The Leapmotor C16 is a mid-to-large intelligent six-seater SUV from Leapmotor, built on the brand's proprietary LEAP 3.0 modular architecture and positioned as an "all-scenario multi-purpose flagship". Marketed globally under the Leapmotor C16 nameplate, the vehicle is currently available exclusively in the Chinese domestic market, with no corresponding export version available in overseas markets yet. On 25 April 2024, the Leapmotor C16 made its public debut and commenced pre-orders at the Beijing Auto Show, before officially going on sale on 28 June. The initial model retailed from RM155,800 to RM185,800, offering both battery-electric (BEV) and range-extender (EREV) powertrains. On 18 June 2025, the 2026 Leapmotor C16 was officially launched across eight variants, with prices adjusted to RM151,800 – RM181,800. Packing over 70 upgrades and delivering more than RM25,000 in added value, it maintained the brand's signature pricing philosophy of "fully loaded without the premium price tag under RM200,000". The updated C16 is available in both "Champion 6-Seater" and "All-New 5-Seater" seating configurations, featuring roof-mounted LiDAR as standard across the entire range to bring flagship-level kit into the mainstream price bracket.
Dimension-wise, the Leapmotor C16 measures 4,915 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width, and 1,770 mm in height, with a generous 2,825 mm wheelbase. As the flagship offering of the LEAP 3.0 platform, it blends the expansive cabin practicality of an MPV with the bold stance of an SUV. Billed by Leapmotor as the pioneer of the MPSUV (Multi-Purpose Sport Utility Vehicle) category, it goes head-to-head against rivals like the Li L8 and BYD Tang DM-i in interior space, in-car technology, and overall value for money.
The Leapmotor C16 adopts the clean, minimalist family design language seen on the Leapmotor C10, defined by smooth contours that project a commanding, upscale road presence. The front end features a full-width LED daytime running light bar that mirrors the lower front intake, visually widening the vehicle's stance. The 2026 model gains upgraded flush pop-out electric door handles boasting 15 kg of ice-breaking force for dependable operation in sub-zero winter conditions, with full-width light bars fitted front and rear as standard across all variants. Around the back, an expansive rear windscreen, full-width taillight cluster, and sleek brand badging enhance visual recognition, complemented by sculpted bumper details for an upright, squared-off finish. Six exterior paint finishes are on offer: Starlight Silver, Starry Purple, Canopy Grey, Pearl White, Metallic Black, and Glazed Emerald.
Step inside, and the C16 mirrors the clean horizontal architecture of the Leapmotor C10. The dashboard of the 2026 model houses a 14.6-inch 2.5K floating central touchscreen alongside a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster. Nappa leather upholstery and a 21-speaker PSS-branded 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos surround sound system now come standard across the entire 2026 range, noticeably elevating the cabin's premium ambiance. Cabin upholstery choices include "Chizhen Orange" and "Xingyuan Purple", with the previous "Malt Beige" dropped in favour of a more youthful, vibrant interior look.
The Leapmotor C16 is available with two distinct powertrain options—pure electric (BEV) and range-extender (EREV)—to cater to diverse driving needs.
The pure electric (BEV) version comes standard with a full-domain 800V Silicon Carbide (SiC) high-voltage platform underpinned by CTC 2.0 (Cell-to-Chassis) battery-body integration technology. Powered by a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor (rear-wheel drive), the 2026 model delivers 220 kW (299 PS) and 360 Nm of torque, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.37 to 6.48 seconds with zero performance fade over 15 consecutive full-throttle acceleration runs. Battery options include a 67.7 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack and an 81.9 kWh battery, providing CLTC operating ranges of 520 km and 630 km, respectively. Thanks to the 800V electrical architecture, the larger 81.9 kWh variant can be DC fast-charged from 30% to 80% state of charge in just 18 minutes, matching top-tier industry charging speeds.
The range-extender (EREV) version employs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol range extender (replacing the earlier 1.2T three-cylinder unit) paired with an electric drive motor churning out 170 kW (231 PS). The 2026 model features an enlarged 38.7 kWh battery, bumping its CLTC pure electric range up by 80 km to 280 km; total combined driving range with a full fuel tank and full charge reaches 1,150 km, while depleted-battery fuel consumption stands at 5.4 L/100 km on standard RON 92 petrol. When plugged into a DC fast charger, a 30% to 80% top-up takes just 19 minutes, ensuring minimal downtime on interstate road trips.
Behind the wheel, the pure electric model delivers seamless, progressive power delivery with ample reserves for overtaking; meanwhile, the range-extender variant offers refined, gentle low-speed take-offs, allowing for zero-emissions city commuting while eliminating range anxiety on long-distance highway cruises.
Suspension duties are handled by a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent setup, paired with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) drivetrain. For the 2026 model year, FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) variable damping shock absorbers are fitted as standard across all variants, effortlessly soaking up road imperfections to enhance ride quality while providing taut body control and minimal body roll through continuous bends. The CTC 2.0 battery-chassis integration embeds the battery pack directly into the floor structure, lowering the vehicle's centre of gravity and boosting high-speed cruising stability. Drivers can toggle between three driving modes: Relaxed, Sport, and Custom. Relaxed mode delivers smooth, progressive throttle response, whereas Sport mode sharpens pedal mapping for a more spirited drive. With light, precise steering and a chassis tuned predominantly for pliant ride comfort, the C16 strikes a well-judged balance between relaxed long-haul cruising for passengers and effortless control for the driver.
