I Test Drove Stellantis' Chinese Electric SUV That Competes with Tesla Priced at Just $30K | Carscoops

      Leapmotor's new C10 is an economical electric vehicle that impresses with its unexpected comfort, abundant technology, and premium aesthetic.

      **by Brad Anderson**

      **PROS**: Great interior, elegant appearance, well-priced

      **CONS**: Powertrain may experience lag, subpar efficiency, bouncy ride

      Many new electric vehicle manufacturers emerging from China are often sub-brands of larger conglomerates such as Geely, Chery, GAC, and GWM. Leapmotor, however, stands apart. Established as an independent startup in 2015, much like Nio and Xpeng, it aimed to enter the then-nascent electric vehicle market.

      This independence changed slightly in 2023 when Stellantis acquired a 20 percent stake in Leapmotor for $1.8 billion. The following year, they formed a joint venture, which granted Stellantis a 51 percent share and exclusive rights to sell, build, and export Leapmotor EVs outside of China.

      Leapmotor's inaugural model, the S01, was revealed in late 2017, and like many other Chinese vehicles released before 2020, it was not considered desirable. However, the electric vehicle market has made considerable advancements since then, along with Leapmotor, which now offers several intriguing models including the C10.

      First revealed in late 2023, the C10 made its debut in Europe and Australia in late 2024, aiming to compete directly with the Tesla Model Y, Geely EX5, and Kia EV5. But is it really any good?

      **QUICK FACTS**

      Pricing is critical for any newcomer in the EV market, and Leapmotor has priced the C10 competitively. In Australia, it is offered with a single EV powertrain as well as a newly introduced range-extender EV option that combines a 28.4 kWh battery with a 1.5-liter petrol engine. We recently drove the top-tier C10 Design featuring the BEV powertrain.

      The starting price for the EV is AU$45,888 (~$30,100) for the base Style model and goes up to AU$49,888 (~$32,800) for the C10 Design, excluding on-road costs. Once those are included, you’re looking at around AU$55,000 (~$36,100). This price undercuts the base Kia EV5 by roughly AU$2,000 (~$1,300) and the Tesla Model Y by close to AU$10,000 (~$6,600).

      Every BEV C10 comes equipped with the same 69.9 kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery and a single electric motor that produces 215 hp (160 kW) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque. Unlike the single-motor Kia EV5, which is front-wheel drive, the Leapmotor drives its rear wheels. The company claims a driving range of 420 km (261 miles) on a single charge, which is decent but not exceptional. Charging is underwhelming, with DC fast charging capped at 84 kW, hence it will take approximately 30 minutes to charge from 30-80%.

      **A Typical EV Cabin**

      The interior of the Leapmotor C10 is about as minimalist as it gets. Similar to Tesla, and virtually every other new EV from China, the cabin features a large central infotainment display measuring 14.6 inches, complemented by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

      The infotainment system is impressive. Although it doesn’t support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, it operates quickly and provides a wide range of functionalities. You can select different backgrounds, manage critical interior and exterior functions directly via the screen, and adjust features like the wing mirrors.

      Leapmotor has also adopted a button-free design reminiscent of Tesla's approach, which is somewhat disappointing. Changes such as HVAC settings require navigating through the screen, which can be inconvenient while driving. This design choice also makes the interior feel rather plain and lacking in character.

      **Simple, Yet Plush**

      Leapmotor deserves praise for its choice of materials at this price point. The dashboard, seats, door panels, center console, and floating console feature smooth synthetic leather that feels more upscale than some of the hard plastics found in Kia’s EV5. However, we found the bright orange finish of our test vehicle somewhat excessive.

      Additional thoughtful features include a wireless phone charger, metallic speaker grilles, and a panoramic glass roof with a sunshade—something that Tesla's models lack. Overall, the cabin feels spacious, with ample leg and headroom for rear passengers. However, I found the front seats lacking lumbar support, although they do feature heating and ventilation, which is a benefit.

      Moreover, all C10 models come equipped with a solid 12-speaker audio system, DAB+ digital radio, a heated steering wheel, configurable ambient lighting, and rear privacy glass. A voice assistant