It is still relatively early into the New Year, but as we predicted, 2025 is already shaping up to be the year for small, affordable EVs. First was the Citroen E-C3, then the Dacia Spring, which has been followed most recently with the Hyundai Inster, Vauxhall Frontera, and the Fiat Grande Panda.
Dacia and Hyundai aside, the Citroen, Vauxhall, and Fiat have all come from the Stellantis family of brands. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Leapmotor, which is the latest entry to the UK EV car market, is one of several Chinese EV manufacturers offering cars to British fleet drivers.
However, where Leapmotor differs from its rivals, is that Leapmotor International, which is selling the T03 and C10, is allied with Stellantis – who own the majority 51% stake. With 44 UK dealers at launch, the plan is to grow the network to 60, with more models by the end of this year.
Launched on 1 March in the UK, the T03 is Leapmotor’s new city car, which will be sold alongside the probably more fleet-friendly C10 D-SUV. The sales pitch is probably more exciting than the car itself, as in the UK, just one high-spec equipment grade will be available at £15,995, or on 0% finance for £199 deposit, then £199 per month.
On top of the price and high spec, Leapmotor T03 technical highlights include the 37kWh battery, 165-mile WLTP range, 95hp, and when the range is low, it can be charged via its front charging point at up to 45kW. Then there’s a full suite of safety kit, including adaptive cruise control, and blind spot detection.
Design and interior
Outside, the T03 looks like an updated version of the last Smart Fortwo – so think short and tall design. Highlights include the LED daytime running lights, 15in alloy wheels, and glass sunroof.
Inside, there are sports-style, tall and comfortable one-piece front seats. The driving position is not uncomfortable for the tallest drivers, but shorter drivers will be better suited. The Leapmotor T03 is a slim car, and your front passenger is sometimes closer than you’d like. Still, the vertical dash design is modern and is broken up by the 10in touchscreen infotainment screen (which is vulnerable to tall passengers’ knees!), plus the 8in digital cluster in front of the driver.
The Smart link can further be seen by the switchgear, which looks and feels remarkably like Mercedes models from a generation ago.
The screens themselves are a mixed bag, with the 8in digital cluster having a higher resolution than the 10in touchscreen. Still, the touchscreen is thankfully easy to use.
Move to the back, and the rear doors open wide for decent access, with adequate headroom, and are just about comfortable for the tallest passengers on short trips. However, bootspace is small at 210 litres. The build quality is best described as solid, rather than luxurious.
Performance and drive
On the road, the T03, with its short dimensions and small 15in wheels, feels impressively agile – although the suspension and ride are both generally supple. Sadly, along with slow steering in all three modes, which is almost devoid of any feel, there’s lots of body roll in corners – so it’s not dynamic, or sporty – but will be perfectly adequate in everyday use.
The performance too, is sufficient, with the choice of three modes – like the steering, although it does whine a lot at low speeds, and the annoying ADAS systems are difficult to turn off. Choose the Dacia Spring and you’ll get 64hp and see 62mph in 13.7 seconds. The T03 get 31hp more, although it never feels fast, and has a largely irrelevant 12.7 seconds 0-62mph acceleration time.
Like the Dacia Spring, the Leapmotor T03 has its limitations, as many will want bigger EVs with longer ranges, although the T03 seems the more polished option compared to the Spring. With its simple pricing and specification strategy, the Leapmotor could be the perfect, affordable way to turn a fleet electric.
Positive: Agile driving experience, tall design means adult passengers will be comfortable on short trips, enough performance for everyday use.
Negative: Unsettled ride at higher speeds, not much fun to drive, ADAS systems are difficult to turn off, lack of physical buttons on the dashboard.
Standard equipment: Keyless start, multi-function steering wheel, power heated wing mirrors, electric windows, rear parking sensors, rear camera, air conditioning, auto headlights, electronic handbrake, 8in digital instrument cluster, 10in infotainment screen, 15in alloy wheels.
Engines: Electric: 95hp
Equipment grades: T03
Transmissions: Single-speed automatic
| Model | Leapmotor T03 |
| P11D | £15,940 |
| Residual value | 41% |
| Depreciation | £9,436 |
| Fuel | £3,811 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | TBC |
| Cost per mile | TBC |
| Range | 165 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (2%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £5/£10 |
| Luggage capacity | 210 litres |
| Battery size/power | 37kWh/95hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
