Leapmotor’s first foray into Australia, the 2025 LEAPMOTOR C10, looks terrific on paper: mid-size SUV space, headline-grabbing price and the backing of Stellantis. A stroll around it reveals confident styling, flush door handles and a panoramic roof that would make a Tesla blush. Yet the real story begins once you press the start button, sorry, tap the inconsistent NFC key card, and discover a cabin run almost entirely from one 14.6-inch screen. In other words, the C10 is an intriguing new player in the fast-growing world of 2025 electric vehicles, but it is not without quirks.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Attractive exterior and roomy interior
- Generous standard kit for the money
- Seven-year/160,000 km warranty gives peace of mind
Cons
- No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto; the built-in nav is no substitute
- Fidgety driver-assist alerts that chime like a poker machine on tilt
- Slow 84 kW DC charging means coffee stops are not optional
How Much Does It Cost?
Sticker shock is usually bad; here it is pleasantly good. The LEAPMOTOR C10 price list starts at $45,888 for the Style and $49,888 for the Design, both before on-road costs. A current nationwide drive-away deal trims those to $47,500 and $51,500 respectively.
Features and Benefits
Even the base Style variant bundles LED lighting, a 10.25-inch driver display, 18-inch alloys, dual-zone climate with heat-pump, one-pedal driving, a 12-speaker audio system and that vast sunroof. Move to the Design and you gain 20-inch wheels, ventilated seats, ambient lighting and a hands-free tailgate. In short, the LEAPMOTOR C10 features list is long enough to embarrass some dearer rivals, reinforcing its “value first” pitch.
Under the skin sits a single rear-motor good for 160 kW and 320 Nm, fed by a 69.9 kWh battery. Official range is 420 km, but local testing on mixed roads suggests closer to 360 km when driven briskly, still adequate for the weekly commute with charge to spare.
Safety
A five-star ANCAP rating is reassuring, as is the catalogue of 17 active driver-assist systems. The trouble is their calibration: lane centring can tug the wheel like an overeager dance partner and speed-sign recognition scolds you for creeping one kilometre over the limit. Yes, safety counts, but so does serenity.
Running Costs
Leapmotor pegs service intervals at 24 months/30,000 km and publishes a capped-price schedule that averages roughly $230 a visit, beating most petrol rivals. Add in cheap overnight charging, about eight dollars to “fill” at typical off-peak rates, and the C10’s day-to-day maths stays friendly, even if charge time (10-80 percent in 38 minutes on a 100 kW public charger) asks for patience.
Comparison To Its Competitors
Tesla Model Y dominates sales, Kia EV5 is knocking loudly, and emerging Chinese alternatives like the Deepal S07 hover in the wings. Against them the C10 wins on sticker price and interior room but loses on charging speed, brand recognition and infotainment polish. Rivals also let you mirror your phone without resorting to Spotify on the car’s native app store. For buyers who favour pure value and can forgive software foibles, the C10 stays tempting; tech-focused drivers may steer toward the more mature Koreans or Americans.
2025 LEAPMOTOR C10 Review: Budget EV SUV With Big Features
Conclusion
The 2025 LEAPMOTOR C10 review boils down to one question: can you overlook the quirks? If you crave affordable electric mobility, a capacious cabin and a feature sheet longer than a tax return, the answer might be yes. If slick user experience and fast charging rank higher, keep shopping. Either way, the C10 proves the electric bargain war is heating up, and that is good news for Australian motorists.
Rating: 6.5/10
The 2025 LEAPMOTOR C10 specifications promise plenty, and the value is undeniable, yet the execution still feels one software update short of brilliant.