The Leapmotor C10 is the brand’s expansive flagship designed to offer D-segment volume on a C-segment budget.

Positioned as a value alternative to the Škoda Kodiaq and Toyota RAV4, the C10 leverages Leapmotor’s cell-to-chassis technology to maximise interior space. For anyone behind the wheel, it presents a compelling case for executive-level travel, provided you are looking for a relaxed journey rather than a dynamic ‘wow’ factor.

The C10 was Leapmotor’s second vehicle launched in the UK and, following last year’s full EV, it is now offered as an ‘EV Hybrid’ with a range-extending generator petrol engine. Both are priced at £36,500.

Leapmotor’s flat-pricing strategy is a bold commercial move, and the Hybrid model is particularly significant for anyone covering higher mileages. Its 28.4kWh battery delivers a substantial 94-mile electric range, which secures a 7% Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rating for the 2026/27 tax year. With a 1.5-litre petrol generator keeping the battery topped up, the C10 potentially offers uninterrupted range exceeding 600 miles.

Interior space is the C10’s primary strength. The cabin is vast, offering more rear legroom than almost anything in its price bracket. The animal-free materials feel premium to the touch, and the standard equipment list, including 20-inch alloy wheels and an 840W audio system, is exhaustive.

But boot capacity of 400 litres is surprisingly modest for a car of this size, as Leapmotor has clearly prioritised passenger comfort over outright load-lugging. It is a car built for people, but less so for their luggage.

The driving experience is calm and refined, isolating wind and road noise effectively at speed. This is aided by a structural rigidity of 42,500 Nm/degree; a figure that puts the C10 in the same league as many luxury grand tourers and explains why the cabin feels so solid on the move.

It is a car that encourages a relaxed pace, but this composure is noticeably interrupted when the range-extender engine is called into action. When the 1.5-litre generator fires up, it can sound quite intrusive, especially at lower speeds, detracting from the premium feel the interior tries so hard to establish. It is a highly efficient system, achieving a claimed 942mpg on the WLTP cycle, but it lacks the seamless acoustic refinement of a high-end hybrid.

Technology is a mixed experience. The 14.6-inch touchscreen is crisp, and the system now includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Helpful touches like the programmable steering wheel shortcut key show that Leapmotor is thinking about how humans actually interact with screens on the move. Yet, the driver assistance systems remain sensitive, with frequent alerts that can become an annoyance on narrow UK roads.