GWM H1 vs GWM ORA 5

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Includes a historical vehicle

Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

GWM H1 Discontinued model
GWM H1 in South Africa

GWM H1

1.5 LS Petrol CVT Discontinued model
ZAR 229,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 78 kW 🔧 135 Nm ⛽ 7.0 km/l
VS
GWM ORA 5 in South Africa

GWM ORA 5

BEV Ultra Luxury Electric Current
ZAR 599,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 150 kW 🔧 260 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

GWM H1 vs GWM ORA 5: the short answer

ORA 5 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over H1.

Recorded price context H1: last listed from ZAR 229,900 · ORA 5: current from ZAR 364,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification H1 ORA 5
Maximum Power H178 kW @ 6000 rpm ORA 5150 kW
Maximum Torque H1135 Nm @ 4000 rpm ORA 5260 Nm
Engine Size H11497 cc ORA 5Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy H17.0 km/l ORA 5Not Applicable
Ground Clearance H1160 mm ORA 5175 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

GWM H1

1.5 LS

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

GWM ORA 5

BEV Ultra Luxury

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

H1

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

ORA 5

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

H1

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

ORA 5

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec H1 ORA 5
Model Introduced Year 2015 2026
Generation Single generation in South Africa from 2015-2019. The H1 was based on an older Great Wall platform and was discontinued without a direct successor. First-generation ORA 5; South African launch specification
Facelift History H1 received a single mid-cycle update in 2017 that brought minor exterior styling refinements and an updated infotainment system. No significant mechanical changes through the model life. No facelift; first South African model year
Facelift Launched Since 2017 Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending Current Not Applicable
Body Style SUV Compact SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active On sale
Segment SUV Compact SUV
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger vehicle
Spec H1 ORA 5
Length 4002 mm 4471 mm
Width 1740 mm 1833 mm
Height 1567 mm 1641 mm
Wheelbase 2450 mm 2720 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 160 mm 175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 150 mm 115 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 42 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 450 l 228 l
Kerb Weight 1650 kg 1555 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1770 kg 1970 kg
Payload Capacity 550 kg 415 kg
Towing Capacity 2000 kg 2000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.2 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 975 mm 1000 mm
Rear Headroom 950 mm 960 mm
Front Legroom 1020 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 840 mm 900 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This H1 and ORA 5 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: H1 30 vs ORA 5 56.

Efficiency index: H1 35 vs ORA 5 90.

Safety-equipment index: H1 70 vs ORA 5 88.

Practicality index: H1 64 vs ORA 5 54.

Ownership-cover index: H1 44 vs ORA 5 not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

ORA 5 leads by 22 points

ORA 5 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over H1.

Evidence leader 71 /100
Lead 22 points
Data 62% source coverage
71
#1 Evidence leader

ORA 5

62% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 90 Check Practicality 54
Performance 56
Efficiency 90
Safety 88
Practicality 54
Leads by 22 points
49
#2

H1

94% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 70 Check Performance 30
Performance 30
Efficiency 35
Safety 70
Practicality 64
Ownership 44
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance ORA 5 +26 Efficiency ORA 5 +55 Safety ORA 5 +18 Practicality H1 +10

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

ORA 5

Performance 56/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 54/100

H1

Performance 30/100
Efficiency 35/100
Safety 70/100
Practicality 64/100
Ownership 44/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index GWM ORA 5 leads the specification evidence index with 71 pts vs 49 pts for H1

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, ORA 5 leads. However, H1 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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H1 vs ORA 5 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.