Leapmotor T03 review – before you drive off, you need to do two things

What is striking about the Leapmotor T03?

A heavy task rests on the narrow shoulders of the Leapmotor T03. It is the first model from the Chinese car brand Leapmotor that European consumers are not yet familiar with. And you know what they say: you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Leapmotor has been around since 2015. The company expects to sell 250,000 electric cars throughout 2024. But Leapmotor, just like the Hungry Caterpillar, wants more. Europe must also believe in it. Leapmotor International was founded for this purpose, a joint venture with Stellantis, the owner of Citroën, Fiat and Opel, among others. 500,000 cars are planned for 2030, in addition to China and Europe, also in Australia and South America.

Stellantis owns 51 percent of the shares and, including Leapmotor, has fifteen (!) brands. One wholesales model cars, the other wholesales car brands, so to speak.

Back to the Leapmotor T03. This is an electric city car with 95 hp and 158 Nm for less than 20,000 euros. The range (WLTP) is 395 kilometers in the city and 265 kilometers on average. You can count small cheap electric cars on one hand in Europe, so we said yes when we were invited to get behind the wheel.

What is good about the Leapmotor T03 (2024)?

As mentioned: the 3.62 meter short T03 has the tough task of getting European consumers interested in Leapmotor. The first photos did not make us very enthusiastic, but when we came face to face with the T03, it still managed to seduce us.

The roof is painted in contrasting black, the door handles are neatly painted in the body color and the exterior mirrors are painted black. A glass roof with an electrically operated sunshade is standard. All in all, a neat car to look at, which reminds us a bit of the earlier Daewoo Matiz, but also has Fiat 500 features, such as the ‘applied’ hood.

We became happier and happier. Because the door handles feel sturdy and even though the seats are fairly flat, the space available is perfectly fine. If the driver and his passenger move their seats a little forward, two adults can sit comfortably in the back. The rear doorway is small, but once you’re seated, you’re in a good place.

With those narrow tires and small 15-inch wheels (made of alloy, by the way), we didn’t expect too much about the driving characteristics. The bigger surprise was that the Leapmotor T03 drives very well. It moves smoothly from its spot and is remarkably comfortable for a car with such a short wheelbase (2.40 meters).

At one point we drove without immediately realizing cobblestones. As if they weren’t there. And nothing rattled, cracked or squeaked. The sound of the doors closing is reminiscent of more expensive cars.

Before you drive away, you need to do two things. 1: set the driving position to Sport and 2: also set the steering position to Sport. Yes, you read that right, this A-segment car has different driving and steering positions, six in total and you don’t pay anything extra for this. If you don’t drive in Sport, the steering is too light, numb and therefore un-European.

What could be improved on the Leapmotor T03?

We expected to write down a long list of comments here, but we have less to grumble about than we first thought. The design will not be to everyone’s taste, but that also applies to a Ferrari.

At 210 liters, the luggage space is not large, but what we find more annoying is that the backrest of the rear seat can only be folded down completely. If this could have been done in two parts, you would create extra luggage space and still be able to take a third person with you.

The fact that the central 10-inch screen (standard) reflects like a mirror is not ideal, but you can live with it. The same applies to the digital instruments (also standard). The pity is that the central display is too low and your right hand covers part of the information. At least if, like us, you drive with both hands on the wheel.

The sound that the Leapmotor T03 produces below 30 km/h to warn pedestrians and cyclists that it is coming is downright annoying. You can hear that well inside and it got on our nerves. We may be on the verge of a burnout, but other automotive journalists also complained about this. Once at a higher speed it is quiet. But a city car often drives below 30 km/h.

No criticism, but something you should know: the air conditioning is ice cold, something we often encounter with Chinese cars. Feel free to keep it a little warmer, otherwise you will come home with frozen fingers.

There are few new affordable electric cars. For the electric Citroën ë-C3 you quickly have to bring 25 grand. A cheaper version will follow, but is not yet available. The Leapmotor T03 is for sale from 19,950 euros. Subtract the SEPP subsidy from this and you only pay 17,000 euros. That’s dirt cheap. Even one Mitsubishi Space Star is more expensive.

The equipment is particularly complete with two digital screens, online navigation, a reversing camera, electrically operated windows and exterior mirrors and a host of driver assistance systems. This even includes a blind spot warning and lane keeping assistant. And climate control is also present, says Leapmotor, but that is not correct. You cannot set the temperature on the screen, so in fact it is a manually operated air conditioner, although it is done via a touch screen.

What do I think of the Leapmotor T03?

First things first: I like small cars. For years I drove around happily in a Fiat Cinquecento. First a standard 900 cc version, then a 1.1 Sporting and then a Sporting with a turbo. 105 hp, laugh! But when I saw the first photos of the T03, I had to laugh too. What a neat little car. And that must be conquered by Europe? Haha.

But the T03 pleasantly surprised me. Leapmotor wanted an affordable EV without making concessions and has succeeded with flying colors. Although you shouldn’t want to take too much luggage with you.

The Leapmotor T03 reminded me a bit of my first driving experiences with the electric Volkswagen Up. It also drove so well and was of good quality. And that is a big compliment for a brand that is still wet behind the ears.

And don’t forget: there is finally a new affordable A-segment car. A class that almost all European brands have left behind because they cannot make a profit from it. Because Leapmotor develops and produces a lot itself, they succeed. Yes, that Leapmotor will happen.