2025 Leapmotor C10 Design Review

The C10 rides the wave of relatively new manufacturers hitting the Australian market, with Leapmotor hoping it can compete with some of the biggest names in the world of battery-electric family SUVs.

From a brief look at sticker prices, Leapmotor’s C10 is flat-out impossible to ignore if you're looking to make the switch to electric on a tight budget.

Leapmotor's value-centric packaging offers buyers a choice of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and a fully-electric version of the C10.

We recently got behind the wheel of the range-topping, fully-electric Leapmotor C10 Design to find out just how deserving it is of a spot on your electric midsize SUV shortlist.

Leapmotor C10 Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

Leapmotor has introduced the C10 to Australian buyers in a two-strong variant lineup.

There's the C10 Style, priced at $45,888 while the range-topping C10 Design commands just a $2,000 premium, priced at $47,888.

Buyers also have the option of plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) versions of the C10, which are priced at $43,888 and $47,888 for the C10 Style and Design, respectively.

• C10 Design PHEV - $43,888

• C10 Design EV - $45,888

• C10 Style PHEV - $45,888

• C10 Design EV - $47,888 (tested)

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Leapmotor C10 Design EV Specifications

What Features Does the Leapmotor C10 Have?

While the Leapmotor C10 is one of the most affordable members of the electric midsize SUV segment, it offers a pretty impressive range of features at this price point.

The entry-level C10 Style hits the road with 18-inch alloys and receives LED headlights, vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging, leatherette upholstery with power-adjustable front seats, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view monitor with rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control with a heat pump, a panoramic glass roof with electric sunshade, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a wireless charging pad.

Buyers upgrading to the C10 Design pick up a set of 20-inch alloys alongside a rear LED light bar, heated and ventilated front seats, a powered boot lift, a heated steering wheel, upgraded silicone leather upholstery, an air quality monitor and adjustable interior ambient lighting.

Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The Leapmotor C10 presents a very tech-heavy proposition that is certain to impress younger buyers.

Headlining the cabin is a massive 14.6-inch touchscreen display that sits beside the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and sets the stage for the otherwise clean, uncrowded cabin design.

Leapmotor's 14.6-inch infotainment package is solid, offering a particularly high-resolution, pixel-dense arrangement with a high refresh rate that makes it easy on the eyes.

There’s enough processing power from the Snapdragon chip underneath to keep things smooth as you trawl through menus - something you'll be doing quite a lot of, because the infotainment system controls virtually every vehicle function.

The C10's infotainment system comes packed with AM/FM & DAB+ digital radio alongside satellite navigation and an embedded 4G modem and WIFI connectivity for over-the-air software updates.

There's also a 12-speaker, 840-watt sound system bundled into the base model, which is great at this price point.

You'll find shortcuts at the bottom of the display for climate inputs, seat heaters, navigation, media and settings, though it does take some time to get used to exactly what sits where.

There's also some configurable shortcuts accessible via a swipe down from the top of the display, which is a nice way to keep your preferred functions close by, like opening up the boot or adjusting the mirrors.

The C10 isn't unique in the segment for its display-dominated controls, which, while polarising and a little bit confusing for some older generations in particular, allow for a very clean interior design overall, completely free of physical buttons aside from window controls on the door sills.

You'll want to keep a microfibre cloth close by, though, because the harsh midday sun illuminates every spec of dust and greasy fingerprint that massive screens like these play host to.

The C10 comes with a smartphone application that allows you to unlock the car, control the AC, track the vehicle's location and more.

Does the Leapmotor C10 Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

While the C10's touchscreen offers a vast array of vehicle controls and packs some impressive specifications in itself, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are, unfortunately, not on the menu.

Instead, you'll be relying on a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone to play your music or favourite podcasts in the absence of any smartphone mirroring for both iOS and Android devices.

Leapmotor's app store offers access to Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal, EVMaps, Deezer, Zoom for Cars and Tiktok.

