Leapmotor is strengthening its position in New Zealand’s electric vehicle market with the October launch of the B03X, a compact electric SUV built around cabin space and practicality rather than outright size. At 4.27 metres long with a 2,605mm wheelbase and flat-floor EV architecture, the B03X offers 947mm of rear legroom and up to 1,009mm of front headroom, aiming for the manoeuvrability of a compact SUV without the usual space trade-offs.
Brian Carr, General Manager – Sales at Auto Distributors New Zealand, says the model is designed around everyday usability rather than badge appeal alone. “It is easy to manoeuvre and park in an urban environment, but once you get inside, the amount of space and flexibility is immediately apparent. We have focused heavily on making B03X a vehicle that is genuinely useful every day, while also giving customers the technology, performance and EV efficiency they increasingly expect.”
Battery, range and charging
The B03X launches in two variants: Life, with a 39.8kWh battery and up to 292km WLTP range, priced from $37,990 plus on-road costs, and Design, with a 53.0kWh battery and up to 382km WLTP range, from $42,990. Life is rated at 130kW of power, and Design up to 145kW. DC fast charging tops out at 100kW on Life and 133kW on Design, with an 11kW onboard AC charger across the range. Both use Leapmotor’s Cell-to-Chassis 2.0 Plus architecture, which integrates the battery into the vehicle structure to lower the centre of gravity, increase torsional stiffness, and support thermal runaway protection.
Storage and tech
Boot space is a clear focus: 405 litres in the standard boot, plus a further 105 litres in Leapmotor’s waterproof, washable GigaBox underfloor compartment, taking total capacity to 510 litres, or 1,605 litres with the rear seats folded. The cabin adds 33 further storage compartments, a 15W wireless phone charger, and dual cupholders built into the centre console.
On technology, the B03X runs a 14.6-inch central touchscreen alongside an 8.8-inch digital instrument display, powered by Leapmotor’s Leap OS 4.0 Plus on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and over-the-air software updates. Level 2 driver assistance covers 21 ADAS features supported by 14 sensors and cameras, with three selectable driving modes.
Safety and dealer network
A five-star ANCAP safety rating is anticipated, following five-star results already achieved by Leapmotor’s B10 and C10 models, and the B03X carries seven airbags as standard. The model is backed by a six-year warranty.
The launch coincides with an expansion of Leapmotor’s New Zealand dealer network, with four new sites opening in Napier, Taupo, Rotorua, and Palmerston North, taking the network to 12 locations and improving coverage across the North Island. Pairing a new model with a wider footprint puts Leapmotor in a stronger position to compete in what has become one of the most contested segments in the local EV market, as more brands push compact electric SUVs into the sub-$45,000 bracket.
