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Leapmotor B05 Arrives: Small EV With Big Electric Attitude
Meet the Leapmotor B05, a compact electric hatchback that thinks it is far more expensive than its price tag suggests. Arriving in showrooms late August 2026, pricing starts at $35,990 drive-away for the Style and $39,990 drive-away for the longer range Design LR. It is a coupe-ish, rear-wheel-drive hatch that promises style, pace and sensible daily practicality.
Looks And Presence
The B05 leans hard into sporty elegance with a coupe silhouette, low stance and frameless doors. Flush handles, blade-style LED headlamps and a full-width rear light strip give it that polished, modern look. Pick Lightning Yellow if you want the pavement to notice you, or Starry Night Blue if you prefer to be noticed more subtly.
Range, Charging And Practicality
Two trims, two battery sizes. The Style runs a 56.2 kWh LFP pack for up to 401 km WLTP range. The Design LR upgrades to a 67.1 kWh pack and claims up to 482 km WLTP. Both support 11 kW AC charging and ultra-fast DC charging, with the Design LR able to accept up to 174 kW. That translates to a rapid 30 to 80 percent charge in roughly 16 minutes for the Style and about 18 minutes for the Design LR, which is plenty fast for a long run.
Interior And Tech
Inside, the B05 mixes coupe flair with sensible ergonomics. A 14.6 inch floating touchscreen and an 8.8 inch driver display run LEAP OS 4.0 Plus on a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, with split-screen navigation, voice control and OTA updates. There are 25 storage nooks, up to 1,205 litres of cargo with the rear seats folded and creature comforts like a heat pump, wireless 50W charging and multi colour ambient lighting on higher trims.
Safety, ADAS And Connectivity
Leapmotor packs 21 ADAS functions backed by 14 sensors and cameras, Level 2 assistance and a seven airbag system including a centre airbag. Helpful additions include a 360 degree camera, integrated dashcam and a connected app for remote climate control, digital key and live vehicle status. It aims to be both useful and reassuring rather than baffling.
Drive And Dynamics
The B05 is driven by a 160 kW electric motor producing 240 Nm of torque and a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time as low as 6.7 seconds in Design LR spec. Rear-wheel drive, near 50:50 weight distribution and chassis tuning developed in Italy give it a more engaging feel than most city hatchbacks. There is even launch control for when you must prove a point at a set of lights.
Warranty is competitive: eight years or 160,000 km on the high voltage battery and six years or 150,000 km for the vehicle, with capped price servicing and roadside assist packages available. For buyers seeking a compact EV that prioritises personality and a proper driving feel, the B05 is an unexpectedly accomplished package.
Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.
