye-catching aesthetic. The absence of a traditional grille and the clean integration of lights add to its futuristic appeal. At the rear, the sleek tailgate with hidden lights under the rear windshield creates an ultra-clean look. Despite its compact dimensions – 4,235mm in length, 1,595mm in width, and 1,596mm in height – the Good Cat is well-suited for city driving and occasional road trips.The overall build quality of the ORA Good Cat is a pleasant surprise, defying common stereotypes about Chinese-made cars. The car feels solid, with minimal flex in the metal and no uneven panel gaps. While some interior plastic bits could have been better, the Good Cat's fit and finish are generally solid, and there are no rattles, even in the rental car with 45,000 kilometers on the odometer.The base variant comes equipped with 17-inch wheels, shod with 205/55 R17 tires. The hub-caps complement the retro styling, giving the whole car a clean and cohesive look. The ground clearance of approximately 145mm is typical for a vehicle in this segment, providing sufficient clearance for navigating most urban environments, including speed bumps and uneven road surfaces.

Safety: A Commitment to Passenger and Pedestrian Protection

The ORA Good Cat places a strong emphasis on safety, with a comprehensive range of features designed to protect both passengers and pedestrians. It has earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating, a testament to its robust safety credentials. The base variant comes equipped with a few advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking.In terms of passive safety, the Good Cat comes standard with six airbags, covering the front, side, and curtain areas. It also features Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and Hill Start Assist, ensuring enhanced control in various driving conditions. For child safety, the Good Cat includes two ISOFIX anchors and 3-point seatbelts for all passengers.

Interior: A Blend of Retro Charm and Modern Technology

The ORA Good Cat's cabin design is a harmonious blend of retro styling and modern technology. The dashboard is sleek and minimalistic, with a simple all-black setup and a curved design that flows down and along the sides to the doors. The round two-spoke steering wheel adds to the old-school feel, while the satin silver accents provide a touch of sophistication.The cabin features a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, creating a tech-focused interface. The materials used in the Good Cat's interior are of decent quality, with leather upholstery and soft-touch surfaces on key areas like the dashboard, giving it a premium look. However, some sub-par plastics in the center console detract from the overall premium feel.Despite its compact exterior, the Good Cat maximizes interior space effectively. The cabin feels airy, and the wide windows create a pleasant and open environment. Rear passengers benefit from decent legroom and a relatively flat floor, although taller individuals may find the headroom a bit tight due to the sloping roofline. Unfortunately, the front seats lack in comfort, and after about an hour of driving in city traffic, the driver's back may start to ache.The high seating position provides the driver with good visibility, improving the car's suitability for urban driving. The steering wheel, while large in diameter, is tilt-adjustable, although it lacks telescopic adjustment, which may be a drawback for some drivers. The fully digital instrument cluster is easy to read and positioned within the driver's line of sight, minimizing distractions.The ORA Good Cat offers practical storage solutions for a hatchback. The front door pockets can accommodate water bottles and small items, while the center console features additional storage, including cup holders and a small tray for keys or smartphones. A storage box under the center armrest provides space for items like sunglasses or wallets. Rear passengers also have seatback pockets for their belongings. The glovebox is of a good size as well.The Good Cat's air-conditioning system is effective, quickly cooling the cabin even on hot days. However, the lack of rear air vents is a notable omission for a hatchback of this size.

Technology and Features: Blending Convenience and Connectivity

One of the standout features of the ORA Good Cat is its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which in the base variant supports both wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This integration of popular smartphone mirroring technologies enhances the car's connectivity and user-friendliness.The Good Cat's audio system features a 6-speaker setup that provides average sound quality. While not a premium system, it delivers clear and balanced audio throughout the cabin, making it suitable for everyday listening.

Driving Dynamics: Balancing Efficiency and Responsiveness

The ORA Good Cat is equipped with a single electric motor that delivers 141 horsepower and 210 Nm of instant torque. This powertrain setup provides a zippy and responsive driving experience, particularly in urban environments. The car handles city traffic effortlessly, with its compact size allowing for easy navigation and maneuverability.On the highway, the Good Cat can maintain decent speeds, but the power delivery is smoother and more consistent at lower speeds. Despite its weight of around 1,510 kg due to the battery pack, the car feels nimble and easy to maneuver, thanks to its light and responsive steering.The Good Cat offers four driving modes to cater to different driving styles and preferences. Eco Mode prioritizes efficiency, Normal Mode strikes a balance between performance and energy efficiency, Auto Mode intelligently adjusts parameters based on real-time conditions, and Sport Mode sharpens the throttle response and reduces regenerative braking for a more dynamic driving experience.The regenerative braking system in the Good Cat takes some getting used to, as it can feel a bit abrupt at times, particularly on the highway. The coasting and then sudden engagement of the regenerative braking can be noticeable and may take some time to acclimate to.In terms of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), the ORA Good Cat excels, especially at lower speeds. The electric motor is whisper-quiet, and there's minimal road or wind noise. At higher speeds, however, wind and tire noise become more apparent, particularly on rougher surfaces.The claimed range of the ORA Good Cat 400 Tech variant is 400 km, and in real-world use, the reviewer achieved around 330 km, which is a respectable figure for a city-focused EV.

Ride and Handling: Comfort-Focused with Compromises

The ORA Good Cat's suspension, featuring a front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam axle setup, is tuned to prioritize comfort in urban environments. This setup provides a smooth and compliant ride quality, absorbing most bumps and potholes with ease. However, at higher speeds or on rougher roads, the suspension can transmit larger impacts more noticeably into the cabin, and the softness of the setup can lead to some body roll when cornering at higher speeds.In terms of handling, the Good Cat is easy to maneuver, with a light and responsive steering that makes it ideal for tight city driving and parking. The instant torque from the electric motor provides brisk acceleration, well-suited for navigating urban traffic. The car feels nimble and composed on smoother roads, making it a suitable choice for city dwellers who prioritize ease of driving and parking.The electric power steering, while light and convenient for city use, doesn't firm up significantly at higher speeds, resulting in a lack of feedback and confidence at three-digit speeds. The brakes, on the other hand, provide adequate stopping power for typical city driving, with good modulation and feel. The inclusion of an auto-hold feature is a convenient addition for heavy traffic situations.