There’s a quiet revolution happening in Malaysia’s electric car market. While established names like Tesla and BYD dominate the headlines, a new wave of challengers from China is changing the game — offering big-battery EVs for family-SUV money.
One of them is the Leapmotor C10, a practical five-seat electric SUV that promises long range, a premium interior, and plenty of tech, all at RM125,000, a price many Malaysians can actually afford. On paper, it sounds like a steal but in reality, it’s a bit more complicated — and more interesting.
Design
The Leapmotor C10 strikes a confident pose with sleek proportions, a coupe-inspired silhouette, and clean lines that hint at luxury without being flashy. Step inside and the surprise continues.
The cabin is genuinely impressive for its price point — soft-touch materials, a minimalist dashboard, and a massive central touchscreen that rivals cars costing twice as much. The flat floor and wide seats make the C10 an easy fit for families, and the boot offers enough space for weekend trips or shopping runs.
Comfort levels are commendable too. The suspension is tuned more towards softness than sportiness, gliding over rougher Malaysian roads without feeling floaty. Visibility is good, and the electric drivetrain’s silence adds to a sense of calm — at least until the car’s driver-assistance systems start chiming in.
Performance and Range
Underneath, the C10 packs a roughly 70 kWh usable battery paired with a single rear motor, producing brisk yet sensible acceleration. It’s no rocket ship, but its instant torque makes city driving easy and highway cruising relaxed. Real-world range hovers around 420 km depending on driving style and climate, which is more than enough for most Malaysian commutes.
Charging is another strong point. Recent local units come with an 11 kW onboard AC charger — something rare in this segment — allowing faster overnight home charging. DC fast-charging support is also included, so long trips can be topped up conveniently when needed. It’s clear Leapmotor has paid attention to practical usability rather than just headline numbers.
Driving Experience
Behind the wheel, the C10 feels composed and predictable. Steering is light and body control is tidy enough, though keen drivers will find it lacks the sharpness of something like the Xpeng G6.
The trade-off, however, is a smooth, quiet and effortless drive. The cabin stays calm even at highway speeds, and road noise is well managed. For most drivers, especially those transitioning from petrol crossovers, the C10 feels modern yet approachable.
Where the experience falters is in its ADAS suite — the collection of driver-assist features that’s supposed to make life easier. Instead, they can sometimes do the opposite.
The lane-keeping assist and speed-limit reminder systems are particularly intrusive. The steering corrections can be abrupt, and the constant chimes and warnings feel more like a nervous passenger than a calm co-pilot.
For first-time EV owners or those unfamiliar with advanced driver aids, this can be unnerving. Many drivers will likely find themselves reaching for the settings menu to switch most of these features off, though frustratingly, the car resets them every time you start it.
This over-zealous behaviour doesn’t make the car unsafe — in fact, it shows how sensitive the safety systems are — but it does mean the C10 can feel hyperactive on Malaysian roads where lane markings are inconsistent and speed-limit signage can confuse even the best software.
Once you get used to its quirks, or learn to tame them, the C10 becomes much more enjoyable to drive.
Comparing the Competition
In Malaysia, the Leapmotor C10 sits in a crowded but fast-growing space. Against the BYD Atto 3, it offers a larger battery and more interior space for roughly similar money, though BYD’s local dealer support and brand reputation remain stronger.
The Xpeng G6, meanwhile, is a more advanced and performance-oriented SUV, boasting superior acceleration, sharper handling, and a more refined ADAS system — but it’s priced higher and targets buyers who prioritise tech sophistication over outright value.
Then there’s the Tesla Model X, which plays in an entirely different league. It’s faster, roomier, and more premium in every conceivable way, but also several times the price of the C10. Comparing the two only highlights what Leapmotor is attempting — to bring much of the EV experience to a far more accessible level.
Viewed in that light, the C10 becomes a kind of democratizer. It gives buyers a taste of long-range EV ownership and a cabin filled with digital sophistication without requiring them to step into luxury-car territory.
The Malaysian Verdict
For what it costs, the Leapmotor C10 is a genuinely impressive SUV. It’s spacious, comfortable, and surprisingly well-finished inside. The driving experience is relaxed, the battery range practical, and the charging capability among the best in its price class. It also scored well in European safety tests, adding reassurance for family buyers.
However, the C10’s over-eager driver-assistance systems remain its biggest drawback. The speed-limit alerts, lane-keep corrections and fatigue warnings can feel excessive, sometimes startling new drivers rather than helping them.
Until Leapmotor refines these systems or allows deeper customization, it’s something potential owners need to experience for themselves during a test drive.
That aside, the C10 represents one of the most compelling EV bargains currently on Malaysian roads. It offers more space and technology than most cars in its price bracket and makes electric ownership feel within reach for a wider audience.
If you can forgive its hyperactive safety systems — or learn to live with them — the Leapmotor C10 might just be the most sensible, forward-looking choice in Malaysia’s fast-evolving EV landscape.
