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In just a few short years, Electric Vehicles (EVs) have transformed from a niche novelty into a dominant force in the Nepalese automotive market. What once started with only a handful of models has now exploded into a vast array of options across every price point, with manufacturers flooding the market with choices. While this abundance is exciting for consumers, it also brings the challenge of deciding which EV is right for you. One such option today is the Leapmotor C10 SUV. But let’s tell you about who and when before we take you to the what.
Leapmotor, founded in December 2015 and based in Hangzhou, China, initially focused on developing AI chips for autonomous driving. However, the company made a significant shift in October 2018, when it announced plans to introduce three new models between 2018 and 2021. Though consumer response was initially moderate, Leapmotor made a major ‘leap’ into the global automotive market when Stellantis— the world’s fourth-largest automaker and parent to brands such as Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, and more—acquired a 21% stake in the company for €1.5 billion.
This strategic partnership resulted in the creation of Leapmotor International, a joint venture with a 51:49 ownership structure controlled by Stellantis, aimed at boosting the production and distribution of Leapmotor vehicles in markets outside China. This move aligns with the company’s global expansion plans, particularly in Europe. The announcement was made at IAA Mobility 2023 during Leapmotor’s European debut, where the company unveiled its first global model, the large SUV Leapmotor C10 which we have tested extensively, and today we are going to tell you if the C10 is worth your money.
The C10 looks bigger and better than what you see in the pictures. While the C10 is considered a small to medium-sized SUV in the global market, in Nepal however, you definitely cannot unsee it. Putting the C10’s dimensions against the Toyota Fortuner which is considered a big SUV, the C10 is only 56mm shorter in length, and 155mm shorter in height, but is 45mm wider and has an 80mm longer wheelbase. The C10 doesn’t do anything to hide its heft either, instead, it carries it with grace.
The C10 looks handsome in person. Right up front you get a flush fascia with LED headlamps and DRLs designed conventionally, no angular aggressive headlamps with split DRLs here, instead these units look mellow and chill. Leapmotor has masked the headlamp cluster with a thin black mask to reduce the visual bulk. Under that, you get an air dam and neatly cut vents for that extra added element. The bonnet is lightly sculpted with the Leapmotor logo in the center which we must say is one of the more mature-looking logos we have seen in a while.
The side profile of the C10 is very conventional and we love it. You get the classic SUV silhouette, straight roofline and no pretence coupe design. Instead, you get a strong shoulder line that governs the profile. It is no secret that this car looks massive, but because of these classic SUV elements etched onto the design the tires on this look a bit smaller even though they are a large 245/45 section set of Dunlop rubber, we would have loved to see a set of 255/45s on this handsome boy but, oh well. The 20-inch Trident design alloy wheel finished in gunmetal grey looks amazing and is a welcome change after looking at a lot of EVs bringing fully covered dinner plate-like wheel caps in the name of aerodynamics.
The rear of the C10 is as low-key as the front. A subtle curve right on the shoulder line gives added muscularity. You get a connected light strip that wraps around into taillights on each side which are all LED and look sleek. You get wide Leapmotor lettering and a C10 badge that adds garnish to the otherwise plain tailgate. Apart from that you get the usual shark fin antenna and the rear wiper of this car is hidden under the integrated roof spoiler which makes the rear windshield section a lot cleaner to look at.
In a sea of Chinese EVs where each of them is trying to look more busy, edgy and futuristic than the last the C10 steps out of that maze and looks simple, dare we say boring, but something that won’t start looking old after you’ve had it for a while, something that will be pleasing to the eyes today and even 8 years from now.
The interior of the C10 is just as low-key as its exterior but take a second look and you will be impressed. First up, this muted purple shade is fantastic, you won’t even notice that it is purple unless you look at it under direct light. This choice of a subtle shade paired with black makes the cabin look luxurious while being cheap and easy to maintain and keep clean unlike the white, cream, and orange alternatives.
The fit and finish of the cabin are amazing, everything feels well-built and good to the touch. The seats provide some of the most comfortable cushioning; it is soft and pillowy but firm at the same time and the seats are big. So, if you are a 6-footer you’ll find that the seats in the C10 will accommodate you with ease.
Finding a driving position is also rather easy, you get electronic controls for adjustment though not having a lumbar support is a major miss but you will find a perfect driving position nonetheless. The steering wheel which is heated comes with haptic controls and tilt and telescopic adjustment so you can have your wheel however you like.
There are plenty of soft-touch surfaces across the front, on the dash, on the door pads, and on the central armrest. The otherwise conventional cabin of the C10 brings a little minimalism via the omission of buttons which means your A/C and all other controls, even the ORVMs, will have to be adjusted and suited to your needs via the 14.6-inch infotainment screen.
