Fiat Grande Panda v Leapmotor T03: which of these bargain EVs is the best for your buck?

Small electric cars are growing in popularity, but which of these two eye-catching options is the best? Deputy reviews editor Tom Wiltshire compares the low-cost Leapmotor T03 with the super-stylish Fiat Grande Panda

One of the biggest barriers quoted when it comes to buying an electric car is the price. EVs are typically more expensive than their petrol or hybrid counterparts – in some cases by many thousands of pounds – and this can make them a hard sell.

But the tides are turning, with discounts, grants and newer, cheaper models being introduced all the time. With the latest onslaught of new EVs from China, as well as the UK government’s electric car grant of up to £3,750 on qualifying models, some electric cars are now cheaper than petrol alternatives. In fact, with discounts, the cheapest new car in the UK is no longer a petrol-powered hatchback – it’s this, the Leapmotor T03, a small electric car.

Leapmotor is a Chinese brand but has backing in Europe from the mega Stellantis group. The same group sells several other small EVs, though, and one of them is the utterly charming Fiat Grande Panda. It’s a bit bigger and pricier than the Leapmotor, but is it worth the extra cash? We’re going to find out.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Fiat Grande Panda v Leapmotor T03: design and styling

Both of these cars stand out, but for different reasons. Let’s start with the simpler-looking Leapmotor. It’s pure anime, with big round headlights, a snub nose and even a slot in the grille that looks like a smile. If you’re fed-up with aggressive-looking car design, then this is the machine for you.

It does appear slightly awkwardly proportioned, being sat high up on tiny little wheels – it looks too tall and too narrow. It’s largely inoffensive, though, and might appeal if you’re fond of its cutesy aesthetic.

The Grande Panda, on the other hand, is all boxy proportions and sharp edges – a homage back to the original Panda introduced in the 1980s. It takes that retro vibe and runs with it, adding pixel-style LED daytime running lights and lots of rugged touches like clad wheelarches and roof bars.

It’s also packed with super-cool details. The ‘Panda’ embossed into the side doors is a masterstroke, as is the Fiat badging at the rear between upright taillights. In the yellow shade of our test model, it’s one of the best-looking small cars you can buy.

Inside, it’s a similar story. The T03 has quite a simple interior, that doesn’t really give off budget car vibes. There’s a digital instrument display and central touchscreen, a little bit of storage in the centre and minimal switchgear. There isn’t really anything suspect, but neither are there any features that surprise or delight.

The Panda’s dash is, if anything, even more characterful than the exterior. The blue upholstery on our test model stood out against the light dash plastics and fluorescent yellow trim pieces. There’s a translucent panel next to the infotainment, and the glovebox lid is covered in fabric derived from bamboo fibres. It’s utterly charming.

Fiat Grande Panda v Leapmotor T03: space and practicality

Considering its tiny dimensions, there’s a surprising amount of space inside the T03 for passengers. It’s bigger in the rear seats than a Dacia Spring, Fiat 500 Electric or even a Vauxhall Corsa Electric – a six-foot adult can get comfy behind a similarly-sized driver with ease.

There are only two seats back there, though – the cabin’s just too narrow for three, and you definitely feel that in the front too. Anyone except the very slim will find they’re butting shoulders with their passenger.

The Panda isn’t quite as roomy for legs, but there’s still plenty of headroom – and in a pinch, you can accommodate three passengers across the back. There’s more storage up front, too – where the Leapmotor gets just a single cupholder and a slot to hold a phone, the Grande Panda has proper cupholders, under-armrest storage and even a wireless phone charger, plus twin gloveboxes.

The Grande Panda has the Leapmotor absolutely licked for boot space, too. Its 361-litre space has a nice wide opening, a flat floor, and 60:40 split folding rear seats. The Leapmotor’s boot feels like an afterthought by comparison – it’s just 210 litres in capacity, and you don’t get split-folding seats or even a parcel shelf. The boot aperture is really very narrow too, curving inwards around the taillights.

