Budget Electric Cars - Leapmotor T03 🆚 Dacia Spring - Affordable EV Face-off

Comparing the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 in performance, efficiency, space, and technology to see how these two affordable electric city cars stack up.

00:00 Two Affordable Electric Cars
The Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 represent two of the most affordable options in urban electric mobility. Both models offer an economical proposition focused on efficiency and low purchase costs, but with notable differences in quality, space, and technology.

00:45 Vehicle Data
The Dacia Spring is powered by a 65 hp motor and a 26.8 kWh battery, providing 228 km of WLTP range. In comparison, the Leapmotor T03 delivers 95 hp with a usable 36 kWh battery, achieving up to 265 km of range. The T03 accelerates faster (0-100 km/h in 12.7 s vs 13.7 s for the Spring) and has a higher top speed (130 km/h vs 125 km/h).

01:57 Charging
Both models have front-mounted charging ports. In AC charging, they both utilise 6.6 kW single-phase charging, limiting their speed at certain public stations. For DC charging, the Dacia Spring supports up to 34 kW, while the Leapmotor T03 offers 48 kW, resulting in faster charging times.

02:53 Cargo Capacity
The Dacia Spring offers 228 litres of boot capacity, surpassing the 210 litres in the Leapmotor T03. However, the Spring’s narrower boot opening can make loading bulky items more challenging. The T03’s boot, though smaller in litres, benefits from greater depth.

03:30 Dacia Spring Exterior
The Dacia Spring features a simple design with functional elements, such as a plastic bumper designed for easy replacement after minor impacts. Its two-tone bodywork and 15-inch wheels stand out, but its small wheels and oversized wheel arches give it an unbalanced appearance.

05:19 Leapmotor T03 Exterior
The Leapmotor T03 sports a more modern, rounded design with smooth lines that lend it a refined look. It also comes with 15-inch wheels, but its wheel arches are better proportioned, avoiding the awkward stance seen in the Spring.

06:53 Dacia Spring Interior Space
The Dacia Spring’s cabin is compact, with limited rear seat space. Taller passengers in the back will find headroom particularly restrictive.

07:37 Leapmotor T03 Interior Space
Despite being shorter than the Dacia Spring, the Leapmotor T03 makes better use of its interior space. The rear seats are significantly more comfortable for adult passengers.

08:21 Inside the Dacia Spring
The Spring’s interior is extremely basic, with hard plastics and a lack of comfort features. The central screen includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but material quality is poor, and sound insulation is minimal.

10:17 Driving the Dacia Spring
The Dacia Spring offers agile, lightweight handling suited to city driving, but its chassis feels unstable through corners and on uneven surfaces. Driver assistance systems are minimal, with basic cruise control and lane-keeping assistance.

14:09 Dacia Spring Efficiency
In urban driving, the Spring recorded a consumption of 11.9 kWh/100 km, resulting in a real-world range of approximately 200 km. While efficient, its limited battery capacity restricts overall range.

14:46 Inside the Leapmotor T03
The Leapmotor T03’s cabin is better built, with higher-quality materials compared to the Spring. It offers more shoulder and headroom, a large panoramic sunroof, and a more modern dashboard design.

17:37 Driving the Leapmotor T03
The Leapmotor T03 delivers a more stable and refined driving experience than the Spring. Its steering is more precise, suspension more effective at absorbing road imperfections, and its higher power output provides smoother acceleration.

23:11 Leapmotor T03 Efficiency
The Leapmotor T03 consumed 12% of its battery over 30 km, equating to a real-world urban range of 250 km. Its efficiency benefits from a larger battery capacity compared to the Spring.

24:05 Which should you buy
While the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 appear similar on paper, the T03 offers a significantly superior experience in terms of quality, space, and refinement. To remain competitive, the Spring would need a price reduction of €3,000-5,000, as the T03 delivers better overall value for money and driving experience.