Pros
- EV operation without EV range limitations
- Attractive pricing
- Well-equipped and tech-forward
Cons
- Over-simplified interior devoid of physical buttons
- Flush door handles can be difficult to use
- Regenerative braking is not as effective as it could be
Related: Leapmotor expands local line-up with B10
Committing to a pure electric vehicle in South Africa remains a tough sell for many motorists. Between vast inter-provincial distances and an unpredictable power grid, battery anxiety is a very real factor. The Stellantis-backed newcomer, Leapmotor, aims to solve that quandary with the B10 REEV. Positioned in the busy C-SUV segment, this Range-Extended Electric Vehicle claims to combine zero-emissions daily driving with the safety net of a petrol tank. At R549,900 for the flagship Design trim, does it strike the right balance for local roads?
Category | Specification |
Price (R) | R549,900 |
Engine | Single Motor EV |
Power | 158 kW |
Torque | 240 Nm |
Top Speed | 170 km/h |
Transmission | Single-speed EV |
Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
Economy | 0.9/100km (Combined) |
Service Plan | 5 years/100,000km |
Rivals | Toyota Corolla Cross, |
Styling
Rather than reinventing the wheel, Leapmotor has taken a somewhat familiar design approach, keeping strong proportions and rounded edges. There are many similarities that can be drawn between the B10 and other, established SUV offerings, with clear inspiration drawn from the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLB and Porsche Macan
Full-LED Wing Star headlights frame a clean, fluid bonnet line up front, while the profile rolls on 18-inch 'Star Sports' Trident alloys beneath a massive 1.8-square-metre panoramic glass roof. Around back, a continuous LED light bar broadens the vehicle's visual stance. The flush, pop-out door handles feel like unnecessary over-engineering, but otherwise, it is a clean, handsome crossover that earned its international design awards honestly.
Interior and Technology
The B10’s interior punches well above its price tag. Soft-padded door cards feature bamboo leaf stitching, paired with seats trimmed in 7-layer OEKO-TEX eco-leather that offer electric adjustment and active ventilation - a blessing in South African heat. Thanks to a 2,735 mm wheelbase, rear legroom is impressively generous, giving adults plenty of space. Boot capacity sits at 330 litres, expanding to 1,600 litres with the rear bench folded.
Dashboard duties are handled by a crisp 14.6-inch 2.5K display running Leap OS 4.0 via a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work smoothly, and the app integration adds handy remote features, such as a Bluetooth key and preconditioning.
The total lack of physical buttons for basic mirror or climate adjustments is a daily annoyance, but the standard Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability - which lets you power 220V household appliances directly from the car - is a massive practical win during load shedding or camping trips.
Performance
Drive goes exclusively to the rear wheels via a permanent-magnet motor delivering 158 kW and 240 Nm of instant torque, good for a 0–100 km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds. What makes the REEV setup clever is that the onboard 1.5-litre petrol engine never connects to the wheels. It functions purely as a generator to feed power to the 18.8 kWh battery when capacity drops. The result is pure, whisper-quiet electric drive delivery 100% of the time, with minimal mechanical noise even when the generator fires up.
Driving Impression
The chassis setup, tuned with input from Stellantis engineers, features independent MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension. It delivers a planted, surefooted ride through corners while soaking up urban road imperfections without a fuss. Steering is light and easy around town. My only dynamic complaint is the regenerative braking system: even on its highest setting, it lacks enough bite for true one-pedal city driving.
Fuel Consumption
Range anxiety simply isn't an issue here. The 18.8 kWh LFP battery yields a pure-EV range of up to 86 km, meaning standard daily commutes can run strictly on cheap home electricity. For long road trips, the 50-litre petrol tank feeds the generator on the fly to unlock up to 900 km of total combined range. DC fast charging at up to 46 kW tops the battery from 30% to 80% in 20 minutes, while a home AC wallbox completes a charge in roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
Safety
Safety gear is comprehensive. While it is yet to be formally tested, it is engineered to target 5-star Euro NCAP standards. The high-strength steel structure is backed by 7 airbags, including a central airbag between the front perches to prevent head collisions. You also get 17 Level 2 ADAS driver-assist features - including Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Lane Keeping Assist - alongside a sharp 360-degree camera system.
Pricing
Leapmotor B10 REEV Style: R499,900
Leapmotor B10 REEV Design: R549,900
Pricing includes a 5-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty and service plan, plus an 8-year/150,000 km battery warranty.
Related: How does the Leapmotor B10 compare to the BYD Sealion 6?
Verdict
The Leapmotor B10 Design has minor flaws - buried touchscreen menus, flush door handles, and light regenerative braking leave room for improvement. But for under R550,000, you are getting a spacious, well-equipped C-SUV with European-influenced dynamics and a REEV powertrain perfectly suited to South African realities. It offers zero-emissions daily driving during the week and 900 km of unrestricted travel over the weekend, making it one of the smartest value propositions on the market right now. The fact that it's actually rather attractive is just a bonus.
