This cheap Chinese EV is one update away from being brilliant
Car changing is a big deal
The Leapmotor B05 might be the most frustrating kind of new car: one that gets so much right, then nearly spoils it all. Deputy reviews editor Tom Wiltshire went to Germany to try it out.
This is Leapmotor’s new electric family hatchback, and it’s aimed straight at cars such as the Volkswagen ID3, MG4, Cupra Born, Kia EV4 and Renault 4. In size and shape, it’s very much a Golf-style hatchback, though unlike the Volkswagen it’s electric-only. And with a price starting at just under £29,000 once Leapmotor’s £1,500 ‘Leap Grant’ is applied – it looks like strong value.
In fact, the B05 does a lot of the hard stuff properly. It has a useful 300-mile official range, plenty of power and rapid charging, which means a 10-80% top-up can take as little as 24 minutes. Those are perfectly competitive figures, especially for the money.
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.
It’s also pretty generously equipped. There’s only one trim level, and standard kit includes heated, ventilated and electrically adjustable front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, wireless phone charging, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, a 14.6-inch touchscreen and an 8.8-inch driver display. The only real option is metallic paint, which keeps things nice and simple.
The design is tidy rather than groundbreaking. From some angles it looks quite a lot like a Volkswagen Golf, particularly around the front end, but I reckon it’s handsome enough. You also get some more interesting touches, including frameless doors and a full-width rear light bar. I’m less keen on the hidden door handles, because they’re one of those things that look cleaner in a design studio but feel fiddly in real life.
Inside, it’s extremely minimalist. Almost everything is controlled through the central touchscreen, and the cabin uses a consistent light or dark grey colour palette across its different materials. Some people will find that calming; others may find it slightly like sitting inside a millennial’s living room.
Space is a real highlight. I found the rear seats roomy even at 6’2, and the flat floor helps make the back feel broad and usable. The boot is less impressive, though. At 345 litres, it’s smaller than the MG4, Volkswagen ID3 and Kia EV4, so this isn’t the best choice if luggage space is your priority.
The biggest surprise is how the B05 drives. I didn’t expect it to feel especially polished, but it’s genuinely pleasant. It’s comfortable around town, quiet on faster roads and composed through corners without feeling too soft or wobbly. It’s not exciting, despite the presence of Sport mode and even launch control, but that’s fine – it doesn’t need to be.
Unfortunately, the software is a major problem. The touchscreen is too menu-heavy, basic driving functions are buried in awkward places, and the safety systems are maddening. The lane-keeping assistance is too aggressive, and the constant beeps and bongs make it feel as though the car is permanently cross with you. Turning these systems off involves far too much digging through menus, and some settings don’t stay off when you think they should.
That’s what makes the B05 so annoying. It isn’t a bad car – it’s roomy, good value, well equipped, comfortable and one of the better Chinese EVs I’ve driven. But the safety tech and software are irritating enough to make me hesitate before recommending it.
If Leapmotor can sort those issues with an over-the-air update, the B05 could go from promising to genuinely good. Until then, it’s a very good electric hatchback with one very loud, very persistent flaw.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
Want to see the latest car content first? Add Carwow as a preferred source here. Click here to follow us on Reddit, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos. You can also subscribe to our WhatsApp channel to get the latest news sent straight to your phone.