Fiat Grande Panda v Leapmotor T03: tech, range and charging

The interior of the Leapmotor T03 seems quite high-tech if you’re more used to the bargain-basement cars of a few years ago. Both screens are bright and high-res and it doesn’t at all feel basic.

The screen doesn’t operate quite as slickly as it would appear, though. It responds quickly but the menus are longwinded, and the icons are far too small to hit when you’re on the move. Some functions are also really confusing, especially the climate controls which you’d expect to be simple. And there’s no smartphone connectivity with which to bypass Leapmotor’s own software either – nor are there any USB-C sockets to facilitate this, just old-fashioned USB-A.

The Grande Panda feels more up-to-date in comparison. Its stylish dashboard has the same infotainment system as you get in the Citroen e-C3, which is barebones but very easy to use.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, and if you don’t fancy ferreting around in a touchscreen just to make yourself warmer you’ll be pleased to see a full panel of physical climate control switches.

When it comes to range, the Leapmotor’s 165-mile maximum is beaten by 199 miles in the Grande Panda. The Panda is quicker to charge too, topping up from 20-80% in around 30 minutes – it’d take the Leapmotor around 45 minutes for the same charge. The Panda also has a neat trick – a charging cable hidden in its nose, a bit like the cable on a hoover. It’s a brilliant touch.

Fiat Grande Panda v Leapmotor T03: prices and specs

Prices today (September 2025)

Model	Carwow price	What’s included	Notes
Leapmotor T03	£14,191	Includes £1,500 Leap-Grant (manufacturer discount)	RRP: £14,495
Fiat Grande Panda Electric (RED)	£20,833	Includes £1,500 Fiat E-Grant (manufacturer discount)	RRP: £21,085

The T03 plays its trump card when you get to pricing it up. At less than £15,000, it’s currently the cheapest new car of any type you can buy in the UK. That’s thanks to the so-called ‘Leap Grant’, a discount the firm is offering to match the government’s EV grant, which the T03 does not qualify for.

You get lots of kit for your money too, in a single well-equipped trim level. There’s those two big screens, two-tone paint, a reversing camera, air-con, keyless start and even a large sunroof. Conspicuous by its absence is any form of smartphone connectivity, though.

The Grande Panda is pricier, but with Fiat’s own ‘E-Grant’ it comes in at a very reasonable price of around £21,000. This is for the ‘RED’ trim level, which isn’t quite as generously equipped as our La Prima test model. But it still gets both of those screens inside, cool-looking 16-inch steel wheels, LED lights, air-con and all the safety kit you’d expect.

Fiat Grande Panda v Leapmotor T03: verdict

So which of these two cars should you buy? Well, if value-for-money is your key driver, then go for the Leapmotor – it’s the cheapest car of any type around at the moment, and it would do a great job as a second car or city runaround. It’s a shame that the characterful styling doesn’t translate to the interior, though.

The Grande Panda, on the other hand, feels fantastic both inside and out. It’s a cheap car with style, but it doesn’t sacrifice practicality in the process as some small EVs have in the past (such as the Honda e).

It’s more expensive, but the Grande Panda is the car out of these two that’ll put a smile on your face. If you’re looking for a ‘proper’ car, the more traditional Fiat is the better option.

How we tested these cars

We don’t just get these models together for a photoshoot and call it a day. Our expert reviews team lived with these cars for several days during September 2025, using them on their daily commutes and as their regular cars wherever possible. We tested them on motorways and A-roads around Bedfordshire and on longer trips afield, and examined their interiors and practicality both separately and side-by-side.

Fiat Grande Panda v Leapmotor T03: other alternatives

Citroen e-C3

This is based on the same mechanical underpinnings as the Grande Panda and has a matching 199-mile range. It’s a bit less eye-catching, but very practical and very comfortable.

Mini Cooper E

Much pricier than the other cars here, but the Cooper E has style oozing out of every pore and it’s great fun to drive too.

Renault 5

The best-driving small electric car money can buy, with cool retro styling and a great interior. The rear seats are really cramped, though.

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