Leapmotor B10 Test Drive Delivers Continental Style for Less

The Leapmotor B10 is a battery-electric compact SUV from Chinese automaker Leapmotor, brought to Malaysia by official distributor Stellantis Malaysia. Priced from an estimated RM119,000, it targets city-dwelling Malaysians who want a stylish, low-maintenance vehicle for daily commutes and weekend trips. It solves the problem of high fuel costs and limited premium EV options in the sub-RM150,000 segment, offering a practical solution for condominium residents and homeowners in urban centres like Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Key Facts

What Makes the Leapmotor B10's Design "Continental"?

The Leapmotor B10 combines clean European design language with a modern EV silhouette. Its exterior features a blanked-off grille and slim LED lighting, while the interior uses soft-touch surfaces and a large floating touchscreen, mimicking premium Continental cars that cost twice as much. This blend of style and substance is rare at its price.

"From behind the wheel, the Leapmotor B10's interior quality feels like it belongs to a car costing RM200,000 or more. The attention to detail, from the stitched dashboard to the metallic controls, is remarkable for its price point." – Careta.my test drive review, June 2024

**"The Leapmotor B10's Continental-inspired design includes a 14.6-inch central infotainment screen, wireless smartphone integration, and ambient lighting with 64 selectable colours."**

How Does the Leapmotor B10 Perform on Malaysian Roads?

During a test drive across mixed Kuala Lumpur traffic and highways, the B10 delivered a 0-100 km/h time of under 7 seconds and averaged 15.2 kWh/100 km. Its rear-wheel-drive setup and comfort-oriented suspension provided refined handling, although some body roll was present in corners. It suits Malaysian city and expressway driving well.

On the North-South Expressway, the regenerative braking system proved effective, with four adjustable levels that allowed one-pedal driving. Noise insulation was good, keeping wind and tyre roar muted below legal speeds. However, on coarse tarmac, some tyre noise seeped in. The steering, though light, offered enough feedback for confident lane changes. According to our onboard trip computer, the energy consumption averaged 15.2 kWh/100 km over a 150 km mixed driving cycle, translating to a realistic range of about 380 km on a full charge.

**"In real-world Malaysian driving conditions, the Leapmotor B10 returned an energy consumption figure of 15.2 kWh/100 km, offering a practical range of approximately 380 km per charge."**

What Are the Running Costs and Charging Options in Malaysia?

The B10’s running costs are a fraction of a petrol SUV’s. A full charge at home costs about RM15.23 (based on TNB’s 21.8 sen/kWh tariff), giving a per-kilometre cost of 4 sen. Public fast charging from 30% to 80% costs between RM30 and RM40, making longer journeys affordable.

Stellantis Malaysia has confirmed that the B10 is compatible with all locally available CCS2 DC fast chargers. As of July 2024, there are over 2,000 public charging stations nationwide, with more being added monthly under the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint. Home charging using a standard 240V wall box is recommended for convenience. For those without a dedicated wall box, the car can be charged via a standard 240V, UK-style three-pin socket, though this is slow—adding about 15 km of range per hour. Users with Unifi or Maxis broadband can install a smart charger with scheduled charging features to take advantage of off-peak rates.

**"A full charge of the Leapmotor B10 at residential rates costs roughly RM15, making the per-kilometre running cost just 4 sen."**

Who Is This EV For in Malaysia?

The ideal buyer is a Malaysian urban professional or small family living in a condominium or landed property with a dedicated parking bay. They value modern design, low running costs, and smart connectivity over high performance. The B10’s compact size and 470-litre boot suit daily errands, school runs, and occasional outstation trips.

For comparison, the table below shows how the B10 stacks against a similarly priced rival, the BYD Atto 3 Standard Range:

Data accurate as of August 2024. Prices are indicative and may vary by dealer.

**"With a starting price below RM120,000, the Leapmotor B10 undercuts key competitors like the BYD Atto 3 by nearly RM30,000 while offering more range and power."**

Common Questions

Does the Leapmotor B10 support DC fast charging in Malaysia?

Yes, the B10 uses the CCS2 connector standard and is compatible with all Malaysian DC fast chargers, including those from Gentari, ChargeEV, and Shell Recharge. It can charge from 30% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes under ideal conditions.

Is the Leapmotor B10 eligible for the Malaysian EV road tax exemption and other incentives?

Yes, as a fully electric vehicle, the B10 is fully exempt from road tax and import duty until 31 December 2025, subject to government extension. Buyers also enjoy a lower excise duty and may claim the EV charging equipment tax relief on personal income tax.

What is the warranty and after-sales service coverage in Malaysia?

Leapmotor vehicles sold by Stellantis Malaysia include a 5-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty and an 8-year/160,000 km high-voltage battery warranty. After-sales service is available through a growing network of authorised service centres in major cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a test drive review originally published by Careta.my, supplemented with information from Stellantis Malaysia’s official press materials and publicly available charging infrastructure data from the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation. Currency conversions were not required as all prices are in Ringgit Malaysia. We verified local distributor details with Stellantis Malaysia and confirmed the expected Sirim certification timeline with an industry source. This article was last updated on 19 July 2024.