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Chinese maker Leapmotor tries its hand at a supermini-based compact electric crossover with this B03X. Can it offer more than just practicality and value?
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Detailed ratings
Compact Full Electric Cars
Background
It's probably fair to say that Leapmotor has yet to capture the hearts of European buyers. But it's fifth model for our continent, this B03X, is a small EV crossover that aims to pair practicality and value with a dash of added character. It's called the A10 in China, but (because Audi owns that badge elsewhere in the world) adopts its development codename (B03X) for Europe.
With so many recently launched Chinese car makers jostling for a slice of the UK market, it's ever more vital to stand out and so far, Leapmotor hasn't really done so. We'd expected that part-ownership by European conglomerates Stellantis (who also distribute the Leapmotor models through their dealerships) would have made this marque one of the most Western-feeling of the new wave of Chinese makers. But there wasn't much evidence of that in the company's first four models after its 2024 launch here.
With the B03X though, the designers and engineers have clearly sat down and thought carefully about what a European owner wanting a really compact electric crossover might need as a 'want one' factor. How successful have they been? Let's see.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 26995 | 26995 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 99 | 99 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 8.6 | 8.6 |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 237 | 237 |
| Length (mm) | 4270 | 4270 |
| Min | Max |
| Width (mm) | 1810 | 1810 |
| Height (mm) | 1635 | 1635 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 405 | 405 |
| Power (ps) | 197 | 197 |
| Torque (lb ft) | 200 | 200 |
Driving experience
Our market gets the bigger of the two batteries offered on this car in China, a 53kWh LFP pack offering a supposed range of 237 miles. It's bolted to Leapmotor's A platform (as used in the B03 supermini) and energises a front-mounted motor putting a not-insubstantial 197bhp through the front wheels.
Expect the low rolling resistance Yokohama BlueEarth GT tyres to occasionally struggle with the 200Nm of torque this generates and you'd be doing well to replicate the modest quoted 8.6s 0-62mph sprint time except in very dry conditions. Top speed is an irrelevant 99mph. The lifeless steering has attracted plenty of adverse comment, but likely customers for this car are unlikely to care much. After all, this isn't the model in this segment you'd choose if you really like your driving. The helm is as light in town as you'd want it to be and has three (rather pointless) settings - Normal, Sport or Comfort. There are three drive modes (Comfort, Standard and Sport). And three regenerative braking settings, including a dedicated 'one-pedal' mode.
There's nothing very sophisticated in terms of suspension - just a simple rear torsion beam arrangement. So despite the comfort-orientated set-up, don't expect a particularly absorbent low-speed ride. You could live with this but you might struggle a little more with the rather intrusive ADAS systems - there are no fewer than 17 of them, admonishing you with everything from a vibrating steering wheel to irritating bings and bonds. Realistically, you'd have to put aside time before each journey to delve into the centre screen menus and disable some of the features. Leapmotor really needs to work on this. And exercise its ties with Stellantis to create a slightly more driver-centric roadgoing experience.
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Design and build
If the idea with B03X was to switch to a more charismatic phase of Leapmotor design, there's not too much evidence of that at first glance. This small crossover happens to be a Leapmotor product, but it could just as easily also be a BYD, a Geely, a Changan or an Aion. It's supposed to be 'warm and approachable' but basically just looks Oriental. It's based on the brand's A platform, which it shares with the B03 supermini, and is 4270mm long but more notable for 1,635mm of height, taller than most rivals.
Roof rails and wheelarch cladding supply a crossover vibe and the three-dash LED headlights are similar to those used on the brand's larger B05 model. Curvy soft edges and flush door handles contribute to quite a slippery drag coefficient of 0.26Cd. As for the charisma bit, well the rear light signatures have happy face emojis in them (though you might merely think the graphic merely designates a yawn). There's also 'space invader'-like Leapmotor text along the flanks and bumpers.
You unlock the car with a card or a 'phone app. Then once inside, said card or 'phone must be placed on the wireless 'phone charger in order to be able to power up. The front-of-cabin experience is very Chinese (big centre screen, small narrow instrument display, button-less fascia). But light and airy thanks to the tall ceiling. And it's all quite nicely finished, with curved metal vents and soft artificial leather covering most of the surfaces you regularly interact with.
