The EV Upgrade That Got It Right: Driving the Leapmotor C10+ Up Janda Baik

The C10+ is a highly underrated solid choice in today's increasingly competitive EV market.

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Cover ImageCover image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYS

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When the initial Leapmotor C10 landed on local shores, it hit a sweet spot for family space

But if you were a buyer eyeing long highway stretches along the PLUS north-south trunk, you probably paused over its 84kW DC charging ceiling and modest battery capacity. It was practical, sure, yet it lacked that extra bit of long-distance muscle.

Fast forward to the updated C10+. Leapmotor went above and beyond as they essentially did a full internal refresh.

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Image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYS

The C10+ takes a solid platform and turns it into something even more robust

The upgrade shifts the vehicle from a standard 400V architecture up to an advanced 800V platform. Underneath the floor, the original model's 69.9kWh LFP battery pack makes way for a larger 81.9kWh LFP unit.

This extra capacity boosts the usable driving range significantly, raising the claimed WLTP figure from 424km on the previous C10 to a generous 510km on the C10+. Seeing our available range close to 500km during our drive really inspired confidence.

Image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYS

Charging performance sees an even bigger leap

While the previous C10 topped out at an 84kW peak DC charging speed, the C10+ ramps that rate up to a blazing 180kW, allowing you to top up from 30% to 80% in just 22 minutes.

Power output gets a hefty bump as well: the rear electric motor jumps from 215PS and 320Nm of torque up to 299PS and 360Nm. This added muscle shaves over a second off its sprint time, cutting the 0–100km/h acceleration down from 7.5 seconds to a snappy 6.2 seconds.

Switching to the 800V architecture means that you spend less time at the DC charging point and more time on the road.

Image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYS

Step inside, and it feels familiar, yet thoughtfully finished

The OEKO-TEX certified silicone seat upholstery remains a massive win for parents. Spilt some iced Milo or melted chocolate? Wipe it down with a damp cloth and move on with your day.

Image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYS

Rear legroom is cavernous. You can easily fit three adults across without them shoulder-bumping like commuters stuck on a peak-hour LRT train.

Image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYS

The boot capacity holds up to 435 litres, which accommodates a stroller, grocery runs, and a couple of overnight bags without requiring any spatial puzzle skills.

Image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYS

SAYS took the C10+ to a scenic drive to Janda Baik

To truly test the mechanical claim, we took the C10+ out of city traffic and pointed its nose towards Janda Baik for a day trip.

Heading up the Karak Highway, the added punch from the updated rear motor is instantly clear. With 299PS under your right foot, overtaking slower-moving lorries climbing the incline requires no drama: you press the pedal, and the electric torque pushes you forward effortlessly.

Once we turned off towards the winding, narrow roads leading deeper into Janda Baik, the chassis tuning surprised us

For a heavy family SUV, the C10+ handles twisty switchbacks with surprising composure. The lower centre of gravity, thanks to that 81.9kWh battery slab under the floor, keeps body roll nicely in check.

It doesn't lean awkwardly like older, softer crossovers; it just plants itself and darts out of tight corners with zippy enthusiasm.

Best of all? Going up the elevation usually eats EV battery percentage, but thanks to the bigger pack and better energy recuperation on the downhill descent, we ended the trip with more than enough juice to breeze all the way back into the Klang Valley without a single drop of range anxiety.

Image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYS

So, who should check out the new-and-updated Leapmotor SUV?

If your daily route involves navigating jammed stretches of the LDP before parking in tight Low Yat basement bays, yet you still want the freedom to road-trip out-of-state on long weekends without detailed charger-mapping, the C10+ hits the spot.

It is tailored for growing families needing durable, wipe-clean cabin materials and massive rear legroom, or drivers upgrading from older Japanese or national crossovers who want punchy electric performance without paying premium European prices. Even road-trip drivers who want a solid 500-ish km WLTP range safety net and fast DC charging capability for outstation drives.

At its price point, the Leapmotor C10+ hits all the right spots without breaking the bank

The C10+ stands to be a well-engineered, practical electric SUV that corrects all the minor weaknesses of its predecessor, making it a genuinely compelling daily driver for Malaysian roads.

We reviewed the initial C10 previously. Check out the video below:

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Here's our thoughts on the original Leapmotor C10:
We also took the Leapmotor B10 for a ride. Here's the review:
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