Leapmotor T03 Car Review & Buyers Guide, Is It Really A Big Leap for Small Electric Cars?

We understand that buying a brand-new electric car often feels far too expensive for most drivers.

For too long, you have been forced to choose between paying over £30,000 for a modern EV or settling for an older car with poor battery range and no features. It is just frustrating when you want to save money on your fuel and running costs, but the upfront cost is just too high to do so.

Well, in comes the Leapmotor T03 for the answer. Ideally priced at just £15,995 (price can change over time), it offers you that practical 165-mile range, premium technology, and huge savings all in one.

So is it finally time to switch to electric without breaking the bank?
Well, in this detailed T03 review, we will look at everything the Leapmotor car has to offer you. For instance, we will look at its design, its interior, how it drives on British roads, and why it might just be the best car for your next adventure, so let's find out if this is your next car or not.

Table of Contents

• Who is Leapmotor?
• Exterior Design, Small but Mighty
  • Front Bumper
  • Front Design
  • Side Profile
  • Door Handles & Mirrors
  • Roofline
  • Rear Design
  • Boot Space
  • Wheels
  • Paint Options
• Interior and Comfort
  • The Dashboard and Technology
  • Driver Digital Instrument Cluster
  • Seats and Space
  • Back Seats & Floor
  • ISOFIX Points
  • Technology Features
• Driving Performance
  • Driving Modes
  • Steering
  • Ride Quality
• Range and Charging
  • The Battery
  • Charging Options
• Safety and Technology
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Lane Assistance Systems
  • Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Rear Parking Sensors
  • The Leapmotor App
• Technical Specifications
• Value for Money
  • Running Costs
• Comparison: T03 vs. The Competition
• Who is the T03 For?
  • The Commuter
  • The Second Car
  • The First-Time EV Buyer
• Final Verdict, Is It Right For You?
• Book a Test Drive
• Who is Sherwoods Motor Group?

Who is Leapmotor?

Before we look at the car, you might be asking: "Who is actually Leapmotor, they seem new?"

Well, Leapmotor is a technology-driven car company that does not just put parts together; they design and build most of the intelligent technology inside their cars themselves as well.

They have also joined forces with Stellantis - the huge company behind familiar brands like Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, and Vauxhall.

In fact, this partnership is very important to you, as it means that when you buy a Leapmotor T03, you get all the innovation of a tech startup, which is also backed by the reliability and service network of a major European car giant, knowing that you are in safe hands if anything unexpected were to happen.

For you, the customer, this is the best of both worlds, as you get a modern, high-tech car, and you get the peace of mind of buying from a trusted local authorised dealer like us here at Sherwoods, as you do so as well.

Exterior Design, Small but Mighty

The first thing you will notice, as we did, about the Leapmotor T03 is its size. As here it is a true city car.

For instance, it is compact, easy to park, and perfect for squeezing into tight spaces in town centres like Durham or Sunderland, for example.

The design is also friendly and approachable, as it has a "smiling" face, with curved headlamps that give it a bit of character, and unlike some modern cars that look aggressive or angry, the T03 just looks happy to see you.

It also has a classic five-door hatchback shape, which is very practical, and the wheels are pushed out to the corners of the car, which does two things: it makes the car look stable on the road, and it creates more space inside for your passengers at the same time as well.

Front Bumper

Because the T03 is electric, it does not need a big, open grille to cool an engine.

This, in turn, means the front bumper is smooth and clean, and it gives the car a very modern and tidy face as a result.

There is also a small air vent at the very bottom to help with airflow, but the rest is stylish and body-coloured, which we really liked.

Front

The "face" of the car is defined by its curved headlamps, though, and they have a rounded shape that makes the car look like it is smiling.

Then, between the lights, you will see the Leapmotor badge. This is not just for show, however, because if you press it, a panel opens up to reveal the charging port.

This, in our expert opinion, is a very clever spot for it, as it means you can drive straight into a charging bay without worrying about which side the cable is on - a nice feature to have, we must admit.

Side Profile

Then, when you look at the car from the side, you can see it is a proper five-door hatchback.

For instance, here the wheels are pushed right out to the corners of the car, which is called having "short overhangs."

This, in turn, makes this small city car look stable and maximises the space inside as it does so.

