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Leapmotor T03 vs MINI Electric
Selected trimStandard165 mi · 37.3 kWh · £15,995
Selected trimLevel 1 · 2019-24Change trim145 mi · 32.6 kWh · £27,900
At a glance
The MINI Electric was replaced by the MINI Cooper in 2024. Compare the Leapmotor T03 with the MINI Cooper
In this comparison, Leapmotor T03 counters with the lowest price, while the MINI Electric leads on motorway range, family practicality and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the MINI Electric 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 want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The MINI Electric leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Leapmotor
5
MINI
4.8
Too close to call
Motorway RangeMINI
Leapmotor
2.2
MINI
3.6
FamilyMINI
Leapmotor
2.9
MINI
4.4
Cost Per MileMINI
Leapmotor
3.7
MINI
7.5
City Driving
Leapmotor
9
MINI
8.7
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 | Leapmotor T03Base | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £15,995 (better) | £27,900 |
| Official range | 165 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| Boot space | 210 L | 211 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 36 min | 31 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 12.7 sec | 7.3 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Leapmotor T03
MINI Electric
Length
Leapmotor T033,620mm-225mm
MINI Electric3,845mm
Width
Leapmotor T031,652mm-75mm
MINI Electric1,727mm
Height
Leapmotor T031,577mm
MINI Electric1,432mm-145mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Leapmotor T03Base | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,620 mm | 3,845 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,652 mm (better) | 1,727 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 1,999 mm |
| Height | 1,577 mm | 1,432 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.7 m (better) | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 748 mm spare (better) | 673 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Leapmotor T03Base | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Rear legroom | 960 mm | Not available |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 210 L | 211 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 508 L | 731 L (better) |
| Frunk | 0 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
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.
MINI Electric
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Leapmotor T03 Base |  MINI Electric Level 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.62m | 3.85m+225mm |
| Width | 1.65m | 1.73m+75mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.00m |
| Height | 1.58m | 1.43m-145mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.40m | 2.50m+95mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 127mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 210L | 211L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 508L | 731L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Rear Legroom | 960mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.7m (better) | 10.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,175kg (better) | 1,365kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 37.3kWh (better) | 32.6kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 165 mi (better) | 145 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 48kW | 50kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £15,995 (better) | £27,900 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2019–2024 |
* 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 | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 165 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 112 miles | 121 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 36 min | 31 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 48 kW | 50 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 163 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 37.3 kWh (better) | 28.9 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Leapmotor T03Base | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 12.7 sec | 7.3 sec (better) |
| Power | 70 kW | 135 kW (better) |
| Torque | 158 Nm | 270 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Leapmotor T03
Base
MINI Electric
Level 1
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 - MINI Electric Level 1
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant79%
Child Occupant73%
Vulnerable Road Users66%
Safety Assist56%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Leapmotor T03Base | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,000 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
MINI Electric
Level 1
Owners love
- Owners consistently say it is huge fun to drive, with instant acceleration, sharp handling and the feel of a MINI.
- It is very efficient on local roads, with owners reporting 4 to 6 miles per kWh or more and tiny running costs on an off-peak tariff.
- Servicing is cheap and simple, mostly checks and software updates.
Watch out for
- Range is the big compromise: owners typically report 100 to 140 miles in summer and 60 to 100 in winter, and far less at 70 mph.
- The range estimate is widely described as pessimistic and unreliable.
- It is small inside, with three doors, a small boot and tight rear seats.
Owner tips
- Buy one only if your regular trips are well under 100 miles, with home charging.
- Use one charging scheduler (the car's or the charger's, not both) to avoid conflicts.
Buying options
Get a quote
Leapmotor T03
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Leapmotor T03
No active listings.
MINI Electric
- £22,7992025Car360View
- £12,5712020Car360View
- £17,8682023Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the MINI Electric worth the extra £11,905 over the Leapmotor T03?
The MINI Electric costs £11,905 more than the Leapmotor T03. For that premium it adds 65 kW more power and a 5.4s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the MINI Electric comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Leapmotor T03 or the MINI Electric?
The Leapmotor T03 is £11,905 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 £11,785 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 MINI Electric like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 112 miles for the Leapmotor T03 and 121 miles for the MINI Electric - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 31-36 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Leapmotor T03 or the MINI Electric?
The Leapmotor T03 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 75 mm narrower than the MINI Electric. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 748 mm of total clearance for the Leapmotor T03 and about 673 mm of total clearance for the MINI Electric. The Leapmotor T03 also turns in a 0.9 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Leapmotor T03 or the MINI Electric?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Leapmotor T03 and 84% for the MINI Electric. 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 MINI Electric'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 MINI Electric 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 MINI Electric rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Leapmotor T03 and MINI Electric rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Leapmotor T03 and MINI Electric rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Leapmotor T03 and MINI Electric rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Leapmotor T03 and MINI Electric rank among the best city EVsWhere the Leapmotor T03 and MINI Electric rank among the cheapest EVs to run
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 .