On the upside, once you set your ORVMs they are saved until changed again. Coming back to the screen, you get all the bells and whistles here including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a 10.25-inch driver’s instrument screen that displays all the information you will need as a driver, this display is also equally clean and crisp as the main screen.
Another hint of minimalism that is actually impressive is the hidden AC vents, apart from the vents for the windshield you will not see any vents up front. They are neatly concealed on the lower half of the dashboard.
As far as seating is concerned, the front seats are supple and great to sit on through a long drive thanks to them being both heated and ventilated. The rear bench seat comes with miles of legroom, you can lounge back in there or you can take four of your friends and place them in the back without any complaint. You get large windows, a large panoramic glass roof, and a white headliner, all of which make an already large cabin feel even larger. The rear windows come with privacy shade which is a nice touch and you get a large boot for hauling all your belongings for a weekend camping trip.
The cabin of the C10 feels very European. There are no frills, no weird design elements that make you go “What the heck is that”. Instead, you get a neatly laid-out cabin with good materials and great fit and finish. It is almost boring which is good because we feel it will age well. And C10 isn’t devoid of character either, the concealed AC vents, the subtle ambient lighting, high-quality materials for door handles and window switches, and the elegant use of chrome add a lot of “feel good to see and touch” vibes to the cabin and we are very impressed by that.
The first thing you’ll notice out on the road is power. While most companies are capping their cars’ power figure to 99kw to fall under a cheaper tax bracket, Shangrila Motors, the sole authorized distributor for the Leapmotor brand here in Nepal has respectfully declined that and imported the C10 as it is originally made for the global market.
No tampering or software mumbo jumbo here. The C10 has the same power here as it does in Europe and in China. The C10 makes 160 kW (214 hp) of power and is the most powerful car that comes at this price point. The very next car that generates more power than the C10 is already above the 80 lakh price point which makes this an amazing proposition for power-hungry buyers.
The closest rival the C10 has in this price point is the Deepal S07 which comes capped at 99 kW (132 hp) of power. And it’s not just the power that is impressive, what’s more impressive is how easily the C10 puts the power down. The power is sent to the rear wheels in such a way that the C10 pulls out with a European calmness inside the cabin. There’s no noise, the NVH levels are great, and you don’t even get the sense of speed until you look out the window and see the street lamps, the fences or trees going past you quicker than what you’re used to seeing.
It is effortless, and fast. It’s hard not to draw a comparison to the Deepal S07 since they are so identical in terms of specifications, but if the S07 looks fast and boy does it look spectacular, the C10 is fast. While C10 looks slow, like a wagon used to drop the kids to school, if you were to pull up to one at “nah that’s not fast”. But let the lights go green and you will quickly see the tables turn.
It is like a Lamborghini Huracan racing an unbeknownst old Volvo V70R that secretly makes a thousand horsepower. You have to drive the C10 to gauge its power. It is like an electric sleeper car, it is fantastic. All that power at your disposal hasn’t affected the C10’s range either.
At 100% charge, you get a 420km WLTP range and in our testing, the C10 did come quite close to that figure so you’re good for a road trip with a charge stop in between. Speaking of which the C10 with its 69.9 kWh battery can be charged from 0 to 100% in 10 hours at home via a 7.2kW AC Charger and can go from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes via DC Fast Charger.
Other areas of the drive are well calibrated as well, the steering is light enough to make urban navigation easy, you also get 13 high-precision sensors all around the car and 19 ADAS functions and a 360-degree camera (although we have seen better camera footage elsewhere) that help you drive around town or on highways with utmost confidence.
You even get a sensor that monitors the driver while on the road, it makes a beep if it thinks the driver is not paying attention or looks tired and advises you to pull over and take some rest. The suspension soaks up all the rough stuff without letting a lot of feedback into the cabin and there are disc brakes on all four wheels on stopping duty. The C10 brings a 73.6% high-performance material bodywork, 6 airbags, and A-pillar air curtains and has received 5 stars on the Euro NCAP crash test. TLDR: You will be fast and you will be safe.
After a full day of driving the Leapmotor C10, it isn’t difficult to conclude that this is one of the best cars available in Nepal today. Breaking it down, it has a low-key yet handsome exterior, a CEO-like personality and a certain European charm about the design. The interior is minimal and comes with a great selection of materials finished perfectly.
The performance is astounding and you get a load of safety tech assuring you and your family remain safe while out on the road. All that for Rs. 67.99 lakh gives the Leapmotor C10 an electrifying value quotient that is hard to beat.
