A small and cheap electric SUV isn’t a natural contender to stir excitement in buyers beyond a bargain hunt, yet that hasn’t stopped Leapmotor from boldly billing the new B03X as a “passion magnet”.
The marketing pitch is that the latest and smallest SUV from the Stellantis and Leapmotor European-Chinese JV is equipped to support its owner’s favourite leisure activities.
It’s certainly practical for its size, with no little inspiration from a couple of well-known compacts from Japan and Europe.
The B03X’s price will catch people’s attention first, though. With indicative pricing for Australia “from $30,000 driveaway”, the little Leapmotor could wear a $29,990 (inclusive) sticker.
That would undercut its most obvious rival, the BYD Atto 2 that costs from $31,990 driveaway and shares the B03X’s circa-4.3-metre size.
Leapmotor’s smallest SUV is called the A10 in China and it would usually make more sense in joining the C10 and B10 SUV models already on sale in Australia and other markets.
But it seems Audi has alphanumerical ownership when it comes to A-prefix badges outside of China, so it’s another nameplate that could be some random droid in Star Wars.
If the C10 and B10 SUVs are guilty of generic Chinese design, Leapmotor has attempted to be a little more playful with the B03X that’s aimed at a younger demographic.
A three-dash LED ‘smile’ is incorporated into the headlights, while the tail-lights are emoji-style grins.
The B03X’s proportions and short front/rear overhangs are reminiscent of the Mini Countryman. Other rivals include affordable electric hatchbacks such as the MG4 Urban and Geely EX2.
How does the Leapmotor B03X drive?
The B03X shares its platform with the B03 hatch that’s not planned for Australia. The suspension doesn’t go against the segment grain, a predictable combination of strut front and torsion-beam rear.
A front electric motor serves up 145kW and 200Nm. A 0-100km/h claim of 8.6 seconds means performance is slower than the Atto 2 (7.9sec) but similar to the bigger-battery MG4 Urban (8.7sec).
On the road, the B03X feels fast enough – capable of delivering the signature EV surge that makes it great in traffic.This is not an SUV you want to pedal too quickly, anyway, as it gives the driver limited confidence in the way it drives.
The steering may be smooth, but it’s also overly light and too slow off the straight-ahead position – so the B03X loses any semblance of the nimbleness typically associated with compact cars.
Leapmotor says an over-the-air update is already in place to improve the steering, though the B03X’s general handling suggests mechanical rather than software engineers should be getting a call.
The rear end can feel loose in tighter corners, while there’s a significant degree of body roll in higher-speed turns. The braking feels okay until more urgent pressure is applied.
Then there are the inevitable, frustrating bings and bongs that accompany the B03X’s various and numerous driver-assist systems. The lane-keep system was also inconsistent with its activation.
They can be turned off if you’re willing to dive into the touchscreen menu, but the wait goes on for Chinese – and some Korean – brands to offer owners permanent ‘Off’ options for aids they don’t feel they need or want.
Stellantis/Leapmotor say they are continuing work to improve the ‘ADAS’ systems, and improvements can’t come soon enough.
What’s the Leapmotor B03X’s range?
Leapmotor Australia says it will skip a smaller (39.8kWh) battery available in Europe, sticking a larger 53kWh battery in both Style (known as Life in Europe) and Design grades to be offered locally.
It’s good for a WLTP range of 382km, which is further than the maximum 345km offered by either the Atto 2 or EX2, though shorter than the MG4 Urban’s 405km.
Leapmotor claims just 16 minutes to take the battery from 30 to 80 percent using 133kW DC charging – or around 23 minutes for 10-80 percent – which compares well with the 39 minutes BYD quotes to take the Atto 2’s battery from 10-80 percent (82kW DC).
AC charging times are nine hours on a single-phase set-up or three hours and 10 minutes with 11kW three-phase. The B03X comes with V2L (vehicle-to-load) capability when owners need a portable powerbank for accessories.
How is the Leapmotor B03X’s interior?
The B03X’s interior follows the Chinese-car formula with PVC galore, a compact digital driver display, and a large central touchscreen that contains the vast majority of functionality, for better or for worse.
Well, it is for worse, because the set-up isn’t intuitive enough. This is another car in dire need of some physical buttons.
If Aussie specs mirror Europe as expected, this B03X Design model we tested in Spain will add multiple extras over the base Style – including a power driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, plus extra cameras and sensors.
The higher-spec B03X will cost from about $33,000 drive-away, and it will carry a features advantage over the slightly dearer base Atto 2 (Dynamic, from about $35,500 drive-away).
Leapmotor’s designers have also tried to inject some fun into the cabin with multiple ‘Easter egg’ applications of the brand’s Leapy mascot – a _Casper the Friendly Ghost-_style character.
And is it us or is that another smiley face we can see in the steering wheel!
The interior is otherwise focused on delivering impressive space and versatility. And it succeeds.
The rear seat offers ample space for tall adults, and the bench offers reasonable under-thigh support. The bench reminds us of Honda’s ‘Magic Seats’ – flipping up via levers (with a 60/40 split) to create storage space for taller items.
Rear passengers will be disappointed, however, at the absence of vents or centre armrest.
The B03X’s boot then borrows a design element from the Ford Puma small SUV – a waterproof underfloor compartment that can be washed/hosed out thanks to a plug. (The Puma is no longer sold in Australia and local versions missed out on this feature.)
This compartment contributes 105 litres to a 510-litre total that gives the B03X a luggage capacity advantage over the MG4 Urban (480L), Atto 2 (380L), and EX2 (375L). Like those rivals, there’s no frunk.
The honest verdict
Leapmotor may have copied the homework of some other small SUVs, but it’s positive plagiarism that takes clever practical features from both Honda and Ford.
And if a spacious and versatile interior for such a small package isn’t appealing enough for buyers, there’s a generous equipment list and that potential sub-$30,000 starting cost.
But if you have even the remotest passion for motoring, the B03X offers extremely limited desirability.