The B03X delivers impressive rear passenger space, clever cargo flexibility and strong efficiency, but a slow touchscreen, vague steering and uneven safety/assistance systems hold it back.
Practical cargo solutions: rear seat bases lift to create a 39-litre long-item bay, 405-litre boot plus 105-litre underfloor store and 1,605 litres with seats folded.
Infotainment is a real frustration: a sharp 14.6-inch screen that responds slowly and makes routine adjustments fiddly.
Driving feel suffers: steering is light and vague even in Sport mode, and handling lacks engagement.
Leapmotor's B03X is a small family-oriented electric SUV that focuses on space and practicality. It scores well where it matters for everyday use — roomy rear seats, flexible storage and solid interior materials — but the ownership experience is undermined by a laggy 14.6-inch infotainment system, indistinct driving dynamics and awkward driver-assist behaviour. Auto Express gave it an overall 3.0 rating.
What stands out for passengers and cargo
Cargo flexibility is another highlight. The boot is 405 litres, and there's an additional 105-litre underfloor compartment. A height-adjustable boot floor and the ability to fold the rear seats create up to 1,605 litres of load space. Leapmotor also includes a useful trick: the rear seat bases lift to create a 39-litre area for long items such as bikes or flat-pack furniture — a practical alternative to full-fold seats.
The cabin follows the recent pattern for many Chinese marques: clean and minimalist but largely anonymous in design. Materials are generally solid for the price, with faux leather and soft-touch surfaces across doors, the centre console and dashboard. There's a playfulness in small details — a Morse Code-style dashboard pattern and a cartoon mascot called "Leapy" — but the overall look is bland rather than distinctive.
Everything is routed through a 14.6-inch touchscreen that looks sharp but is painfully slow to respond. Menus take time to load and repeated taps are often required, which makes simple tasks such as changing regenerative braking strength irritating and distracting. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, which helps if you prefer phone-based controls.
The review flags issues with the ADAS and broader safety systems that lowered the overall score. Leapmotor could improve the car's rating if those systems and the steering feel were refined.
If you prioritise rear-seat comfort and flexible storage in an affordable electric small SUV, the B03X is worth considering. If you expect a responsive infotainment system, confident steering or distinctive styling, this model will frustrate. Addressing the software sluggishness and steering calibration would make the package considerably stronger.
Leapmotor's B03X small electric SUV is far more polished than its expected price suggests. Its software needs more work but the fundamentals are good.
Leapmotor describes it as a 'passion magnet' that's 'fun to use'. If that's true, it should have no problem turning heads away from established rivals.
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