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Leapmotor T03 vs VW e-Up!
Selected trimStandard165 mi · 37.3 kWh · £15,995
Selected trim32kWh · 2020-23Change trim162 mi · 36.8 kWh · £23,195
At a glance
In this comparison, Leapmotor T03 counters with the lowest price, while the VW e-Up! leads on family practicality, running costs and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the VW e-Up! if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW e-Up! wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value
Leapmotor
5
VW
5.2
Too close to call
FamilyVW
Leapmotor
2.9
VW
4.2
Cost Per MileVW
Leapmotor
3.7
VW
6.6
City DrivingVW
Leapmotor
9
VW
9.5
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 | Leapmotor T03Base | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £15,995 (better) | £23,195 |
| Official range | 165 miles (better) | 162 miles |
| Boot space | 210 L | 250 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 36 min (better) | 49 min |
| 0-62 mph | 12.7 sec | 11.9 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Leapmotor T03
VW e-Up!
Length
Leapmotor T033,620mm
VW e-Up!3,600mm-20mm
Width
Leapmotor T031,652mm
VW e-Up!1,645mm-7mm
Height
Leapmotor T031,577mm
VW e-Up!1,492mm-85mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Leapmotor T03Base | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,620 mm | 3,600 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,652 mm | 1,645 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 1,910 mm |
| Height | 1,577 mm | 1,492 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.7 m (better) | 9.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 748 mm spare | 755 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Leapmotor T03Base | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Rear legroom | 960 mm | Not available |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 210 L | 250 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 508 L | 923 L (better) |
| Frunk | 0 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
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.
VW e-Up!
- At 3,600 mm, shorter than 90% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 1,645 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Leapmotor T03 Base |  VW e-Up! 32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.62m | 3.60m-20mm |
| Width | 1.65m | 1.65m-7mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 1.91m |
| Height | 1.58m | 1.49m-85mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.40m | 2.42m+20mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 138mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 210L | 250L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 508L | 923L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Rear Legroom | 960mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.7m (better) | 9.8m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,175kg (better) | 1,274kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 37.3kWh (better) | 36.8kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 165 mi (better) | 162 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 48kW (better) | 40kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £15,995 (better) | £23,195 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2020–2023 |
* 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 | Leapmotor T03Base | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 165 miles (better) | 162 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 112 miles | 116 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 36 min (better) | 49 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 48 kW (better) | 40 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 7.2 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 163 Wh/km | 144 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 37.3 kWh (better) | 32.3 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Leapmotor T03Base | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 12.7 sec | 11.9 sec (better) |
| Power | 70 kW (better) | 61 kW |
| Torque | 158 Nm | 212 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Leapmotor T03
Base
VW e-Up!
32kWh
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Leapmotor T03
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 - Leapmotor T03 Base
Leapmotor T03 Base
Not Euro NCAP tested. Quadricycle and L-category vehicles fall outside the Euro NCAP programme scope.
Euro NCAP - VW e-Up! 32kWh
Tested 2019
Adult Occupant81%
Child Occupant83%
Vulnerable Road Users46%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Leapmotor T03Base | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,934 km |
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.
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
VW e-Up!
32kWh
Owners love
- Fun, responsive driving experience with excellent handling and smooth, quiet operation suited to city driving
- Compact size makes parking and maneuvering effortless, while feeling surprisingly solid and well-built
- Customizable regenerative braking with multiple selectable levels allows drivers to tailor efficiency to their preference
Watch out for
- Severely overpriced relative to petrol equivalents, with pricing that has hindered market adoption and resale values
- Limited real-world range (60-100 miles depending on model year) requires careful journey planning for longer trips
- UK home charging limited to 3.6kW on standard single-phase supply despite marketing claims of 7.2kW capability
Owner tips
- Verify actual UK charging specifications (3.6kW single-phase vs. 7.2kW three-phase) and test charging rates before purchase to avoid disappointment
- Negotiate aggressively with dealers—significant discounts from list price are routinely available on stock vehicles
Buying options
Get a quote
Leapmotor T03
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW e-Up!
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Leapmotor T03
No active listings.
VW e-Up!
- £10,4952021Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Is the VW e-Up! worth the extra £7,200 over the Leapmotor T03?
The VW e-Up! costs £7,200 more than the Leapmotor T03. For that premium it adds lower energy use, 144 versus 163 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW e-Up! comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Leapmotor T03 or the VW e-Up!?
The Leapmotor T03 is £7,200 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £160 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 £7,120 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Leapmotor T03 and VW e-Up! like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 112 miles for the Leapmotor T03 and 116 miles for the VW e-Up! - 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 36 minutes in the Leapmotor T03 and 49 in the VW e-Up!, so the Leapmotor T03 loses less time at each stop.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Leapmotor T03 or the VW e-Up!?
The two are within 7 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 755 mm of total clearance for the VW e-Up! and about 748 mm of total clearance for the Leapmotor T03.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Leapmotor T03 or the VW e-Up!?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Leapmotor T03 and 84% for the VW e-Up!. 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 VW e-Up!'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 Leapmotor T03 comparisons
More VW e-Up! 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 Leapmotor T03 and VW e-Up! rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Leapmotor T03 and VW e-Up! rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Leapmotor T03 and VW e-Up! rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Leapmotor T03 and VW e-Up! rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Leapmotor T03 and VW e-Up! rank among the best city EVsWhere the Leapmotor T03 and VW e-Up! rank among the cheapest EVs to run
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 .