Updated Leapmotor C10 arrives with lower price tag

Leapmotor just rolled out an updated version of its C10 SUV. This five-seat EV is a key player for the company, and the new model comes with some interesting changes, especially in the price department. Known for offering more affordable electric vehicles, Leapmotor is pushing the C10 out the door with a starting price tag that might make some people look twice: just $17,040. That price is for the base battery version, and it's actually lower than the previous model.

The 2026 Leapmotor C10 keeps things familiar in terms of size, measuring 186.6 inches long, 74.8 inches wide, and 66.1 inches tall. The distance between the front and rear axles is 111.2 inches, the same as before. What's new are the price cuts. The BEV version now starts at RMB 122,800, which translates to roughly $17,040. There are also two higher-priced BEV models at RMB 132,800 ($18,430) and RMB 142,800 ($19,820).

If you're not ready to go full electric, the C10 also offers an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) option. This version has a gasoline engine that works like a generator to charge the battery, letting you drive further. The EREV comes in two flavors, starting at RMB 122,800 and RMB 132,800. Just like the BEV, the EREV saw a price cut, a more significant one of RMB 13,000 ($1,800), compared to the previous model's starting price. It seems Leapmotor is serious about making these EVs more accessible.

The C10 BEV gives buyers a choice of power - there's an electric motor with 170 kilowatts or a stronger one with 220 kilowatts. If you pick the more powerful motor, the C10 BEV can go from a standstill to 62 mph in a quick 5.9 seconds. The 170 kW motor takes a still respectable 7.29 seconds for the same sprint. Battery options for the BEV include lithium iron phosphate (LFP) packs with capacities of 69.9 kWh and 74.9 kWh, offering estimated driving ranges of 329 miles and 376 miles respectively, based on China's CLTC test cycle.

The C10 EREV uses a rear electric motor with a maximum output of 170 kilowatts and can hit 62 mph in 7.68 seconds. It comes with a 28.4 kWh LFP battery pack, which provides an electric-only range of 130 miles (CLTC). But with a full fuel tank and a charged battery, the C10 EREV can travel an impressive 739 miles, according to the notoriously optimistic CLTC rating. For those interested in the latest tech, the top-tier BEV and EREV models of the updated C10 continue to feature LiDAR.

Leapmotor plans to start getting these new C10s to customers on May 20. It will show off the vehicle at the Hong Kong auto show in June, giving more people a chance to see the updated SUV up close. The C10 is already an important model for Leapmotor, making up a significant chunk of their sales. In April, they delivered 9,756 units of the C10, which was about 24 percent of their total deliveries for the month. The C10 has also started making its way outside of China, with the BEV version launching in Europe last September and the EREV following in January of this year.

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