The Leapmotor B10 Hybrid EV is the latest arrival from the Chinese brand as it continues its push into Europe, with Ireland very much on the radar. It’s pitched as a compact SUV with an electric-first mindset, but with a petrol safety net in the background. That might sound like a halfway house, but in reality it’s exactly where a lot of buyers are right now. Not quite ready to go fully electric, but definitely ready for the hybrid option. Seeing the B10 for the first time in Rome, it made a decent first impression particularly in Thundra Grey. There’s no attempt to be overly dramatic or futuristic, and that actually works in its favour. The proportions are neat, the design is clean, and everything feels well put together. It sits comfortably in that mid-size SUV space without trying to reinvent it. Walk around it and there’s a simplicity to the design that has no doubt been inspired by various European brands.
Inside, it’s much the same story. The cabin feels airy and uncluttered, with a layout that’s easy to live with straight away. There’s good headroom, plenty of space, huge rear legroom and nothing feels overcomplicated. It’s not trying to be flashy and yes the plastics do feel a little scratchy to touch in some areas, but for something at this price point, it actually comes across as more premium than some competitors in this segment. So how will it drive? Well, out on the road, the route from Rome towards Lake Bracciano offered a bit of everything, which is always helpful on a first drive. In the city, the B10 feels right at home. It moves off in near silence, and like any good EV, that instant response makes weaving through traffic feel effortless. Stop-start driving, tight streets, the usual chaos of urban motoring, it all feels very easy and very smooth.
Once you get out onto more open roads, the way the system works becomes more noticeable, or more accurately, how little you notice it. The car is always driven by its electric motor, while the 1.5 litre petrol engine quietly goes about its business in the background as a generator when needed. The result is something that feels much closer to a full EV than a traditional hybrid. There are no gear changes, no interruptions, just a smooth, steady flow of power. Around the lake, with its sweeping bends and gentle climbs, the B10 settles into a comfortable rhythm. It’s not trying to be sporty, and that’s no bad thing. Instead, it feels stable, predictable and easy to trust. The steering is light but accurate, and the suspension does a solid job of keeping everything composed even over slightly haggard Italian road surfaces.
The different driving modes are there if you want to get more involved, but most of the time you’ll probably just let the car do its thing. EV+ leans heavily on the battery for short trips, EV mode keeps things electric with a bit of backup when needed, and Fuel mode is there for longer runs where you want to save electric range for later. Power+ adds a bit more urgency when required, but again, everything happens smoothly in the background without demanding attention. Technology is another strong point with mentioning! The central screen is quick to respond and easy to navigate, with a layout that feels familiar within minutes. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both included, which is almost expected now, but still important. Features like one pedal driving make a noticeable difference in town, and overall it’s a system that feels pretty intuitive rather than over-engineered like some.
On the safety side, everything you’d expect is on the B10. Adaptive cruise control, lane centring and a full suite of driver assistance systems all work as they should, without constantly reminding you they’re there. It’s the kind of setup that doesn’t require you to totally disarm the driver aids but more just the road sign recognition or driver monitoring which is pretty easy to configure. With a starting price likely to land somewhere in the mid €30k range, the B10 Hybrid EV feels like a very accessible way into electrified driving. It gives you the benefits of running on electric power for daily use, without the nagging worry about longer journeys.
What’s perhaps most interesting about the B10 isn’t just the car itself, but what it now represents. Leapmotor is part of a growing wave of Chinese brands making serious progress in Ireland, backed by an expanding dealer network and increasingly competitive products with plenty more to come. A few years ago, these cars might have felt like an unknown quantity but now, they’re becoming a genuine alternative. It might not be the most exciting SUV you’ll ever drive, but that’s not really the point. What it does, is make electrification feel easy, practical and normal! And in many ways, that’s exactly what a lot of buyers are looking for right now. If you are in the market for a compact SUV, we think you would be mad not to take a test drive!