Door Handles & Mirrors

The door handles are also easy to grip, and the side mirrors are large enough to give you a clear view of the traffic behind you as it does so.

However, we should note that the doors can close with a thud rather than a tinny twang, which is again given its price point here.

Roofline

For its roofline, the T03 has a slightly tall roofline here, which is great because it creates for you plenty of headroom for your passengers.

Then, to stop the car from looking boxy, the roof is painted black, and this two-tone effect actually tricks your eye and makes the car look lower and sportier than it really is from the outside, giving you the best of both worlds for those wanting a small car for around town - small on the outside, but large enough on the inside.

Rear

At the back, the design is then simple and tidy, but the car does not come with a rear wiper blade, which is a similar design style to the KIA EV5, Hyundai Ioniq 5 or even the newer and more expensive Polestar 3 & 4 as well.

As here your tail lights are joined together by a black strip that runs across the boot lid, which is a popular design feature on many expensive cars, we should note here.

Boot space

The boot opens easily, and the rear bumper is sturdy enough to handle the bumps of city parking as well.

For your boot capacity as well, here you are looking at 210 Litres with the rear seats up, moving up to 880 Litres with the seat area laid flat as well - which is plenty enough for your weekly shop, or your occasional trip to the tip, but you may struggle to get larger items in with the rear seats up.

Wheels

For your wheels, many budget cars come with steel wheels and plastic covers, but the Leapmotor T03 comes with 15-inch alloy wheels as standard.

These then look very smart in our view and are finished in a dark grey colour that hides any brake dust very well.

Overall, we feel that they add a touch of quality to the total look of the car, which is a feature we really like.

Paint Options

For your paint options, here you can choose from three clear and stylish paint colours, with each contrasting against the black roof really well.

For instance, here you can get:

• Light White     
• Grey  
• Glacier Blue
• Light Green
• Starry Silver

Interior and Comfort

When you open the door and step inside, though the Leapmotor T03 continues to surprise you, we are sure as it did us.

As here the first thing you notice is the light, as every T03 comes with a panoramic glass sunroof as standard.

This is a huge piece of glass that stretches over the front and rear seats, and it has an electric sunblind that you can close if it gets too sunny, but when it is open, it makes the cabin just feel airy and spacious, which we really liked.

The Dashboard and Technology

The dashboard is then clean and simple, and there are very few physical buttons.

Instead, most things here are controlled by a large 10.1-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard. In fact, this screen is more like an iPad or a tablet, and it controls the satellite navigation, the radio, the air conditioning, and the car settings.

The screen is also bright and responds quickly to your touch, which we really liked, and the menus are logical too, so you do not need to be a computer whizz to work out how to change the radio station or set the temperature.

Driver Digital Instrument Cluster

In front of you - the driver - there is another smaller screen - an 8-inch digital instrument cluster.

This then shows you your speed, how much battery you have left, and other important driving information. All in all, it is clear and easy to read, even in bright sunlight, which is a great addition to see in a car of this class

Seats and Space

Moving to the seats, here you are getting the T03, which is a four-seater car, and the front seats are comfortable and come with electric adjustment as standard.

We should note that this is very rare in a car of this size and price. As usually, you have to pull levers and pump handles to get comfortable in other equivalent cars, but in the T03, you just press a button, and you're done.

Back Seats

In the back, there are also two seats. Because the car is quite tall, there is a surprising amount of headroom for your passengers here, as covered previously.

So, even if you are six feet tall, you should fit in the back without your head touching the roof, which is great to see in a city car.

Legroom is decent for a city car as well, granted it is not a limousine, of course, but for school runs or trips into town with friends, it is perfectly fine in our view.

Rear Floor

The floor in the back is also flat, which helps with your passengers' foot space back here as well.

ISOFIX points

For those with small families as well, you will also be glad to hear that you also get an ISOFIX point for a child seat, making it a practical choice for a small family who needs to fit one of these as a result.

Technology

Despite its low price, one thing we loved is that the T03 is just packed with high-end technology; however, some of the notifications the car can be a bit annoying at times, but for most people, this shouldn't be a problem.

From your satellite navigation, which is included as standard, so you will never get lost, to the car, which also features Bluetooth connectivity for your phone and voice control options as well - however, please note that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not currently available.

You can then even use the Leapmotor mobile app to check your battery level or turn on the heating before you get into the car on a cold morning, too, which is another great feature to have, especially with a car at this price point.

