ORA 07 2024 Review

As Malaysia's electric vehicle market gradually expands into the mid-to-high-end market segments, competition in the D-segment pure electric sedan category is heating up—consumers are no longer just satisfied with basic transportation but are instead expecting a balanced performance in terms of range, features, and comfort. The 2024 ORA 07 Long Range Ultra directly targets this demand with its official range of 640km, fully equipped intelligent driving assistance systems, and a price of under RM170,000, making it particularly appealing in its class. In this test drive, we aim to verify: Is its range solid? Are the features genuinely practical? And can the daily driving experience meet the needs of family users?

At first glance, the ORA 07 Long Range Ultra impresses with its "understated yet refined" design. The vehicle measures 4,871mm in length, 1,862mm in width, and has a wheelbase of 2,870mm. Its side profile is sleek, with streamlined lines running from the front to the rear, neither exaggerated nor overly subtle. The front end features a closed design paired with sharp LED headlight groups on both sides; the slim design of the daytime running lights inside the headlight clusters offers high recognition when illuminated. At the rear, the continuous LED taillight stands out, with a moderately wide light strip that provides a uniform visual effect when lit at night. The lower part of the rear bumper is clean and devoid of complex decorations, maintaining a minimalist style. The 18-inch tire size is proportionate to the body and neither looks small nor overly aggressive.

Sitting inside, the interior layout is designed for practicality. The center console tilts slightly toward the driver, and the 12.3-inch floating central display is positioned at an ergonomic height, allowing easy operation without excessive head movement. Below the screen, a row of physical buttons is retained to control air-conditioning temperature and fan speed, making blind operation convenient. In terms of materials, the top of the center console and the inner side of the door panels are wrapped in soft-touch materials that feel pleasant. Although there is limited use of piano black finishes, the matte materials are resistant to fingerprints, making everyday maintenance easier. The 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster provides clear displays and can toggle between different information interfaces, including range, power output, and driving assistance status. The standard HUD (head-up display) system projects information such as speed, navigation, and warnings, reducing the frequency of glancing at the instrument cluster.

The spacious interior is one of the ORA 07 Long Range Ultra's key advantages. The 2,870mm wheelbase delivers ample rear legroom; a 175cm-tall passenger seated in the back will have more than two fists of space between their knees and the front seatback. There is also one fist of headroom remaining, ensuring a non-cramped feel. The rear floor is almost entirely flat, so the middle-seat passenger's feet are not restricted. In terms of storage, the front center armrest box offers moderate space, suitable for storing a phone and wallet, while the door pockets can hold two 500ml bottles of water. The trunk features decent standard capacity, and the rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split to create a larger storage area, accommodating items such as strollers or large suitcases. The rear also comes equipped with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, showcasing attention to detail.

In terms of performance, the ORA 07 Long Range Ultra is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor that delivers a maximum power of 150kW (204PS) and a peak torque of 340N·m, enabling an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.9 seconds. During daily driving, the starting response feels quick, and pressing the accelerator provides immediate power without the gear-shifting delays found in fuel-powered vehicles. In normal mode, the power output is smooth and well-suited for city driving; switching to sport mode results in more pronounced acceleration, providing ample confidence for overtaking. Even at high speeds, when accelerating beyond 120km/h, the power reserve remains sufficient, without any noticeable lack of performance.

In terms of handling, the combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension is tuned for comfort. When driving on bumpy roads, the suspension can filter out most of the small vibrations. For example, when going over speed bumps or uneven roads, the body doesn't bounce noticeably, and rear passengers experience a relatively smooth ride. The steering feel is moderate, with no slack in the steering wheel. It is light at low speeds and becomes heavier at high speeds, making daily parking and turning very flexible. When cornering, the body roll is well-controlled without obvious swaying, offering stability suited for family car needs.

Range and energy consumption are the points that concern electric vehicle users the most. During this test drive, we drove equally on urban roads and highways, with the air conditioning turned on and set at 24 degrees. The official energy consumption is 13.4 kWh per 100 km, and our actual measurement showed about 14.2 kWh per 100 km, which is close to the official figure. With an official range of 640 km, the actual range achieved is approximately 85%, allowing around 540 km for urban commuting and about 480 km on the highway at 120 km/h. The overall performance is solid. The fast-charging time is 0.53 hours (30%-80%), making daily recharging convenient.

In terms of comfort, the seats provide good support. The front seats are electrically adjustable, enabling you to find a comfortable driving position. Noise control is well done. At low speeds in the city, the electric motor noise is almost inaudible, and at high speeds, wind and road noise are present but within an acceptable range, not affecting passenger conversations. The regenerative braking system offers various intensity levels, with the weakest setting similar to the coasting feel of a fuel vehicle and no significant drag. It feels natural for daily driving.

Overall, the 2024 ORA 07 Long Range Ultra has clear core advantages: a long range of 640 km that alleviates range anxiety, comprehensive intelligent driving assistance (including ACC adaptive cruise control, 360-degree panoramic view, and automatic parking) that enhances convenience, and a price of less than 170,000 MYR, offering better cost-effectiveness over competitors in its segment (such as the Tesla Model 3 or BYD Han EV entry-level versions). Compared to vehicles in the same price range, its space and configuration are more balanced, with no obvious shortcomings.

This car is suitable for families looking for balanced performance, especially those needing a vehicle for daily commuting and short weekend trips. Its range is sufficient for a week of urban driving without frequent recharging. Its spacious interior can accommodate a family of three or four for outings. The practical configuration and intelligent driving assistance reduce fatigue during long-distance travel. If you don't require extremely high acceleration performance (e.g., the Performance version's 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time), the Long Range Ultra version offers better cost-effectiveness and suits most family users' daily needs.

In summary, the ORA 07 Long Range Ultra is a D-segment pure electric sedan with "no obvious weaknesses". It offers reliable range, practical configuration, spacious interior, and competitive pricing. For consumers looking to purchase a mid-to-high-end pure electric sedan, it is a choice worth considering first.