Leapmotor B05 (2026 - ) Electric review

The Leapmotor B05 is reasonably priced for company car buyers and for private buyers alike. It’s worth noting the B05 comes with only one specification grade, so you don’t need to stump up anything more for additional extras such as heated seats or a panoramic glass roof. Additionally, electric cars can be much more affordable to run, especially if you can charge at home and using a competitive electricity rate. The B05 seems to be one of the more efficient electric cars we have tested, and with a 300-mile range, most charging is likely to be done at home, resulting in manageable running costs.

Leapmotor has only been selling cars in the UK since 2025; in fact, it only produced its first vehicles in China in 2017, so it’s one of the youngest car manufacturers on the market. However, it is in partnership with Stellantis, which operates many more well-known brands, including Citroën, Peugeot, Fiat, Vauxhall and Alfa Romeo, to name but a few. As a full EV the B05 has fewer moving mechanical parts than a car with an engine, and inside so much is controlled by the touch-screen any potential issues are likely to be software related. To reduce the chances of this Leapmotor continually releases over-the-air updates – much like you get with your smartphone – to keep continually improving the experience. Leapmotor also provides a four-year or 60,000-mile warranty on the car. Separately, the car’s high-voltage battery is covered by an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty.

Although currently there is no test result for the Leapmotor B05 from the independent Euro NCAP safety body, the company’s previous models have achieved full five-star safety ratings, so it’s reasonable to expect this model will achieve the same. All B05s get seven airbags (front, side, curtain and central) and there are two ISOFIX anchor points in the outer rear seats. In total, the B05 has 21 driver assistance systems as standard, and it uses a suite of 14 sensors and cameras around and inside the car. These include numerous mandated safety equipment, such as intelligent speed assist that audibly alerts you when you exceed the posted speed limit, and a driver attention warning system, which relies on a camera to track the driver’s eyes and ensure they’re paying attention. Other features keep the car centred in its lane and prevent crossing out of the lane unintentionally by adjusting the steering; however, this can be overly sensitive, which many drivers may find off-putting. Many of these systems can be adjusted or even turned off, but it can only be done via the menu system on the car’s touch-screen, and even then, it must be repeated at the start of every journey.

The Leapmotor B05 strikes a reasonable balance between creating a car with good road manners and one that isn’t trying to be overly sporty. Smaller wheels provide enough tyre sidewall to help soak up bumps while still looking good. Over a variety of surfaces, the B05 deals with undulations and bumps well, and it remains decently quiet inside even at higher cruising speeds. The B05 is easy to get into and while the seat base is lower than the average crossover’s, the interior floor is high on account of the battery packaged underneath. Both front seats are electrically adjustable and heated as standard, plus the steering wheel to take the sting out of the winter months. Rear passenger space is among the best in the segment for legroom, and a flat floor all the way across is another positive. Where the B05 lags behind some rivals is boot space, which is less than average. The boot aperture is wide, though, so bulky items can be loaded easily, and the rear seats have a 60:40 split and can be folded down to provide more space.

With only one trim level buyers won’t feel left out when it comes to features and equipment. The B05 gets a full-size panoramic glass roof with a retractable sun blind, and the choice of three upholstery colour options, all using artificial leather. There’s an 8.8-inch digital instrument display ahead of the steering wheel, and a 14.6-inch touch-screen operating all the infotainment and interior car functions, such as climate control. There is smartphone mirroring for Android and Apple devices and a wireless charging pad in additional to USB-C and USB-A ports. A smartphone app can be used to remotely start the air conditioning and seat heating, as well as send navigation instructions ahead of starting a journey. Battery pre-conditioning is also present to optimise fast-charging, which has a peak rate of 174kW, while the standard-fit heat pump helps with efficiency.

Keeping things simple with the B05 includes the provision of a single powertrain. A 67.1kWh LFP battery has enough energy for 300 miles of range, and a 218-horsepower electric motor drives the rear wheels. Acceleration is brisk enough, though this isn’t a car designed to be a hot hatch, and nor does it feel it. Find a nice series of bends, and the B05 manages the task well, but it’s not as enjoyable to drive as a VW Golf or Ford Focus. There are selectable drive modes, including a Sport setting, and drivers can even activate a launch control function. The steering and energy recuperation can also be adjusted, though the differences across these settings is subtle.