Leapmotor B10 vs Jaecoo 7: Which Chinese SUV is right for you?

Both cars undercut mainstream rivals by several thousand pounds while offering equipment levels normally found in the class above. The B10 is a single-trim pure EV priced at £29,995 including Leapmotor's £1,500 incentive. The Jaecoo 7 starts at £28,995 for petrol, rising to £35,065 for the PHEV. At the entry level, the Jaecoo undercuts the B10 by roughly £1,000.

The fundamental difference is powertrain. The B10 is a pure EV with a 67.1 kWh battery delivering 270 miles WLTP range and 160 kW motor. The Jaecoo 7 offers a 1.6-litre petrol or a 1.5-litre PHEV with around 56 miles electric range. The B10 is instant, quiet and smooth; the Jaecoo petrol is noisier and less economical, while the PHEV offers short EV capability with petrol backup.

Both prioritise comfort over sportiness. The B10 excels in urban environments with smooth motor response and excellent ride comfort, though it feels unsettled on twisty roads. The Jaecoo 7 has light steering and a tight turning circle for town driving, but reviewers note a firm ride and intrusive safety systems. The B10 is quieter on motorways; the Jaecoo petrol engine is noisy under acceleration.

Both hold 5-star Euro NCAP ratings, but the B10 scores slightly higher across the board (93% adult, 93% child vs 81% adult, 80% child for Jaecoo). The Jaecoo 7 had a recall in March 2026 affecting 7,300 petrol models due to an ECU wiring harness issue. No recalls have been issued for the B10 in the UK.

The B10 wins on running costs for high-mileage drivers: home charging costs around £8-10 for a full charge, versus £70-80 for a petrol tank. Company car drivers benefit from the B10's 2% BiK rate (2026/27). The Jaecoo PHEV offers low BiK tax and can cover short journeys on electricity, but the petrol version faces standard petrol tax rates. Both qualify for £0 first-year road tax in their purest forms.

Jaecoo is backed by Chery, China's #1 private car exporter for 23 consecutive years with 2.81 million global sales in 2025. Leapmotor is a newer startup but showed strong growth (596,555 sales in 2025, +103% YoY) and secured investment from Stellantis and Chinese state-owned FAW. Chinese owner data shows both brands have mid-pack reliability, with software issues being the most common complaint rather than mechanical failures.

Both rely heavily on touchscreens, but with different frustrations. The B10's 14.6-inch screen controls almost everything including mirrors and climate, with confusing menus and poor voice control. The Jaecoo 7 has a 13.2- or 14.8-inch screen but lacks a physical volume knob and suffers from an overly sensitive driver awareness sensor. Both promise Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Choose the Leapmotor B10 if you want a pure EV with minimal running costs, excellent ride comfort and the lowest company car tax. It's ideal for urban driving and motorway cruising, though not for enthusiastic drivers. Choose the Jaecoo 7 if you need towing capability (1,500 kg vs none for the B10), prefer a traditional fuel backup, or want established dealer backing through Chery's European network. The petrol Jaecoo is cheaper upfront but costs more to run; the PHEV offers a middle ground at a higher price point.