Leapmotor C10 Review

It’s a family-sized SUV with a length of 4,739 mm, so it’s longer than a Skoda Enyaq or Volkswagen ID.4 and about the same as a BMW X3.

Yet the cost for the only version of the C10 is £36,500, which is around the same as an entry level version of smaller family cars such as the Renault Scenic E-tech, or posh versions of some smaller electric SUVs.

Range, Battery and Charging

Let’s start with the interesting bits. The C10 uses something called Cell-to-Chassis technology, which integrates the battery cells into the structure of the vehicle, rather than just bolting them to the bodyshell. This saves on space, makes the shell stiffer for better safety and handling, in addition to offering more interior space.

Leapmotor also claims the drivetrain uses artificial intelligence-based diagnostics to monitor the health of the electric system and the C10 can learn the user’s driving habits and adapt over time to increase efficiency.

This might all be true, but it doesn’t translate into any particularly impressive figures. The 69.9-kWh battery pack gives 261 miles of official WLTP range, which is about average for this type of car. On our test drive it averaged a little better in mixed conditions, at 4.01 miles per kWh, giving a 280 mile range. This was at an ideal temperature of 20 Celsius however.

The charging is below the class average though. The C10 can only accept 6.6 kW from your home wall box, meaning a 30% to 80% top up will take 6.1 hours. Rivals which charge at the normal 7.2kW will be able to get another 12 miles of driving from a typical five-hour charge at the cheap tariff overnight rates. It also means there’s no point seeking out one of the faster 22kW points you’ll typically find at supermarkets and commercial properties.

It's even worse news when you arrive at a DC rapid charger, as the peak rate is limited at 84kW. Even a Vauxhall Corsa manages 100kW and most rivals are around 150kW or more. This means they will be topped up and on their way long before the C10.

Practicality & Boot Space

The C10 is a big car compared to most of its rivals, with a length of 4,739mm meaning it’s longer than cars which are considered large in the class, such as the Nissan Ariya and Skoda Enyaq. It means you are getting a lot of car for the money.

That extra length is most evident in the rear seats, where there is limo-like levels of space for the passengers. The seat backs recline too, and if you get thrown out of the house after an argument then the whole interior can be configured into a (lumpy) bed.

 There’s plenty of storage space in and around the dashboard too, and visibility from the driver’s seat is generally good, except for a small rear window which is blocked by huge headrests on the back seats.

 The boot operation is electric, but unusually slow, meaning you’ll want to use the app to open it if you are approaching in the rain. It opens to reveal 435 litres of space with the seats up and unreclined. That’s big enough for most situations but is small for the class – even cars like the Nissan Qashqai and Toyota bZ4X can beat it. When the rear seats are down, the capacity increases up to 1,410 litres. There’s also a 32 litre frunk, and if you really want to go big, the roof bars will cope with loads of 100kg and the C10 can tow up to 1,500kg too.

Interior and Technology

Leapmotor are very proud of the computer systems which run the C10’s software, claiming it offers all sorts of benefits. That’s all fine, but it doesn’t seem to translate into anything special when you are inside the car. There are big screens behind the steering wheel and in the centre of the dashboard, plus some and Tesla-like switchgear - but there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and the navigation is fairly rudimentary. If it used the Google-based system like a Volvo EX30 it would be more forgivable. 

Additionally, C10 is compatible with wireless charging for smartphones and features a high-quality, 12-speaker audio system. The system can receive OTA (Over-the-Air) updates, which allows the vehicle software to always stay up to date.

Also like Tesla are the locking options. You can use a mobile phone app, or a card which has to be placed on the phone charging pad between the seats.

The interior styling is generally very pleasant, although the all-black option is dull and the brown has the appearance of a pensioner who’s fresh out of a tanning booth.

While Leapmotor has clearly tried to make the materials feel ‘premium’, the rubbery surfaces are a little too rubbery, and leave your hands feeling as though they’ve got a residue on them, like they’ve been handling an inner tube or elastic band.

Leapmotor is also very proud of the C10’s soundproofing, which it claims offers greater refinement than the luxury brands. It’s certainly quiet on the move, unless you need to use the ventilation system, which is unusually noisy – especially if you need to demist the windows. Be prepared to shout if it’s damp out.

Motors, Performance and Handling

There is just one drivetrain option for the C10 in the UK – that’s a 215bhp single motor feeding the front wheels. It’s perfectly adequate for the task, giving a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds. You will have to fiddle around in the menus to find a setting you like though, and you’ll probably want to stick with it as it’s not the easiest to navigate. There are different options for both the power delivery, steering and braking. Annoyingly, you need to be stationary to select some of them.

Sport mode gives the steering more weight but makes the throttle too sensitive, making it easy to make the front wheels scrabble for grip on wet roads. Standard is a reasonable compromise – but don’t expect any thrills.

The ride quality can feel a little unsettled too. The standard 20-inch wheels aren’t huge in this class, but they do mean the C10 struggles to absorb smaller imperfections on the road surface, such as broken tarmac and cats’ eyes.

Running costs, Pricing and Specs

The C10 is launching in the UK with just one version in the lineup, so no need to work out if you can afford to upgrade from the Popular Plus to the GLX. The price is £36,500 which means it’s the same price level as entry-level rivals from the likes of Skoda and Renault, which tend to be smaller. Despite this, the C10 also has more kit, a longer range and a four-year warranty which is better than the three years offered by some rivals – but notably behind the seven years from Kia and MG.

The equipment list includes the (very slow) electric tailgate, rear privacy glass, and ‘silicone leather’ which is ventilated and heated seats up front.

The lower price also means you will be taxed less as a company car driver as the levy is dictated by the list price, although the difference won’t be huge as the BIK rate is only 2% this year.

In terms of running costs, the C10 is comparatively efficient but the slow charging speeds mean you won’t be able to make as much use of cheaper overnight energy tariffs. A rival with 7.2kW capability will be able to take 3kWh more per five-hour charge, and the savings will add up even more if you have 22kW charging.

Verdict

The Leapmotor C10 needs a good reason for you to take the leap of faith into a brand you’ve never heard of. That reason could be the price and equipment tally, although we await the finance costs with interest.

It also has a huge amount of space for rear seat passengers. But it’s not exciting or even interesting to drive, and the technology needs a rethink in places. The charging speeds are off the pace too.

The C10 isn’t a bad car, it’s just one which will struggle to cut through to shortlists in a crowded market.