2026 Leapmotor B05 is Australia's cheapest rear-drive EV

Key takeaways

• Leapmotor B05 opens at $35,990 drive-away from late August
• Choice of 401km or 482km WLTP battery ranges
• Rear-wheel drive, 160kW motor, tuned in Italy

The 2026 Leapmotor B05 arrives as the cheapest rear-wheel-drive electric car you can buy in Australia, priced from $35,990 drive-away when it reaches showrooms in late August. It is Leapmotor's most affordable model here, and while it ranks as the seventh-cheapest EV in Australia overall, it undercuts the MG 4 and lands close to the petrol Toyota Corolla on drive-away price in some states.

2026 Leapmotor B05 pricing

Leapmotor is opening the range with two variants and both carry a special drive-away offer running from 1 July to 30 September 2026 on the standard Lightning Yellow paint.

Every other colour, including Galaxy Silver and Starry Night Blue, adds $990. That entry price makes the B05 Style Australia's cheapest rear-drive EV, sitting below the $39,990 MG 4 Essence 64 while the flagship Design LR matches it.

Range, charging and performance

Both grades share a single 160kW rear motor, so the real split comes down to battery size, range and charging speed.

The Style claims 401km from its 56.2kWh battery while the Design LR stretches to 482km thanks to a larger 67.1kWh pack. The Design LR also charges quicker, taking a claimed 18 minutes to move from 30% to 80% on a 174kW DC charger.

Cabin tech and rear-drive dynamics

Leapmotor tuned the B05's chassis in Italy alongside Stellantis, the group behind Alfa Romeo, and claims a 50:50 weight balance for its rear-drive layout. Inside sits a 14.6-inch touchscreen, an 8.8-inch driver display and 21 driver-assist features.

The Design LR adds heated power-adjustable seats, synthetic leather trim, a 12-speaker stereo and a panoramic glass roof. Every B05 comes with a six-year vehicle warranty and eight years of capped-price servicing.

Leapmotor's cheapest-EV crown has a use-by date

Geely's EX2 is due in Australian showrooms within weeks at an expected price below $30,000, which makes the B05's title as the cheapest rear-drive EV a launch-window talking point rather than a lasting position. That points to the Design LR as the grade Leapmotor actually needs to sell, since its 482km range and Stellantis-tuned chassis are harder for a budget rival to match than a headline price. Expect the $39,990 Design LR to take the bulk of B05 sales, not the cheaper Style.

The cheapest-EV headline will most likely pass to Geely soon enough, so anyone drawn to the B05 is really buying its range and rear-drive character rather than a price record with a short shelf life. The bigger question is whether the extra $4,000 for 81km more range and a plusher cabin is worth stepping up from the Style.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the 2026 Leapmotor B05 in Australia?

The B05 starts at $35,990 drive-away for the Style and $39,990 drive-away for the Design LR, under a special offer running to 30 September 2026.

What is the range of the Leapmotor B05?

The Style claims up to 401km of WLTP range, while the Design LR extends that to 482km from its larger 67.1kWh battery.

When does the Leapmotor B05 go on sale in Australia?

Orders are open now, with first cars due in Australian showrooms from late August 2026.