Leapmotor T03 arrived on Bulgarian soil with a single mission: to prove that affordable electric mobility is not a myth, but a reality that can be competitive. This miniature electric car, coming from China, is the size of a VW e-Up!, but claims to offer more – and at a price that makes your wallet smile.
The key to trust here is not only in the brand's promises, but also in its partnership with the colossus Stellantis, which hints at serious engineering and a future service network. The question is: can the T03 stand out among more established players like the Dacia Spring, Hyundai Inster or the new favorite Renault 5, or is it doomed to remain just an exotic offering? We tried to get an answer to this question during the two-day test of the cheapest electric car available in our country. Here are our impressions.
Exterior: Fresh, but controversial vision
The T03 undoubtedly attracts attention with its fresh, albeit somewhat "childish" design. The shape is frankly square, which brings bonuses to the interior space, but aesthetically it is a matter of taste. The large, protruding headlights give it a good-natured look, but not the aggression that some would be looking for.
A distinctive feature is the standard panoramic glass roof, which at first glance is a luxurious element, but in combination with the large windows makes forward visibility excellent. Unfortunately, the rear end is rather anonymous. The presence of wide rear pillars and the lack of a wiper on the small rear window are minor but annoying flaws that interfere with the overall practicality and aesthetics. Overall, though, the car is a cutie
Interior: Surprising quality
The interior of the Leapmotor T03 is a real surprise – in a positive sense. While hard plastics dominate, they are skillfully textured and colored, creating an impression that is far more attractive than that of the Hyundai Inster, for example. The build quality is undeniable; the doors close with a thick, soothing sound, and elements like the steering wheel paddles (which strongly resemble those of Mercedes-Benz) feel solid.
However, ergonomics are the Achilles heel of the Leepmotor T03. Drivers over 185 cm will face a problem - the seat does not slide back far enough, and the steering wheel is only adjustable in height, but not in depth (telescopically). Otherwise, from a technological point of view, everything is quite good. Technologically, we have two screens: a clear 8-inch digital display for the driver and a fast, responsive 10-inch touchscreen for infotainment.
These screens are informative, the menus are intuitive, with the slight drawback being the resolution of the built-in navigation, which is not bad, but not at the level of OLED displays. And the main plus is the high-quality assembly and a good set of standard equipment (panoramic roof, air conditioning, etc.).
Engine and driving characteristics: A city fighter with limited capabilities
The Leapmotor T03 is available with a single configuration: a 36 kWh battery (usable capacity) and 95 hp power, driving the front wheels. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes 12.7 seconds. This makes it more agile than the Dacia Spring, for example. When starting from a standstill, a slight delay is felt, but for city traffic the power is quite sufficient.
The most impressive thing about the T03 is the ride comfort. The well-balanced suspension easily absorbs urban bumps, making it softer and more pleasant than the Inster. Alas, at higher speeds the car becomes "floating" and uncertain, significantly inferior to the stability of the Renault 5. But the Leapmotor T03 is a distinctly city car that feels great in its natural environment.
The steering has three modes – Standard, Comfort and Sport – which only change the weight of the steering wheel. We recommend Sport, which is the most precise and gives some feedback, but don't expect a sporty feel. As for the range, the official 265 km is realistic for the city, but on a trip outside the city during the test we achieved about 220 km (quite a long time on the highway at a speed of 120 km/h), which is on par with the real-world range of its direct competitors. The downside is charging, which is painfully slow by today's standards – 48 kW maximum power, which means almost an hour to charge from 10% to 80%.
Price and conclusion: Value vs. compromises
The Leapmotor T03 bets everything on price and rich standard equipment. At a price of around 38,950 leva including VAT, it is the most affordable electric car on the domestic market, offering many more extras than the competition. In the standard package, you get 15-inch wheels, air conditioning, a panoramic roof and a whole arsenal of safety systems: lane departure warning, AEB, blind spot monitoring and more.
Another significant plus of this small city car is the fact that its warranty is 5 years or 150,000 km, and with Stellantis behind you, you don't have to worry about future access to services and parts.
In conclusion, we will say that the Leapmotor T03 is an excellent choice for a second city car or for drivers who rarely leave the city perimeter. It is comfortable, well-equipped and offers more interior space than its external dimensions suggest.
The compromises are not few, but considering the quality and price, they are not many: slow charging, poor ergonomics for tall people and the lack of key functionality such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, if your search is limited to maximum value for a minimum price and you can swallow these shortcomings, the T03 deserves your attention. For those who travel more or insist on premium functionalities, the Renault 5 remains the more reasonable, albeit more expensive, choice, but what the cheapest electric car in our country offers is definitely worth it.