Should you buy a Leapmotor T03?

The Leapmotor T03 makes a strong case for itself. It’s more refined and better equipped than you’d expect for the money, and it leaves the Dacia Spring looking and feeling very dated. It’s also decent to drive and supported by Stellantis’ UK dealer network – a big bonus for peace of mind.

The cabin quality won’t win any awards and the tech can be fiddly, but it represents exceptional value for money, and thanks to a recent discount, is now the UK’s cheapest new car at £14,495. Yet for that money, you still get a panoramic sunroof, touchscreen infotainment and a suite of driver assistance features. That’s unheard of in this segment.

If you’re after a cheap, cheerful electric runabout, the T03 is well worth a look, and we rate it as one of the better small electric cars available. It’s not flawless, but it delivers where it counts – and punches well above its price.

What’s new?

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The Leapmotor T03 is a new arrival in the UK. It originates from China, but it’s being imported and distributed by Stellantis – the same company behind Peugeot, Vauxhall and Fiat (and many others). That means proper aftersales support, with servicing and parts supplied through a familiar network.

It’s a small electric city car, about the same size as a Fiat 500e, and aimed squarely at budget-conscious buyers. Its closest rival is the Dacia Spring, but the T03 is newer, faster and better equipped. Right now, it’s the cheapest electric car you can buy (thanks to discounts), and one of the least expensive cars outright.

There’s only one version available: a 95hp electric motor, 37.3kWh battery, and a single trim level. But don’t be fooled – that trim includes climate control, a panoramic sunroof, touchscreen infotainment and voice control as standard. Such features aren’t even standard on cars twice the price.

It sits below the likes of the used favourites Vauxhall Corsa Electric, Renault Zoe and Fiat 500e in size, but holds its own on equipment. Its closest rivals new are the BYD Dolphin Surf and Dacia Spring – but a Renault 5 E-Tech, Hyundai Inster or Fiat Grande Panda aren’t a massive stretch. Think of it as an EV that gives you more for less – and a city car that’s not just built to a price, but with real thought behind it.

We’ve driven the car extensively in the UK and have plenty of experience in it. Continue reading for our comprehensive Leapmotor T03 review over the next few pages, where we’ll break down every aspect of the car, including its practicality and how much it costs to run. And if you want to know more about how we test cars, look at our explainer page.

Watch our small electric cars group test video