First drive: Chinese Leapmotor hits the bullseye with T03 electric city car

It’s a five-door city car which costs the same as a petrol-powered Kia Picanto and yet is fully electric and has a level of standard equipment that could make a far larger supermini blush.

And that’s the USP here. While other UK-bound Chinese electric carmakers are scurrying to build dealerships and a brand image to woo Brits to buy their cars, Leapmotors (there’s also a second model available, a mid-sized elect SUV called C10) will be sold in select Stellantis dealerships. In other words, your local Vauxhall dealer could be selling Leapmotors – this will give customers peace of mind, believes the firm.

Charging is a little on the slow side as it can only take a 6.6kW charge from a home wallbox rather than the usual 7.2kW, and the maximum DC charging rate is 45kW – which, again, beats the Spring’s 30kW ability. The charging flap is also neatly located behind the front ‘grille’, which will make it easier to top up in cities.

The steering is best in ‘Sport’ mode as if left in either of the two lesser modes the response is just too light, and be prepared for the frankly awful noise the car makes at speeds below 15mph – it sounds like an air raid siren.

It has a faintly cutesy old Smart car vibe about it, but the desire to squeeze four people on board has given the T03 an oddly awkward look, particularly in side profile. Design isn’t the name of the game here though, with Leapmotor quite rightly focussing on more important things such as value for money and electric range.

The quality of the materials really belies the car’s price, and it’s pretty roomy considering the car’s exterior dimensions. There’s plenty of space up front, and even a couple of six-footers won’t feel uncomfortable in the back – although the front seats’ high-backed design does make it feel a little claustrophobic in the back. The only real let-down is the boot – it has an awkward opening, and its 210-litre capacity is trumped quite considerably by the Spring’s 308-litre boot.

Having said that, though, it’s rather odd that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are left off the touchscreen’s list of features, and the lack of an adjustable steering wheel and a rear wiper would grate after a while.

The T03 can’t lay claim to being the UK’s cheapest electric car as the Dacia Spring undercuts it by £1,000, but the little Leapmotor is far better value for money. Equipment levels are impressive, as is the range and passenger space – it even drives pretty well, too.

The elephant in the room, however, is that for similar money you can have a used Vauxhall Corsa Electric which feels far more grown up. But for those who would only consider a brand new car and want something efficient and well priced, the T03 is an impressive little car, plus it has the added peace of mind of being sold and looked after by your local Stellantis dealer.