Chinese brand Chery re-emerged on the Australian market in 2023, having
left in 2015 after sales tanked due to poor safety ratings. However, the
brands reemergence brought positive results firstly with the Omoda 5 SUV
and more recently with the Tiggo 4, 7 and 8 SUVs. Chery sales jumped in
the first quarter this year by 114 percent to 12,603, with the small 1.5-litre
turbo petrol Tiggo 4 Pro now representing 55 per cent of sales. Launched
six months ago it’s just gained a minor facelift with a restyled rear, new
alloy wheels and the word Pro thankfully dropped from its name – the value
packed Chery Tiggo 4 Urban at $23,990 drive-away gains front parking
sensors and six speaker sound in lieu of four, the higher grade Tiggo 4
Ultimate also gaining wireless phone charging and multi-colour ambient
lighting. I’m David Berthon

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Kia Australia this week launched their most affordable electric SUV in the
form of the EV3, mimicking their midsize EV5 and larger EV9 models. The
EV3 in three front wheel drive grades Air, Earth and GT-line, the Air with a
choice of standard and long-range batteries, the Earth and GT-Line only
long range. Priced from $47,600 and ranging to $63,950 the EV3 claimed to
offer a driving range from 436km to 604km depending on model. Kia
confirming a comprehensive range of active and passive safety technology
which its Product Planning Manager suggests, may be frustrating to live
with but adding if customers want a five-star ANCAP safety rated vehicle,
these elements must be included under regulatory protocols. They can be
turned off each time you start the vehicle but they must default on to
satisfy regulations. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the new electric Leapmotor C10 – a mid-sized five seat SUV with single
electric motor fed by a 69.9kWhour battery driving the rear wheels – I’m driving
the Leapmotor C10 Design $51,500 drive-away which includes a 12-month Charge
Fox subscription. Incredible value in a very highly equipped SUV that undercuts
most of the opposition. The suspension tune by Maserati polished and pleasing
in a family friendly electric SUV that’s well built with simple appealing styling.
Behind the wheel you quickly get the impression the Leapmotor C10 was for the
most part designed by a computer tech head rather than an automotive designer
– in other words, it’s like driving a computer with large centrally mounted 14.6-
inch touchscreen, and a 10.25-inch display screen in front of the driver. No
directional air vents, just a long slot with cooling and heating weak and very slow
to react. The worst feature, no buttons of any kind, a touch screen that needs
more than a touch and a range of safety systems with annoying chimes that are
simply intolerable. Why Chinese manufacturers think we need a constant
reminder or prompt in every aspect of driving staggers me and it’s a buyer turn
off to what could be a nice newcomer. I’m David Berthon

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Driving one of the new Chinese electric cars today – the Leapmotor C10, a
company that started business in 2015, backed by the Stellantis company, the
merger of Fiat Chrysler and the French PSA Group. The Leapmotor C10 a mid-
sized SUV in two grades, the Style at $47,500, and the Design at $51,500, both
driveaway. These prices sharp and below similar sized offerings from other new
Chinese brands, as well as the Kia EV 5 and the Tesla model Y. And the price also
includes a 12-month subscription to the Charge Fox network. The specification
impressive – dual zone climate control, LED headlights, power front seats, a
panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger, 12 speaker sound, a power tailgate,
a 14.6-inch touch screen, but no Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - all in a roomy
five seat somewhat handsome body with great safety credentials. With one long
slot for an air vent and no directional controls the air-conditioning and heating
response is poor at best. On face value though, a sharply priced very comfortable
family friendly mid-size SUV with a single electric motor with a 69.9kWh battery
driving the rear wheels. But how does it drive – a disappointment unfortunately
with which I’ll explain next segment. I’m David Berthon

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Talking further on the intrusive active safety elements of many of the new
breed of Chinese SUVs – the Leapmotor C10 I’ve just driven a case in point
which has 17 so called active driver assist features and I understand that
the local company has already adjusted the software for these active safety
elements three times – heaven knows what it was like first up for its still so
intrusive it’s a buyer turnoff to what is otherwise an excellent first effort for
Leapmotor. Interestingly, this week I was supposed to be driving the
Deepal CO7, another Chinese EV SUV newcomer. However, I was told all
test vehicles have been recalled to make software changes to their active
safety elements – the reason, I’m not the only motoring journalist who has
found many of these poorly calibrated active safety elements an absolute
buyer turnoff. I’m David Berthon

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In the last nine months we’ve seen a number of new Chinese electric
brands arrive on the market and whilst EV’s may be slow sellers at this
point of time the competition has become intense. I have just finished
testing the Leapmotor C10, a mid-size five-seat EV SUV, the first product
from Leapmotor which was formed only in 2015 and majority backed by the
giant Stellantis group – an impressive first effort but spoilt by overly
intrusive active safety elements – lane keep assist in particular, plus a
series of warning chimes that are simply distractive and counter intuitive.
Why the Chinese think we need so much intervention is hard to fathom but
the Leapmotor C10 is like driving a computer screen on wheels – designed
by tech heads instead of car designers and the experience is simply not
enjoyable. I’m David Berthon

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