2026 Leapmotor B05 Review

For Australia, final pricing is yet to be confirmed, though the B05 is likely to land as a budget-friendly small EV when it arrives, hopefully around the low-$30K mark.

Initially, only a single, entry-grade variant is planned locally, though higher-spec ‘Ultra’ versions remain a possibility further down the track.

Once launched, it’ll sit alongside its SUV siblings, including the Leapmotor B10 (from $37,888) and C10 (from $43,888).

Both versions of the hatchback are built on Leapmotor’s LEAP 3.5 pure-electric platform and use a rear-mounted electric motor driving the rear wheels. The standard B05 produces up to 160kW, while the flagship Ultra – if it comes – steps things up to 180kW/320Nm.

Overseas, battery options range from 43.9kWh to 67.1kWh, with claimed driving range sitting between 515km and 605km (CLTC). As always, expect those figures to come in noticeably lower under Australia’s more realistic WLTP testing.

Inside, even entry-level versions feature a 14.6-inch central touchscreen paired with an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, along with smartphone connectivity. Higher-spec versions available overseas add a more powerful Qualcomm chipset and additional tech.

The Ultra also leans further into comfort and technology, with features like heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats.

Across the range, buyers can expect a suite of active safety features via Leapmotor’s ‘Pilot’ system, though final Australian specifications and an ANCAP rating are yet to be confirmed.

We got behind the wheel for a quick lap in the upcoming hatchback, and even in that short stint, it left a solid impression.

In Ultra guise, with 180kW on tap, it felt like the most genuinely sorted and engaging car of the group. Granted, the other models we drove included a pretty sluggish light SUV and a seriously big, heavy one – but if anything, that just made the B05 stand out even more. In fairness, that’s probably not far off the kind of mix a typical buyer might end up cross-shopping.

A big part of the appeal comes down to the design. It just looks good. The bronze finish on our test car really suited it, and details like frameless doors, a rear spoiler and 19-inch black wheels give it a bit of edge. More importantly, it actually looks like a proper hatchback – something that’s becoming weirdly rare in the EV space.

The proportions are spot on, too. There’s a hint of Cupra about it – the kind of sporty, compact EV that feels like something Volkswagen probably should have built by now, but hasn’t.

It’s also worth noting where it sits in the market. The obvious rival is the MG4, which has come a long way with recent updates, but on pure visual appeal, the B05 already feels like it has the upper hand.

For something that looks this sporty and feels this well sorted underneath, the B05 arguably deserves a bit more performance to match.

It’s quick enough – we saw around an eight-second 0-100km/h time – but it stops short of being genuinely exciting. This feels like a warm hatch that’s just missing that final layer to make it properly hot. Maybe that’s asking a bit much, but a little more stomach-dropping punch wouldn’t go astray.

Part of the frustration is that the more powerful Ultra version we drove isn’t locked in for Australia just yet. As we’ve previously reported, Leapmotor is waiting to gauge local appetite before committing to the hotter variant – which means, for now, we’re getting the tamer version.

Inside, there are a couple of quirks, too. The passenger-side dashboard in our test car featured a slightly odd kitty-themed bag hook, which won’t be to everyone’s taste. It appears to be a removable accessory, though its purpose isn’t immediately obvious.

Similarly, a few sporty interior touches – like red stitching – wouldn’t go astray in helping the cabin better match the car’s exterior intent and make it stand apart from the typical ‘Chinese EV’ design vibe.

For those not keen on an SUV, the electric hatchback space has so far been pretty thin on the ground and some brands are even moving away from pint-sized EVs altogether.

If Leapmotor can get the pricing right locally, it has the potential to be a genuine alternative to traditional small cars like a Toyota Corolla or Hyundai i30 hatch – just with an electric twist.

It won’t be the sportiest thing in the segment (at least not in the version we’re getting initially), but as a well-rounded, good-looking and potentially affordable EV hatch, the B05 shapes up as one of the most interesting new arrivals.

2026 Leapmotor B05 at a glance:
Price: Unknown
Available: Q4 2026
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 132kW/220Nm, 160kW/240Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 43.9kWh, 56.2kWh, 67.1kWh lithium-ion
Range: 515km-605km (CLTC)
Energy consumption: 11.9–12.5kWh/100km
Safety rating: Not tested

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