The Leapmotor D19 is not just another electric SUV. It is China's answer to the question no one dared to ask: what if you combined the power of a supercar, the luxury of a sedan, and an oxygen generator for high-altitude adventures? With a length of over 5 meters, a range of 720 km, and acceleration that would put many a race car to shame, the D19 promises to be a revolution. Is this the future or just another bold Chinese fairy tale? Let's step on the gas and find out!
Founded in 2015, Leapmotor has taken a step that cannot be overlooked with the Leapmotor D19. Built on the new D platform, this six-seat SUV is not just a vehicle – it is a statement. It will be available in two versions: pure electric (EV) and extended range electric (EREV), which promise a combination of performance, space and flexibility. But patience will be needed – first deliveries are scheduled for first half of 2026, and the target price is around €35,900 (RMB300,000), which is ridiculously cheap for such specifications. Can it also come to Europe?
Design: Giant with elegance
The Leapmotor D19 is a real monster in dimensions: 5.2m long, almost 2 m wide and with wheelbase over 3.1 m. This is an SUV that you don't park in tight parking spaces – you erect it as a monument. Its design follows the philosophy of “Technology Natural Aesthetics 2.0”: clean lines, an aerodynamic silhouette and lighting elements that look like they came out of science fiction. At the front, three-stage LED headlights, which can project images onto the road, and behind 1,958 mm wide LED light strip with 11,025 diodes – as if they were hanging a laser show behind it.
Standing on the roof LiDAR sensor, which heralds advanced assistance systems, and a smart grille that opens or closes based on temperature and air resistance. It's available in five colors: green, white, silver, gray and black. The interior? Luxurious, airy, with leather seats and a 14.6-inch touchscreen that is the heart of the digital cockpit. “This is not a car, this is a living room on wheels,” Clarkson might say before sitting down and turning on the seat massage.
Performance: When an SUV is ahead of its time
Pure electric D19 is a real electric beast. With 1000-volt architecture and 115 kWh battery reaches 720 km range (according to CLTC standard). Driven by 540 kW (724 hp) and with an unknown but certainly enormous torque, it accelerates this giant from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3 seconds – a speed that would put most supercars to shame. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), which is absurd for a six-seat SUV. Fast charging? In 15 minutes adds 350 km range, meaning your coffee at the gas station will remain intact.
EREV version is a bit more down to earth, but still impressive. With 800-volt platform, 400 kW (536 hp) and 80.3 kWh battery – the largest in an extended-range EV – offers 500 km of pure electric range. Acceleration to 100 km/h lasts under 5 seconds, with the petrol engine acting only as a generator to eliminate the fear of a dead battery. Both versions use CATL's innovative battery, which combines lithium-iron-phosphate and ternary lithium materials - a technology that is a world first.
Technology: Smarter than the average driver
D19 is a technological fortress. Double Qualcomm Snapdragon 8797 chips with 1280 TOPS of computing power powered by the smart cockpit and advanced assistance systems. The system L2+ It includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic parking that actually works. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and OTA updates are standard.
And then there's more industrial first time: built-in oxygen generator, which produces 8 liters of oxygen per minuteIt is intended for trips to high mountain areas, such as Tibet, where the air becomes thin. “Who needs Viagra when you have D19, which literally gives you oxygen?” Clarkson would joke. This feature is not just a marketing gimmick – it's a solution to a real need that the competition hasn't thought of yet.
Interior: Luxury for six adventurers
Inside the D19, there's room for six passengers to sit in luxurious comfort. The materials are surprisingly high-quality, and a touchscreen dominates the dashboard. There's ample legroom and headroom, meaning even adults in the back will feel first class. The sound system is solid, though it doesn't rival premium brands, and ambient lighting adds to the luxurious atmosphere.
Price and Value: Where's the Catch?
For around €35,900 (RMB300,000) Leapmotor promises an SUV that exceeds expectations. That's a price that would quickly rise to around 65,000 euros in Europe with taxes, but in the Chinese market the D19 is a direct threat to competitors such as Li Auto L9 and AITO M9. The catch? Leapmotor is still building its global service network, but the partnership with Stellantis suggests that the D19 could soon hit western roads.
Conclusion: A game-changing SUV
is proof that China is no longer just a follower – it is a leader. With a range of 720 km, acceleration under 3 seconds and an oxygen generator that would save many a mountaineer, the D19 is not just a car, but a technological statement. A pure EV is a dream for speed lovers, and the EREV is the solution for those who want to travel carefree. Add to that a luxurious interior and a price that is half that of European competitors, and you have a vehicle that could shake up the market.
Of course, Leapmotor doesn't yet have the reputation of a BMW or Tesla, and the question is how it will fare outside of China. But if the specs are true, the D19 is a threat not to be underestimated. “The Chinese have arrived, and this time they are not asking for permission,” Clarkson would say before he hit the gas and disappeared into the sunset. The future is electric – and he apparently speaks Mandarin.
