Leapmotor D19: Stellantis’s Secret Weapon – A 7-Seat EV Beast with RAV4 Cash and X7 Ambitions
You ever spot a car concept that makes you do a double-take, thinking, “Wait, that’s priced like my daily commuter but packs premium punch?” The Leapmotor D19 is that unicorn – a sprawling 7-seater SUV from the Stellantis-Leapmotor joint venture that’s gunning for BMW X7 and Mercedes-Maybach GLS thrones, all while wearing a Toyota RAV4 sticker. I first clocked whispers of this at a Shanghai auto eve, and the October 16, 2025, global launch has me hooked: Over 1,300 km range in extender mode, brains like a tech giant, and a sub-$42K tag that could flip the script on luxury EVs. As a gearhead who’s chased Chinese upstarts from BYD to Nio, Leapmotor’s play feels like the real disruptor – let’s crack open the specs and see why it’s set to storm showrooms.
Leapmotor D19 2025
Size, Style, and Swagger: X7 Rival with Chinese Flair
At around 5.2 meters long, the D19 isn’t messing around – it’s a three-row behemoth with room for seven in quilted luxury, sliding second-row captains, and a 500+ liter boot that folds flat for 2,000 liters of haul. The look? Chrome window surrounds frame a sleek greenhouse, while slim DRLs up front and a full-width LED bar aft scream sophistication – think European polish with Asian edge, like a stretched Geely M9 but sharper.
The Stellantis tie-in shines in the details: Robust bumpers for light off-road nibbles, 20-inch alloys, and a panoramic roof that floods the cabin. It’s not just big; it’s bold – Himalayan-inspired accents nod to global appeal, positioning it as the family hauler that turns heads at valet lines. Weight? Under 2,500 kg, keeping it nimble despite the seats.
Leapmotor D19 2025
Powertrain Magic: 630 km BEV or 1,300 km Extender – Pick Your Poison
Leapmotor’s not skimping on the green stuff – the D19 rolls in pure BEV or range-extender flavors. The electric-only? A 100 kWh pack (est.) for >630 km CLTC range, dual motors pushing 500+ hp for 0-100 km/h in ~5 seconds, with AWD grip and 200 kW DC charging (10-80% in 25 min). It’s efficient urban cruiser material, sipping ~15 kWh/100 km.
The extender steals the show: A 1.5L turbo three-cylinder (150 hp) as a generator for the battery, stretching to 1,300 km combined – gas for highways, electric for cities. Torque? 600 Nm instant from the e-motors, blending seamless shove with 50+ mpg equivalent. It’s like a Prius on steroids – no range fright, just endless legs for road trips. Top speed 200 km/h, 0-100 in 6s – practical power without the plug hunt.
Tech Overload: Snapdragon Brains and LiDAR Eyes
Inside, it’s a digital den: Dual Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chips (that’s next-gen 8 Gen 3 level) juggle a 15-inch driver display, 17-inch central touchscreen, and passenger-side unit for Netflix during drives. Google/Android Auto baked in, OTA updates, and AR nav projecting turns on the windshield – it’s Nio ET7 smart without the subscription nag.
ADAS? Roof-mounted LiDAR scans 500m ahead for highway pilot, plus 360 cams and adaptive cruise that reads traffic like a pro. Seats? Ventilated Nappa with massage, ambient lights syncing to tunes. Cargo? Power tailgate, underfloor bins – family fortress with supercar smarts.
Leapmotor D19 2025
Leapmotor D19 2025
Pricing Power Play: RAV4 Rivals at Half the X7 Cost
The kicker? ¥250,000-¥300,000 (~$35K-$42K) start – smack in Toyota RAV4 territory (US $30K), but with X7 space and Maybach luxe. Stellantis’s JV magic keeps costs low via shared lines, undercutting Geely’s Galaxy M9 by 20%. China launch October 16, 2025; India/Europe exports 2026 at ~€40K. It’s the value bomb: Premium without premium pain.
Why D19 Could Dominate: Stellantis’s Chinese Checkmate
Leapmotor’s no fly-by-night – backed by Stellantis since 2024, they’re blending French flair with Chinese scale for global conquest. The D19’s not just big; it’s bold – 1,300 km extender laughs at range anxiety, Snapdragon duo outthinks rivals, and that price? It flips the script on “luxury tax.” Vs X7’s $82K/300-mile limit, it’s a steal for globe-trotters.
If Leapmotor nails build quality (early buzz is strong), this could be the 7-seater that dethrones the normies. D19 dreams or RAV4 reality? Your call below – and if JV EVs intrigue, scout our BYD Seal U test. Horizons expand!
