Leapmotor C10

The Leapmotor C10 is a five-seat electric D-segment SUV positioned as a spacious, family-oriented alternative within Malaysia's increasingly competitive EV market. The regular C10 RWD is now locally assembled in Gurun, Kedah and priced at RM129,000 on-the-road without insurance. Limited CBU stocks of the more powerful C10 Plus are also currently promoted from RM129,000, although its original 2026 list price was RM148,000.

The regular C10 combines a 218-PS rear motor with a 69.9-kWh LFP battery and 424-KM WLTP range. The C10 Plus upgrades to an 800-volt electrical system, 299 PS, an 81.9-kWh battery, 510 KM WLTP range and 180-KW DC charging. Both retain essentially the same exterior and interior equipment.

The minimalist dashboard combines a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a large 14.6-inch 2.5K central touchscreen. Physical switches are kept to a minimum, with most vehicle functions controlled through Leap OS.

The central screen has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels and provides navigation, climate, media, vehicle settings and camera functions.

The open centre-console design provides storage beneath the dashboard, a 15-W wireless smartphone charging pad, USB connections and a 12-volt socket.

A column-mounted electronic drive selector removes the need for a conventional transmission lever, freeing additional space between the front occupants.

The 10.25-inch digital instrument display provides speed, range, battery level, navigation and driver-assistance information. Its 1,920 x 720 display is considerably smaller than the centre screen but remains clearly positioned ahead of the driver.

Both front seats are electrically adjustable and ventilated. The driver's seat receives six-way adjustment with memory, while the passenger receives four-way powered adjustment.

The seats use OEKO-TEX Standard 100 baby-friendly silicone textile upholstery, with Black or Camel Brown cabin themes depending on exterior colour.

The 2,825-MM wheelbase provides generous passenger accommodation for five adults. Leapmotor quotes approximately 951 MM of rear legroom and 1,050 MM of rear headroom, while the nearly flat rear floor improves comfort for the centre passenger.

The seats can also be rearranged into a flat resting area measuring approximately 1.8 metres long and 1.2 metres wide through the vehicle's Camp and Nap functions.

The multifunction steering wheel provides controls for media, voice commands, driver information and assistance functions. Both tilt and telescopic adjustment are provided, with the Malaysian specification also listing powered steering-column adjustment.

Storage is provided through the door pockets, glovebox, centre console and additional compartments around the cabin.

The C10 also provides a 32-litre front storage compartment, useful for charging cables and smaller items.

Two cup holders are incorporated into the front centre console, while another two are available for rear occupants through the folding centre armrest.

The cabin provides two front and two rear USB connections, together with a 15-W wireless charging pad and 12-volt power socket.

The C10 uses soft-touch surfaces, silicone textile upholstery and configurable rhythmic ambient lighting to create a clean and modern cabin.

Although material quality is not intended to match traditional luxury SUVs, the spacious layout, large displays and restrained design give the interior a more premium appearance than its current price suggests.

Rear luggage capacity stands at 435 litres, expanding to 1,410 litres when the 60:40 split rear seats are folded.

The current model also includes a luggage tonneau cover, while the 32-litre front compartment provides additional storage beneath the bonnet.

The C10 measures 4,739 MM long, 1,900 MM wide and 1,680 MM tall, with a 2,825-MM wheelbase. Ground clearance is approximately 180 MM, while kerb weight is around 1,980 KG.

Its minimalist front uses a largely closed EV-style fascia, smooth body surfaces and a lower active grille shutter that opens when additional cooling is required.

The rounded rectangular styling is complemented by an uninterrupted bonnet line and clean bumper treatment, giving the C10 a restrained appearance compared with more aggressively styled Chinese EV rivals.

The rear features an aerodynamic roof spoiler with a concealed rear wiper and a full-width animated LED light bar. A broad powered tailgate provides access to the luggage compartment.

The C10 Plus retains the same fundamental rear design, while the limited Night Edition adds a more aggressive diffuser-style lower bumper treatment.

LED headlamps are fitted with sequencing LED daytime-running lights and automatic high-beam control. Their slim horizontal design visually extends the width of the front body.

A full-width LED rear light bar provides animated welcome and departure graphics. The lighting integrates cleanly into the tailgate rather than using separate conventional lamp assemblies.

The exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable and power-folding, with integrated turn indicators. Vehicle access is primarily handled through an NFC key card or Leapmotor smartphone digital key rather than a traditional proximity key fob.

Ventilated disc brakes are fitted at both the front and rear and work alongside regenerative braking, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution and electronic stability control.

An electronic parking brake and Auto Hold are also standard.

Both regular C10 variants ride on 20-inch Trident aluminium wheels fitted with 245/45 R20 tyres. A direct tyre-pressure-monitoring system and powered tyre-inflator kit are standard on current Malaysian models.

