The leapmotor B05 is a slick EV hatchback that could’ve been a genuine MG4 rival, but it lacks these essentials

Introduction

I quite liked the Leapmotor B10 when I drove it a few months ago and, before that, the dinky Leapmotor T03 was an ideal little city runabout. Now there’s the Leapmotor B05, an electric hatchback that slots nicely between those two and further bolsters this Stellantis group sub-brand’s portfolio. The B05 is a C-segment hatchback, which means that it’s nicely proportioned and has space but without the bulkiness of an SUV.

What makes it more appealing though is the simplicity of what’s on offer. Leapmotor has adopted an ‘everything as standard’ policy which means the B05 comes fitted with impressive levels of kit via a single trim. In fact, the specification includes everything from stylish 19in alloy wheels and a panoramic sunroof through to electric heated seats in the front and a whole heap of tech embellishments.

It could be an option if you’re already looking at something like the very good MG4 and it is also cheaper than the likes of the arguably better-looking Cupra Born. Although the Leapmotor B05 sits on similar electric architecture as that used for the Leapmotor B10, it feels like a much more manageable proposition. So, if a great value hatchback that comes with everything as standard sounds like an option for you, read on…

The styling

It’s increasingly hard to stand out from the crowd but I think the Leapmotor B05 does a good job at differentiating itself from many similar-sized EVs. This was especially so with the Lightning Yellow model that featured prominently during my testing session. This bold colour really helped to accentuate the design lines of the car, which blends a very aerodynamic profile with subtle trim accents. The stance is cool too.

One of the most obvious smart moves by the designers has been to keep the doors frameless, so the glass is all that contacts with the body. With the doors shut, the effect is smooth and really quite elegant. With the doors open, the interior looks and feels refreshingly airy. A full glass panoramic roof accentuates this lightness and upbeat ambience too.

Elsewhere, there’s a neat contrasting use of glossy black plastic, with neat door mirrors, sills and air intakes at the front leaving a strong impression on me. The flush flip-out door handles and sleek front and rear lighting strips added further appeal. Combined together, the style statement is a strong one. Leapmotor tops it off with some cool alloy wheels and darkened rear windows, all of which makes the B05 a lot more distinctive than some I could mention.

After the cool vibes given off by the exterior, the Leapmotor feels a little more sober on the inside. The cockpit is a fairly simplistic, no-frills affair and plastic trim levels are quite high. However, this is tempered with quality seat coverings and a fit and finish that felt of a very good standard. As we’ve come to expect from Chinese-made cars, just about all of the controls are housed inside the infotainment screen, so I had to spend some time picking through that in order to tweak doors mirrors, climate controls and suchlike, with the former adjustment proving simpler than expected via the small round dials on the otherwise uneventful steering wheel.

I thought space levels in both the front and back were impressive and the Leapmotor B05 felt comfortable enough to make a longer drive a no-fuss operation. The boot opening and space inside didn’t seem quite as impressive though, but I’m sure it would work for the majority of folks with average needs. Oh, and one other interior talking point are those holes in the dashboard. While they’re very much a design flourish in Europe, the Chinese version has accessories that can be attached to the openings. So, now I know.

The drive

The Leapmotor B05 proved to be great fun to drive, with the amusement factor dialled up a notch or two once its Sport mode was selected. This hatchback felt quite potent when pushed and it went around curves and tight corners with virtually no body roll. I liked the feel of the rear-wheel drive powertrain, with that ‘push rather than being pulled’ appeal really being enhanced in the sportier setting.

While drive was selected using a column-mounted shifter, everything else had to be selected via the touchscreen. While the options for adjustment were plentiful, this involved quite a lot of faff and even more scrolling, so was best saved for letting a passenger do it or adjusting when completed stopped. The other issue that was commented on by a lot of people, as well as me, were the potency of the lane-keep assist and annoyance factor of other driver ‘aids’.

Attempts to reduce these, or switch them off entirely, were far from straightforward and provided the only real downside to the drive appeal of the Leapmotor B05. Aside from that quibble though, I thought the hatchback was very dependable. It had plenty of get up and go even when in the Comfort setting was engaged and the steering was also pretty good. The latter could also be adjusted via the screen, though I found the changes I tried not really worth the effort. Overall, though, the Leapmotor B05 drive definitely left me wanting to try it again.

The technology

There’s everything anyone could want to be found inside that sizable 14.6in infotainment screen on the dash, with some supplementary control options available via the buttons on the steering wheel. The graphics on the 8.8in driver display were predictably quite small, with some of the core things like, er, speed indications, feeling like they could do with being bumped up a notch or two on the point size.

This was the same with the infotainment screen too, and while the layout was okay, it didn’t feel like the arrangement was quite as smart as it could have been, despite using the latest Leap OS 4.0 software. Nevertheless, it was wise to try and get used to the infotainment screen as it formed the basis of controlling everything inside and outside of the car. Leapmotor also has its own app, which can be handy for setting controls in advance of getting to your vehicle. Always a boon in winter when preconditioning can be done.

Leapmotor uses its own satellite navigation system, which like many other Chinese engineered creations, works well enough in Europe after a few obvious tweaks. However, there was also the backup option of heading for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, while my phone was easy to keep charged up thanks to the centre console spot that boasts 50W charging. Leapmotor also packs in 64-colour ambient lighting, a very acceptable audio system and standard issue connectivity options front and back to make the B05 feel more than able to match close rivals.

Leapmotor B05 verdict

The Leapmotor B05 kept me amused with its mildly quirky design stance and very engaging drive appeal. I quite liked the way the hatchback felt like a decent option for anyone tired of by-numbers SUV designs and the rather more low-slung driving position is fun but still remains firmly practical.

The boot opening seemed a little on the restrictive side but, on the whole, I think the Leapmotor B05 is a success, topped off with a respectable amount of range that makes it easy to live with.

Leapmotor B05 technical specifications