Leapmotor did something unexpected. On July 17, 22026 they pulled back the curtain on the cabin of the upcoming A05S hatchback.
It’s compact. It’s electric. And it apparently comes standard with LiDAR.
This is a significant shift for a car in this segment. The presence of advanced sensor hardware suggests Leapmotor is aiming high on driver assistance features for what should be a budget-friendly vehicle. Regulatory filings exposed this project way back in March, but seeing the actual interior layout confirms their ambition.
Advanced Tech in a Compact Package
Here’s why this interior matters for your daily commute. The cabin isn’t just sparse metal and plastic.
“The A05S features LiDAR technology, expected to enable urban Navigate on Autopilot.”
Leapmotor equipped this hatchback with hardware that typically resides in much pricier sedans and SUVs. That means urban NAP. Highway pilot assist. Memory parking. These aren’t just marketing buzzwords; they are active features powered by that external LiDAR unit.
The driver sits in front of a full LCD instrument cluster and a floating center console screen. The steering wheel? Two spokes. Multifunction buttons, sure, but visually, it keeps the cabin feeling light.
Practicality is there, too.
A wireless charging pad sits on the floating console. Next to it? Vertical dual cup holders. You know how hard it is to fit tall bottles in those shallow trays? This design solves that.
Design Details and Ambiance
Ambient lighting runs through the cabin. It adds a bit of life after dark. Rear passengers get a center armrest, which is a nice touch for a sub-four-meter car.
Even the headrests aren’t ignored. Leapmotor stitched exclusive logo embroidery on both front and rear seats. Small detail, yes. But it signals that this isn’t an afterthought model.
Exterior Styling and Dimensions
The outside follows family language, clearly linking it to the successful A10 SUV. But make no mistake—this is a hatchback, not an SUV.
Closed-off grille at the front. Styled headlights flanking it. The hood has raised lines, adding a bit of aggression where there shouldn’t be any.
Look at the side profile and you’ll see:
* Semi-hidden door handles (good for aerodynamics).
* Dual-tone five-spoke wheels.
* Two-tone paint finish.
Rear styling mimics the A10 exactly. Those “smiley face” taillight signatures. Distinctive. Immediately recognizable.
Dimensions confirm its city-car status:
* Length: 4200mm
* Width: 1800mm
* Height: 1560mm
* Wheelbase: 2605mm
Performance and Range Options
What powers this thing? Leapmotor offered two motor configurations based on earlier declarations.
Entry level gets a 70 kW motor. That’s roughly 94 horsepower. Paired with a 39.8 kWh battery. Expected range sits around 405km.
Upgrade to the 90 kW motor (121 hp). Battery size jumps to 53 kWh. Range extends to 510km.
For most city drivers, the extra range isn’t about going to another city. It’s about not worrying about charging after a grocery run or a commute home.
The Price Gap and Market Context
This is where things get interesting for consumers. The A10 SUV launched in March and absolutely crushed expectations. By May, it ranked fourth in Chinese EV sales charts.
But the A5S hatchback? It’s going to be cheaper.
Analysts at CarNewsChina estimate a price gap of at least $500 compared to the A10. Given that the A10 is already priced for volume, this makes the A5S extremely attractive for entry-level buyers who want advanced tech without the SUV footprint.
The A10 was launched as a Geely Staria (Xingyuan) killer. It’s doing better than expected.
In June alone, the A10 sold 24,865 units. An 11.5 month-over-month increase.
Meanwhile, the Xingyuan moved 33,35 units in the same month. The gap is closing. Fast
