The sports utility vehicle (SUV) market has long been a hotbed for contention.
And with Chinese brands with their all-electric lineup looking for what seems to be “world domination”, it’s only going to get hotter with potential buyers being spoilt for choice in that particular segment.
One such brand is China-based Leapmotor and it’s looking for a “piece of the action” with its all-electric C10 offering.
During a sample drive covering 460km from Kuala Lumpur to Gambang, Pahang and back, the route would have us experience it during a docile cruise and winding dynamism.
While blending modern styling, advanced technology, and the promise of practicality, the C10 looks very much moulded by air with a clean front fascia, slim LED headlights, and smooth curvature; so much so that it exudes a contemporary and minimalistic approach.
With a wheelbase of 2,825mm, the C10 is 4,739mm long while being as wide as 1,900mm and standing tall at 1,680mm.
Such dimensions gift the interior with good amounts of spaciousness but this seems to have encroached on boot space being just 435 litres but can be expanded to 1,410 litres.
Still, it might seem rather modest for a D-Segment SUV that seats five.
Nevertheless, the cabin is a minimalist’s dream, echoing the design philosophy of a well-known American EV - as do most Chinese EVs.
Catching the eyes are two large screens, the first being a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and the other reserved for the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.
Both are exceptionally crisp in terms of graphics with no lag perceived with a responsive touch to add a modern, tech-savvy finish to the spartan interior.
The infotainment system is where all vehicle functions have been integrated from climate controls to drive settings - eliminating the need for physical buttons.
Some drivers may find the reliance on touch-based controls a distraction/irritation, particularly when making adjustments on the move.
However, there are no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay but at least there’s Spotify and voice command for some hands-free action.
The ventilated front seats, upholstered in faux leather, provide a good amount of ergonomic comfort with generous amounts of padding and supportive contour.
The plush yet firm feel certainly made the long journey an enjoyable and fatigue-free experience and the same can be said for the rear in terms of comfort.
With legroom being plentiful thanks to the flat floorboard, the cabin available in Criollo Brown and Midnight Aurora, quickly becomes an airy experience with the sunroof cover retracted.
Despite having just a single rear-mounted motor, propulsion is respectable with 218PS (160kW) and 320Nm of instant torque to get its 1,980kg (kerb) heft sprinting off the line to reach 100kph in 7.5 seconds.
But what did impress was its road-holding prowess that really sets this SUV apart from the rest.
Uniquely enough, the suspension has been tuned by Maserati, thanks to the brand’s association with Stellantis, and this has brought about an excellent blend of road-holding and comfort that’s suitable for daily commutes and corner-carving duties.
While most Chinese brands falter in this respect, we hold the C10 to be the most capable here with a communicative rear end that’s subservient to the front wheels’ directional inputs while the dual-spoke steering and 20-inch wheels provide sharpness to the experience.
On a full charge, the C10’s 69.9kWh LFP battery is said to offer up 477km (NEDC) or about 420km (WLTP) on a single charge, but due to this SUV’s road-holding prowess, such mileage would not come easy.
With a heavy foot, the C10 managed to arrive in Gambang with just 18% left in the battery or 77km of range, after travelling about 224km on the first day.
The second day saw similar readings with a stop being made in Ayu Awana, Genting for some up-hill antics and down-hill shenanigans.
A demonstration of the C10’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system was also provided to prove how well its safety systems work.
At its price point of RM159,000 (on-the-road excluding insurance), it offers a compelling mix of technology, practicality and value.
As long as potential buyers can look past the absence of dedicated buttons and the lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, those seeking an all-electric SUV with a quiet ride, refined handling and a premium on-road presence will likely find these omissions insignificant once behind the steering wheel.
