Leapmotor has opened the European order books for the B03X, the compact electric crossover it hopes will turn the Chinese brand from a niche newcomer into a serious contender in Europe’s volume EV market.

At €24,900, the B03X will compete for the same buyers as Stellantis’ own Fiat Grande Panda Electric, Citroën ë-C3 Aircross, and Opel Frontera Electric.

Unusual in-house challenger

That makes it an unusual in-house challenger, since Leapmotor International is 51% controlled by Stellantis and relies on its European dealer and after-sales network.

Two versions are listed for Belgium. The €24,900 B03X Life gets a 39.8 kWh LFP battery, a 130 kW (177 hp) front motor, and a provisional WLTP range of 301 km.

The €28,900 Design raises capacity to 53.0 kWh, output to 145 kW (197 hp), and the claimed range to 401 km. Metallic paint costs €650, while Acorn Brown is the standard color.

Those figures remain subject to final homologation. Leapmotor’s European order-opening release cites lower preliminary WLTP values of 292 and 382 km for the two battery sizes.

Less than €30,000

The final Belgian certification figures will therefore be decisive, but the intended positioning is already clear: a similar range to key value rivals with the entry model, and a 400 km-class alternative for less than €30,000.

The B03X measures 4,270 mm long, 1,810 mm wide, and 1,635 mm high, with a 2,605 mm wheelbase. It is thus more substantial than a Fiat Grande Panda or Hyundai Inster, while remaining compact enough for dense urban use.

Leapmotor says its CTC 2.0 Plus cell-to-chassis battery layout helps free up interior space and improve efficiency. Both batteries are rated for up to 2.5C DC charging.

That equates to roughly 100 kW for the 39.8 kWh pack and 133 kW for the 53 kWh version, with Leapmotor claiming a 30-80% refill in around 16 minutes under favorable conditions.

The 197 hp Design version has 200 Nm of torque, a top speed of 160 km/h, and a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of 8.6 seconds. Both versions are front-wheel drive.

Leapmotor also promises its Leap OS 4.0 digital ecosystem, smartphone integration, and remote vehicle functions, although the Belgian price list does not yet provide a full equipment breakdown.

Closest to Fiat Grande Panda

In the closest price comparison, Fiat’s Grande Panda Electric has a list price of € 22,490 and a claimed WLTP range of 320 km, although its current €20,490 headline offer depends on a conditional recycling incentive.

Citroën’s ë-C3 Aircross Electric starts at €26,690 with a 44 kWh battery and 307 km WLTP, while the 52.8 kWh Extended Range version is listed from €29,690 for up to 398 km.

Opel’s Frontera Electric starts from €25,690 with a 44 kWh battery and around 307 km of range, while the 54 kWh Extended Range version reaches up to 401 km WLTP. That means the B03X Life undercuts the smaller-battery Frontera, while the Design mirrors its long-range figure at a potentially lower list price.

The Renault 4 E-Tech electric starts at €30,100 in Belgium, while BYD’s Atto 2 carries a €34,990 catalogue price before temporary retail incentives. Leapmotor therefore enters with a noticeable paper advantage over more established electric B-SUVs.

The larger question is whether European buyers will trust a young Chinese badge. Leapmotor has an advantage most new entrants lack: its Leapmotor International venture with Stellantis gives it access to an established dealer, service, and distribution network.

The B03X will show whether that backing, combined with sharp pricing, strong outputs, and competitive battery sizes, can convert curiosity into meaningful European sales.