Seeing this car, many people say it looks like a Golf, but in fact it is precisely targeting the ID.3 and focusing on individual sportiness. In the domestic market, being brave enough to make a hatchback and focus on sportiness really requires courage.
Facts have proven that hatchbacks can still succeed in today's market, such as the MG4, which, with its balanced product strength and high cost-effectiveness, has become a "hit" in the compact segment. So can this Leapmotor Lafa5 set off another explosion?
First of all, this car has indeed put a lot of thought into creating a sporty and fashionable feel, such as 225 front and 235 rear tires with a narrower front and wider rear, as well as frameless doors and a flush B-pillar, all of which are designs used on higher-level models. Importantly, it also adopts a 50:50 front-to-rear axle load ratio, which sounds very "pure."
The ambience of the cabin is also quite well executed, especially the Racing Gray interior, where large areas of microfiber suede-like material convey a strong sense of sportiness and indeed give it a hot hatch vibe, though it would be even better if the steering wheel were a three-spoke design.
In terms of intelligent features, it comes standard with a 14.6-inch 2.5K screen, with two chip options, the 8155 and 8295, paired with the Leapmotor OS system. Overall ease of use and practicality are very good, especially the Leapmotor space, which is highly playable, similar to Apple's Shortcuts.
In other details, the front passenger side gets Leapmotor's quite representative docking station design, which is a stroke of genius, as rich expansion accessories can be obtained through official or third-party sources, making it very practical.
Space and comfort also perform well. The space is sufficient, the front seats can lie flat, the rear floor is completely flat, and the center armrest has a suction cup position, while there is also a tissue box under the front armrest, showing a good understanding of family usage scenarios. The only issue is that the trunk space is not ideal due to structural constraints.
In terms of power, the entry-level version's 132kW motor has nothing particularly impressive, and considering the configuration, I personally do not recommend buying it. Other versions are equipped with a 160kW motor, and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.4s is completely sufficient, with a strong sense of smooth power delivery, making it very easy to drive.
Importantly, this car understands the needs of young people and provides a launch mode to enhance playability. Although it does not feel especially ferocious, it is still fun to play with occasionally.
Handling performs well. After all, with the participation of a European team, the overall feel has a European flavor. The vehicle's tracking is very good, and the suspension also shows a supple texture. However, the factory tires do not perform well in controlling tire noise and fine vibrations, so switching to Michelin is recommended.
There are a total of 5 configurations. First of all, rule out the entry-level version, as the experience is not good. The key recommendation is the 515Pro version, which has the best cost-effectiveness, and its range is completely sufficient in the city. If you care about driver assistance, you can go straight for the top trim.
In the second quarter of next year, this car will also launch a sportier Ultra version, which is about carrying sportiness through to the end. This approach is clearly targeting the Golf playbook. As an EV of the new era, this Lafa5 shows the stance a premium small car should have, especially its emphasis on individual sportiness, which is not easy.
I am looking forward to this car further strengthening its electric powertrain in the future, whether in terms of performance or quality, so that it can deliver a more premium overall experience. By then, it may take another step closer to becoming the Chinese version of the electric Golf. What do you think?
