Stromspar-Duell: Der Leapmotor T03 trifft auf den Dacia Spring – Welcher Billig-Elektroflitzer überzeugt mehr?

Comparing Leapmotor T03 and Dacia Spring: Affordable Electric Cars Face-off

Both start at prices below 19,000 Euros…

For several years now, the Dacia Spring has been winning over electric car enthusiasts across Europe with its functional design and an attractively low starting price.

The most formidable rival for the Romanian-built car from China is the Leapmotor T03, a city car also from China that's making its first appearance in the European market, boasting noteworthy mileage and an equally appealing cost. Let's pit them against each other to find out what advantages each has to offer.

Exterior

The Leapmotor is perfectly sized for urban driving, measuring 3.62 meters in length and 1.58 meters in width, identical to the Spring model. It boasts a simplistic design aesthetic, featuring circular front lights reminiscent of the Mini, and a bulkier rear end with horizontal tail lights linked by a central black strip.

The vehicle comes with compact 15-inch wheels and offers a choice of three body colors: Bright White, Starry Silver, and Ice Blue. Additionally, it features a contrasting black roof.

Introducing the Leapmotor T03

Dacia Spring Model

The Dacia Spring, which stretches to 3.70 meters in length, underwent a significant redesign in the spring of 2024, presenting a more angular design and incorporating a variety of styling features reminiscent of the brand's latest models, including the Duster and Bigster.

At the front, there's the updated Y-shaped lighting signature and redesigned bumpers which can be accented with either black or white inserts depending on the trim level.

At the rear, the "Dacia" emblem is embedded into a black panel that links the new LED headlights. There are six exterior colors available, including the fresh shades of Safari Beige and Brick Red.

Interior

The cabin of the Leapmotor boasts a sleek and contemporary design, featuring an 8-inch digital gauge display mounted on the dashboard and a lower-set 10.1-inch screen for the infotainment system, which notably lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The air conditioning vents blend seamlessly with the overall aesthetic, though the majority of the trim is crafted from hard plastic, except for the middle section of the door panels which is an exception.

The chairs are made of fabric and feature a comfortable design, complete with built-in headrests. There's ample room for both front and rear passengers, with the T03 approved to carry up to four individuals. The trunk holds at least 210 liters, but this can be expanded to 508 liters by folding down the back seats.

The electric vehicle known as the Leapmotor T

Dacia Spring Model

With the early 2024 makeover, the Spring's interior, which also accommodates four passengers, saw the addition of several new features. The dashboard now boasts fully digital instrumentation, including a 7-inch screen, whereas the more advanced models come fitted with a 10-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system (which, except for the entry-level variant, now incorporates Android Auto and Apple CarPlay across all trims).

The standard models now include a mobile phone mount that can secure devices of any size in a landscape orientation. Additionally, there is a broader range of upholstery colors and materials available. Inside the cabin, white, solid-colored components have been introduced which are designed to be scratch-resistant and visually stand out as storage compartments.

The central air vents feature a distinctive Y-shaped graphic and come in either white or copper colors depending on the model. The steering wheel can be adjusted for height, and the gear shift includes a B-Mode for controlling regenerative braking.

The accessories have been updated as well, with the introduction of YouClip attachments that allow for the addition of items such as cup holders, rechargeable lights, and smartphone mounts, which are available with or without wireless charging capabilities.

In the spring, the trunk space, which has a minimum capacity of 308 liters, can be expanded to over 1,000 liters when the back seats are folded down, allowing for more efficient use of the available space.

Propulsion System

The T03 model comes equipped with a front-mounted motor capable of delivering 95 horsepower, paired with a 37.3 kWh lithium-ion battery. Leapmotor's estimated driving range for the T03, under the combined WLTP cycle, is 265 kilometers, which increases to 395 kilometers when driving in urban conditions. The vehicle's charging capacity reaches 6.6 kW for alternating current and 45 kW for direct current.

Jumpstart Your Drive with the T03 from

Dacia Spring Model

In the case of the Dacia, two engine options are available. The entry-level model is powered by a 45 horsepower engine capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 19 seconds, while the more powerful 65 horsepower engine can reach 100 km/h in just 13.7 seconds. Both engines can achieve a top speed of 125 km/h. The battery capacity remains the same at 26.8 kWh, offering a promised range of 225 kilometers.

The vehicle can be charged using alternating current up to 7 kilowatts, and there's an option to charge up to 30 kilowatts using direct current, but this is only available for the model with 65 horsepower.

45 HP/65 HP – 26.8 kWh

Costs

In Germany, the starting cost for the Leapmotor is 18,900 Euros, and it comes impressively equipped with features like 15-inch alloy wheels, a 10.1-inch dashboard display, automatic climate control, parking sensors, a rearview camera, a panoramic sunroof, and level-2 driver assistance systems.

The starting price for the Spring model is set at 16,900 euros for the variant with 45 horsepower. Standard features include a 7-inch combined instrument display, Media Control with DAB radio, connections for Bluetooth and USB, and rear parking sensors. However, it does not come with air conditioning as part of the basic package.

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