The salary you need to afford the new GWM Ora 5 in South Africa

Should you be in the market for GWM’s new Ora 5, you will need to earn at least R39,000 per month to afford it on a finance plan, according to a calculation by TopAuto.

The recently launched Chinese crossover SUV arrived in South Africa with a unique selling point – offering motorists the choice between an internal combustion, hybrid, or fully electric powertrain.

This also means the crossover is priced in brackets that suit a range of budgets, with the entry-level petrol-powered Super Luxury priced at R364,900, while the top-spec Ultra Luxury BEV asks R599,900.

For this price, buyers can expect a crossover that is 4,471mm long and 1,833mm wide, with a 2,720mm wheelbase, LED daytime running headlights with welcome lighting effects, roof rails and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The cabin features synthetic leather seats, including a 6-way electrically adjustable driver seat, a 4-way adjustable front passenger seat, and an optional panoramic glass roof across the range.

A 10.25-inch digital cluster is fitted next to a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice control, six speakers, and front- and back-row USB Type-C charging.

All models feature automatic air conditioning, including in the second row, active driver assistance systems, six standard airbags, ISOFIX child seat restraints, tyre pressure monitoring, reverse radar parking sensors, 360-degree panoramic view and cruise control.

Upmarket models are fitted with multi-colour rhythmic ambient lighting and include a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Internal combustion models are fitted with a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 105kW and 210Nm, mated to a 7-speed DCT transmission driving the front wheels.

Similarly, hybrid models are also powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine alongside a single electric motor, which together produce 164kW and 476Nm, and are paired with a two-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT).

Battery-electric (BEV) models are powered by a single front-mounted permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor that produces 150kW and 260Nm.

Energy is supplied by a 58.3kWh lithium-ion battery, which provides an NEDC driving range of up to 520km on a single charge, or 440km on the WLTP cycle.

What you need to earn

Buyers hoping to get their hands on one of GWM’s new Ora 5 models can use the following formula to calculate potential affordability:

• Car price – R364,900/R599,900
• Payment term – 60 months (5 years)
• Interest – 10.50%
• Deposit – 0%
• Balloon – No balloon payment
• Extras – No optional extras

According to the calculation, buyers will need to earn at least R7,843 per month for the entry-level GWM Ora 5, up to R12,894 per month for the top-of-the-range electric option.

Financial experts then recommend that you do not spend more than 20% of your gross monthly salary on vehicle payments.

Should you decide to heed this advice, you will need to earn R39,200 per month to afford the cheapest ICE-powered Ora 5, or R64,500 per month for the flagship BEV model, without a deposit or balloon payment.

Buyers need to consider that this does not account for additional vehicle ownership costs, including insurance, fuel, and maintenance, which must all be factored into their budget when calculating affordability.