The Night Edition receives the same wheel design finished in matte black.

Standard active-safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, Front Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and Emergency Lane Keeping.

Door Opening Warning, Rear Collision Warning and Intelligent Speed Assist are also included.

The C10 is equipped with seven airbags, including a centre-side airbag between the front occupants. Five three-point seatbelts, ISOFIX mounting points and an integrated Cell-to-Chassis battery structure provide additional protection.

The model has also achieved five-star safety results under independent Euro NCAP and ANCAP testing.

Four configurable driving modes are provided: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Custom.

These alter accelerator response, steering assistance and other vehicle settings, allowing the driver to prioritise efficiency, comfort or stronger response.

The 14.6-inch touchscreen runs Leap OS with built-in navigation, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, voice commands and over-the-air software updates.

One notable omission remains Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are still unavailable on the current Malaysian C10 and C10 Plus.

The Level 2 Leap Pilot system provides Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist and Lane Centering Control.

Driver Drowsiness Warning and Driver Distraction Warning monitor the driver's condition, while a 360-degree panoramic camera with transparent-chassis view provides additional visibility around the SUV.

A 12-speaker surround-sound system with an 840-W amplifier is standard. Four selectable Concert Hall audio profiles include Enjoyment, Surround, Theater and Dynamic settings.

The regular C10 uses a single rear-mounted permanent-magnet synchronous motor producing 160 KW or 218 PS and 320 NM.

The C10 Plus receives an upgraded rear motor producing 220 KW or 299 PS and 360 NM.

Both variants use a single-speed electric reduction transmission, providing smooth and uninterrupted power delivery without conventional gear changes.

Both Malaysian C10 variants are rear-wheel drive, with their single electric motor mounted on the rear axle.

No dual-motor all-wheel-drive C10 is currently offered locally.

The regular C10 accelerates from 0 to 100 KM/H in 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 170 KM/H.

The C10 Plus cuts the century sprint to approximately 6.2 seconds and increases maximum speed to 190 KM/H.

The locally assembled C10 uses a 69.9-kWh LFP battery and 400-volt architecture, providing up to 424 KM of WLTP range.

Charging supports 11-KW AC and 84-KW DC, with a 30% to 80% DC charge requiring approximately 30 minutes. The upgraded onboard AC charger significantly improves home-charging performance compared with the original 6.6-KW model.

The C10 Plus upgrades to an 81.9-kWh LFP battery and 800-volt architecture, increasing range to 510 KM WLTP. Maximum DC charging rises to 180 KW, reducing a 30% to 80% charge to around 22 minutes, while AC charging remains at 11 KW.

Vehicle-to-Load functionality is also provided for powering compatible external electrical equipment.

Convenience equipment includes NFC and smartphone vehicle access, a powered tailgate with adjustable opening height, automatic lights and wipers, powered and ventilated front seats, wireless charging and a large 2.1-M² panoramic glass roof with electrically operated sunshade.

Camp Mode and Nap Mode can automatically rearrange selected cabin functions for resting while the vehicle is parked.

Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, together with dedicated rear air-conditioning vents.

The system incorporates PM2.5 filtration and electrically controlled dashboard vents with adjustable sweep functions.

The C10 uses MacPherson-strut front suspension and a multi-link rear setup, with the chassis tuned primarily around comfort and stability.

Its suspension development involved Stellantis and Maserati engineering input. Malaysian road testing has found the C10 generally composed at cruising speeds, although some body movement remains noticeable over more complicated road surfaces.

The silent electric drivetrain, relatively rigid Cell-to-Chassis structure and comfort-oriented suspension help provide good general cabin refinement.

Wind and tyre noise become more apparent at highway speeds, particularly from the large 20-inch wheels, but overall isolation is respectable for the C10's price category.

The Leapmotor C10's strongest qualities are space, equipment and value. At RM129,000, the locally assembled C10 provides a large D-segment body, ventilated powered seats, panoramic roof, 12-speaker audio, Level 2 driver assistance and a useful 424-KM WLTP range.

The C10 Plus is considerably more appealing technically, increasing output to 299 PS while combining a 510-KM WLTP range with an 800-volt platform and 180-KW DC charging. With remaining CBU units currently promoted from RM129,000, it represents particularly strong value while stocks remain available.

There are nevertheless compromises. The regular CKD model retains relatively slow 84-KW DC charging, while both versions still lack Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The NFC-based access system and touchscreen-heavy interface may also require adjustment for owners accustomed to traditional physical controls.

Overall, the C10 is best viewed as a spacious and heavily equipped electric family SUV rather than a performance-focused EV, while the C10 Plus addresses most of the original model's power, range and charging weaknesses.