Leapmotor B05 vs B10 (UK 2026): same price, very different cars

Leapmotor (零跑汽车, HKEX: 9863) is a publicly listed Chinese EV maker with a significant difference from most rivals: Stellantis holds a 20 per cent stake and manages European distribution through a joint venture. In July 2026 Leapmotor became the first Chinese new-force brand to exceed 100,000 monthly deliveries, and its H1 2026 gross margin reached 15 per cent — the first sustained positive margin in the company's history. For UK buyers weighing an eight-year battery warranty against an unfamiliar badge, those numbers matter. Both the B05 and the B10 carry identical warranty terms and come from the same Leapmotor factory. Neither has LiDAR or City NOA — those features exist in China-market models such as the A05 and A10, but the UK export range is intentionally stripped back. The brand-survival risk for both cars is the same: low.

At first glance the two cars are almost identical on price. The B10 is £29,995 in its only trim; the B05 opens at £28,995 (Standard) with a £30,495 Ultra variant above it. Apply the LEAP-GRANT — £1,500 off both models, available until 30 September 2026 (confirm with your dealer before ordering, as grants can be withdrawn without notice) — and the B05 undercuts the B10 by exactly £1,000: £27,495 versus £28,495. The B05 Ultra with the grant also costs £28,995, making it directly comparable to the B10 before grant. Neither car qualifies for the UK Plug-in Car Grant. Residual values for both models are not yet in CDL or Auto Express tables, given the B05 only opened for orders in July 2026; finance buyers should verify resale assumptions directly with a lender rather than relying on generic Chinese-brand estimates.

The B05 leads on paper: 300 WLTP miles versus the B10's 270, despite near-identical battery sizes (66.3 kWh vs 67.1 kWh). The difference comes down to aerodynamics and weight — the B05's compact hatchback shape is slipperier than the B10's taller SUV body. Both offer genuinely fast DC charging: the B05 at up to 174 kW, the B10 at 168 kW, meaning a 10–80 per cent charge takes around 24 and 26 minutes respectively at a compatible rapid charger. The chemistry difference is more interesting for daily-use buyers. The B05 uses NMC, which delivers higher range per kilowatt-hour but performs best when charged to 80 per cent daily. The B10's LFP pack is comfortable at 100 per cent state-of-charge and degrades less in cold conditions — a meaningful advantage in a British winter. For motorway drivers covering 200-mile days, the B05 is the slightly more comfortable choice; for urban and commuter drivers who want to charge overnight to 100 per cent without concern, the B10's LFP chemistry is the lower-maintenance option.

This is where the two cars genuinely diverge. The B05 is sporty by Chinese-EV standards: rear-wheel-drive, 174 kW, a chassis developed with Stellantis and influenced by the Alfa Romeo programme — Carsales Australia describes it as having handling "a head and shoulders above its Chinese rivals." The 0–62 mph claim is 6.7 seconds, though Australian reviewers note real-world feel is closer to eight. Top Gear called it an "opposite of boring" buy while also flagging its intrusive lane-keep assist as a major negative. The B10 is, by the RAC's description, "comfortable and relaxing" — tuned at Fiat's Balocco test track for ride quality rather than dynamics, wafty at motorway speed, and suited to a family that values smooth progress over involvement. It loses composure on challenging lanes, but that is probably not why anyone buys it. Practicality is nearly identical: the B05 has a marginally larger boot (474 litres versus 430) and adds a 40-litre frunk, but the B10's taller roofline means more rear headroom. Both have an over-reliance on the touchscreen that UK reviewers have noted across every Leapmotor model.

The answer depends entirely on what you want from a car. If you want the most engaging drive at this price point — rear-wheel-drive, sport-tuned chassis, faster acceleration — the B05 is the one to test-drive. It has a genuine personality, which is unusual in this segment. But its intrusive lane-keep assist is a real negative that the B10 simply does not have, and its Euro NCAP result was not yet confirmed at the time of writing (testing was completed in June 2026; a five-star result is expected but not official). If you want the better-tested, more relaxed family SUV with a confirmed five-star safety rating and LFP chemistry suited to daily 100 per cent charging, the B10 is the more straightforward recommendation. Both cars reward buyers who act before 30 September 2026: the £1,500 LEAP-GRANT expires then, and you should confirm its availability with your dealer at the point of order rather than assuming it will still be live at delivery. Neither car is the right choice if a long vehicle warranty is your priority — for that, look at BYD (eight years) or MG (seven years).