First drive: Leapmotor C10 scores big on value but not much else

A whole swathe of Chinese cars are on their way to the UK. What started as a trickle a few years ago is about to become a flood, and the latest brand to think it can woo Brits is Leapmotor.

It arrives with two vastly different electric models – the T03 city car and this, the C10 mid-size SUV, which is being pitched as a Tesla Model Y and Skoda Enyaq rival.

Sounds like a tricky task doesn’t it, but Leapmotor has an ace up its sleeve compared to other Chinese newcomer brands. It’s backed by Stellantis, the powerhouse that has brands like Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall under its wing. And, as such, Leapmotors will be sold and serviced at Stellantis dealerships, giving peace of mind, says the firm.

More than that, Leapmotor is aiming to become the best value electric car brand in the UK, and the C10 is one of a whole family of cars Leapmotor intends to offer in Britain.

If you peeled away the body you’d find something called ‘cell-to-cell’ technology. This incorporates the car’s battery pack into its chassis, helping to give extra rigidity and improve safety and interior space. It’s a 69.9kWh pack, which only manages a pretty average official range of 263 miles – rivals with smaller batteries can cover a similar distance. This is hooked up to a 215bhp electric motor which powers the front wheels – again, nothing remarkable.

In keeping with the pretty average battery size and power figures, the C10 can only accept a 6.6kW AC charge from your home wallbox (in contrast to the standard 7.2kW). Meanwhile, the DC rapid charging rate is pegged at 84kW – a Vauxhall Corsa Electric manages 100kW and other electric SUVs can take up to 150kW or more. A heat pump is thrown in for free, though, which in theory should help to allow the C10 to at least get close to that official range figure.

That average feeling continues when you’re behind the wheel. The C10 doesn’t do anything especially wrong, nor does it give any form of excitement.

Road and wind noise are well suppressed, giving a hushed driving experience, while the ride can be a little unsettled thanks to the car’s standard-fit 20-inch wheels. The steering has an odd tendency to feel very light and give no feedback when you initially spin the wheel, before weighting up and sharply turning the car when you apply the lock. Inevitably, there are different driving modes but these have to be selected when you’re stationary, which seems rather odd.

If you’ve seen the other car Leapmotor is launching, the T03, you might wonder if the C10 comes from the same company. The tiny T03 is a much older design, however, and the C10 is the look you’ll see on four new Leapmotor models arriving between now and 2027.

There’s no doubting the fact that the C10 has a quietly handsome look, though, with clean surfacing and simple detailing – there’s even a whiff of Porsche Cayenne at the back. But quietly handsome is key here – you could also say the C10 is rather plain and generic.

That generic feeling carries over to the interior, too, for the C10 has a look and feel that’s rather like a whole host of new Chinese cars from Nio, BYD – well, take your pick. Not that there’s anything wrong with that as the C10 is nicely finished with soft, plush feeling materials, although the synthetic leather seats take some getting used to, mind. Take a closer look at the trim and you’ll notice there’s even a purple tint to the upholstery (Leapmotor may be offering an additional colour in the not-too-distant future).

Just like nearly every other mid-size SUV on sale these days, there’s a large touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard. It measures 14.6 inches and is complemented by a 10.25-inch screen for the driver. The infotainment system works well enough, but all of the car’s functions are controlled through it which can get frustrating, and the sat nav system is a little rudimentary. It would be fine if there was Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, but there isn’t.

The C10 is noticeably larger than rivals such as the Skoda Enyaq and Nissan Ariya, and this really benefits interior space. The back seats are particularly palatial but it comes at the cost of boot room – at 435 litres, it’s a little tight compared to the competition.

Take a look at the C10’s spec and you really do realise why Leapmotor is trying to be the best value EV brand in the UK. While other carmakers offer a myriad of trims, equipment packs and options, with the C10 there’s only one spec – the only thing you choose is the colour.

At £36,500, it’s priced on par with rivals’ entry-level versions and yet offers considerably more equipment. Things like heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic glass roof, electric tailgate, tinted windows, and 20-inch wheels are thrown in for free, and there’s a four-year warranty. On this front, the C10 represents superb value for money.

The C10’s strong equipment list and low price could be enough to sway people to go for it, particularly as it’ll be sold and looked after by familiar dealers that also sell brands like Peugeot and Vauxhall.

Many people won’t be offended by the way it drives, feels or looks, but even with price on its side, you can’t help but feel that the C10 will struggle to make itself rise above some very talented rivals.