Leapmotor B10 First Drive: A leap forward 

Leapmotor isn’t wasting time. After the launch of its first model, the midsize C10 earlier this year, the Chinese brand has already followed up with the B10, a slightly smaller, mid-size electric SUV aimed at the mainstream heart of the EV market.

Set to go up against volume players the MGS5 EV and BYD Atto 3, launch prices start at $42,990 + ORC for the Life and $47,990 + ORC for the Design, both covered by a four-year vehicle and eight-year battery warranty. Once the special runs out – the end point has not been confirmed – they will retail for $2k more each, figures that ape the MG, and undercut the BYD.

Two down, momentum building

Auto Distributors NZ boss Simon Rutherford says the B10 marks the point where Leapmotor starts building real market presence.

“This is the first time we’ve had a new model – our second model effectively – and it signals the beginning of a critical-mass journey,” he says. “The B10 gives us the second horse in the stable. It’s a key enabler for network expansion and a major milestone in establishing Leapmotor in New Zealand.”

He admits the C10’s launch delivered lessons the company was quick to apply.

“We’ve had customer feedback, and we’ve fixed issues with better processes and updates. That transparency and responsiveness are what we’ll carry into B10.”

For now, sales and service run through Armstrong’s, with further Stellantis-aligned outlets planned once volumes lift.

A step ahead technically

Underneath sits Leapmotor’s new 3.5-architecture, one step beyond the system used in the C10. It integrates the battery pack into the structure, streamlines the electronic control units and improves both rigidity and energy efficiency.

Power still goes to the rear wheels via a single 160 kW / 240 Nm motor. Two battery options are offered – 56.2 kWh (Life) and 67.1 kWh (Design) – both using cell-to-chassis lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) tech. Claimed WLTP efficiency is just over 17 kWh/100 km, around average for the Chinese brands but worse than Korean equivalents, giving ranges of 361 km and 434 km respectively.

Charging at 140kW for the Life on a DC charger and 160kW for the Design is class leading, equating to a 30-to-80 per cent charge in around 20 minutes.

Vehicle-to-Load power export is built into the car and includes a dedicated camping mode that keeps climate and sockets live overnight. There’s a small catch: the adapter isn’t supplied, and Leapmotor NZ isn’t stocking one for now, meaning early buyers will need to source it elsewhere.

Cabin and kit

Dimensionally the B10 sits right in Corolla Cross territory at 4515 mm long on a 2735 mm wheelbase. Inside, it feels roomier than that suggests with a very upright driving position and flat floor. Storage is impressive, with 22 storage spots, a 25-litre frunk and a flat-fold rear bench create up to 1700 litres of cargo space. There is an expansive glass roof on both models, with a sun blind. The seats are very comfortable, with fabric on the life and ‘eco leather’ on the Design, the latter also getting heating and ventilation in the front only. Materials are tidy rather than plush, but assembly quality feels a step ahead of the C10, likely down to the relatively new company – it only started work on developing vehicles in 2014 – learning a lot from each new launch.

Infotainment and key vehicle controls are through a 14.6-inch central screen and 8.8-inch driver display handle most functions, including the odd inclusion of TikTok. Connectivity extends to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging and a companion Leapmotor app that doubles as the key. The app allows remote locking, pre-conditioning, seat heating or ventilation and even the ability to share vehicle access digitally. An NFC card is still supplied as a backup, which is tapped on the wireless phone charger to activate.

First impressions

A brief city loop after the launch suggested Leapmotor’s learning curve is steep. The B10 feels sturdier than its price would hint, with quiet, well-damped suspension that copes nicely with patched-up Auckland bitumen. Steering is light and accurate, and throttle response is smooth rather than snappy.

Energy use hovered around 15 kWh/100 km though keep in mind that is just around town, below the official claim and encouraging for real-world range. We did not get a chance to check out its driver assistance features, there are 17 of them, but we were not heavily blasted with unnecessary dings and bongs, so that’s a win. 

Where it fits

General-manager Brian Carr says the B10 shows how far the brand has come.

“The B10 is the first global product in its segment, built for international markets from day one,” he says. “It’s designed to democratise electric mobility through high quality, affordability and intelligent solutions.”

Globally, Leapmotor has already produced more than a million vehicles, with roughly 65 per cent of each designed and built in-house. That scale, and its joint venture with Stellantis, gives the small brand surprising polish.

Verdict

At this price point there’s plenty of competition, particularly from the BYD Atto 3 , Geely EX5 and MGS5 EV, but the B10’s composure, specification and solid engineering make it one of the more convincing newcomers. It’s not flashy, just well-sorted – the kind of car that quietly wins over buyers one test drive at a time.

For Leapmotor NZ, it’s proof that the brand’s rapid growth might just have substance behind the numbers.