Leapmotor C10 Review | The newcomer that’s shaking up the leasing market

The Leapmotor C10 is a car that, just a few months ago, was available to lease for less than £150 per month on a personal lease. And it’s not a small city car – it’s a full-size SUV with plenty of toys. So, what it lacks in brand recognition, it makes up for in value.

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It’s a stand-out example of how Chinese manufacturers are quietly gaining market share with enticing products. The C10 was developed as part of Leapmotor’s global push alongside partner Stellantis.

On paper, it offers a lot – tonnes of tech, generous interior space and an exceptionally competitive price point. But what exactly is the C10 like on a day-to-day basis – and should you consider leasing one? Here’s our first-drive review.

C10 styling: The looks

Like many modern EVs, the C10 adopts a clean, minimalist design rather than anything particularly bold. At just over 4.7 metres long, it sits alongside cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 – in the size department at least. The proportions are typical of an EV too, with a long wheelbase, relatively short bonnet and smooth bodywork designed to help aerodynamic efficiency.

From the side the styling is neat but quite restrained.

Up front there’s a slim LED light bar stretching across the width of the car, connecting the headlights and giving the C10 a futuristic feel. There’s no traditional grille either – just a smooth panel that keeps the front end tidy and helps reduce drag.

From the side the styling is neat but quite restrained. Flush door handles and simple character lines keep the bodywork uncluttered, while large alloy wheels fill the arches nicely.

It doesn’t quite have the visual presence or character of some rivals.

Round the back another full-width light bar mirrors the design at the front, with subtle Leapmotor lettering beneath it. It’s a tidy design overall, but it doesn’t quite have the visual presence or character of some rivals. In a busy car park it might struggle to stand out from the growing crowd of similarly styled electric SUVs.

Inside the C10: Interior and tech

The interior is where Leapmotor clearly wants to make a strong first impression. Step inside and you’re greeted by an extremely minimalist dashboard dominated by a large central touchscreen – not dissimilar to Tesla. Most functions are controlled through this display, with very few physical buttons anywhere in the cabin.

It might not quite match the polish of premium European rivals, but it doesn’t feel cheap either.

That clean layout does look modern, but it can also make simple tasks slightly more fiddly than they need to be. Adjusting certain settings often requires diving into menus rather than reaching for a quick physical switch – not ideal.

Material quality is where the Leapmotor certainly can’t match Tesla – but that comes with this price point. There are soft-touch surfaces across much of the dashboard and doors, and the seats are comfortable and supportive. It might not quite match the polish of premium European rivals, but it doesn’t feel cheap either. In the context of some other mid-size Chinese bargain SUVs, it’s really not too bad.

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Technology is clearly a major focus. The infotainment system is generally quick to respond, although it can be rather fiddly to use. Not everything makes sense at first, and it takes time to get used to the menus. Another down side is the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility – something Leapmotor is working on sorting. In the meantime, you’ve got a built-in nav system and streaming service.

Interior space is one of the Leapmotor’s strong points.

Interior space is one of the Leapmotor’s strong points. Thanks to the long wheelbase there’s plenty of rear legroom, and the flat floor means the middle passenger isn’t fighting for foot space.

Boot capacity sits at around 435 litres, which is decent but not exceptional for a car of this size. Some rivals offer noticeably larger cargo areas, especially those designed specifically around practicality.

Watch our full video review to find out more

Driving the C10: First impressions

Out on the road the C10 quickly reveals its priorities – and driver excitement isn’t particularly high on the list. Instead, it focuses heavily on comfort and ease of use. The ride is generally soft and composed, soaking up bumps well in town and remaining quiet at motorway speeds.

Power is perfectly adequate for everyday driving but falls short of the punchy acceleration offered by many rivals.

Performance is respectable rather than thrilling – especially when we’ve grown so used to lots of EVs offering super-quick acceleration. The single rear-mounted electric motor produces around 218hp, which allows the C10 to reach 0–62mph in roughly 7.5 seconds. That’s perfectly adequate for everyday driving but falls short of the punchy acceleration offered by many rivals.

The bigger issue is driving feel. Steering is light but rather vague, and there’s little feedback coming through the wheel. On twisty roads the C10 feels stable enough, but it never really encourages enthusiastic driving. That’s not entirely surprising given its size and weight, but competitors from other Chinese brands manage better than the C10.

It’s clearly tuned for comfort first and foremost.

Body control is decent, though the soft suspension setup means the car can feel a little floaty over faster undulations. It’s clearly tuned for comfort first and foremost, which will suit some drivers but might disappoint those hoping for a more dynamic feel.

Regenerative braking is adjustable, but even in stronger settings it never quite delivers the smooth, intuitive one-pedal driving feel that some rivals manage.

C10 battery tech: Charging and range

The C10 uses a large battery pack designed to deliver a competitive range for everyday use, but this is one area where the car doesn’t quite match the rest.

Leapmotor claims up to around 260 miles of WLTP range depending on specification. All models get a 69.9kWh battery – larger than many of its rivals. But in the real world, we found that range was often in the 200-mile range. We’ll add that it was the height of winter, and we did do lots of motorway miles.

A maximum rate of 84kWh means that the C10 isn’t exactly class leading when it comes to speedy recharges.

Charging is another area where things could be improved – a maximum rate of 84kWh means that the C10 isn’t exactly class leading when it comes to speedy recharges. Not a worry for those with a wall charger at home, but if you rely on rapid chargers then you’ll find you will be waiting a while for a full charge.

Public EV Charging: Made Simple with Be.EV

If you’re thinking of going electric, you’ll be pleased to hear we’ve got an exclusive offer from our partner Be.EV. They make public EV charging simple, affordable and easy to understand.

Their growing network of rapid chargers combined with subscription plans can help reduce charging costs. And thanks to our offer, you’ll get a further 50% off your first two charges of your new electric lease vehicle.

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Should you lease a Leapmotor C10?

The Leapmotor C10 is an interesting new entrant into the electric SUV market, but it’s not without its compromises. But, as we’ve seen with other Chinese manufacturers, they’re capable of rapid design and development – there’s already a hybrid version available, that offers the same level of refinement but negates those charging worries.

It also offers a spacious cabin, lots of technology and a comfortable driving experience that should suit families and commuters alike. If pricing remains competitive, that combination could make it an appealing value-focused option.

However, it also lacks the standout qualities that define some of the best EVs in this segment. Range is decent rather than exceptional, the driving experience is fairly uninvolving, and the styling doesn’t exactly turn heads.

But in a class packed with increasingly polished electric SUVs, the C10 may find itself competing more on price and equipment than on outright desirability.

If you’re looking for a practical electric family SUV at the right monthly lease price, the Leapmotor C10 could still make plenty of sense. Just don’t expect it to set new benchmarks for range, performance or driver engagement.

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