It is a little unfortunate that Leapmotor does not get a fair share of the limelight here, seemingly slotting into an outlier position in a market, and perhaps unfortunately segment, saturated with options. A little time with the Leapmotor B10 only served to further substantiate that belief as it is a wonderful car that just
To be fair, tossing its hat into a ring with the likes of the BYD Atto 3 and the Proton eMas 7 EV was not going to make things any easier. Going up against a trailblazer like the BYD and the current-selling EV in the country like the Proton is a big ask.
So what is the Leapmotor B10?
Despite its compact appearances, the B10 straddles the line between compact and C-segment. There are two variants in Malaysia, set apart primarily by battery capacity and charging rates but also equipment as well.
There is a base B10 Life with a 56.2 kWh battery (140 kW) and the one tested here, the flagship B10 Design and its 67.1 kWh pack (160 kW). Prices are RM107,800 and RM118,800 respectively.
Does it look good?
It looks like a minituarised version of its larger C10 sibling, which is to say rather generic and sort of blends into the sea of other BEVs in the wild. Imagine asking ChatGPT to create an image of a modern SUV and you might just end up with the B10.
There are comparisons to a Porsche Cayenne’s design but again, every other SUV on the market is starting to mimic it.
You may also be interested: OTA Updates For The Leapmotor B10 Brings One-Pedal Driving, Wireless Android Auto & Apple Carplay
The front has slim LED DRLs with a checkered motif that is mirrored at the rear. However, the LED projector headlights are actually located below, almost blending in with the intake below the DRLs. At the rear, like every other SUV, there is a lightbar.
Credit is due though for keeping the overall design clean and tidy as other carmakers have a tendency to get carried away, ending up with an overly busy exterior that is an admission of screaming for attention.
The B10 might look under-tyred but those are actually 18-inch rollers, wrapped in a staggered 225/50R18 at the front and 255/50R18 out back. This is because the B10 is rear-wheel driven, which we’ll get to later.
Are there any drawbacks? We hate to nitpick but the pop-out door handles take this one. Adding insult to injury, they are not powered. This means so you have to fish them out and pull, not a pleasant task with grocery bags in both hands.
Is the inside nice?
We will get to the cabin in a bit because literally getting in is a mildly frustrating endeavour that should include some jailtime. Like its larger sibling, the B10 has no physical key fob. You unlock the car via an NFC card tapped on the driver’s side-view mirror. The other option is through a dedicated smartphone app.
Honestly, with the return of physical buttons, a regular key fob should be next on the list. Once you are in, the NFC card must be placed on the floating centre console’s tray to get moving. Remove the key long enough without moving, to place your phone there, will then require placing the card once more to shift the transmission.
The rest of the cabin is nice. Again, its outside dimensions can be misleading, the interior is roomy and comfortable. The upholstery is a synthetic leather constructed from a silicone material called Oeko-Tex Standard 100, a baby-friendly material made from bamboo charcoal fabric with low-odour and water-based adhesives. Very family-friendly.
You may also be interested: 2026 Leapmotor C10 Plus Launched In Malaysia – 800V Platform, 299hp, From RM148k
Speaking of physical buttons, there are pretty much none. Almost all functions are crammed into the 14.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen. This includes air-conditioning, side-view mirror adjustment, drive modes audio controls and even the rear hatch.
Leapmotor has taken some effort in integrating some design and textures into the minimalist dashboard though. This lends it a semblance of character against the C10’s dash that borders sensory deprivation.
There are shortcut buttons and scrollers on the steering wheel but it does little to hide one of the B10’s biggest flaws, the lack of basic buttons. An 8.0-inch digital instrument display sits behind the steering and is clear as well as easy to read.
Storage is space is generous, with the central armrest swallowing most things you could throw at it with two chunky flip-down cup holders creating massive space when not in use. Those at the rear have ample legroom, USB charging ports and a decent storage space. Boot space is 430 litres and the rear seats fold near-flat for proper convenience. There is a small frunk as well.
Fortunately, there is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with the recent over-the-air update, a glaring omission when launched and a huge fumble from Leapmotor.
Does it drive well?
Yes, it does. Being primarily an urban commuter, the B10 is perfectly calibrated for puttering around the concrete jungle.
The steering is light but not mute, throttle calibration is spot on and the ride is compliant with a near-perfect balance between comfort and road handling.
Again, like its larger sibling, the B10 is on the receiving end of suspension tuning by Stellantis engineers that include those from Maserati. And it shows in the confident, mature ride that can tackle a corner if necessary.
Body roll is surprisingly kept minimal but the weight still does remind you it is an EV when pushed a little.
It did not take much time to demonstrate that some proper thought and effort went into sorting out the ride and handling, with staggered tyres an obvious giveaway.
You may also be interested: Closer Look At The 2026 Leapmotor C10 Plus Night Edition In Malaysia, RM 156k
Power comes from a rear-mounted 218 PS motor with 240 Nm of torque. In terms of performance, that is considerably below par for an EV but also part of its appeal.
You see, the B10 opts out of the ludicrous acceleration often associated with EVs. Instead, it drives and accelerates more like an internal combustion vehicle. Coupled with the great ride, it essentially becomes an EV that feels like a petrol-powered car and believe us, that works in its favour.
The larger CATL battery is WLTP-rated for 434km, making it perfect for daily commutes and even capable of outstation drives and even supports V2L. During the drive to Penang, we did a mid-point recharge but it was more to assuage the range anxiety. The B10 is perfectly capable of completing the journey on a single charge if driven with a little common sense.
Now for the bits we did not like. There are 17 ADAS functions and while they all generally worked well, the Lane Keep Assist was a little intrusive. Perhaps it is a calibration issue that could be addressed with the next OTA updates.
Is it a good buy?
It makes an extremely compelling case for itself. It is spacious, wonderfully packaged, laden with the right features and drives decently whilst feeling like a conventional petrol car, effectively bridging the gap for those unsure between the two.
As great as it tastes on the first bite, you cannot help but wonder if niggling attributes such as the annoying NFC card system and complete lack of physical controls seems like the secret sauce is lacking.
A great metaphor would be the quintessential Malaysian foodie topic of who makes the best chicken rice or nasi lemak. There will always be the usual suspects with a familiar three of four spots always among those listed.
There is no right or wrong, everyone will have a favourite and between the list, every spot will definitely taste good. It is simply a matter of personal preference.
You may also be interested: Review: The Leapmotor B10 Is Very Nearly The Perfect EV
And just like those three or four usual suspects, the B10 deserves a seat at the table as well within its segment. It might not be to your exact tastebuds but it will do down well.
Specifications of the Leapmotor B10 Design
Motor: Single, rear-mounted electric
Transmission: Single-speed
Battery: CATL / 67.1 kWh LFP
Charging rate: 11 kW AC / 168 kW DC
Range: 434 km WLTP
Price: RM 118,800
We like: Spacious, comfortable and practical
We don’t like: Lack of physical controls and NFC entry system