The required trendy touch comes with the pictures of 'Leapy' (Leapmotor mascot) dotted around the cabin. Of more interest to the likely younger targeted tech-savvy audience is the 14.6-inch 2.5K central display, which isn't as responsive as its Snapdragon chip software seems to promise. It incorporates an AI-powered voice assistant, but that isn't particularly intuitive. Still, this monitor has all the features you'd want and there are five device chargers around the interior, including the aforementioned 15W wireless 'phone charger. The front seats are quite comfortable but could do with more side support. And place you in front of a narrow 8.8-inch instrument display with the usual dangerously small Chinese fonts.
What might really sell you this car though. is the back seat experience it offers. Not only is there a lot more space than you'd expect from a small crossover but the rear seat bases are of the Honda 'Magic Seat' type that flip up so that tall items can be accommodated. There's loads of room for adults; a couple of six-footers could easily sit in comfort behind front seat occupants of the same stature.
There's loads of boot space too - 405-litres - and a large under-floor space of 105-litres, which is just as well because there's no under bonnet 'frunk'. The under-floor space is washable (ideal for muddy boots) and can be drained thanks to a removable plug.
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Market and model
There's a choice of two identically-engineered B03X models with either base 'Life' or plusher 'Design' levels of trim. Prices start from around £28,500, but don't benefit from a government Electric Car Grant. Which is why Leapmotor offers its own £1,500 'Leap-Grant' discount, so you'll be paying from around £26,500.
Both variants are well equipped. Even 'Life' spec offers 18-inch alloy wheels, LED auto headlights and roof bars. And indoors has auto air conditioning, an 8.8-inch instrument screen and a 14.6-inch central screen with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. The 'Design' version adds a 36-degree View camera, Eco-Leather upholstery, a 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heat for the front seats and steering wheel, an automatic folding rear view mirror, ambient lighting and an upgraded 12-speaker audio system.
As usual with Chinese cars - and particularly Leapmotors, there's a whole portfolio of ADAS features; 17 in this case. Including Front Collision Warning with Autonomous Emerging Braking and a Multi-Collision braking system, plus a Side collision monitor, Lane-Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning. There's also Lane-Centring Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Brake, Intelligent Speed Assist and Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning.
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Cost of ownership
DC charging speed was a failing of earlier Leapmotor models, but things have improved since and this one DC-charges at 133kW, which allows for a 10 to 80% top up in 21 minutes and a 30-80% charge in 16 minutes. At home, 7.4kW single-phase AC charging can be completed in 7 hours and 15 minutes, a time you could reduce to 5 hours 15 minutes with a three-phase 11kW AC supply. And there's support for V2L charging at up to 3.3kW though a 230V outlet. Via this, you could potentially charge things like laptops, e-bikes, mini fridges and e-scooters.
We gave you the EV range figure in our 'Driving' section - 237 miles. Quite a few testers though, have found themselves exceeding that with a 5.5mi/kWh efficiency figure that equates to over 300 miles of range. You should be able to get close to the advertised figure in winter conditions too thanks to the standard provision of a heat pump, a feature that's sometimes an expensive extra on cars in this class. The centre screen can deliver a neat read-out of your consumption, highlighting what proportion of energy has gone into driving ore powering either the air conditioning or auxiliary systems.
Leapmotor claims that the battery has an expected lifespan of more than 372,000 miles. There's a four year warranty (or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first). And the industry-usual eight year battery warranty. Maintenance should be straightforward thanks to the brand's network of UK Stellantis dealerships. Servicing is needed every year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.
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Summary
Leapmotor's advertising strapline for this B03X (the 'passion magnet') suggests that the brand thinks itself to be further ahead in introducing charisma to its products than is actually the case here. There are certainly more interestingly styled and more dynamically engaging cars than this in the over-stuffed segment for compact full-electric supermini-based crossovers.
But not many that can match this B03X for practicality. Or for value - the brand says it wants its customers to 'spend less on their car and more on life'. Plus it's efficient, well finished and very decently equipped.
For the future, Leapmotor needs to lean on its Stellantis connections to get a better handle on the way its European customers want their cars to look and drive. But little by little, products like this one show that the brand is gradually getting there.
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