The absence of Apple CarPlay & Android Auto in the C10 remains a noticeable omission in the features list, particularly with modern buyers.

Is the Leapmotor C10 Comfortable to Drive?

The Leapmotor C10 is a pretty solid package behind the wheel, albeit a little boring.

While it doesn't exactly inspire, the company has done well to create a reasonably smooth, user-friendly and surprisingly comfortable electric midsize SUV that confidently holds its own in the crowded segment.

Power comes supplied by a single, rear-mounted electric motor that serves up 160kW of power and 320Nm of torque which, combined with its 1,995kg weight, means that it's not a massive performer in terms of straight-line acceleration.

There's a bit of lag when you flatten your right foot, though the instant injection of torque from the electric motor gives the C10 some urgency off the line and while overtaking.

We noticed the C10 defaults to eco mode upon starting which offers significantly less power than sports mode, which is something to keep in mind if you need a quick injection of pace at the lights.

We also found that short, quick taps of the accelerator while parking weren't particularly smooth and almost sounded clunky.

For what it packs in outright pace, the C10 is remarkably user-friendly.

In eco and comfort modes, the steering is incredibly lightweight, to the point it feels almost devoid of feedback, though it offers more response in sports mode.

That said, it's incredibly easy to throw the wheel, while the turning circle is remarkably tight for a vehicle of its stature.

As a result, the C10 eats up a run through town and stands as a solid option for those living in and around the urban jungle thanks to its quiet, reasonably well-mannered ride.

The regenerative braking system can be adjusted to your liking while offering a one-pedal driving mode and a custom driving mode that allows you to tailor the C10's steering, regen-braking and acceleration to your liking.

We found the transition between the C10’s regen braking to the friction brakes to be a little less refined than the best in class; it’s a little frustrating that this can't be adjusted while moving, however.

In terms of the ride, Leapmotor has given the C10 a pretty plush ride quality that makes it far more accommodating to bumps than its stiff rivals.

The catch, however, is that it feels a bit soft and wallowy in the corners, with quite a bit of body-roll served up when you're navigating a roundabout.

It certainly doesn't stand out as a dynamic SUV but it does well as a comfortable family package around town.

This comparatively soft suspension setup also means the C10 is able to soak up some punishment on rougher country roads, though if you hit the bumps with too much pace, the ride quality is more bouncy than confidence-inspiring.

On the highway, the C10 proves itself as a great long-distance tourer.

Leapmotor has obviously paid attention to NVH levels inside the cabin, which remains whisper-quiet, even on a rougher road surface with no major wind noise entering the cabin, either.

Overall, then, we were quite impressed with how the C10 handled itself on a run through town.

It offers a more accommodating, family-friendly suspension package than some of its stiffer rivals which does lend itself quite well to buyers living outside smooth city streets.

How far can the C10 Drive on a Single Charge?

Leapmotor packages the C10 range with a 69.9kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack that feeds power to the single electric motor at the rear.

The C10's claimed range figures on the WLTP test cycle stand at 420km per charge, according to Leapmotor.

This is based on claimed energy efficiency figures of 19.8kWh per 100km.

In our time behind the wheel, we covered 904km worth of highway, town and country driving and consumed electrons at an average of 17kWh per 100km, bettering Leapmotor's claimed figures.

We left the C10 in eco mode for 99 per cent of the time behind the wheel in order to test Leapmotor's efficiency and range claims.

In the real world, we’d put the C10’s range at around 360 - 380km per charge which isn’t massively impressive, but it's also a very affordable package to buy in the first place.

• C10 Range: 420km

• C10 Energy Efficiency: 19.8kWh per 100km (claimed)

• C10 Energy Efficiency: (tested)

How Fast can you Charge the Leapmotor C10?

One of the major considerations, if not concessions, you're making when opting for this cut-price EV is the lack of proper DC fast-charging architecture underneath.

