The Leapmotor C10 REEV has been named a semi-finalist in the 2026 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition, sponsored by Old Mutual Insure. Supported by Stellantis South Africa, the C10 REEV represents Leapmotor’s extended-range electric vehicle offering, combining electric-first operation with range-extending capability designed to meet diverse mobility requirements.
For a brand still establishing its footprint locally, this nomination places the C10 REEV among an impressive field of car brands.
The inclusion brings Leapmotor into direct comparison with mainstream competitors and reflects early interest from the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ), who will evaluate the vehicle over the coming months as part of the COTY process.
While still in its first quarter on local roads, the C10 REEV’s progress suggests that its offering is being taken seriously at a time when buyers and evaluators alike are still assessing what electric mobility South Africa should look like.
Early momentum for a new electric brand
“The C10 REEV has been engineered to address practical mobility requirements without compromising efficiency or performance,” says Janus Janse van Rensburg, Head of Marketing and Sales: Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Leapmotor at Stellantis South Africa. “Progressing to the semi-final stage reflects how well the vehicle’s extended-range electric solution aligns with market expectations, particularly in segments where flexibility, reliability and total operating efficiency are key considerations.”
Leapmotor officially entered the South African market in October 2025 as part of Stellantis’ broader electrification strategy. The C10 REEV is the brand’s first offering locally and is aimed at customers who are interested in electric driving, but who aren’t prepared to give up long-distance flexibility.
An electric solution shaped for local realities
The thinking behind the C10 REEV is straightforward: keep the driving experience electric, but remove the pressure around range. Power is delivered by a rear-set electric motor producing 158 kW and 320 Nm, while a 1.5-litre petrol engine is used to generate electricity only when needed
For day-to-day use around town, the REEV can run for up to 145km on battery power alone. When the generator comes into play, total range can stretch to as much as 970km, which will appeal to drivers who travel longer distances regularly and don’t want to have to plan every journey around charging points.
“Range confidence is still one of the biggest considerations for South African buyers,” Janse van Rensburg adds. “The REEV approach gives customers the benefits of electric driving in daily use, while still allowing them to travel without having to plan every stop around a charger.”
Ownership considerations
The REEV’s charging options have been built to suit various usage patterns. Under ideal conditions and using DC fast-charging, the battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in about 30 minutes, or reach 50% in about 18 minutes.
The Leapmotor C10 REEV is available from R759 900 and is sold at Leapmotor dealerships nationwide with a five-year or 100 000km warranty and service plan.
As the 2026 Car of the Year programme progresses, the C10 REEV’s performance will continue to be assessed closely as an early mark of how emerging electric brands are being evaluated in the South African market.
