The Leapmotor B10 looks a better proposition in this partly fossil-fuelled EV Hybrid range extender form, thinks Jonathan Crouch.

Ten Second Review

Leapmotor's B10 lower-mid-sized electric crossover didn't really impress us much as a full-EV. But it makes much more sense in EV Hybrid range extender form. As, as with the EV, looks smart, is well equipped and tightly priced.

Background

So you've decided. For your next compact family SUV, you don't want the range anxiety of an EV. Hybrids aren't frugal enough. And Plug-in Hybrids are too expensive. Doesn't leave you too many options does it? Except perhaps for this car, the Leapmotor B10 Hybrid EV. This version of the Chinese maker's B10 isn't fully electric - you can't plug it in. But it's arguably more full-electric in everyday operation than a Plug-in Hybrid model would be. Without the expensive price tag you normally get with a PHEV. All of this is thanks to Leapmotor's range extender technology. Which is what we're going to check out here.

Driving Experience

This Hybrid EV version of the B10 uses a 1.5-litre petrol generator unit paired with a 28.4kWh battery capable of around 53 miles of EV range - and (if the 50-litre fuel tank is topped up) as much as 559 miles between stops once the combustion element is factored in. Total output is 218hp. The B10 Hybrid EV offers a number of different drive modes which allow you to select when you want the engine generator to engage. It can cut in automatically when the battery's at 9%, 25% or 80%. Or you can force the engine generator to run continually in order to extract the maximum performance from the powertrain. That performance is slightly blunted by the fact that this Hybrid EV B10 weighs 10kgs more than the EV model; and the 0-62mph time is about a second slower. We can't imagine that would be a deal breaker. As usual with the brand, a greater issue is the over-intrusive nature of the many ADAS systems, particularly the lane keep assist system, which tugs away at the wheel when it has no business in doing so; it's fortunate that you can disable many of them with a provided shortcut button on the steering wheel. But Chinese makers really should be better at this sort of thing by now. Around town, the rear-driven format aids an ultra-tight 10.7-metre turning circle. Leapmotor also includes a 'Comfortable Stop' feature for smoother braking; and Hill Descent Control, which might help in the depths of winter on a steep slippery driveway.

Design and Build

Apart from the badgework and an extra fuel filler flap, this Hybrid EV model is near-identical to the EV version. The smooth-surfaced looks are on-trend and modern, but you'd probably struggle to identify the parent brand here, were it not for the Leapmotor badgework. The B10 doesn't have the smart Europeanised looks of its B05 family hatch showroom stablemate, but it's sized to fit neatly between the compact models the Chinese maker already offers. The 4,515mm body length is 85mm longer than the B05 but a substantial 224mm shorter than the C10, the next model up in the company's product range. Super-narrow LED headlights decorate the front, while at the rear, there's the now-usual full-width LED rear light bar. It feels big inside too, where for the most part, perceived quality is good and there are lots of luxury touches you probably wouldn't expect to get at this price point, including a huge panoramic glass roof. Less welcome for most will be the typically Chinese de-cluttered cabin design with its over-reliance on the 14.6-inch central touchscreen with its many buried menus. You can count the interior's physical switches on one hand. Also typically Chinese is the over-busy 8.8-inch drivers display. The pale leatherette-upholstered seats are heated and ventilated, but lack something more important - enough lumbar support. Plus the flip-down cup holders feel cheap. And the electric window switches work counter-intuitively. There's a choice of light grey or darker shadow grey cabin themes. Something that might really sell this B10 to you is the amount of space it offers in the back. Thanks to a generous wheelbase length of 2,735mm (just 90mm short of the brand's larger C10), leg room feels a segment up on most like-priced rivals - and it's a different world from a Puma GEN-E. Head room is good too, despite the glass roof. The rear seating area doesn't have an overhead light (awkward for strapping child seats in at night). Nor does the bench slide or the backrest recline. The powered tailgate rises to reveal boot space that's fallen by 100-litres over to EV version to just 330-litres. Seats-down, you get 1,600-litres. There's some under-floor storage and you get a small 35-litre under-bonnet 'frunk' for the charging leads too. You can fully recline the front seats for a 'lay-flat' interior.

