In Brief
The Leapmotor B05 stands out for its highly attractive price, positioning itself as the cheapest electric compact sedan on the market. Despite the label of a “sporty” model, it prioritizes comfort, equipment, and interior space over hard-edged driving thrills. Its efficient on-road behavior, comprehensive equipment, and decent build quality offset a real-world range that falls short of promises, relatively high energy consumption, and a small trunk. It thus offers an appealing compromise for drivers who want a well-equipped car without breaking the bank.
Let’s not beat around the bush! At €30,290, and even €28,400 after deducting the €1,500 launch discount offered by the manufacturer and the €390 CEE grant, the Leapmotor B05 Design, the top-tier ProMax Design, upends its rivals. It is simply the cheapest electric compact sedan on the market.
Leapmotor B05 218 hp / 67.1 kWh* ProMax Design: at that price, who’s got it beat?
Nobody. Not even among its Chinese peers. The MG4 Premium with a 77 kWh pack, while slightly more powerful (245 hp) and also highly competitive, asks €28,990. As for its European rivals, their pricing is markedly higher: €43,430 for a Peugeot E-308 GT, which is less powerful (156 hp) with a 55 kWh battery; €41,570 for the Cupra Born Endurance with 230 hp and a 77 kWh pack; €41,500 for a Renault Mégane E-Tech Esprit Alpine Autonomie Confort with 220 hp and 60 kWh.
Leapmotor presents it as the brand’s “sporty” model. But aside from its large 19-inch wheels, wearing wider tires at the rear (235/45) than at the front (225/45), it remains discreet. Its clean, restrained design, with smooth body panels, free of sharp edges or bulged fenders, favors elegance over sportiness. Indeed, behind the wheel, enthusiasts seeking sensational thrills will be disappointed.
Leapmotor B05 218 hp / 67.1 kWh* ProMax Design: not much fun to drive
Despite its power and rear-wheel drive, the B05 isn’t particularly entertaining to drive. It isn’t especially nimble, thanks to a lazy front end when the driver pushes the car to its limits and a rear axle that’s overly locked. The steering, uninformative, also robs some of the fun. On the flip side, the chassis’ balanced road manners support an efficient behavior: traction is solid, even when launch control is engaged. To use it, simply press the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time from a standstill. The digital instrument cluster lights up in multiple colors to indicate that the dynamic start procedure is active. Then lift your left foot to release the brakes, and the car unleashes its power. But fans of cannon-like thrust from battery-powered sports cars will likely be left wanting more. Here, the acceleration is more progressive than explosive. No rocket-launch, or “catapult” effect.
Leapmotor B05 218 hp / 67.1 kWh* ProMax Design: comfort preserved
Moreover, the compliant suspension cushions road imperfections gently without jolts. This cabin comfort invites long distances. In this test, the version equipped with the large ProMax 67.1 kWh net battery, the one we drove, proves preferable to the entry-level “only” 56.2 kWh. Leapmotor quotes an official range of 482 km with the larger pack, at a consumption of 15.9 kWh/100 km, versus 401 km and 15.8 kWh/100 km for the smaller pack. On first glance, these figures look a touch optimistic.
At the end of our test, conducted on winding roads with village crossings and a handful of highway kilometers, the onboard computer averaged 17.1 kWh/100 km. On many occasions, instant consumption exceeded 20 kWh/100 km. If these numbers hold in subsequent measurements, real-world range could dip below 400 km.
Leapmotor B05 218 hp / 67.1 kWh* ProMax Design: materials aren’t too pale
Result: more frequent fueling stops on long trips. Recharging from 30 to 80% on a DC fast charger at a maximum 168 kW requires at least 17 minutes. Plan on roughly 30 minutes to recharge from 10 to 80% to minimize stop frequency—these are calculations worth doing in advance.
Inside, the materials aren’t shabby, though they aren’t as refined or high-quality as those of European benchmarks. The B05’s strong suit remains interior space, with generous legroom and elbow room. Unfortunately, that comes at the expense of trunk space (just 345 dm3). That’s a volume comparable to a lower-segment vehicle like the Renault 5 E-Tech (326 dm3).
Disappointingly, the driving aids are too intrusive and tedious to disable on the large central screen that houses most controls, even for turning on lights or adjusting mirrors—definitely not ideal!
On the upside, the feature-rich equipment list on this top-of-the-line Design trim includes a panoramic sunroof, eco-leather seating, power-adjustable and heated front seats, and 12 speakers (versus 6 on Life). These features are unavailable or optional on its European rivals, which makes this Chinese newcomer look generous by comparison.
Leapmotor B05 218 hp / 67.1 kWh* ProMax Design: its pluses
- Price/equipment value
- Interior space
- Comfort
Leapmotor B05 218 hp / 67.1 kWh* ProMax Design: its minuses
- Fuel consumption
- Small trunk
- Driving aids
The Auto Journal’s verdict: 3/5
The designation of “sporty” seems somewhat overused for the B05. It lacks a more dynamic driving character. Instead, it stands out for its precision, comfort, and interior space, all wrapped in a richly equipped package at an aggressive price.
Leapmotor B05 218 hp / 67.1 kWh* ProMax Design: in figures
Find our first test of the Leapmotor B05 218 hp / 67.1 kWh ProMax Design in Auto Journal issue 1214 dated July 23, 2026.
Comparison Table
| Model | Power (hp) | Battery (kWh) | Official range (km) | Official consumption (kWh/100 km) | Price (€) | Trunk volume (dm3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leapmotor B05 Design | 218 | 67.1 | 482 | 15.9 | 28 400 | 345 |
| Leapmotor B05 (base) | n.c. | 56.2 | 401 | 15.8 | n.c. | 345 |
| MG4 Premium | 245 | 77 | n.c. | n.c. | 28 990 | n.c. |
| Peugeot E-308 GT | 156 | 55 | n.c. | n.c. | 43 430 | n.c. |
| Cupra Born Endurance | 230 | 77 | n.c. | n.c. | 41 570 | n.c. |
| Renault Mégane E-Tech Esprit Alpine | 220 | 60 | n.c. | n.c. | 41 500 | n.c. |
| Renault 5 E-Tech | n.c. | n.c. | n.c. | n.c. | n.c. | 326 |
Essentials to Remember
- The Leapmotor B05 is the cheapest electric compact on the market, well equipped.
- Its road manners prioritize comfort and efficiency over sportiness.
- Real-world range is lower than the official claim due to higher consumption in mixed use.
- Fast charging takes roughly 17 to 30 minutes depending on the starting state.
- Interior space stands out, but trunk volume is limited.
- Driver aids are perceived as too intrusive despite a very feature-rich premium-spec package.
FAQ
What is the price of the Leapmotor B05 ProMax Design after discounts?
The Leapmotor B05 ProMax Design is priced at €28,400 after the launch discounts and the €390 CEE grant.
What is the real-world range observed during the test?
During the test, average consumption was 17.1 kWh/100 km, translating to a real-world range of just under 400 km.
What are the main strengths of the Leapmotor B05?
The B05 stands out for its value-for-equipment ratio, comfort, and generous legroom and elbow room.
What are the drawbacks noted on the Leapmotor B05?
Key drawbacks include high consumption, a small trunk, and overly intrusive driver-assistance systems.
How long does it take to charge the B05 on a fast charger?
Approximately 17 minutes to go from 30% to 80%, or about 30 minutes from 10% to 80% on a 168 kW fast charger.
