Leapmotor created quite a buzz last summer by becoming the first car manufacturer to introduce its own EV incentive scheme. The revelation came just days after the UK Government unveiled the official Electric Car Grant.
Curiosity in the emerging Chinese marque subsequently rocketed by an astonishing 2,675 percent, with its C10 large electric SUV rapidly selling out.
Now, Leapmotor is hoping to replicate this success with the debut of the more compact B10: a Skoda Elroq competitor that, courtesy of a £1,500 'Leap-Grant', starts from just £29,995, as Richard Aucock, who writes for Motoring Research, discovered.
For a spacious EV packed with kit and, thanks to its 67.1kWh battery, a range of 270 miles, that pricing is quite remarkable. The Elroq, by comparison, starts from nearly £32,000 for a variant with a 37-mile shorter range. To match the Leapmotor B10's range, you'd need to fork out more than £33,500 on a Skoda.
So, the B10 represents excellent value. But does it deliver on quality? Bear in mind, we had our doubts about the C10, awarding it a disappointing 2.5-star rating.
Nevertheless, Leapmotor is a firm that adapts quickly, and it already pledges that our main gripe – the dreadful ADAS driving assistance system – is now more Britain-friendly, both on the C10 and newly-launched B10. Off to soggy Chippenham to investigate, then....
The Leapmotor B10 test vehicles were waiting outside upon my arrival, sporting the contemporary (and complimentary) Starry Night Blue paint finish shown above, or the rather attractive Dawn Purple (£575). Just six colour options are available, alongside either light or dark grey cabin trim, as Leapmotor aims to maintain simplicity.
While European markets receive multiple specification levels, Britain exclusively gets the flagship variant – the one carrying that post-incentive £29,995 price tag. Standard kit is exceptionally generous. Notable features encompass 18-inch alloy wheels, electrically heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a heat pump, an electric tailgate and a 14.6-inch touchscreen supporting applications including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto plus Amazon, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, YouTube and TikTok. Impressive stuff.
The Leapmotor B10 demonstrates solid construction, featuring precise panel alignment and glossy paintwork, with this quality impression extending throughout the cabin. The plastics inevitably fall short of premium standards, though it remains sufficiently inviting, incorporating soft-touch surfaces where most needed.
The B10's seating is adequate, though I'd prefer height adjustment for the front seat cushion edge; it feels overly flat and lacking support. A pleasant soft synthetic leather material provides some compensation, alongside the seats' climate control capability. Both driving position and visibility prove satisfactory, with the latter enhanced by generous side glazing.
Unlike my long-term Volvo EX30, the central touchscreen is backed up by a colour display in front of the driver. This adjusts up and down with the steering column, which is helpful.
The display is clear and easy to read, unlike some of the controls on the touchscreen, which are too small and hard to jab with a finger while on the move. As you might expect from an electric car, the Leapmotor B10 generally stays nice and hushed. It's very quiet at city speeds, while road and wind noise remain fairly remote even on the motorway. The interior feels solid, too, with no creaks or rattles.
With 215hp and a 0-62mph time of 8.0 seconds, it's perfectly fast enough – certainly more than enough for the soft suspension, which can get a bit lively and wallowy on undulating roads. Your passengers won't take kindly to such helmsmanship, but they will appreciate the reasonably cushioned ride delivered by the Leapmotor once your inner Lando Norris has calmed down.
Because the B10 is relatively soft and comfort-oriented, there's a fair bit of body-roll in corners. Yet while it's not averse to leaning over, the handling is nicely neutral – and the tyres provide both good grip and a faithful, confident response.
This marks a step up from previous B10s, which came equipped with budget Chinese-manufactured tyres. The UK MD demanded superior rubber for our vehicles, and the upgraded Nexen tyres offer considerably better grip on slippery surfaces.
Traction (the B10 uses rear-wheel drive) has also improved markedly. Initially, I found the brakes somewhat grabby, though I eventually adapted to them. More irritating was the ADAS emergency lane-keep assist system, which proved intrusive and appeared to activate even when conventional lane-keeping was switched off.
It transpires the emergency feature must be deactivated separately within the ADAS menu – and you'll need to repeat this process every time you start the vehicle. While Euro NCAP can be blamed for default-on safety technology, Leapmotor could still simplify the disabling process. Perhaps this will arrive via an over-the-air update.
Meanwhile, the B10 is miles ahead of that initial C10 I tested regarding usability. The pair feel like entirely different vehicles in this respect.
I also spotted a programmable shortcut button on the steering wheel. Subsequently, I discovered this could store two shortcuts, one for a single press and another for a double press.
Ingenious. These shortcuts demonstrate Leapmotor EU's commitment to listening to customers and enhancing the vehicle's usability.
I'm eager to see what further ADAS developments emerge. And whilst we're discussing improvements, Leapmotor, those swipe-down shortcuts on the screen are quite useful - perhaps ADAS shortcuts could be added there as well?
Back at headquarters, I examine the remainder of the vehicle. Rear passenger space is enormous. There's plenty of legroom and the expansive panoramic roof creates a bright and spacious atmosphere, helped by the flat floor.
The boot capacity stands at 430 litres, which is reasonable, though it appears somewhat compact due to its elevated floor. However, there's a 25-litre 'frunk' beneath the bonnet should you require additional storage space.
Regarding efficiency? An impressive 3.7 miles per kWh - quite a respectable real-world figure achieved during cold, damp and wintry test conditions.
All in all, it's an impressive performance from the Leapmotor B10. The Chinese manufacturer has evidently taken lessons from the C10, with the smaller, more affordable B10 proving a more UK-market-suitable vehicle.
It won't provide driving thrills - but how many compact SUVs do? - yet the Leapmotor B10 will deliver dependable EV motoring for those unwilling to spend excessively. The support package - featuring a four-year warranty and four years of roadside assistance - should ensure worry-free ownership.
The C10 was a 2.5-star motor. The B10 rightly earns 3.5 stars.
That's quite a jump from Leapmotor in under 12 months. This is a fresh budget marque to monitor with keen interest.
