Leapmotor C10 vs Hyundai Kona Electric
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Leapmotor C10
From $43,888
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol
158kW
0.9 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
546L
Hyundai Kona Electric
From $46,000
SUV
Electric
Electric
99kW
—
4★ ANCAP
407L
Leapmotor C10: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h and energy consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the Leapmotor C10 & Hyundai Kona Electric
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Price Breakdown
The Leapmotor C10 starts from $43,888 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Kona Electric opens at $46,000. That makes the Leapmotor C10 the more affordable entry point by $2,112.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $48,277 and $50,600 respectively.
The Hyundai Kona Electric currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Leapmotor C10 does not: plug-in hybrids lost the fbt exemption on 1 april 2025.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
28.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 65kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 65kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
64.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Leapmotor C10 features a 14.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Kona Electric gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Leapmotor C10 stands out with panoramic roof and power tailgate — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Kona Electric. The Hyundai Kona Electric counters with heated front seats. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Leapmotor C10 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Hyundai Kona Electric offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Leapmotor C10 uses a Petrol producing 158kW and 320Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout.
The Hyundai Kona Electric responds with a Electric making 99kW and 255Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds.
The Leapmotor C10 has the clear power advantage at 158kW vs 99kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 28.4kWh (Leapmotor C10) vs 48.6kWh (Hyundai Kona Electric), giving WLTP ranges of 170km and 370km. DC fast charging peaks at 65kW (Leapmotor C10) vs 100kW (Hyundai Kona Electric).
Space & Comfort
The Leapmotor C10 measures 4,739mm long on a 2,825mm wheelbase, 389mm longer than the Hyundai Kona Electric at 4,350mm (2,660mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Leapmotor C10 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 546L in the Leapmotor C10 and 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric, giving the Leapmotor C10 a 139L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.4m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (Leapmotor C10) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Kona Electric). The Leapmotor C10 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Leapmotor C10 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Leapmotor's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Kona Electric if: You or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Leapmotor C10 takes 5 of 8 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the Leapmotor C10 has a clear edge. The Leapmotor C10 adds peace of mind with a longer 6-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Leapmotor C10 and Hyundai Kona Electric?
The Leapmotor C10 is the cheapest at $43,888 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Kona Electric by $2,112.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Leapmotor C10 uses the least fuel at 0.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Hyundai Kona Electric holds a 4-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Leapmotor C10, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Leapmotor C10 has the largest boot at 546L.
Which can tow the most?
The Leapmotor C10 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Leapmotor C10 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Leapmotor C10 makes the most power at 158kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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