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BMW i3 (94Ah) vs Leapmotor T03
Selected trim94Ah · 2016-18158 mi · 33.2 kWh · £33,070
Selected trimStandard165 mi · 37.3 kWh · £15,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Leapmotor T03 leads on value for money.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 (94Ah) if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Leapmotor T03 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueLeapmotor
BMW
3.5
Leapmotor
5
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
3.3
Leapmotor
2.2
FamilyBMW
BMW
4.9
Leapmotor
2.9
ChargingBMW
BMW
3.5
Leapmotor
1.3
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
8.1
Leapmotor
3.7
City Driving
BMW
9.1
Leapmotor
9
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BMW i3
94Ah
- 50 litres more boot space
- 8 min quicker 10-80% rapid charge
- 55 kW more power
- 5.4s quicker 0-62 mph
- 27 Wh/km more efficient
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £33,070 | £15,995 (better) |
| Official range | 158 miles | 165 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 260 L (better) | 210 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min (better) | 36 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 12.7 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
Leapmotor T03
Length
BMW i34,006mm
Leapmotor T033,620mm-386mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm
Leapmotor T031,652mm-123mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
Leapmotor T031,577mm-21mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 3,620 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm | 1,652 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,577 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m | 9.7 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare | 748 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 960 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L (better) | 210 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L (better) | 508 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Leapmotor T03
- At 3,620 mm, shorter than 90% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 9.7 m turning circle, tighter than 80% of hatchback EVs in our database.
- 1,652 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 94Ah |  Leapmotor T03 Base |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 3.62m-386mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.65m-123mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | Not available |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.58m-21mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.40m-170mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L (better) | 210L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L (better) | 508L |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 960mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m | 9.7m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,300kg | 1,175kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 33.2kWh | 37.3kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 158 mi | 165 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 48kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,070 | £15,995 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2016–2018 | 2025+ |
* Leapmotor T03: Not Euro NCAP tested. Quadricycle and L-category vehicles fall outside the Euro NCAP programme scope.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 158 miles | 165 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 104 miles | 112 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min (better) | 36 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 48 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW (better) | 7 kW |
| Energy consumption | 136 Wh/km (better) | 163 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 27.2 kWh | 37.3 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 12.7 sec |
| Power | 125 kW (better) | 70 kW |
| Torque | 250 Nm (better) | 158 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW i3
94Ah
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Leapmotor T03
Base
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BMW i3
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 94Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Leapmotor T03 Base
Leapmotor T03 Base
Not Euro NCAP tested. Quadricycle and L-category vehicles fall outside the Euro NCAP programme scope.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | Not available |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i3
94Ah
Owners love
- Excellent efficiency and range for a compact EV, with owners achieving 115-143 miles on electric power and 250+ miles combined with Range Extender
- Innovative, well-engineered design with lightweight carbon fiber construction and clever packaging that feels spacious inside despite compact exterior
- Fun, responsive driving dynamics with excellent handling, strong regenerative braking enabling one-pedal driving, and rear-wheel-drive traction
Watch out for
- Winter heating system significantly reduces real-world range by 20-25%, making 60Ah models marginal for UK winter commuting
- Range Extender adds weight causing tail-heavy handling, reduces overall efficiency to ~36mpg, makes unpleasant engine noise, and requires regular fuel use for engine maintenance
- High-voltage component failures (EME/inverter) reported in some cases with extremely expensive repairs (£10,000+) unavailable outside BMW dealers
Owner tips
- Choose 94Ah battery over 60Ah for significantly better winter range and usability; target 2016+ model year for improved reliability, ideally 2018+ for LED headlights
- Install home 7kW charging and use smart tariffs like Octopus Go for cost-effective daily charging; use InstaVolt or Osprey for reliable public rapid charging
Leapmotor T03
Base
Owners love
- Excellent value for money at under £16,000 with competitive equipment levels including ADAS, adaptive cruise, and modern tech features
- Quiet, smooth, and refined electric drivetrain with strong efficiency of 4.2-5.7 miles per kWh and good real-world range of 130-200 miles
- Superior interior space, comfort, and build quality compared to direct competitors like the Dacia Spring, with metal door levers and quality finishes
Watch out for
- Unattractive and polarizing exterior styling described as ungainly, charmless, and resembling white goods rather than a car
- Lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity at launch, though updates are incoming
- Crude and unreliable adaptive cruise control that struggles with roundabouts and can brake or accelerate suddenly
Owner tips
- Use multiple charging apps (Podpoint, Electroverse, BP Pulse) to find cheaper rates down to 22-44p per kWh, and combine 13A home charging with solar panels or off-peak EV tariffs for minimal running costs
- Switch to standard cruise control instead of adaptive cruise control on motorways for better reliability, and use damp-absorbing pouches to manage window condensation in wet weather
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Leapmotor T03
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £17,075 over the Leapmotor T03?
The BMW i3 costs £17,075 more than the Leapmotor T03. For that premium it adds 50 litres more boot space, 55 kW more power and a 5.4s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the Leapmotor T03?
The Leapmotor T03 is £17,075 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Leapmotor T03 comes out roughly £16,955 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i3 and Leapmotor T03 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 104 miles for the BMW i3 and 112 miles for the Leapmotor T03 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 28 minutes in the BMW i3 and 36 in the Leapmotor T03, so the BMW i3 loses less time at each stop.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the Leapmotor T03?
The Leapmotor T03 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 123 mm narrower than the BMW i3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 748 mm of total clearance for the Leapmotor T03 and about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the Leapmotor T03?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the BMW i3 and 90% for the Leapmotor T03. That gives the Leapmotor T03 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Leapmotor T03's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW i3's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW i3 comparisons
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i3 and Leapmotor T03 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and Leapmotor T03 rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3 and Leapmotor T03 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Leapmotor T03 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Leapmotor T03 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and Leapmotor T03 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
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Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .