Leapmotor B05 Design review: not hot, just seriously good

The Leapmotor B05 arrives as a rare thing in today’s SUV-dominated market: a compact, traditionally shaped five-door hatchback. The twist, of course, is that it is also fully electric and rear-wheel drive. That alone makes it noteworthy.

While the whirlwind of constantly launching new Chinese brands is somewhat bewildering, you may well have taken extra notice of Leapmotor due to the company’s partnership with Euro-American giant Stellantis, overseer of the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Peugeot, and Citroen brands, among others.

Stellantis owns a 21 percent stake in Leapmotor and a 51 percent controlling interest in Leapmotor International, the joint venture that distributes the brand in global markets of Leapmotor, giving the cars that are developed and designed for global sales a far broader focus, and one that is more tailored towards western expectations.

Which is likely why we get the B05, a small hatch that isn’t pretending to be an SUV: because they still quite like them in Europe.

The B05’s hook is simple: Golf-like proportions, rear-drive dynamics, and the promise of hot-hatch attitude - at least, that is what the local distributor is leaning into - though, as we’ll get to, it’s more “warm” than “hot”.

The B05 shares its underpinnings with the B10 small SUV (bet you didn’t see that coming…), meaning it packs a choice of either a 56.2kWh battery with a 401km range (in the Life model) or a 67.1kWh battery with a 480km range (in this Design model), both with a 160kW/240Nm electric motor mounted on the rear axle.

The B05 drops in slightly cheaper than the B10, with the Life kicking things off at $43,990, while our top-spec Design we drive here lands at $47,990 - $1000 and $2000 under the same spec B10 respectively - landing it smack in the meat of what is left of the compact hatchback segment, as well as the compact EV segment that is generally full of SUV-style competitors.

On the outside: what are the Leapmotor B05 Design's main design features?

The B05 leans into classic hatchback cues. Its proportions are very Volkswagen Golf-like - compact, balanced, with wheels politely nudged out to each corner to give it a planted stance - and it’s a handsome five-door with conservative surfacing that stops short of being bland thanks to a distinctive front light signature and tidy detailing.

Flush door handles deliver that modern EV vibe, though they can be mildly fiddly in day-to-day use, while the overall impression is striking without shouting, the kind of subtlety that ages well. It looks like a proper hatch rather than a hatch trying to be an SUV, which is refreshing.

Overall, its a handsome traditional hatch that, looked at from the right angle gives off serious Volkswagen Scirocco vibes, while still being a sensible family five-door hatch. 

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Leapmotor B05 Design's cabin like?

Inside, it’s very Leapmotor. Which is no surprise given it shares much of its interior with the B10, with a crisp central touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and both USB-C and USB-A up front.

 Its proportions are very Volkswagen Golf-like - compact, balanced, with wheels politely nudged out to each corner to give it a planted stance.

Seats are notably comfortable, and the cabin’s execution feels unsurprisingly closer to Leapmotor’s B10 in fit-and-finish than the more upmarket C10 SUV, which is to say impressively well-made for the expected price point.

Disappointing for the tactility-minded, physical controls are limited, but there’s a standout customisable button on the steering wheel that lets you set and quickly swap drive modes and profiles, a small touch that pays a big usability dividend.

Customisable LED ambient lighting lifts the atmosphere, and the general layout is traditional in the best way: intuitive, uncluttered, and easy to live with.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Leapmotor B05 Design like to drive?

The seating position is a revelation if you’ve spent far too long perched in SUVs - it’s low, hatchback-authentic, and immediately engaging.

Being rear-drive, it occasionally hints at its layout - the occasional wiggle from the rear end, the odd rear-wheel spin in the wet - but power levels stop it short of proper playfulness.

Performance is brisk rather than blistering, which makes Leapmotor’s “hot hatch” line feel more like marketing than measurement. Yes, there’s a launch mode, but it adds almost over simply planting your right foot.

Where the B05 scores big, however, is ride comfort and composure: it’s thoroughly excellent, with controlled body movements and tidy handling that invite you to punch it through corners with confidence.

Being rear-drive, it occasionally hints at its layout - the occasional wiggle from the rear end, the odd rear-wheel spin in the wet - but power levels stop it short of proper playfulness. Steering is the biggest dynamic dampener though: largely mute, thin on feedback, and it robs the car of the last few degrees of hot-hatch fizz. Still, the fundamental balance, predictability, and the sheer joy of driving a compact rear-drive hatch make it fun in a way most small EVs aren’t.

Driver aids are a mixed bag, generally being low maintenance and largely unintrusive, but there were a few, shall we say gremlins, that made things a bit irritating.

While the B05 does feature a programmable profile button on the steering wheel, several of the systems - most annoyingly drive lane assist - would simply turn themselves back on, regardless of what you set that at.

If you want a small EV that feels like a proper hatchback - low, tidy, and honest - the B05 hits a sweet spot that few other EVs manage.

It must be noted that the car we drove was a pre-production model, so most (if not all) will likely be ironed out by the time customer deliveries start.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Leapmotor B05 Design's warranty and servicing situation?

The B05 comes with Leapmotor's 4-year/100,000km standard warranty and an 8-year/160,000km for the battery, as well as 4 years of roadside assist.

Scheduled servicing is due every 12 months or 20,000km and a range of service plans are available.

On the whole: what do we think of the Leapmotor B05 Design?

The B05 is a hugely likable small electric hatch: compact, well-packaged, comfortable, and thoughtfully made. The rear-drive layout adds character, the ride quality is excellent, and the cabin balances modern tech with a pleasantly traditional feel.

Where it falls short of its “hot hatch” billing is outright pace and steering feel - the powertrain is more warm than hot, and the wheel talks in whispers, if at all.

Driver-assistance quirks on the pre-production car, particularly systems that wouldn’t reliably stay off, proved mildly frustrating, though the alerts themselves were subdued and not obnoxious; these are the sorts of niggles that typically get ironed out in customer cars.

Make no mistake: give it more power and better steering feel, and the B05 could be a genuine electric hot hatch. As it stands, it’s "just" an extremely competent, very appealing electric alternative to the humble Corolla, wearing a more interesting Golf-like shape and delivering the sort of everyday-fun that’s getting rare.

If you want a small EV that feels like a proper hatchback - low, tidy, and honest - the B05 hits a sweet spot that few other EVs manage.

Leapmotor B05 Design FAQs

What kind of car is the Leapmotor B05 Design?

A compact five-door hatchback.

Does the Leapmotor B05 Design have hybrid or EV technology?

It is fully electric with a 67.1kWh battery.

What’s the energy economy of the Leapmotor B05 Design?

15.1kWh/100km.

Is the Leapmotor B05 Design safe?

The B05 carries a 5 Star safety rating from Euro NCAP and features 7 airbags, including front, side, curtain and centre units.

What safety and assistance features does the Leapmotor B05 Design have?

What are the Leapmotor B05 Design's main rivals?

• GAC Aion UT Lux ($43,990): slighty smaller and FWD, but equally well sorted and well built.
• MG4 Essence ($44,990): similarly a RWD hatch, but with less conventional hatchback styling.
• BYD Atto 3 ($49,990): an oldie but a goodie, sent a shock through the market for a good reason.
• Honda Super-One ($41,900): a competitor only in the sense it is a hatch. Tiny and massively fun though.
• Mazda 6e ($58,990): more of a liftback than a true hatch, not here yet but bigger and pricier.