2026 has turned into the year of the small EV and Leapmotor is the latest to launch a new electric supermini with the Leapmotor B03.

It’s accompanied by the recently launched B03X crossover in the B-segment class and promises to shake things up in the expanding sector. You’ll hear buzzwords from Leapmotor such as “smart and agile”, “dynamic design” and “advanced intelligent technologies” which may all be true, but what this represents is more choice in the small hatchback class, but more importantly, it targets a demographic looking for affordability and its these very cars that will help accelerate the advent of electric mobility to the masses.

Leapmotor has tried to tick all the Top Trump winning points, too, with “segment-leading interior space, flexible seating configurations, innovative storage solutions, and a modular boot design that adapts seamlessly to modern lifestyles.”

However, what makes Leapmotor stand apart from its Stellantis half-siblings is the use of Leapmotor’s state-of-the-art Cell-to-Chassis architecture, something that is severely lacking from Stellantis, but it empowers Leapmotor with an enormous advantage. More on that below.

Battery, Range and Charging

Using a 53kWh LFP battery the B03 is good for up to 242 miles (WLTP) of range, which doesn’t come across as that competitive compared to the all-new Hyundai IONIQ 3 and its 308 miles of range from a larger 61 kWh battery pack.
However, the LFP cells provide one advantage and that is that is should be regularly charged to 100% meaning the full range of the battery is available at the start of each journey (following a charge). And with the Hyundai starting at £18,995 for the less rangey versions, and £21,995 for the leggy version, Leapmotor has a challenge on its hands to compete.

DC rapid charging peaks at 133 kW taking just 21 minutes to go from 10-80% state-of-charge, and that is very competitive even among larger and more expensive cars. Charging from 30% to 80% takes just 16 minutes which might reflect a more typical journey. That’s just enough time for a comfort break and to grab a take-away coffee, or tea.

The B03 is also fitted with V2L (Vehicle-To-Load) bi-directional charging capabilities, featuring a 230V output, which allows users to charge or power devices, tools and even small appliances.

Cell-to-Chassis

Cell-to-Chassis architecture delivers outstanding interior space unrestricted by combustion architecture by integrating the battery into the B03’s structure.
This also creates an extremely strong and safe structure.

Power and Efficiency

The B03 is no slouch with 194hp and 200 Nm of torque from its front-mounted electric motor. And that translates to a sprint from 0-62mph in just 7.6 seconds making for an entertaining and spirited drive, if that’s your thing. But it demonstrates that small doesn’t have to mean slow. This is a brisk car.

What is remarkable is Leapmotor’s no-compromise approach to its powertrain. Too often superminis can be fettled for fuel economy at the expense of gathering momentum, swiftly making for a more pedestrian drive. The flip side is that fast cars traditionally trade-off efficiency. However, Leapmotor has found the magic sauce to have the best of both worlds, as WLTP efficiency is around 4.56 miles per kWh, which is on par with Audi’s super-efficient, yet expensive new A2 e-tron, whilst its performance remains respectible.

Size and Practicality

The B-segment hatchback class is being tested and stretched to its limits as Leapmotor’s latest offering measures in at 4,175 mm in length, which is 253 mm longer than a Renault 5 E-Tech, and this is blurring the boundaries between B and C-segments. Take - for example - the Renault Megane E-Tech which is a C-segment hatchback and is just 24 mm longer than the Leapmotor B03 in the B-Segment.

However, that additional length does add much needed space in the car which is lacking in the back of the Renault.

And that shows in the wheelbase which is 2,605mm measuring 65 mm more than the beautifully designed Renault 5 E-tech.

There’s also a very generous, and class leading 405 litres of boot space, with a further 90 litres beneath the boot floor, called the Leap Box. Fold the rear bench flat and that storage extends to a useful 1,305 litres.

The boot floor also accommodates three, adjustable height levels to add another layer of practicality.

But that practicality doesn’t end there as Leapmotor copies the flexible seating offered in small Honda’s which it refers to as Smart Space.

Here’s a few features that Smart Space offers:

Fold-flat front passenger seat. Oversized equipment can be loaded without disassembly.
Driver seatback reclines up to 149°, creating a more relaxed space when taking a break.
‘LeapFlex’ rear seat base that can be flipped up, freeing up 578mm of extra vertical space that’s ideal for items such as bicycles or taller items.
Rear seatbacks fold flush with the floor

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems & Safety

As standard, the B03 features 21 driver assistance systems and it even supports Level-2 semi-autonomous driving.

With a suite of 14 sensors and cameras, these systems offer eyes and beyond-eyes capability that continuously monitors the road for potential hazards including rear-end collisions, pedestrians and sudden lane changes of non-motor vehicles. On detecting an incoming hazard, it initiates warning alarms, braking and steering correction when needed. This is a very high-level safety feature that does not normally feature in superminis

Because of this active safety system, it also enables additional safety features such as selection of the features fitted as standard on every B03 includes:

Automatic Lane Change, Front Vehicle Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centring Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Front Collision Warning, Rear Collision Warning, Doors Open Warning, Hands Off Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Intelligent Speed Assist and Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning System.

Technology

Leapmotor has developed its own software rather than relying on Google or Apple and that can be both good and bad. Good that it’s more dynamic with greater flexibility opportunities to fettle with the UI and add new features and functions over time, but some may miss Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for its familiarity from car-to-car.

What Leapmotor offers is the LEAP OS 4.0 Plus infotainment system with fancy, 3D graphics and multi-application display capability, all captured within the 14.6-inch centrally mounted display.

It’s also run from Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8155 chip and this offers a “Flexible System Framework architecture” with the following features:

LEAP OS 4.0:

Proprietary Leapmotor operating system with smooth 3D interface and customisable environment
Familiar smartphone-like experience
Fast access to functions
Personalised look and feel
Highly reactive AI-enabled natural voice recognition system

Multi-Application Display:

Two applications displayed simultaneously on the central display
Less switching between menus
Easier access to navigation, media and vehicle information
More convenience during daily journeys

Leapmotor has also added everyday conveniences, including:

Guard Mode: The air conditioner will continue to operate for a short time after the user leaves and locks the vehicle, helping to maintain a relatively comfortable environment for any people or pets remaining inside.
Camping Mode: The air conditioner can remain active. If rain is detected, the windows can be closed automatically.
Cleaning Mode: Turning on the cleaning mode will turn off automatic locking when leaving the car, close the windows, tailgate, and switch air conditioning to internal circulation.

Trim Levels & Equipment

The B03 takes a no-nonsense approach offering a single, generously equipped trim level, and that means every car gets 17-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree parking camera, automatic air-conditioning, automatic LED headlights and taillights, auto wipers, and electrically operated heated and folding exterior mirrors.

The driver’s seat features six-way power adjustment, and both front seats and the steering wheel are heated. Ambient lighting is also standard, as is the brand’s OEKO-TEX® synthetic leather trim.

Five paint finishes are offered, including Light White, Sunstone Orange, Seaweed Green, Galaxy Silver and Sandstone. For the interior, there’s a Currant Black theme as standard, with Ivory Mist grey available as a no-cost option, shown below.

Availability

The Leapmotor B03 is set to go on sale in the UK from early 2027, however prices have yet to be revealed. Don’t expect it to come in cheap as it is a generously equipped car, but favourable finance and lease deals could pave the way for many potential buyers.

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About the Author

Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more. You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb

Leapmotor jumps into the supermini sector with the new B03