Toyota C-HR vs Leapmotor C10
What's the difference?

Toyota C-HR

$34,990 - $54,990

2024 price

View pricing & specs

Leapmotor C10

$33,888 - $45,999

2025 price

View pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Summary

2024 Toyota C-HR

2025 Leapmotor C10

By Chris Thompson

By Jack Quick

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 1.8L

Inline 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

4.0L/100km (combined)

0.9L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

15.2 kWh/100km

Electric range

170 km

Battery capacity

28.40 kWh

Seating

Likes

Bold styling
Interior layout
Efficiency

Generally quiet petrol engine
Sharp asking price
Oodles of second-row space

Dislikes

Visual bark over dynamic bite
Expensive
Rear space

Overbearing safety assists
Short servicing intervals
Still no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto

2024 Toyota C-HR Summary

According to the chief engineer for the Toyota C-HR, a second generation was never guaranteed for this uncharacteristically (for Toyota) design-led small SUV.

After the Corolla Cross came into existence, the top brass didn’t think the brand needed two similarly sized models in the line-up. So, why is it here, and is it any good?

The first question is easy to answer - the team drew the new C-HR up as a European model, built in hybrid-only and with enough key differences from the Corolla Cross to avoid the models competing.

The second question? Let’s find out.

View full pricing & specs

2025 Leapmotor C10 Summary

The Leapmotor C10 mid-size SUV has been on sale in Australia for more than six months now, but a lot of people still give you a puzzled look when you mention the brand.

Initially offered in electric vehicle (EV) form only, the Chinese carmaker has now introduced a petrol-electric hybrid version to bring the fight to the BYD Sealion 6, Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV and Jaecoo J7 SHS, among others.

Dubbed the C10 REEV (Range Extender Electric Vehicle), it reintroduces a powertrain technology that has previously only been offered in two cars locally. These include the Holden Volt and BMW i3 REx.

With an electric motor providing all the driving power, there’s also a petrol engine that acts purely as a generator. This is claimed to allow the car to still feel like an EV, but also have the flexibility of being able to fuel up for longer distances.

Australian deliveries of the C10 REEV started a few months ago, but CarsGuide is now getting a first local drive of this car following a brief drive in Europe back in April.

How does it stack up? Read along to find out.

@carsguide.com.au
Can you tell the difference between these two 2025 Leapmotor C10 models? ⚡ On the right is the new C10 REEV (Range-extender electric vehicle) which has only recently arrived in Australia. Here are some fast facts: ⏩ 158kW electric motor ⏩ 1.5L petrol engine generator ⏩ Up to 1150km total range ⏩ $43,888 before on-roads P.S. How good does Jade Green look? P.P.S. If you said the difference between the cars is also the interior colours, pat yourself on the back #leapmotor #c10 #leapmotorc10 #reev #rangeextender #EV #SUV #car #carsguide #fyp
♬ original sound - CarsGuide.com.au

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2024 Toyota C-HR 2025 Leapmotor C10

Verdict

There’s not much in terms of practicalities that are going to convince you the C-HR is a better option than Toyota’s other small SUV, the Corolla Cross.

Even other ‘stylish’ small SUVs like the Mazda CX-30, fuel savers like the electric MG ZS EV, or performance small SUVs like the Hyundai Kona N are more affordable than the GR Sport version of the C-HR.

In the case of this car, unlike most of its Toyota stablemates, buyers will likely be making a decision from the heart based on exterior styling and its interior rather than value or practicality.

And who would anyone be to tell you not to buy a car you like for its styling?

Verdict

Plug-in hybrids are really gaining popularity in Australia and it’s great to see the reemergence of range-extender technology because it allows you to drive an EV, but not have the inherent range anxiety that comes with it.

The Leapmotor C10, as a base, is far from a perfect car, but its appealing price point and the amount of space it offers is commendable. It's not a driver's car, but rather just a means of transportation.

The C10 REEV's range-extender powertrain firms as the pick of the C10 line-up if you want the flexibility of being able to charge up the car, or just fuel it up with petrol for simplicity's sake. While it mightn’t be as efficient as rival PHEVs, it generally is quieter, safety system chimes aside.

I look forward to seeing whether Leapmotor can continue to improve the safety systems in the C10 because while the REEV on test here is better than the original EV I drove earlier this year, the way the systems operate still makes it hard to recommend.

Toyota C-HR vs Leapmotor C10 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Toyota C-HR vs Leapmotor C10
What's the difference?