Ora Funky Cat Review: A Stylish Chinese EV

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Ora Funky Cat EV is one of the most eye-catching electric cars to come out of China, combining retro-inspired styling with modern technology. Manufactured by Great Wall Motors (GWM), a brand known for its focus on innovation, the Funky Cat made its global debut as an affordable yet stylish alternative to mainstream EVs. With a design that blends playfulness and sophistication, it challenges the notion that budget-friendly electric cars must be dull or uninspired.

Originally launched in China as part of GWM’s Ora sub-brand—dedicated entirely to electric vehicles—the Funky Cat has quickly gained attention in both local and international markets. In its home country, it competes in the growing small EV segment, where quirky styling and compact efficiency are highly valued. With Chinese consumers embracing electric mobility at an impressive pace, the Ora Funky Cat EV has already built a strong presence, benefiting from government incentives and an expanding charging infrastructure.

Now, as it enters European and other global markets, this stylish hatchback is positioned as an affordable alternative to well-established electric models like the MINI Electric and Fiat 500e. But does its combination of futuristic tech, compact practicality, and eye-catching aesthetics make it a serious competitor? In this review, we’ll explore its exterior design, interior quality, practicality, and driving performance to see if the Ora Funky Cat EV is a real game-changer or just another trendy EV with short-lived appeal.

First Impressions: A Stylish and Fun Design

The Ora Funky Cat EV is a car that immediately grabs attention with its distinctive and playful design. Unlike many electric cars that lean towards futuristic, sharp-edged styling, the Funky Cat takes a retro-modern approach, blending curvy proportions with contemporary details. It’s clear that Great Wall Motors wanted to create something that stands out in urban environments, and they’ve succeeded by giving the Funky Cat a unique, almost cartoonish charm while still looking premium.

At the front, the rounded LED headlights are one of the first things you notice. With their circular, high-tech design, they give the car a friendly, almost expressive “face,” reminiscent of classic European small cars like the Volkswagen Beetle or Fiat 500, but with a modern LED signature. There’s no traditional front grille since it’s an EV, but instead, a smooth, clean bumper with subtle air intakes that help with aerodynamics and cooling. The LED daytime running lights add a sophisticated touch, making it look more high-end than its price might suggest.

Moving to the side, the compact proportions and sculpted body panels give the Funky Cat a sporty stance despite its small size. Unlike some boxy hatchbacks, this EV has flowing curves and a gently sloping roofline, which help it look more dynamic. The flush door handles, commonly seen on luxury EVs, add to its modern aesthetic, while the two-tone paint options allow buyers to customize the look. Many models come with a contrasting roof color, enhancing its stylish, youthful appeal.

At the rear, the design remains simple yet striking. The full-width LED taillight strip runs across the back, giving it a futuristic look, while the curved rear glass and short overhangs maintain its compact feel. Instead of a traditional badge, the Funky Cat features illuminated “Ora” lettering on the rear, adding a premium touch. There’s no exhaust pipe, of course, but the lower bumper features subtle sculpting to keep things visually interesting. Wheel options range from 17 to 18 inches, with multi-spoke alloy designs that complement the car’s playful personality. The wheels are pushed to the edges of the body, maximizing interior space while also improving stability on the road.

Range and Performance: Decent, But Not Groundbreaking

The Ora Funky Cat EV isn’t just about stylish looks; it also offers a practical electric driving experience with a reasonable range, efficient charging capabilities, and a performance level that suits city life while handling highway speeds comfortably.

Battery Options and Driving Range

Great Wall Motors offers the Funky Cat in different battery configurations depending on the market. The most common options are:

• 48 kWh battery – providing an estimated 193 miles (311 km) of range (WLTP).

• 63 kWh battery – extending the range up to 261 miles (420 km) (WLTP).

These figures put the Ora Funky Cat EV in a competitive position within the small electric hatchback segment, offering similar or even better range than rivals like the MG 4 Electric Car or Peugeot e-208. While not designed for long road trips, it provides more than enough range for daily commuting and city driving.

