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The Leapmotor B03X is the latest compact electric SUV from a Chinese brand backed by Stellantis. It offers a surprisingly upscale cabin and a low price, but its ride and handling fall well short of European rivals. Here’s our first drive from Spain, dated May 12, 2025.
Another small electric SUV? Yes, but Leapmotor’s B03X – the entry point to its European lineup – deserves a second look. The brand is partly owned by Stellantis (the company behind Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, and Citroën), and its UK models are sold alongside those familiar badges. The B03X starts at £26,995 in the UK, after a £1,500 incentive, which converts to roughly $34,000 are currently no plans for a US launch, but given Stellantis’ global reach, the B03X could eventually appear in American showrooms – or serve as a blueprint for similarly priced EV crossovers.
The B03X rides on a shortened version of the platform used by the larger B10 (also sold overseas). It swaps the B10’s rear motor for a front-mounted unit, which frees up more cargo room. The 53 kWh battery pack is smaller than the B10’s, keeping costs down, and the WLTP-rated range is 237 miles – about 10 miles less than a Renault 4 (sold only in Europe). In a potential US market, that would translate to an EPA range of roughly 210 miles, competitive with sub-$35,000 EVs like the Chevy Equinox EV (base) and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Standard Range.
Only one powertrain is offered for the UK: a front-mounted electric motor making 194 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough for an 8.6-second 0-60 mph sprint – adequate but not quick for nearly 200 hp. The 53 kWh pack supports 133 kW DC fast charging, claiming a 30-80% top-up in
