Leapmotor A10 brings premium tech to the budget fight
For as long as cars have existed, the automotive industry has worked on a simple rule: if you want premium features, you must pay a premium price. If you want a small car, you have to accept old technology and less space. It's something we've been used to, but now, a new crop of affordable electric cars promises to rewrite that entire playbook.
At the Guangzhou Auto Show 2025, the Chinese automaker Leapmotor introduced its latest challenge to the global market: the Leapmotor A10 (known internationally as the B03X). This small SUV combines high-end technology and a competitive driving range with a shockingly low price.
The price tag alone makes the Leapmotor A10 a winner. The company stated the highest-spec version will launch in China for under RMB 100,000. That is a straight shot across the bow of the competition, working out at about £10,240. That's right in the front yard of the very popular BYD Atto 2 (called the Yuan Up in China). Leapmotor built the A10 on its new global 'A' platform designed to maximize interior space and intelligence while keeping costs low.
Breaking down the design, the A10 is certainly distinct, though maybe a little quirky. The exterior features a floating roof design, thanks to blackened pillars, and rides on sporty 18-inch alloy wheels. Designers added a playful "smile" lighting signature in the rear rectangular taillight units, a friendly touch that makes the car instantly recognizable. The front end continues the modern EV look with three-segment headlamps and a long hood. The charging port sits conveniently on the left front fender. Buyers have six exterior colors to choose from: brown, green, blue, gray, silver, and beige.
The funky A10 hides some big-car features under its metal skin. It offers advanced, door-to-door driver assistance systems, which means the car can help you navigate from parking space to parking space. To make this possible, Leapmotor equipped the A10 with a LiDAR sensor on the roof - a piece of hardware rarely seen on such an affordable electric car - with the whole system powered by the high-speed Snapdragon 8650 chip. The car alerts other road users when its computer assistance systems are working by lighting up six small blue indicator lights.
Meanwhile, the car's cockpit runs on the equally fast Snapdragon 8295P processor, ensuring the infotainment system and all onboard screens respond quickly. The whole system updates over the air (OTA) like a smartphone, keeping the software fresh.
Leapmotor revealed that its new model achieves an 88.1% space utilization rate, meaning maximized area inside for passengers and cargo. The A10 measures over 13.8 ft long, 5.9 ft wide, and 5.2 ft tall, with a wheelbase exceeding 8.5 ft. The exact numbers will vary slightly depending on the market, but they put the A10 right in the sweet spot for city driving while still offering the high-riding stance that SUV buyers want.
The Leapmotor A10's ultra-high-density LFP battery pack provides an impressive range of up to 311 miles based on the CLTC standard. Drivers can add about 155 miles of range by charging the battery from 30% to 80% in just 16 minutes. Leapmotor targets what they call "rational customers" - people looking for a smart, affordable second car for commuting, or first-time EV buyers who want to upgrade from an old gas car without giving up safety or space.
Backed by a strategic partnership with Stellantis, the A10 will enter the Chinese market in the first half of 2026. Interested buyers can reserve the model now for a refundable fee of just RMB 99 (£10), or pay a bit more for delivery priority. The A10 is heading to other markets as well, including Europe, but that will happen a little bit later next year.
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