Leapmotor new car: Spend the money for a RAV 4 to get a car as big as a Land Cruiser

[PCauto] For the consumer in search of a full-size SUV that meets every need of family life yet is unwilling to cover steep brand premiums, the soon-to-arrive Leapmotor D19 may be an option worth considering. This all-electric flagship brings the dimensions and spaciousness of a Toyota Land Cruiser within the budget of a Toyota RAV4.

D19 is Leapmotor's First Full-Size Flagship

The D19 is the first flagship model built on Leapmotor's D platform. From its inception, it has targeted models like Li Auto L9 and AITO M9 in the Chinese market. Leapmotor continues its low-price strategy, offering this model at justhalf the price of these competitors—equivalent to the cost of a RAV4.

The new model is scheduled for a global debut on October 16, 2025, and mass production with deliveries is planned for the first quarter of 2026. By then,it will  mount a formal challenge to the "price barrier" in the premium new energy SUV market.

As a Chinese brand partially owned by Stellantis Group, Leapmotor's confidence stems from its rapidly growing sales. From January to August this year, Leapmotor sold a total of 328,900 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 136.43%, with an annual sales target set at 500,000 to 600,000 units.

This economy of scale allows it to leverage full-domain in-house R&D to reduce costs, thereby keeping the price of its flagship models within an "affordable range for family users."

Although highly cost-effective, the Leapmotor D19 still offers sufficient luxurious design

Building upon Leapmotor's established design lineage, the D19 introduces more pronounced luxury elements. The front end boasts a sealed grille, a penetrating LED light signature, and a split-headlamp setup that together create a unique and recognizable identity.

A LiDAR unit perched on the roof announces its high-level intelligent driving credentials, complemented by flush door handles and 21-inch rims (drawing inspiration from Maybach) that enhance its sophisticated command presence.

The through-type taillights further widen the visual stance, and the overall design retains the futuristic feel of an electric vehicle while integrating the steady presence of a traditional luxury SUV.  

The truly impressive aspect is the D19's dimensions: a length exceeding 5.2 meters and a wheelbase reaching 3.1 meters, surpassing the Toyota Land Cruiser (length 5170mm, wheelbase 2850mm). While the two vehicles serve different purposes, this comparison underscores the compelling value proposition of the Leapmotor D19.

In terms of space performance, the D19 offers 6-seat (2+2+2) or 7-seat (2+3+2) layouts. For a passenger with a height of 1.8m, the third row still provides approximately three fingers' worth of headroom, far exceeding the third row of the Land Cruiser.

The trunk has a standard capacity of 840L, which can be expanded to 2100L by folding down the third row, enough to hold all the luggage for a family trip.

According to Leapmotor's designers: "The space in the D19 is designed for families—the third row is not exclusive to children but can accommodate adults up to 1.8m tall; the trunk is not just for two suitcases but can also fit a stroller, camping gear, or even a small bicycle."

The D19 will offer both EREV and BEV options

The range-extended version of the D19 is equipped with a 1.5T four-cylinder engine with a thermal efficiency of 40%, offering a CLTC pure electric range of 200 kilometers and a total range exceeding 1300 kilometers, supporting either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The pure electric version adopts an 800V high-voltage platform, enabling 480kW ultra-fast charging—a rate that adds 300 kilometers of range in 10 minutes, significantly outpacing conventional charging speeds.It offers a CLTC range of 630 kilometers and adopts CTC 2.0 battery integration technology, which directly integrates the battery into the chassis frame, improving space utilization and enhancing body rigidity.

In terms of chassis tuning, the D19 uses a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link suspension system. The pure electric version comes standard with air suspension and CDC damping adjustment, which can automatically adjust the suspension stiffness based on road conditions—soft when passing speed bumps, and providing strong support during high-speed cornering. With a minimum turning radius of 5.8 meters, even with its full-size body, it can make agile U-turns in narrow residential areas.

Smart technology is another core competitive advantage of the D19

Inside the cabin, a 15.4-inch floating central control screen and a 10.25-inch co-pilot screen come as standard. The rear row has reserved interfaces for six-way electrically adjustable heated seats and a retractable entertainment screen. Combined with a 16-speaker Dolby Atmos surround sound system, even long journeys allow rear passengers to enjoy a cinematic experience.

It is equipped with Qualcomm dual 8797 chips (QAM8797P), with the two chips separately responsible for the intelligent cockpit and driving assistance system. The total computing power reaches 640 TOPS, supporting deep integration between the cockpit and smart driving. For example, it can automatically adjust the air conditioner temperature while navigating or remind the front passenger to switch music when detecting driver fatigue.

As for smart driving hardware, the D19 features a combination of LiDAR, 5 millimeter-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. The system achieves L3-level autonomy under specific conditions, enabling functions like automated lane changes and intersection navigation, though these capabilities are pending regulatory approval in target markets.

Offers a Land Cruiser-sized body at the price of a RAV4

The D19's pricing strategy essentially redefines luxury based on the needs of family users. By prioritizing practicality over superficial luxury, the D19 delivers class-leading cabin space (e.g., 3.1m wheelbase vs. 2.85m for the Land Cruiser) and extended range (up to 1,300km total), while integrating advanced cabin intelligence.

Priced between $35,000 and $42,000 globally, the D19 undercuts premium rivals like the Li Auto L9 while offering higher-value features than the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid ($30,000), including 800V fast charging and air suspension.

Leapmotor D19 will be launched globally on October 16

Currently, the interior details of the D19 (such as material selection and seat comfort) and final pricing still need to wait for the announcement at the October 16 launch event.

From the information that has been revealed so far, it already has the strength to challenge the high-end SUV market. With its full-size space, advanced intelligent driving, friendly pricing, and Leapmotor's fully in-house developed technology, the D19 might truly become the option that lets you 'spend RAV4 money to get a Land Cruiser.'