ORA 07 Review

In 2024, the competition in Malaysia's D-Segment electric vehicle market is gradually heating up. Consumers want long range to alleviate range anxiety, as well as distinctive features, all while keeping the price reasonable. The ORA 07 Long Range Ultra is designed to meet these needs—it boasts a 640km official range as its core selling point, is equipped with features like 11 speakers and a HUD head-up display, and is priced at just RM 169,800. In this test drive, we focus on verifying its range accuracy, daily driving comfort, and whether these high-end features are truly practical.

At first glance, the ORA 07 Long Range Ultra exhibits an elegant coupe style without overly exaggerated design elements. The closed front grille, combined with the slender LED headlights on both sides, gives it good recognizability. The side profile features smooth lines, with a fastback design that extends from the A-pillar to the rear, maintaining the dynamic feel of a coupe without excessively compromising rear headspace. The rear LED light bar is a highlight—when lit at night, it offers a clear visual effect. Combined with a slightly raised ducktail spoiler, it prevents the rear from looking monotonous. The 18-inch wheel size is appropriate, and the tires are designed for low noise and comfort, aligning with its family-oriented positioning.

Stepping inside, the interior adopts a symmetrical layout with a generally calm color scheme. The materials used for the dashboard are impressive, with soft-touch materials covering frequently touched areas, making it feel refined. The 12.3-inch floating central control screen serves as the visual focal point, with satisfactory operational smoothness and support for basic functions like Bluetooth and CarPlay. The 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel is clear, displaying real-time information such as range, speed, and driving assistance status. In terms of features, the HUD head-up display proves practical, allowing key data to be viewed without looking down. The front seats feature electric adjustment, with good support from both the backrest and seat cushion. The 11-speaker sound system delivers sound quality that is above average for this segment, sufficient for everyday music enjoyment. Regarding storage space, the front center armrest compartment is moderately sized, the door storage pockets can hold two water bottles, and the rear seats feature independent air vents and power outlets, showcasing thoughtful details.

In terms of body dimensions, it measures 4,871mm in length, 1,862mm in width, and 1,500mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,870mm—these figures are quite standard in the D-Segment. For actual seating experience, after adjusting the front row to a proper driving position, there is a headroom space of one fist and two fingers. The rear legroom is spacious, allowing a 175cm-tall passenger's knees to remain two fists away from the front seat, and the headroom leaves about one fist, despite the fastback design. This ensures the space doesn't feel oppressive. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding configuration, increasing trunk capacity significantly when folded down, making it more convenient for transporting large luggage.

In terms of power, it is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, offering a maximum power of 150kW (204PS) and a maximum torque of 340N·m, with an official 0-100km/h acceleration of 7.9 seconds. During daily driving, acceleration is smooth and responsive, with the throttle (accelerator) being linear; there's no jerking even at low speeds. Mid- to high-range acceleration isn't as aggressive as a performance model, but when the accelerator is pressed harder during overtaking, the power output remains sufficient to handle daily commuting and highway driving needs. There are three driving modes available: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Eco mode, power output is more subdued, suitable for urban traffic. In Sport mode, power response becomes more aggressive, ideal for good road conditions.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel has a moderate level of resistance and is fairly precise, with no obvious slack; the suspension system uses a front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension, which is tuned for comfort. When driving over speed bumps or bumpy roads, most of the vibrations are filtered out, avoiding any harsh impacts; when cornering, the body roll is well-controlled, and the stability is decent. The braking performance feels linear, not overly sensitive in the initial phase, with sufficient braking force in the latter phase, inspiring confidence when braking.

Range is a key test item, and the official figure is a 640km CLTC range. We drove equal distances in both urban and highway settings: urban routes were mostly in economy mode with a speed maintained at 40-60km/h; highway routes were primarily in standard mode with a speed maintained between 100-120km/h, and air conditioning and audio were on throughout. The actual range was approximately 550km, yielding a range achievement rate of around 86%. This is relatively realistic for a D-Segment electric vehicle, reducing the need for frequent charging. The electricity consumption per 100km was roughly 14.5kWh, slightly above the official figure of 13.4kWh, mainly due to the proportion of highway driving and driving habits.

In terms of driving comfort, the sound insulation is excellent, with almost no motor noise at low speeds. On the highway, there is some tire and wind noise, but it is within an acceptable range. The seats offer great wrap-around and support, making long drives fatigue-free. The regenerative braking has three adjustable levels, with no noticeable drag in the highest setting. When the accelerator is released, it feels similar to coasting in a fuel-powered vehicle and does not affect the passenger experience.

Overall, the 2024 ORA 07 Long Range Ultra has clear core advantages: the 640km long range alleviates range anxiety, and the high achievement rate makes it more practical; it comes with rich features like HUD, 11 speakers, a 360-degree panoramic view system, and more; its price is competitive among electric vehicles in the same class, being nearly RM 20,000 cheaper than some competitors. Compared to other models in the same class, such as the BYD Seal, the ORA 07 Long Range Ultra has advantages in range and price, with comparable features.

The target audience for this car is quite clear: families who emphasize long range and practicality, or office workers who need a car for daily commuting and occasional long-distance travel. It does not have overly aggressive performance or flashy design, but it is well-balanced in key aspects like range, features, and space. If you are looking for a reliable all-electric family car without spending too much, the ORA 07 Long Range Ultra is worth considering.