The Leapmotor B03X impresses in its initial tests, though it has a significant weakness.

The Leapmotor B03X is already facing its first international tests, and early impressions make it quite clear what its main advantage is: offering a lot of car features at a competitive price. Leapmotor’s new electric SUV aims to compete directly with models like the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross or the Opel Frontera Electric, but with an especially aggressive pricing strategy.

The formula seems simple. A compact size, a surprisingly well-designed interior, two battery options, and up to 197 horsepower in its most powerful version. On paper, the B03X meets many of the expectations for a modern electric car. However, early tests also highlight some areas where it still has room for improvement.

A small SUV on the outside, but highly efficient inside

The Leapmotor B03X is 4.27 meters long, 1.81 meters wide, and 1.64 meters high, with a wheelbase of 2.61 meters. These are fairly compact dimensions for an SUV, but its interior space utilization is one of its strengths. Journalists particularly highlight the available space in the rear seats, which offer sufficient leg and headroom even for tall adults.

The trunk also aims to stand out. Its capacity is around 407 liters, and the lack of a second front loading area is partially compensated for by various storage compartments. The rear seat bench can be raised to create more space, and the seats allow the loading area to be significantly expanded. It is a simple yet practical solution for a car designed primarily for everyday use.

The interior features a minimalist design with few physical buttons and a central screen that handles most of the functions. The Leap OS 4.0 Plus uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor and offers integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On paper, it’s a modern setup, though early tests indicate that some functions require navigating through too many menus and reading overly long texts while driving.

This is precisely where one of the most recurring criticisms regarding early contact vehicles arises. Reducing physical controls works well when the multimedia system is perfectly designed, but the B03X still leaves room to simplify certain operations that often require navigating through multiple submenus to reach the desired function. The technology is available, but it isn’t always as intuitive as one might expect.

As for the equipment, Leapmotor opts for a straightforward setup with few optional extras. The higher-end version includes features such as a heat pump, advanced driver assistance systems, and a comprehensive suite of aids that enable level 2 driving assistance.

The mechanical range consists of two configurations. The first uses a 39.8 kWh battery and a 176 CV engine, while the second increases the capacity to 53 kWh and raises the power to 197 CV. In both cases, the engine is located at the front, giving the car front-wheel drive.

The most powerful version delivers 145 kW, 200 Nm of torque, and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, with a top speed of 160 km/h. This is a considerable power figure for an electric SUV of this size, and according to initial tests, it allows for smooth driving both in urban areas and on the road.

The problem arises when too much is demanded of the front wheels. Some testers have experienced traction loss even on dry surfaces when all available power is utilized aggressively. This isn’t particularly unusual in a front-wheel-drive car with nearly 200 horsepower, but it does show that the B03X isn’t designed for especially sporty driving.

The chassis behavior gives a similar impression. The front axle uses a McPherson setup, while the rear relies on a torsion beam — a simple solution that helps keep costs low and frees up space for the trunk. The suspension has a relatively soft tuning, and journalists note considerable body movement, especially when taking corners, while the steering provides little feedback to the driver.

In return, the adaptive cruise control seems to offer quite solid performance, properly maintaining distance from the vehicle ahead and adapting to traffic conditions.

Another area that could be improved relates to one-pedal driving. The B03X allows selecting different levels of braking assistance, but to fully activate or deactivate this feature, it must be done through the multimedia system with the car stopped. Testers find it inconvenient to have to use menus for a function that other cars allow to adjust directly while driving.

The battery is another major advantage of the B03X. Both options use LFP chemistry and CTC2.0 Plus technology, which integrates the battery directly into the vehicle’s structure. Leapmotor claims this approach allows for better utilization of available space and increased structural rigidity.

The smaller 39.8 kWh battery enables a WLTP range of 292 kilometers and supports fast charging up to 100 kW. The 53 kWh battery boosts the range to 382 kilometers WLTP and allows for 133 kW of continuous power output. In both cases, AC charging reaches 11 kW.

In addition, Leapmotor states that the B03X can go from 30% to 80% charge in approximately 16 minutes using a compatible fast charger. This is an impressive figure for a model entering the electric vehicle market.

As for the prices, they start at 24,264 euros before any discounts or promotions for the entry-level version, while the one with a larger battery capacity begins at 28,264 euros.

The conclusion from these initial tests is quite clear. The Leapmotor B03X offers a lot for little money, especially considering its interior space, power, and features. However, it doesn’t seem to be a perfectly flawless car: the chassis tuning, steering, and especially the multimedia interface still have room for improvement.