Leapmotor B03X 2026 Review

The A10 we drove in China is being positioned as a compact, budget-focused electric SUV, though Leapmotor Australia has yet to confirm whether the model will make it here locally, where it would land as the B03X.

The Chinese-market version pairs a front-mounted electric motor with either a 39.8kWh or 53kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, offering between 403km and 505km of claimed driving range on the CLTC cycle. Real-world range, as we know, would likely land closer to 300-400km depending on the variant and driving conditions.

Outputs range from 70kW to 90kW, with power sent exclusively to the front wheels. Performance is modest on paper, with a claimed 0-100km/h sprint taking between 10.5 to 12 seconds depending on the variant, though the A10’s relatively light weight of between 1360kg and 1460kg helps it feel well suited to urban driving.

Charging speed is promising, with Leapmotor claiming the battery can charge from 30 to 80 per cent in around 16 minutes under ideal DC fast-charging conditions, while energy consumption is rated as low as 10.7kWh/100km, but again, on the CLTC cycle.

Inside, the A10 follows a familiar minimalist EV formula, headlined by a large 14.6-inch central infotainment screen, steering wheel-mounted digital driver display and a clean, pared-back cabin layout.

At 4270mm long, the A10 sits in the compact SUV segment alongside affordable electric SUVs like the BYD Atto 2, Chery E5 and Geely EX2. Leapmotor also claims up to 602 litres of boot space, expanding to 1549L with the rear seats folded.

Riding on 18-inch alloy wheels, the A10 uses a simple MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension setup aimed at keeping costs down.

If approved for Australia, the model would likely target a drive-away price in the low-$30,000 range, sitting underneath the larger B10 small SUV, which kicks off at around $43,000 drive-away.

For starters, design-wise, I think it’s quite cute. It has that friendly, approachable look that tends to resonate with buyers in this segment, especially people moving into an EV for the first time. I’ve also seen it finished in latte and dark green shades that feel very Zeekr-esque, and they suit the little SUV really well.

There looks to be genuine sales potential here. The BYD Atto 2 has already sold more than 2000 units year-to-date, proving there’s strong demand for compact and affordable electric SUVs in Australia. If priced right, the B03X could tap into that same audience pretty effectively.

On paper driving range is decent too, with claims of up to 505km. That figure is based on the more optimistic CLTC testing cycle, though, so expect the real-world number to land closer to around 400km, which is up from the Atto 2’s 345km (WLTP) range.

Inside, the big central display will likely wow plenty of buyers hopping into a car in this segment. Massive tech-focused screens are only just starting to filter into more affordable EVs, so it helps the cabin feel modern and more premium than the price point might suggest.

And in great news for people who hate the usual EV-style flush door handle setup (me), the little SUV gets semi-hidden door handles that still require a lift action, rather than a pop-out mechanism, which has cost me a nail or two.

With more Australians jumping into EVs – and, as every other cost associated with being alive goes up, increasingly looking for budget-friendly options – the B03X could end up fitting the market at exactly the right time.

Performance is probably the biggest letdown in this teeny tiny car.

The version we drove recorded a 0-100km/h time of more than 12 seconds, despite official figures suggesting closer to 10 seconds.

That might not sound shocking in the context of this segment – a similarly sized Kia Stonic with its tiny 1.0-litre engine isn’t exactly quick either – but there’s something particularly odd about an EV feeling this sluggish. Instant torque is usually part of the appeal, and the B03X just doesn’t really deliver that punch, if any punch at all. While most EVs leap away from the lights, this one sort of politely skips away.

The lack of power becomes even more noticeable when you compare it to most other EVs in the market, which feel significantly zippier and more eager to respond.

It also needs some serious local suspension tuning if it’s going to properly appeal to Australian buyers. Like a lot of Chinese-market models, the setup felt overly soft, with plenty of body lean and a slightly boaty character through corners. For such a compact SUV, it never really felt tied down, and Aussie drivers won’t be particularly forgiving of that.

Then there’s the missing rear windscreen wiper, which feels like a strange omission on a small SUV. It might not sound like a huge deal, but in bad weather, it’s one of those little things you notice pretty quickly.

The Leapmotor B03X has definite potential and if it makes it to Australia with some proper local suspension tuning, it could end up being a very compelling, affordable EV option.

The cute styling, decent claimed range and tech-heavy cabin all make sense for buyers looking to make the jump into electric motoring without spending a fortune.

But in its current form, the overly soft suspension and lacklustre performance don’t quite align with what Australian buyers tend to expect, particularly when local roads expose weaknesses pretty quickly.

Like many international models, the basic recipe is good; it just needs adjusting to suit local tastes. Until Leapmotor’s chefs pop back into the kitchen and fine-tune it for Australia, the jury’s still out.

2026 Leapmotor B03X at a glance:
Price: Unknown
Available: TBC for Q4 2026
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 70kW/150Nm, 90kW/150Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 39.8kWh, 53kWh lithium iron
Range: 403km-505km (CLTC)
Energy consumption: 10.7-11.3kWh/100km (CLTC)
Safety rating: Not tested

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