GWM ORA 5 EV Super Luxury – Road Test
The ORA 5 is a car of contradictions: punchy, quick and capable of real range for the money, yet undercut by a small boot, a battery whose weight you can feel, and a touchscreen that hides too much.
The ORA 5 is a car of contradictions: punchy, quick and capable of real range for the money, yet undercut by a small boot, a battery whose weight you can feel, and a touchscreen that hides too much.
Volvo’s new electric flagship claims 755km on a single charge, but our week with the range-topping Ultra told a different story once the open road, the mirror cameras, and the R1.8 million price tag all had their say.
The Riddara RD6 has set its sights on shaking up South Africa’s fiercely competitive double-cab market. But can an all-electric newcomer really tempt buyers away from their trusted diesel favorites? We spent some time with the RD6 to see if this battery-powered bakkie has what it takes to win over local drivers.
Alfa Romeo’s first electric performance SUV in South Africa is one of the most beautiful cars on the road. At R1 019 900, it is also one of the most conflicted.
The BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD costs R1 306 900, does 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, and makes a compelling case that the benchmark in South Africa’s premium EV segment has shifted. Justus Visagie drives the top-spec variant and finds a car with little to apologise for.
A family SUV that runs on electricity for most of the week, outperforms an Audi Q7, and costs a million rand. The Omoda C9 PHEV makes a case that is difficult to argue with.
The BYD Dolphin Surf Dynamic earns its place as South Africa’s most affordable serious electric car. At R393 900 it offers a five-star Euro NCAP rating, Vehicle-to-Load capability for load-shedding relief, and fuel savings of around R21 000 per 20 000 km over a comparable petrol car. Small boot, divisive steering, big value.
The MINI Aceman SE is a five-door premium electric crossover that drives with the sharp, tactile urgency of a hot hatch. At R897 000 in Classic trim, it brings the Cooper SE’s 160 kW motor and 54.2 kWh battery to a more practical body with genuine rear seats, a 380 km claimed range and an interior that remains one of the most distinctive in the segment. The compromises are real but specific. The rewards are immediate.
At R689 900, Jaecoo’s plug-in hybrid SUV costs less than the BYD Atto 3 and about the same as the new Geely E5. But spec-sheet range figures and real-world range figures are not the same thing — and once you account for that gap, the PHEV case looks rather more coherent than it might first appear.
Supercar acceleration for family sedan money. The BYD Seal Performance AWD matches European performance at Chinese prices, but does it deliver the complete package? We find out what you’re actually getting for R1.2 million.