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BMW i3 vs Leapmotor T03
Selected trim120Ah · 2018-22193 mi · 42.2 kWh · £35,180
Selected trimStandard165 mi · 37.3 kWh · £15,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on family practicality and running costs, while the Leapmotor T03 leads on value for money.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p 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
3.4
Leapmotor
5
FamilyBMW
BMW
4.9
Leapmotor
2.9
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
5.4
Leapmotor
3.7
City Driving
BMW
8.7
Leapmotor
9
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,180 | £15,995 (better) |
| Official range | 193 miles (better) | 165 miles |
| Boot space | 260 L (better) | 210 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 42 min | 36 min (better) |
| 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 i3120Ah | 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 i3120Ah | 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 120Ah |  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 | 1,320kg | 1,175kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42.2kWh (better) | 37.3kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 193 mi (better) | 165 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 48kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,180 | £15,995 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2018–2022 | 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 i3120Ah | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 193 miles (better) | 165 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 129 miles (better) | 112 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 42 min | 36 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 48 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7 kW |
| Energy consumption | 152 Wh/km (better) | 163 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 37.9 kWh (better) | 37.3 kWh |
| 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 i3120Ah | 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.
BMW i3
120Ah
Leapmotor T03
Base
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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 120Ah
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 i3120Ah | 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
120Ah
Owners love
- Fun, responsive driving dynamics with go-kart handling and strong acceleration make the i3 enjoyable for daily use
- Low running costs with inexpensive home charging and minimal servicing compared to petrol alternatives
- Excellent battery management system with minimal degradation, enabling long vehicle life and reliable ownership
Watch out for
- Limited range for frequent long-distance travel; winter conditions can reduce range to 100-120 miles, requiring careful journey planning
- Expensive BMW dealership repairs and diagnostics; independent specialist servicing is strongly recommended to control costs
- Range extender (REX) models add unnecessary complexity, weight, and maintenance issues without proportional benefits for most owners
Owner tips
- Install a 7kW home wall charger for convenient overnight charging; a granny charger is too slow for regular use and poses safety risks
- Choose the 120Ah battery-only model over REX variants for better long-term value, fewer reliability concerns, and simplified ownership
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
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i3
- £29,9952021EVHEROView
- £12,4992019Cars2View
- £11,1952018Drive GreenView
Leapmotor T03
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £19,185 over the Leapmotor T03?
The BMW i3 costs £19,185 more than the Leapmotor T03. For that premium it adds 28 miles more WLTP range, 50 litres more boot space and 55 kW more power. 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 £19,185 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £168 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 £19,145 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 129 miles for the BMW i3 and 112 miles for the Leapmotor T03 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW i3 goes roughly 17 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 36-42 minutes.
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 88% 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
More Leapmotor T03 comparisons
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
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
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 .