which new chinese ev is good?

[Janemotorhead]

Just came across the Leapmotor C10, a new Chinese EV now available in the UK. Seems like a decent option with a 69.9 kWh battery, 285-mile range, and 160 kW motor.

With more Chinese EVs entering the market, do you think they’re worth considering over brands like Tesla, Hyundai, or VW? Would you buy one?

[Maracus]

There's a thread running that may be worth reading - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Janemotorhead]

great, i'll check. Thanks

[kambites]

We've got an MG4. It's a budget car so it's not brilliant in absolute terms but for the money nothing else even got close. I dare say premium Chinese EVs are every bit as good as those from European and American brands.

[AlunJ]

I currently drive an MG4 I’ve had just over 2 years… and I’ll be honest I haven’t been too amazed by it/MG customer service, it’s put me off trying another MG if I’m honest, however I’m looking for a bigger family car and I’m quite interested in the leapmotor c10 myself. Popped into Drive Bristol to look at the one in their showroom and it looks really smart and seemed well built enough. May have to have a test drive. Can’t seem to find any UK reviewers on YouTube they all seem to be Aus/NZ. Seems they’re already being discounted on autotrader as well. Being backed by Stellantis; I should imagine dealer service shouldn’t be an issue in the long run.
Another similar sized option could be the Omoda e5? There’s a thread on those.

[HenHar]

HenHar said:

I currently drive an MG4 I’ve had just over 2 years… and I’ll be honest I haven’t been too amazed by it/MG customer service, it’s put me off trying another MG if I’m honest, however I’m looking for a bigger family car and I’m quite interested in the leapmotor c10 myself. Popped into Drive Bristol to look at the one in their showroom and it looks really smart and seemed well built enough. May have to have a test drive. Can’t seem to find any UK reviewers on YouTube they all seem to be Aus/NZ.Speaking of tech and innovation, I’ve also been checking out eCricket on BetBazar—it’s interesting to see how virtual sports are evolving just like EVs. If you’re into fast-paced betting markets, it’s worth a look: https://betbazar.com/products/ecricket . Seems they’re already being discounted on autotrader as well. Being backed by Stellantis; I should imagine dealer service shouldn’t be an issue in the long run.

Another similar sized option could be the Omoda e5? There’s a thread on those. Just recently watched some reviews on the Leapmotor C10. Indeed, most of the information on YouTube is more from Australian and New Zealand bloggers. But the car seems to promise to be pretty good.

Edited by HenHar on Saturday 15th February 18:20

Edited by HenHar on Saturday 15th February 18:21

Edited by HenHar on Sunday 2nd March 13:13

[wyson]

Bear in mind even in China Leapmotor are considered budget cars, from the reviews I have seen on youtube. Brands like Nio and Li are considered ‘premium’ and get much better reviews. BYD by all accounts is a mid market brand.

The Tesla Model Y was the best selling EV in China in 2023 and 2024. Personally, I don’t find the quality of the Model Y acceptable, yet the Leap Motor is 2/3rds of the price. If the Chinese firms were miracle workers and could produce a cheap car better than the Y, the Y wouldn’t be holding that top sales spot, at least in my reasoning.

Having knocked around BYD and MG showrooms and seen a bunch of reviews, especially Bjorn Nylands indepth ones, I’m very skeptical about Chinese EV’s. Why would I take a risk on one, when cars like the Kia EV3, Renault Scenic, from companies with proven UK track records, review well and especially in the case of the Renault, are cheap on a lease?

There is also a question mark over long term company stability. Chinese EV manufacturers in the main, aren’t profitable and are going bust left right and centre. The Chinese are letting market forces weed out weaker players in the market, and unless directly state owned like SAIC / MG, their longevity is questionable. Will they still be around in 2 years to honour warranties, provide parts and update electronics? A Chinese EV from a privately held company like Leapmotor might be worth a punt on a cheap lease, but I think they are risky long term ownership proposals. No doubt the market will see them that way as well, which will show in their residuals.

Edited by wyson on Friday 28th February 01:49

[LeeM135i]

Depends on what you consider as a 'Chinese' EV.

I have a Polestar 2 LRDM Performance which claims to be Swedish (Volvo) but is made by Geeley (Chinese company) in China. I've had it for 6 months and its lovely, silly fast, super comfortable, doesn't squeak or rattle. We've been so happy with it we have just got a Smart #3 for my wife. It's another made by Geeley (Chinese company) in China but with Mercedes DNA in the design and cabin. Not had it long enough to really draw a conclusion but it's fast, comfortable and seems well screwed together.

It feels like Polestar spent more time and money on making the Polestar drive well, Ohlins dampers, Brembo brakes and really well calibrated systems that let you just drive a silky smooth fast, quiet car. Smart went all out on the tech with a big screen and to many options buried deep in the menus like the bong to say you are breaking the speed limit, the bong to say the speed limit has changed, the bong to say you are to close to the line between lanes, the bong to tell you are to close to the car in front, the bong to tell you the car in front has moved off and you haven't etc etc.

[Pistonheadsdicoverer]

LeeM135i said:

Depends on what you consider as a 'Chinese' EV.

I have a Polestar 2 LRDM Performance which claims to be Swedish (Volvo) but is made by Geeley (Chinese company) in China. I've had it for 6 months and its lovely, silly fast, super comfortable, doesn't squeak or rattle. We've been so happy with it we have just got a Smart #3 for my wife. It's another made by Geeley (Chinese company) in China but with Mercedes DNA in the design and cabin. Not had it long enough to really draw a conclusion but it's fast, comfortable and seems well screwed together.

It feels like Polestar spent more time and money on making the Polestar drive well, Ohlins dampers, Brembo brakes and really well calibrated systems that let you just drive a silky smooth fast, quiet car. Smart went all out on the tech with a big screen and to many options buried deep in the menus like the bong to say you are breaking the speed limit, the bong to say the speed limit has changed, the bong to say you are to close to the line between lanes, the bong to tell you are to close to the car in front, the bong to tell you the car in front has moved off and you haven't etc etc.

Geely has owned Volvo since 2010 and Polestar, and Lotus and Smart and Zeekr.
Yeah, so that cool £120,000 Eletre is sort of Chinese.

[SWoll]

Pistonheadsdicoverer said:

Geely has owned Volvo since 2010 and Polestar, and Lotus and Smart and Zeekr.
Yeah, so that cool £120,000 Eletre is sort of Chinese.

Follow the money st the end of the day. The Eletre and most Polestars are built in China by a Chinese owned company so no different to a BYD when you get down to brass tacks, despite where the subsidiaries HQ is located.

Neither brands would exist today without being subsidised by China. They're both loss making ventures.

Edited by SWoll on Saturday 1st March 10:02