Dacia Spring vs Leapmotor T03

• Dacia Spring vs Leapmotor T03
• Key stats probed in our head-to-head
• EVs are the cheapest new cars in the UK
• Competition has increased following price drops

The battle between the UK’s cheapest new cars intensified this week after tit-for-tat price drops. 

But should you lease the affordable Dacia Spring or the budget-friendly Leapmotor T03? 

Here we shuffle into the driving seat of both urban hatchbacks to help you decide. 

^{(Dacia Spring)}

What is the UK’s most affordable new car?

It’s a great question - and the answer actually changed in quick succession this week. 

Leapmotor drew first, repricing its electric T03 at £12,995 OTR (down from around £14,495 previously) thanks to an increase in what it calls the ‘Leap Grant’ being applied to the model.

The Chinese firm proudly declared the ‘generously specified’ T03 as ‘the most affordable new car of any fuel type for UK buyers’. 

_{(Leapmotor T03)}

But wait just a minute. 

A day later, on July 1st, Dacia decided a little one-upmanship was in order. 

It dropped the price of its electric Spring to just £11,990 OTR, describing how it was ‘redefining the cost of motoring in the UK’. Like the Leapmotor T03, the Dacia Spring was previously priced at around £15,000. 

So, both of the UK’s cheapest new cars are EVs and swerve a traditional engine. For comparison purposes, the cheapest petrol car is the Dacia Sandero, which begins at £14,765. 

But, between the Leapmotor T03 and the Dacia Spring, which one is best for you?

At the time of writing (02/07/26) a Dacia Spring lease costs from £155.24 per month (48-month contract, 5,000 miles, 12-month initial payment of £1,862.88 plus admin fee)*.

The Leapmotor T03 can be leased from £177.86 per month (48-month contract, 5,000 miles, 12-month initial payment of £2,134.32 plus admin fee)*.

Prices change all the time - so check our our lease deals for the most up-to-date special offers.

^{(Dacia Spring)}

Dacia Spring vs Leapmotor T03 - which has the biggest EV range? And what about charging?

Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70 

• Battery: 24.3 kWh
• Range: 139 miles
• AC standard charge: 7 kW
• DC rapid charge: 40 kW DC, 20-80% in 29 mins

^{(Leapmotor T03)}

Leapmotor T03

• Battery: 37.3 kWh
• Range: 165 miles
• AC standard charge: 7 kW
• DC rapid charge: 48 kW DC, 30-80% in 36 minutes.

As you can see from the above, the Leapmotor T03 inches ahead of the cheapest Dacia Spring (the ‘Expression’ trim) in the EV range drag race, thanks in part to that larger battery. 

The T03 does, however, take slightly longer to charge, even with quicker charging speeds.

^{(Dacia Spring)}

Dacia Spring vs Leapmotor T03 - which has the most power?

Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70 

• Power: 70 hp
• 0-62 mph: 12.3 seconds
• Top speed: 78 mph

Leapmotor T03

• Power: 95 hp
• 0-62 mph: 12.7 seconds
• Top speed: 81 mph

While the Spring has less power, both models have similarly acceleration times (slow, by EV standards) and both will happily sit at motorway speeds, though you can expect the range to dip while doing so. 

It’s good to remember that these cars are for city use. We’ve driven both and they’re more than nippy enough for urban traffic. 

^{(Leapmotor T03 boot)}

Dacia Spring vs Leapmotor T03 - which one is the most practical?

Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70 

• Dimensions: 3,701 mm long, 1,583 mm wide, 1,519 mm high
• Boot space: 308 litres
• Turning circle: 9.6m

^{(Dacia Spring)}

Leapmotor T03

• Dimensions: 3,620 mm long, 1,652 mm wide, 1,577 mm high
• Boot space: 210 litres
• Turning circle: 9.7m

The Dacia Spring and the T03 are both compact hatchbacks with little difference between them in terms of overall dimensions. 

The Spring is, however, slightly longer while the T03 is both wider and taller. 

Both are four seaters only, so you’ll need to factor that into your thinking. 

The Tardis-like T03 offers a surprisingly spacious interior (it’s genuinely roomier than it looks) while the Spring is the better car when it comes to carrying luggage, having a much larger 308-litre boot. 

^{(Leapmotor T03 interior)}

Dacia Spring vs Leapmotor T03 - which has the most standard equipment

Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70 

• 15-inch steel wheels
• Fabric upholstery
• Media Control system: turns your smartphone into a screen display
• Rear parking sensors
• Manual air conditioning with heater
• Emergency Braking assist
• Lane keep assist
• Traffic sign recognition

^{(Dacia Spring)}

Leapmotor T03

• 15-inch alloys
• 10.1-inch touchscreen with sat nav
• 8-inch LCD cluster
• Rear parking sensors
• Single-zone electric air conditioning
• Panoramic glass sunroof with power blind
• Keyless start
• Electronic parking brake
• Adaptive cruise control
• Front collision warning
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Intelligent speed assist
• Lane keep assist with lane change alert

We’ve focused here on the cheapest ‘Expression’ version of the Dacia Spring (the Extreme grade comes with more kit) while the Leapmotor T03 is available in just one fully-loaded trim level. 

As you can see from this quick list, the T03 delivers bang for your buck in spades. You even get a panoramic glass roof - which is pretty much unheard of at this price. 

The T03 also comes with a proper infotainment touchscreen where the Spring asks you to transform your smartphone into a ‘Media Control’ unit instead. 

^{(Leapmotor T03)}

What about other alternatives to the Dacia Spring or Leapmotor T03?

Because of the way leasing works, it's not just the car's on-the-road price that dictates what your monthly fee might be. 

In fact, the list price is just part of the equation. 

Here at Select, we often secure deals with manufacturers to access discounted rates while the car's predicted residual value (ie, what it's worth at the end of your lease period) also has a massive sway. 

^{(Dacia Spring)}

So, while the Dacia Spring and the Leapmotor T03 might be the cheapest cars to buy outright in the UK, it doesn't necessarily make them the cheapest to lease. 

For the same sort of money right now (ie, £155-178 per month, at the time of writing) you could get behind the wheel of cars like the Fiat Grande Pande, Nissan Juke, or the compact Renault Symbioz SUV. 

None of those cars are fully electric. 

For direct EV rivals to the Dacia Spring or Leapmotor T03, consider alternatives like the Honda Super-N, Citroen e-C3 and BYD Dolphin Surf.

*Prices correct as of 02/07/2026 and are subject to change. 

Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.

Every lease deal is a fixed monthly cost for the whole of your contract, apart from changes to government costs, e.g. VAT changes or road fund license cost changes and in certain specific cases where the funder changes the price. Electric range quoted is WLTP.

We like to be up front and transparent with our customers, ensuring they get the service they can expect. View our initial disclosure document here: https://www.selectcarleasing.co.uk/initial-disclosure-document.html

All vehicles listed are subject to manufacturing availability and images and descriptions used are for illustrative and reference purposes only. Please visit the manufacturer’s website for more accurate specification. All data listed comes from the CAP database and is subject to change. Terms and conditions apply.

To be eligible for one of our offers you will need to be over 18 to qualify and approved for credit with one of our verified lenders, which is subject to status and the finance companies terms and conditions. Not all applicants may be eligible. Failure to maintain payments may result in the termination of your contract agreement and the vehicle being returned

Select Car Leasing is a credit broker not a lender. Select Car Leasing is a trading style of Select Contracts (UK) Limited and the firm is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 670832. VAT Registration No 392 2756 72. ICO Registration ZA076253. Company Number 06569098. Select Car Leasing is proud to be a member of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) No 1846.

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