The Leapmotor C16's digital cockpit is driven by the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon SA8295P chipset, running on the upgraded Leapmotor OS 4.0 Plus operating system for ultra-responsive touch inputs and seamless user interaction. Standard across all trims are a 14.6-inch 2.5K floating central infotainment screen, a 10.25-inch digital driver display, and a 15.6-inch fold-down rear ceiling entertainment monitor with cross-screen sharing, supporting popular streaming apps such as iQIYI, WeSing, and NetEase Cloud Music. The centre console features practical amenities including a wireless smartphone charging pad, twin cupholders, and an onboard heating/cooling compartment (chilling down to -6°C and warming up to 50°C). Audiophiles will appreciate the 21-speaker PSS sound system supporting 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos, which works in tandem with a dedicated Dolby media hub to deliver a concert-hall-grade audio experience.
The voice assistant integrates dual AI large language models from DeepSeek and Tongyi Qianwen, supporting multi-turn continuous conversation, dialect comprehension, and multi-modal command execution with lightning-fast response times. The cabin also includes a PM2.5 air purifier and an Air Quality System (AQS). In terms of seating, Nappa leather is standard across the board, with front seats boasting heating, ventilation, and 10-point massage functions. Six-seater variants feature second-row individual captain chairs with power adjustment, lateral sliding, and up to a 155-degree backrest recline; the third row uses a stadium-style tiered layout to maximise passenger headroom and legroom. Five-seater models feature one-touch power-folding rear seats that fold completely flat to form a near-two-metre bed. Practical storage abounds; even with all six seats occupied, the boot accommodates two 24-inch suitcases plus multiple backpacks, expanding to a massive 1,200 litres with the rear seats folded down.
The Leapmotor C16 is constructed around a robust safety cell utilising submarine-grade hot-formed steel with tensile strength up to 2,000 MPa in critical structural areas. Combined with the CTC 2.0 battery-body integrated architecture, the vehicle boasts an exceptional torsional rigidity of 38,396 Nm/deg, leading its segment. It achieved top-tier "Good" (G) ratings across all three core safety categories in the authoritative C-IASI crash test assessments, underscoring its solid passive safety credentials. Six airbags, including full-length side curtain airbags, come standard on all models. For battery safety, the pack meets stringent standards guaranteeing zero fire occurrence over 48 hours of thermal runaway, validated through over 30 extreme destructive tests including crush, direct fire exposure, and water submersion; the system is continuously monitored by an AI BMS intelligent battery management system linked to Leapmotor's cloud telematics. Furthermore, the seat upholstery uses baby-safe silicone materials, which alongside the AQS air management system, create an eco-friendly, family-healthy cabin.
On the active safety front, the 2026 Leapmotor C16 comes standard with roof-mounted LiDAR across the entire lineup. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8650 ADAS processor boasting 200 TOPS of computing power, the system leverages a suite of 28 perception sensors—including a 128-line LiDAR unit, HD cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and millimetre-wave radars—to enable Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The ADAS suite includes 27 driver-assist features such as Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Navigation Assist Pilot on highway (NAP), Navigation Assist Cruise in city (NAC), Auto Ramp Entry/Exit, Active Lane Change Assist, Automated Parking Assist, Lane Centring Control (LCC), and Memory Parking. On the move, the Highway Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) delivers reassuring, seamless performance, executing automated lane changes and overtaking well ahead of highway exits with smooth, natural lane centering. A 360-degree surround-view monitor with a transparent underfloor display is fitted as standard, simplifying navigation through tight urban alleyways and tricky parking spots.
The Leapmotor C16 has enjoyed strong commercial success since its debut. Bookings surpassed 10,000 units within the first month of launch, establishing it as a benchmark contender in the sub-RM200,000 new energy six-seater SUV market. Throughout 2025, the C16 racked up 78,060 units in annual deliveries, commanding a dominant 70% market share in the sub-RM200,000 mid-to-large six-seater SUV segment—amounting to roughly seven out of every ten six-seater SUVs sold in its class. By October 2025, cumulative deliveries exceeded 100,000 units, holding the top sales spot among mid-to-large SUVs priced under RM200,000 for 14 consecutive months. Heading into 2026, monthly sales normalised to around 2,300 units as the initial launch surge subsided and competition in the segment intensified. Nevertheless, Leapmotor's total group deliveries crossed 50,000 units in Q1 2026, consolidating its position at the forefront of China's emerging EV start-ups alongside record export numbers, with the C16 serving as a core sales pillar.
In terms of ownership feedback, drivers have widely praised the Leapmotor C16 for its cavernous cabin space, robust powertrain, low running costs, pliant ride, and generous standard equipment. Key highlights frequently cited by owners include: genuine three-row practicality (with ample headroom for a 178 cm adult in the third row and supportive 500 mm seat cushions); the rapid charging capability of the 800V platform on long family road trips; and the EREV variant's 1,100+ km combined range that completely banishes range anxiety. On the flip side, some owners have noted noticeable air conditioning compressor operating noise, reduced pure electric driving range during cold winter months, and occasional delays with OTA software updates. Taken as a whole, by combining an 800V architecture, LiDAR technology under RM220,000, supple Nappa leather seats, and a 15.6-inch rear entertainment display, the Leapmotor C16 presents a uniquely compelling value package in the sub-RM200,000 family SUV segment, effectively executing Leapmotor's core brand promise of democratising high-end vehicle technologies for mainstream buyers.
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