2024 ORA 07 Long Range Ultra Review

The market for D-segment electric vehicles in Malaysia has been gradually heating up in recent years. Consumers not only value the practicality of driving range but also demand a sense of luxurious configuration—this is exactly the target of the 2024 ORA 07 Long Range Ultra. Its key selling points are straightforward: an official pure electric range of 640km, fully equipped intelligent driving assistance, and a price tag of under RM170,000, which is a rare combination in its class. The main purpose of this test drive is to verify whether its range holds up, whether its configurations are user-friendly, and whether its daily driving experience can meet the needs of family users.

At first glance, the ORA 07 Long Range Ultra features an elegant coupe-like design without overly aggressive styling. The front face adopts a closed grille with the round ORA logo in the center. The thin LED headlights on both sides align well with the air intake at the bottom of the front bumper, giving it good recognition. The side profile is smooth, with a fastback design extending from the front to the rear. The 18-inch wheels are standard in style but well-proportioned to the body. The rear features eye-catching through-type LED taillights that look sharp when lit, and the small ducktail design on the trunk adds a sporty touch. Overall, the design is understated and enduring, without feeling jarring.

Sitting inside, the interior design is relatively minimalist. The dashboard is wrapped in soft materials that feel decent to the touch, complemented by silver trim accents, avoiding any sense of cheapness. The instrument panel is a 10.25-inch fully digital screen, offering clear display of information like range, speed, and driver assistance status. The center features a 12.3-inch floating touchscreen, which offers fluid operation, supports Bluetooth and CarPlay, and has a straightforward interface that's easy to use. The configuration has several highlights: a standard HUD (head-up display) eliminates the need to look down at the dashboard; the front seats are power-adjustable with adequate support and cushioning; and the 11-speaker sound system provides good enough sound quality for everyday music listening. Notably, it also includes convenient features like keyless entry, automatic air conditioning, and rear air vents, showing thoughtful attention to details.

The space meets the positioning of a D-segment vehicle, with body dimensions of 4871mm in length, 1862mm in width, and 1500mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2870mm. After adjusting the front seats for a comfortable position, a 175cm passenger has one fist of headroom. The rear space is even more spacious—passengers of the same height have more than two fists of legroom and about four fingers of headroom due to the fastback design, which does not feel oppressive. In terms of storage, the front center armrest box and cupholder spaces are adequate, and the door storage compartments can hold two bottles of mineral water. The trunk has a reasonably large standard capacity, with rear seats that support a 60:40 split-folding feature, making it suitable for larger items like a stroller or suitcase—ideal for family use.

As for performance, it is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor that produces a maximum output of 150kW (204PS) and a peak torque of 340N·m, with a front-wheel-drive layout. The car feels brisk when starting; pressing down on the accelerator pedal delivers noticeable power output, making city driving or overtaking very easy. Switching to sport mode offers more immediate power response, and overtaking on highways is effortless. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 7.9 seconds, which is more than sufficient for daily use. The chassis features a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension filters out most of the vibrations, ensuring passengers don't feel uncomfortable. At highway speeds, the vehicle maintains good stability without feeling floaty. The steering is relatively light, making parking or U-turns in the city very easy, and it becomes slightly heavier at high speeds, offering decent precision in steering.

This test drive focused on range. The battery capacity is 83.5kWh, with an official range of 640km. We drove a mix of urban and highway roads for around 200km, with urban areas accounting for 60% and highways for 40%. The air conditioning was set at 24 degrees, and the regenerative braking was set to medium. In the end, the displayed range dropped by 220km, achieving about 90% efficiency, which is excellent among electric vehicles in the same class. The fast charging time is 0.53 hours (32 minutes), which can charge from 30% to 80%, making emergency recharging very convenient. While fuel consumption is not a concern, the electricity consumption performance is impressive, averaging around 14kWh/100km on mixed roads, which is close to the official figure of 13.4kWh/100km, resulting in low daily usage costs.

Its strong point is the driving assistance features, standard equipped with ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot assist, 360-degree panoramic camera, and automated parking. Using ACC cruise on highways allows it to automatically follow the car ahead and maintain a safe distance, reducing driver fatigue. The 360-degree panoramic camera is very useful when parking, helping to identify surrounding obstacles, making it easy for newcomers to park. Noise control is well-managed; at low speeds in urban areas, the motor noise is almost inaudible. On highways, there is some tire and wind noise, but it does not affect normal conversations, and overall noise insulation meets the standards for this class.

To summarize, the core strengths of the 2024 ORA 07 Long Range Ultra are clear: reliable range, with an official 640km and high efficiency, solving range anxiety; comprehensive features, including HUD, electric seats, and a full suite of driving assistance features, making it high value for money; spaciousness, which suits family use. Compared to vehicles in the same class, such as the Tesla Model 3 or BYD Han EV, it has a lower price, more features, and similar range.

Overall, this car is suitable for family users who value range, features, and cost-effectiveness. It can meet demands for daily commuting or weekend family outings. For consumers who seek balanced performance and do not want to compromise on features, it is a good choice. In conclusion, the ORA 07 Long Range Ultra is a practical D-segment electric car that does not indulge in flashy designs but excels in meeting user demands for range, space, and features, making it worth considering.