Market and Model

You can expect to pay much the same for this Hybrid EV range extender model as you would for a B10 EV. The list figure for a B10 EV as we compiled this review was £31,995. From this figure, you can deduct a £1,500 'Leap Grant' (to compensate for the fact that this car will never qualify for the government's Electric Car Grant), so as we filmed, the asking price was more like around £30,500 for the single 'Life Pro Max' spec Leapmotor was offering. Other markets get a lesser 'Pro Life' trim level, but that won't be offered here. It's not really necessary because this car already represents superb value for what you get. Like all Leapmotor models, this B10 comes with a fully-loaded spec, including a large panoramic glass roof with an electric sunshade, a 360-degree parking camera and keyless entry, along with LED headlamps and LED tail lights, 18-inch wheels, power-folding mirrors, rear privacy glass, rear parking sensors, auto wipers and a powered tailgate. There's also a heat pump; and a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) tech that allows you to charge appliances from the drive battery. Drive stuff includes Adaptive Cruise Control with intelligent speed assist, four drive modes, three separate settings for steering and regen braking and a Traffic jam assist system that virtually takes over driving for you in urban queues. Inside, you can choose between two colour schemes - 'Light Grey' or 'Shadow Grey'. Either way, there's 64-colour ambient interior lighting, plus a heated steering wheel, powered front seats that are heated and ventilated, leatherette upholstery, an 8.8-inch driver's display, a smartphone charger, a 360-degree rear view camera and automatic air conditioning. Media connectivity's taken care of by a 14.6-inch central touchscreen with voice control, online navigation, in-vehicle WiFi and a 12-speaker audio system. Safety kit includes Front Collision Warning with Autonomous Emerging Braking and a Multi-Collision braking system, plus a Side collision monitor, Lane-Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning. There's also Lane-Centring Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Brake, Intelligent Speed Assist and Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning.

Cost of Ownership

If you've decided on a Leapmotor B10, lots of factors are going to weigh into your decision between the EV version and this Hybrid EV range extender model. The price you pay for your electricity is one. And the annual mileage you do and the type of driving you do is another. How important tax breaks are to you will also be significant. On that subject, the B10 Hybrid EV is VED-classified as a Plug-in Hybrid. So instead of the £10 for the first year of road tax you pay in a B10 EV, you'll need to find £110 for the first year with the EV Hybrid. But the Benefit-in-Kind rating is identical between the two models for the 2026/27 tax year - at 4% The B10 Hybrid EV will obviously charge much quicker than the EV version thanks to its smaller battery. Which is just as well because DC rapid charging with the range extender is only up to 65kW. A 30-80% DC charge takes 30 minutes. AC charging from home using typical 7.4kW wallbox will require five hours for a full battery charge. Using a three pin domestic plug, you'll need a yawning 35 hours and 45 minutes. There are different energy modes for the powertrain that prioritise either electric driving or deliver maximum power output. For really frugal running costs (and to get even a third of the quoted 257mpg combined cycle fuel figure), you'll have to get familiar with these. The CO2 emissions figure is quoted at 21g/km. Leapmotor claims that the battery will have an expected lifespan of over 372,000 miles. Insurance is group 32. There's a four year warranty (or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first). And the industry-usual eight year battery warranty. Maintenance should be straightforward thanks to the brand's network of UK Stellantis dealerships.

Summary

We're a lot less sure about the B10 as an overall package than we are about its innovative range extender Hybrid EV drivetrain. For quite a few potential customers, this clever powertrain really will be a better fit than an EV or a PHEV, functioning as it does on battery power for so much of the time. As for the B10, well as we said with the EV version, it's a Chinese car for people who like Chinese cars. If you do, then you won't have a problem with the button-less cockpit, the vague steering, the dull drive dynamics for the slightly intrusive ADAS features. And you'll enjoy the spacious cabin, the smart looks and the high equipment levels. Whatever side you fall upon, you have to admire the fact that with the Hybrid EV powertrain, Leapmotor has tried something different. And it might be enough to make this car well worth a look.