Leapmotor B05 vs Kia K4

What's the difference?

Launching a new Chinese car company is easy, right? You just introduce an all-new brand, make the cars affordable and the sales just roll in. Right?

No, not right. Australians may be more open-minded to new brands than ever before, but we are still discerning and aren’t just suckered in by a cheap price tag.

Leapmotor has learnt this lesson already, with its first model, the C10 electric mid-size SUV suffering poor critical reviews thanks to its disappointing drive and over-active safety systems. As a result it has struggled to make a real impact in the sales race.

The subsequent B10 small SUV was an improvement and now the brand is launching its first hatchback, the B05. It promises to be something different, because it’s the first Leapmotor model to be shaped for the European market and not China.

That’s because Leapmotor International is actually a joint-venture between Chinese carmaker Leapmotor and US-Euro juggernaut, Stellantis (the conglomerate that includes Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Peugeot, Opel, Jeep and more).

So the B05 is, in theory, the best of both worlds - fine-tuned in Italy and built in China. Which should mean it drives like a European car but doesn’t carry a European car price.

But does it live up to these lofty ambitions? Read on to find out.

Kia has launched a new small sedan - the K4 and it replaces the popular Cerato model for our market. A hatchback sibling arrives sometime later this year as a contender against the Toyota Corolla.

With a design that's sharper and far sportier-looking than the model it replaces, will it prove to be as successful?

We're in the flagship GT-Line grade to see what this new sedan has to offer and whether it's a good fit for urban dwellers who don't want another SUV.