ORA GOOD CAT 2024 Review

The competition in the Malaysian grade-B electric vehicle market has been increasingly intense in recent years. Consumers seek reasonable range performance while also valuing everyday practicality and rich configurations. The 2024 ORA Good Cat 400 Pro is targeted precisely at these demands. As the entry-level model in the series, it is priced at RM113,800 and comes equipped with 400km official range, six airbags, and a full set of active safety systems among other key features. In this test drive, we will focus on whether its static design and dynamic performance can meet the everyday needs of family users.

At first glance, the 2024 ORA Good Cat 400 Pro retains its distinct retro and rounded design style. The front fascia adopts a closed design, paired with rounded LED headlight units on both sides. A trapezoid-shaped air intake is retained on the lower bumper, giving it a high level of recognizability. The car's body has smooth side lines, with 215/50 R18 alloy wheels that are well proportioned to the body. The continuous strip LED taillights at the rear echo the front design, standing out visually when lit. As for the lighting system, LED headlights, daytime running lights, and front and rear fog lamps are all standard and support automatic headlight functionality, adding convenience for daily use.

Stepping inside, the interior adopts a minimalist design, with the top of the dashboard wrapped in soft-touch materials that meet expectations for this price range. A 10.25-inch central touchscreen and a fully digital instrument panel form a dual-screen arrangement, offering decent operation smoothness. The system supports basic multimedia functions and vehicle settings. Regarding configurations, keyless entry and start, six-way electric adjustment for the driver's seat, and four-way manual adjustment for the front passenger seat are all standard. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding feature, enabling enhanced storage space. In terms of spatial experience, with a wheelbase of 2,650mm, the front seat offers ample room; a passenger of 175cm in height has about one fist and two fingers of headroom. In the rear, there are approximately two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, satisfying daily family travel needs. For storage capacity, the front center armrest and door panel storage compartments offer moderate space. The standard trunk volume can accommodate two 20-inch suitcases, and it can fit larger items when the rear seats are folded down.

As for performance, the 2024 ORA Good Cat 400 Pro is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering a maximum power output of 105kW (143PS) and a peak torque of 210N·m. The official 0–100 km/h acceleration time has not been disclosed, but during our test drive, the power response was quick during the initial launch. For daily urban commutes, gentle acceleration provides sufficient power, and stepping harder on the accelerator for overtaking results in smooth power delivery without noticeable abruptness. The vehicle offers three driving modes: Eco, Standard, and Sport. In Eco mode, power output is slightly restrained, making it suitable for daily energy-saving driving, while in Sport mode, power response is more aggressive, ideal for driving on faster roads.

Regarding handling and suspension performance, the vehicle utilizes a front MacPherson strut independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, calibrated primarily for comfort. During daily driving, the suspension effectively absorbs vibrations caused by speed bumps and minor potholes in urban areas, keeping the vehicle stable. When cornering at high speed, body roll is well controlled within a reasonable range, and there is no significant swaying. The steering wheel has moderate weight and clear directional response, making daily driving light and maneuverable. For braking, the front and rear disc brakes paired with an electronic parking brake provide linear braking response, with braking distances meeting expectations for a family car.

Endurance and Charging Performance: The vehicle is equipped with a 47.788kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, with an official pure electric range of 400 kilometers. During the test drive, in an urban commuting scenario with the air conditioning and multimedia system turned on, the actual endurance achievement rate was about 80%. The range decreases slightly during high-speed driving, but overall performance is in line with the level of similar electric vehicles. In terms of charging, the fast-charging mode can complete 30%-80% charging in 0.53 hours, while slow charging takes 8 hours, meeting daily household and emergency charging needs.

In terms of driving comfort, the vehicle's noise insulation performance is acceptable. While driving in the city, tire and wind noise are controlled within an acceptable range, although wind noise increases slightly at high speeds. The front seats have moderate wrapping characteristics, with no obvious fatigue after long drives; the rear seats are soft and offer good comfort. The air conditioning system is a single-zone automatic unit with PM2.5 filtration capability, providing rapid cooling and swift interior temperature adjustment.

Overall, the 2024 ORA Good Cat 400 Pro's core advantages in the B-segment electric vehicle market are its high cost performance and extensive safety features. Compared with similar models like the BYD Dolphin, it offers superiority in the number of airbags (6) and active safety systems (lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, etc.), with a more user-friendly pricing of RM 113,800. Its endurance performance meets daily commuting and short-distance travel needs, while its practicality makes it suitable for family users. The configurations effectively cover everyday usage scenarios.

This car is better suited for families who value cost-effectiveness and safety features, especially for consumers with daily commutes within 50 kilometers and occasional short trips. Its dynamic performance is stable and comfortable, and its static configurations meet basic needs, making it a balanced choice for a family electric car.

In summary, the 2024 ORA Good Cat 400 Pro, with its reasonable pricing, comprehensive safety features, and practical endurance performance, has secured a place in the B-segment electric vehicle market and is a reliable choice for daily family travel.