The C10 is based on a 400-volt platform which offers DC fast-charging speeds up to 84kW.

This means with access to a DC fast charger, you can top the C10's battery up from 30 - 80 per cent in a claimed 30 minutes.

A full charge with a 50kW charger takes north of 90 minutes, while charging at home with an AC wall box takes around seven hours at its peak charging speed of 6.6kW.

• Max Charging Speed 30 - 80 per cent Charge: 30 minutes

• 50kW Full Charge: 1 hour 36 minutes

• 6.6kW Full Charge: 7 hours 4 minutes

Is it Practical and Spacious?

The area Leapmotor's C10 impressed us the most was inside the cabin.

It's a seriously family-friendly proposition that offers excellent acreage in the rear of the cabin combined with a practical, refined cabin design up front that is fabulous for the price point.

Climb aboard and there's a tonne of headroom, even for the tallest of drivers with solid marks awarded for side and forward visibility, the latter aided by the low-slung dashboard.

The fit and finish of the interior is frankly outstanding for the money. The screen and centre console feel tied down nicely, while there's some plush finishes for the plastic textiles used throughout the cabin.

We don't like the fact your left elbow tends to clash up against the hard plastic of the curiously-placed cupholders built into the rear of the centre console, though.

We’re also not huge fans of the seats, which are super soft and but don't offer much support to combat the rolly-polly handling experience.

While the seats offer power-adjustment, they lack both lumbar support and under-thigh support, which would be a nice touch considering the raised floor.

Those gripes aside, though, the front of the C10 presents as a neat and tidy midsize SUV package with a surprisingly premium nature.

There are no cheap, piano black trim elements and while the interior certainly has a plasticky feel to it, the overall design is attractive and there are no real legitimate complaints at this price point.

The raised centre console houses a pair of cupholders, a rubber-lined smartphone charger that doubles as an NFC reader for the keycard, with a very generous cubby hiding beneath the armrest.

There's a somewhat secondary storage area hiding underneath the console, perfect to keep handbags and other valuables out of sight, with a USB-A and 60-watt fast-charging USB-C port hiding inside.

Move to the rear and the second row experience is mighty impressive.

Legroom in the C10's rear is abundant, with no problems fitting a tall adult behind my 185cm driving position.

Thanks to the tall roofline, headroom isn't an option, especially when you open up the sunshade and soak up the view from the panoramic glass roof.

The C10 is, in fact, one of the best in the midsize segment when it comes to the second row seating experience.

There's so much space between the first and second rows that, so long as you remove the front headrests, you can fold the front seats back entirely to create an in-car playground if you need to keep the kids entertained while charging.

The rear seats are also able to recline quite a bit for added comfort on a long trip but not to the same novelty degree.

Amenities in the C10's rear cabin come in the form of a pair of USB charging ports, a folding armrest - but no cupholders - as well as map pockets and some bottle holders in the door sills.

Cupholders for the second row are found at the rear of the centre console.

For the parents out there, installing a kid's seat is a particularly simple process in the C10 thanks to its wide aperture doors and the sheer space between the rear bench and first row seats, allowing you to navigate even the bulkiest of seats into place.

There are ISOFIX anchors on each of the outboard seats as well as three top tether mounts on the seatbacks.

All up, the Leapmotor C10 asserts itself as one of the most practical and family-friendly members of the medium SUV segment and left us very impressed with its clever, spacious cabin design.

How Big is the Leapmotor C10's Boot?

The Leapmotor C10 rounds out its family-friendly offering with a solid amount of space in the boot.

While it doesn’t lead the segment, the C10's 518L worth of cargo capacity in the boot makes it very usable for growing families.

Fold down the 60:40 split rear seats and you'll unlock 1,410L of real estate to lug around sports gear and any bulky items you need to run around.

There's some coat hooks on the side pillars and some under-floor storage underneath the carpeted boot floor.

