Is GWM Ora 5 better than combustion SUV?

Compact SUVs in the range between R$ 150 thousand and R$ 200 thousand are among the best-selling cars in Brazil. Now these models equipped with combustion engines have gained a strong electric competition, the GWM Ora 5.

The Chinese model is priced at R$ 159.900, to bother the larger volume compact SUVs. In early 2026, another model was launched with the same proposal, the Toyota Yaris Cross — which bets on a more traditional recipe and the brand’s good reputation to repeat the success of rival Honda HR-V.

SEE ALSO:

• Comparative: Can Toyota Yaris Cross face the leader VW T-Cross?
• Why is the Geely EX2 the best electric car under R$ 150 thousand?
• GAC Aion UT makes sense only in the Elite version

Here we will compare the new GWM Ora 5 with the Toyota Yaris Cross to find out if it is already worth changing the compact combustion SUV for an electric one.

Price

• Toyota Yaris Cross XRE: BRL 161.390
• GWM Ora 5: BRL 159.900

GWM sells the Ora 5 in a single version, with a promotional price of R$ 159.900 valid until the end of July, the value fixed after this period was not revealed. For the comparison, we chose the XRE version of the Toyota Yaris Cross, which is priced at R$ 161.390.

The Japanese model already starts at a disadvantage, at least for those who buy in July. Another negative point for the Yaris Cross is that this value is only valid for solid white paint, the other colors add to the value. GWM does not charge for the painting.

Autonomy/consumption

The Toyota Yaris Cross XRE has a 1.5-liter aspirated combustion engine, the hybrid model costs R$ 11 thousand more. It is an evolution of the four-cylinder in-line that debuted in the Etios, now bringing direct injection and other improvements to reduce consumption. See the averages:

The Yaris Cross’s fuel tank is small, only 42 liters. This results in a range of 601 km on the highway with gasoline and 529 km in the city. With ethanol, the numbers drop to 428 km and 370 km, respectively. Filling the tank with gasoline with gasoline costs R$ 278.04, with ethanol it is R$ 171.36.

The GWM Ora 5 has a 58.3 kWh battery, which provides 349 km of autonomy in the Inmetro cycle. A full load in the state of São Paulo costs R$ 42.56.

The cost per kilometer driven by the Ora 5 is much lower than that of the Yaris Cross, especially for those who drive more in the city. For those who take a lot of road, the electric can be worth it if the most used routes are well served by chargers.

Winner: GWM Ora 5

Performance

The fight between the GWM Ora 5 against the Toyota Yaris Cross in performance is unfair. The electric model features a 204 hp and 26,5 kgfm motor, which makes the model accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 7,7 seconds.

The Toyota Yaris Cross has the 1.5 aspirated with 122 hp with ethanol and 110 hp with gasoline. Torque is 15.3 kgfm with ethanol and 14.3 kgfm with gasoline. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 13.5 seconds.

The Yaris Cross is at the bottom of the segment in performance along with the Nissan Kicks. Even other naturally aspirated rivals like the Honda HR-V have better performance.

Winner: GWM Ora 5

Equipment

• 
• 

The Toyota Yaris Cross arrived with a good package of equipment for its category. The XRE model that we put in the comparison already features an ADAS package, seats with synthetic coating, sound system with six speakers, induction cell phone charger, automatic air conditioning with exit to the rear seat, full-LED headlights, electronic parking brake, face-to-face key, seven airbags and reversing camera.

The GWM Ora 5 brings all these items and adds a panoramic sunroof, climate-controlled drawer in the center console, electric adjustment and ventilation in the front seats, a sound system with nine speakers and a 540º camera.

Here the fight became fairer, some of the Ora 5 equipment exists in the top-of-the-line Yaris Cross. But in the end, the Chinese won by bringing more resources.

Winner: GWM Ora 5

Interior space

China does not have a size-based car tax like Japan. That’s why the projects born there are usually above-average in size, as seen by GWM Ora 5.

The Chinese has a significant advantage of 10 cm in the wheelbase, which is reflected in the more spacious rear seat. It also wins in width in, while in the other items there is a tie. See the comparison table:

Winner: GWM Ora 5

Trunk

The Toyota Yaris Cross pays back at the Ora 5 when it comes to carrying luggage. Its trunk has a capacity of 400 liters, while the 100% electric rival can take up to 362 liters.

In both there is a spare tire under the floor of the luggage compartment and manual opening of the lid. The Yaris Cross may come with an electric opening in the top-of-the-line XRX model.

Winner: Toyota Yaris Cross

Dealerships

GWM debuted in Brazil in 2023 already with an expansion plan and franchising dealerships to traditional networks. Today it has 104 units spread across Brazil. It is the third largest Chinese chain in Brazil, behind only BYD and Caoa Chery.

But it is no match for the size of the Toyota network in Brazil, which has 350 dealerships. This means that the owner of a Yaris Cross will be able to have easier service during a trip.

Winner: Toyota Yaris Cross

Warranty

Toyota has always used the warranty as a sales argument in Brazil, in 2002 it offered coverage for three years while the industry standard was only one. Today its cars have a five-year warranty that can be extended to 10 years if the revisions are made in the authorized network.

The GWM Ora 5 has a 5-year warranty with no mileage limit for the vehicle and 8 years or 200 thousand km for the batteries.

Winner: Toyota Yaris Cross

Winner

The GWM Ora 5 took the advantage in the main criteria of the comparison: price, performance, economy, equipment and interior space. The Toyota Yaris Cross was better only in the trunk and in the items related to after-sales.

If you are after a compact SUV and can install a charger at home, the Ora 5 is a good gateway to electric cars.