The Leapmotor C10 Has Stellantis as a Genuine Safety Net, Which Changes Everything
All three reviews make a point of highlighting something unusual for a brand-new Chinese entrant: Stellantis owns 51% of Leapmotor's international arm, meaning UK buyers get a genuine dealer network, parts supply and aftersales support most first-generation Chinese brands can only promise.
Illustration for editorial purposes
A Startup With an Established Giant Standing Behind It
Most new Chinese entrants ask British buyers to take a leap of faith on servicing and parts availability. Reviewers keep noting this one is different — Stellantis's involvement means the usual worry about supporting a brand-new nameplate largely doesn't apply here.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Mid-size electric SUV |
|---|---|
| Powertrains | Fully electric (69.9kWh battery) or C10 REEV range-extender hybrid |
| Power | 215bhp (rear-wheel drive) |
| Claimed range | 263 miles official (EV) |
| Max DC charging | 84kW |
Full Review Summary
Top Gear
Top Gear praised the smooth, linear power delivery from the single rear motor, rating it as entirely capable of keeping up with traffic despite modest on-paper performance. They found the maximum 84kW DC charging rate genuinely disappointing against class leaders, meaning a 30-80% top-up takes a full half hour, and rated the invasive driver-assistance systems as likely to put off buyers just as much as anything mechanical about the car.
What Car?
What Car? measured 263 miles of official range, beating the Skoda Elroq and matching the Renault Scenic, though found front space genuinely excellent even for occupants over six feet tall. They flagged the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on early cars as a real limitation, though noted 2026-on models now include it as standard, with older cars eligible for a retrofit via over-the-air update.
🎬 Watch: Leapmotor C10 review (same video, watch above ↗)
Autocar
Autocar's road test found the ride quality genuinely inconsistent — both soft and wallowy through corners and over big bumps, yet also prone to thumping and jiggling on poorer surfaces, struggling to settle even at motorway speeds. They praised the vast rear seat area as a genuine strength, though rated boot space as disappointing at 435 litres given the car's substantial overall footprint, suggesting a sliding rear bench would meaningfully improve practicality.
🎬 Watch: Leapmotor C10 review (same video, watch above ↗)
Trims & Engines at a Glance
The REEV isn't a plug-in hybrid in the usual sense — its petrol engine only ever generates electricity, never driving the wheels directly, and it's priced identically to the full EV.
| Derivative | Engine | Power | Transmission | Body | 0–62mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C10 EV (single trim) | Single electric motor, RWD | 218bhp | Single-speed automatic | SUV | 7.5s |
| C10 REEV (single trim) | 1.5L petrol range-extender + electric motor, RWD | 215bhp | Single-speed automatic | SUV | 8.5s |
The EV's 69.9kWh battery gives up to 262 miles of range; the REEV's smaller 28.4kWh battery gives up to 90 miles on electric power alone, extended by its petrol generator to a combined range of over 600 miles. Both are sold in a single, fully-equipped trim. Check Leapmotor's UK configurator for current pricing.
Strengths
- Genuine Stellantis-backed dealer network and parts support
- Excellent front and rear passenger space
- Competitive pricing against class rivals
- Smooth, easy-to-drive power delivery
Weak points
- Inconsistent ride quality — soft yet jiggly depending on surface
- Slow maximum DC charging speed versus rivals
- Disappointing boot space relative to the car's overall size
- Invasive, overly sensitive driver-assistance systems
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want genuine interior space and Stellantis-backed peace of mind on servicing, without needing class-leading ride quality or charging speed. Worth a proper test drive first given every review flags real dynamic shortcomings.
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Leapmotor C10 review ↗ (same video, watch above ↗)