Charging Speed and Time

Charging is an important factor for any EV, and the Funky Cat delivers decent charging speeds:

• AC home charging (7 kW) – Takes about 5-6 hours for a full charge from 0 to 100% on the smaller battery and 7-8 hours on the larger pack.

• DC fast charging (up to 80 kW) – The 48 kWh version can charge from 10% to 80% in around 40 minutes, while the 63 kWh version takes approximately 50 minutes.

While these charging speeds aren’t industry-leading, they are good enough for a compact EV in this price range. Compared to some Chinese and Korean competitors that offer faster 100-150 kW charging, the Funky Cat lags slightly in this area, but for daily use, it remains practical.

Performance and Driving Feel

The Ora Funky Cat EV is for city driving and urban mobility, but it still offers lively performance that makes it fun to drive. Under the hood, it features:

• A single front-mounted electric motor producing 171 horsepower (126 kW) and 250 Nm of torque.

• 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in around 8.3 seconds – quick enough for a compact EV.

The instant torque delivery makes acceleration feel strong at lower speeds, perfect for weaving through city traffic or making quick lane changes. However, the front-wheel-drive setup means that under heavy acceleration, there can be some torque steer, where the steering wheel tugs slightly due to the power going to the front wheels.

The suspension setup is comfort-oriented, meaning it absorbs bumps well, but it’s not as sporty or responsive as something like the Honda e or the Mini Electric. The steering is light, making parking and tight maneuvers easy, but it lacks the precision and feedback of more performance-focused EVs.

The Challenge for Chinese Brands in Morocco

The Ora Funky Cat EV has made a strong impression in China and parts of Europe, but its adoption in Morocco and North Africa faces several challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is brand recognition and consumer trust. Unlike established manufacturers like Toyota or Renault, Ora is a relatively new player in the global market, which raises concerns about long-term reliability, after-sales support, and spare part availability. Additionally, import taxes and the lack of strong government incentives make EVs more expensive than their gasoline or hybrid counterparts, discouraging potential buyers.

Another major issue is charging infrastructure. While European markets have well-developed charging networks, North Africa is still in the early stages of EV adoption. Public fast chargers are mostly limited to major cities like Casablanca and Rabat, leaving intercity travel challenging for EV owners. Additionally, many residents live in apartments, making home charging impractical. Coupled with electricity grid stability concerns and fluctuating power prices, EV ownership becomes less predictable and convenient compared to hybrid alternatives like the Toyota Corolla Prestige Hybrid.

Despite these obstacles, the Ora Funky Cat EV remains an exciting option for urban drivers looking for an affordable and stylish electric car. However, until charging networks improve, import taxes are reduced, and local mechanics gain expertise in EV maintenance, many North African consumers will likely stick to hybrids or fuel-efficient gasoline models.

Is It Worth the Price?

With a starting price of 329,000 MAD, the Ora Funky Cat sits in a competitive price range for electric vehicles in Morocco. While its quirky design and decent range make it an appealing option for younger, city-dwelling drivers, it doesn’t offer enough in terms of performance or features to truly stand out from the crowd. And when you consider that well-established brands like Renault and Peugeot offer similar or better alternatives at comparable prices, it becomes even harder to justify the investment in an unknown brand.

For Moroccan drivers who are looking to make the switch to electric, the Ora Funky Cat may be seen as a risky choice. Until Chinese automakers can prove their reliability in the region, it’s likely that the Funky Cat will remain a niche product, adopted primarily by adventurous early adopters rather than the mainstream market.

The Verdict: Not Quite Ready for Morocco

The Ora Funky Cat is a stylish, fun, and affordable EV that brings something new to the market, but it’s not quite ready to win over Moroccan consumers. Its limited range, combined with the lack of trust in Chinese car brands, makes it a tough sell for the majority of buyers in the region. While it might find success with younger, trend-focused drivers, it still has a long way to go before it can compete with more established players in the Moroccan EV market.