Interior Features                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Driving Performance

So, the exterior and interior we really like, but what is it like to drive? In a word: fun.

Electric cars, if you haven't experienced one yet, are just great for city driving, and the T03 is no exception here in our view.

For instance, because it is electric, it has no gears to worry about. You just select 'Drive' and go.

The power is then delivered instantly, and when the traffic lights turn green, the T03 zips away quickly and smoothly for you.

So much so that it feels much faster from 0 to 30 mph than the figures suggest, which makes it great for nipping into gaps in traffic or pulling out of junctions we find.

Driving Modes

For your driving modes, here you have a few to choose from, including:

Standard Mode

This is the best mode for your everyday driving, and it gives you a good balance of power and comfort.

Sport Mode

This mode will then sharpen up your accelerator pedal, and the car just feels more responsive and eager.

Overall, this is good for overtaking or joining a faster road.

Eco Mode

This mode then saves you energy to help you go further, and it softens the accelerator response and increases your regenerative braking to allow you to get more from your battery as well.

Steering

The steering is light, which also makes parking incredibly easy, and you can spin the steering wheel with one finger, but we should note here that the steering wheel does adjust for height (rake), but it does not adjust for reach (telescopic).

The turning circle is very tight at around 9.7 metres, so you can do U-turns in small streets without needing to do a three-point turn.

Ride Quality

On the road, the T03 rides well we thought.

As here, it just soaks up bumps and potholes better than you might expect for a small car.

Overall, it just feels stable and planted, not bouncy, and even on the motorway, it feels secure.

The top speed is limited to 81 mph, which is plenty for British motorways, where the limit is 70 MPH anyway, and it sits happily at 70 MPH without feeling strained or noisy as it does so as well.

Range and Charging

One of the biggest worries people have about electric cars, though, is "range anxiety" - the fear of running out of power.

However, the Leapmotor T03 has really been designed to put those fears to rest in our view.

The Battery

The car has a 37.3 kWh battery, and in official tests (called WLTP), it has a range of 165 miles.

In the real world, this is plenty for most people lets be honest, as the average UK driver only drives about 20 to 30 miles a day.

With a 165-mile range, you could drive for several days without needing to plug in, so if you mostly drive in the city, where electric cars are the most efficient, you might get even more than 165 miles because the car recovers energy when you slow down, as well as from its regenerative braking technology.

Charging

Charging the T03 is also really simple, and here you have several options, including:

Home Charging

You can charge it at home using a wallbox, which is the cheapest and most convenient way to charge.

Here, a full charge from empty takes about 3.5 to 6 hours, depending on your charger speed, and you can plug it in when you get home from work, and it will be full when you wake up in the morning - just like your mobile phone, for instance.

Public Rapid Charging

However, if you are on a longer journey, you can use public rapid chargers.

Here, the T03 can charge at speeds of up to 48 kW, which means you can go from 30% to 80% battery in just 36 minutes, which is enough time to grab a coffee and use the toilet at a service station, for example.

Safety and Technology

Leapmotor primarily is a tech company, and they have just packed the T03 with safety features.

In fact, it has more safety kit as standard than many luxury cars costing twice or even three times as much, which we absolutely love.

For instance, every T03 comes with an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), which includes:

Adaptive Cruise Control

The car can automatically keep a safe distance from the car in front, slowing down and speeding up as needed.

Lane Departure Warning

If you drift out of your lane without indicating, the car will warn you.

Lane Keep Assist

The car can gently steer to help keep you in the centre of your lane.

Automatic Emergency Braking

If the car detects a potential crash and you don't react, it can apply the brakes for you to prevent an accident or reduce the damage.

Blind Spot Detection

A light warns you if there is a car in your blind spot when you want to change lanes.

Safety Features                                                                           

rear Parking Sensors

It also has rear parking sensors and a reversing camera as standard, and the camera image is clear and shows up on the big central screen, making parking stress-free.

The App

You can also download a Leapmotor app for your smartphone, and this in turn lets you check on your car remotely.

For instance, here you can see how much battery range you have left, check if the doors are locked, and even turn on the air conditioning before you get in.

Just imagine getting into a lovely warm car on a frosty Durham morning, and it has all been defrosted for you as well - that is a real luxury, especially at this price point.