Unfortunately, there’s no additional under-bonnet available in the C10, though it's not exactly lacking in terms of outright capacity.

What it does lack, however, is a spare tyre of any form. Instead, there's a tyre repair kit hiding beneath the boot floor.

• Boot Space Minimum: 518L

• Boot Space Maximum: 1,410L

Is it Safe?

Safety equipment is plentiful in the C10, though the calibration of one key ADAS feature leaves a lot to be desired and, at times, proved quite dangerous in our week behind the wheel.

The most severe offences were committed by Leapmotor's emergency lane departure system.

It’s not so much the position of where the C10’s 'brain' wants to position you that we take issue with, instead, it’s the fact that when the emergency lane-centring does kick into life, it stiffens up the steering wheel and makes you feel as though you don't have complete control.

This proved flat-out dangerous for us while driving on a very regular stretch of country road. The system isn't calibrated well and punishes you randomly and inconsistently.

We had the system kick into life ahead of a curve, stiffening up the steering without anticipating a bend in the road ahead, which would have left us understeering into the oncoming lane had we not intervened.

The fact that the C10 can make the steering feel like cement ahead of a corner left us with the clear impression that this system is borderline dangerous and demands serious refinement for the wide range of regional roads that so many Aussies frequent.

Ironic for a safety feature, isn't it?

Thankfully, yes - you can turn it off, though you'll need to be parked and restart the process every drive to enjoy a drive without the miscalibrated safety tech snatching control of the wheel from you.

With that off our chest, the C10's safety equipment list features adaptive cruise control, AEB, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist with lane-centring, driver attention alerts, a surround-view monitor with rear parking sensors and seven airbags inside.

Plenty of kit, then, including the Leap Pilot system that incorporates 12 sensors and cameras, though we just can't shake the fact that all this tech needs to be updated for a wide variety of Australian road conditions.

Does the Leapmotor C10 Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Leapmotor C10 wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating after testing in 2024 saw it score the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 89%

• Child Occupant Protection: 87%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 77%

• Safety Assist: 77%

What Warranty does the Leapmotor C10 Come With?

Leapmotor offers the C10 with a seven-year/160,000 kilometre vehicle warranty.

The C10's battery and high-voltage components are backed by a separate eight-year / 160,000 kilometre warranty.

Buyers also pick up five years' worth of roadside assistance and a prepaid service package that spans five years.

Five years' worth of servicing for the C10 is priced at $2,000, which makes it more expensive than some key rivals to maintain.

Our Verdict: Is the Leapmotor C10 Worth it?

We found the fully-electric C10 to be a harder sell than it probably should be at this price point.

It's a fundamentally solid package, notably let down by a mix of underwhelming range, lack of proper DC fast charging and serious issues with the current configuration of its ADAS software.

The latter needs to be reworked for Australian roads before it's a no-brainer for buyers Down Under.

Competition in this particular segment of the market is so vicious, with a seemingly never-ending list of rivals making life consistently harder for the current C10 that it can't rest on its value laurels alone.

That said, the spacious interior layout makes the C10 platform a heavy-hitter for family buyers, making the PHEV version a clear favourite within the lineup and a very attractive option in the world of plug-in hybrid, medium-sized SUVs.

We can confidently say that the C10 PHEV is a great option for buyers in the space, though we'd personally be waiting for some updates to be made to this fully electric iteration.

In terms of the fully-electric C10, while it's not quite there in all aspects, if this is what Leapmotor has cooked up in its first iteration and the pricing stays similar, we expect future versions to be one of the most compelling options in the segment.

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Five Leapmotor C10 Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year / 160,000 kilometre vehicle warranty

2. Eight-year / 160,000 kilometre HV battery warranty

3. 69.9kWh LFP battery pack with V2L charging

4. 420km claimed range from 19.8kWh per 100km efficiency figures

5. 581 - 1,410L boot space