Test review: Leapmotor B03X outperforms BYD, Fiat, and Opel
The Leapmotor B03X is known as the A10 in China, but Audi secured this name long ago. Thus, this 4.27-meter-long electric crossover is called the B03X in Europe. Its compact size benefits not only the passengers but also the trunk volume. Beneath the loading floor, there is a large storage compartment that increases the capacity to up to 510 liters—a remarkable figure for a B-SUV. In addition to the standard lighting, the crossover features a 12-volt socket behind the trunk lid, an adjustable loading floor, and plastics of moderate quality. Practically, the rear seats can be folded up in a few steps to create a huge loading area in the back, large enough to transport even a washing machine.
The 2.61-meter wheelbase particularly benefits the space in the second row: a passenger who is 1.80 meters tall can fit comfortably there, with three finger widths of headroom above the roof and even ten centimeters of space between the knees and the front seat back for a pleasant feeling of room. However, the limited width should only accommodate two passengers in the rear seat.
The dashboard appears rather uninspired and confusing, as the cockpit lacks any distinct character. Aside from an 8.8-inch instrument cluster, the central 14.6-inch display with its extremely high resolution is the highlight of the dashboard. Although the software has been improved compared to other Leapmotor models, the voice assistant can speak and understand English at best — and only at a first-grader level.
Aside from adjusting the steering column, driver’s seat, and window lifters, everything else must be configured through the central screen or on the steering wheel. This is far from convenient, especially since the symbols on the steering wheel are barely legible. The synthetic leather covering large areas of the dashboard and door panels is a more pleasing feature—many competitors in this B-SUV segment fare worse in this regard.
Currently, the Leapmotor B03X is available in two versions: the smaller 40-kWh battery offers a range of 292 km and 130 kW / 177 hp of power, making the 53-kWh version with 145 kW / 197 hp and a potential range of 382 km the better choice for most buyers, though it raises the price to 29,400 euros. With a maximum charging power of 133 kW for the 53-kWh battery and 100 kW for the 40-kWh battery, these batteries can charge from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes.
The Leapmotor B03X excels in urban driving. The steering is too light, resulting in little feedback from the road surface. The driving behavior in Comfort and Standard modes appears particularly artificial, though it improves slightly in Sport mode. The suspension setup is heavily focused on comfort, reducing body roll as long as one isn’t traveling at high speeds. However, the Leapmotor sometimes struggles to deliver its motor power effectively to the road through the front axle.
The acceleration is certainly powerful with just over 200 horsepower. It performs well especially in urban traffic, but on highways as well the Leapmotor B-SUV responds promptly without delay. This 1.6-ton front-wheel-drive vehicle moves swiftly through cities, and it also excels on country roads or at moderate highway speeds. The brakes, which are well-regulated, outperform the artificially tuned steering system, with regenerative braking—available in three levels—handling most of the work during normal driving conditions. During the first test drive, the B03X proved more fuel-efficient than ever, even falling below the manufacturer’s figure of 15.7 kWh per 100 km.
With a starting price of 24,900 euros for the small battery in the base Life package, this compact electric SUV is likely to attract many customers as it represents the cheapest option in this segment. Competitors such as the BYD Atto 2, Fiat 600e, Ford Puma, Peugeot e-2008, or Opel Mokka all cost between 30,000 and 35,000 euros. The Citroën e-C3 is the only model that matches in price, but it has simpler technology and a significantly shorter range.