Technical Specifications                               

Value for Money

However, in our view, this is where the Leapmotor T03 really shines.

The price is incredible, especially in a market where many electric cars cost over £30,000 or even £40,000; the T03 starts at a price that competes with petrol city cars with far less tech built in as well.

But it's not just the purchase price; it's the standard equipment, and there are no complicated "trim levels" or expensive "option packs" to worry about as well - almost everything is included in the price:

• Alloy wheels? Standard.
        
• Sat-nav? Standard.
        
• Electric seats? Standard.
        
• Reversing camera? Standard.
        
• Sunroof? Standard.

So, when you compare this to other small electric cars, you often have to pay extra for these features. With the T03, you get the "fully loaded" experience for the base price.

Running Costs

Running an electric car is also much cheaper than running a petrol car for a number of reasons, including, for example:

Fuel

Electricity is cheaper than petrol, and if you charge at home on a special EV tariff, it can cost pennies per mile.

Tax

Currently, electric cars pay very low or zero road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty).

Maintenance

Electric cars have fewer moving parts than petrol engines. There is no oil to change, no spark plugs, no cambelt, and no exhaust to rust, which means servicing is generally cheaper and easier as well.

Comparison: T03 vs. The Competition

The main rival for the Leapmotor T03 is the Dacia Spring, as both are budget electric cars, but there are some key differences here, including, for instance:

Power

The T03 has a more powerful motor (95 bhp) compared to the basic Spring (45 or 65 bhp), which just makes the T03 better at handling motorways and hills.

Battery

The T03 has a larger battery, giving it a longer official range.

Interior

The interior of the T03 feels a bit more premium, with its large screens and electric sunblind.

Safety

The T03 comes with more advanced safety aids (like adaptive cruise control) as standard.

So, while the Dacia is a good car, the Leapmotor T03 just offers you "more car" for a very similar price, and it feels less like a compromise and more like a complete package in our view.

Who is the T03 For?

The Leapmotor T03 is an ideal car for many different people, including, for instance:

The Commuter

If you drive into Newcastle, Sunderland, or Durham for work, this car will just save you a fortune in fuel, as it is small enough to park easily and has enough range for the daily round trip as well.

The Second Car

If your household already has a big diesel or petrol car for long family holidays, the T03 then just makes a perfect second car for local runs, shopping, and school drops.

The First-Time EV Buyer

If you want to try an electric car but are scared of the high prices, the T03 is the perfect entry point. It is affordable and easy to live with.

The Retired Couple

Its high seating position makes it easy to get in and out of, and the automatic gearbox and light steering make it a breeze to drive.

So is the Leapmotor T03 Right For You?

The Leapmotor T03 is just a refreshing arrival in the UK car market, and it proves that you do not need to spend a fortune to get a modern, high-tech electric car.

As here you are getting acute, comfortable city car that is packed with features that usually cost thousands of pounds extra.

In fact, it is a car that makes sense for the real world, as it has enough range for real people, enough space for real lives, and a price tag that real families can afford.

Why Not Book a Test Drive?

So much so that here at Sherwood Motor Group, we are thrilled to have the Leapmotor T03 in our showroom in Sunderland.

So if you would like to book in a test drive, why not come and see it for yourself.

Where you can experience sitting in the electric seats, the panoramic roof, and take it for a test drive.

As we think you will be just as impressed as we are.

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Who is Sherwood's Motor Group

Here at Sherwoods Motor Group, we are a well-established car dealership group located in the North East of England with locations in Durham, Newcastle, and Sunderland.

As a result, we can offer you a wide selection of new car deals and used cars, along with a good electric range with some nice real-world ranges, along with other cars from leading brands such as Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall, and more and part exchange options as well.

In addition to our car sales, we can provide you with a range of services, including vehicle maintenance, MOTs, and repairs.

As an authorised dealer and one that is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), here at Sherwoods Motor, we can ensure that our customers receive high-quality, reliable services with official parts and warranty options as well.

We also cater to both individual customers and businesses, offering flexible car finance options, leasing deals and a range of after-sales services as well.

All-in-all, here at the Sherwoods Motor Group, we have built a reputation over the years for our customer service and comprehensive vehicle support, making us a go-to dealership for motorists in the area as a result.

So contact us today if we can help you; we are here to help.