Key Points
- The Leapmotor B05 has launched in New Zealand priced from NZD $43,990, with an August or September 2026 delivery window.
- The B05 has already received Australian regulatory approval, with a launch expected before the end of 2026.
- Two variants are offered: the Life with a 56.2kWh battery and the Design with a 67.1kWh battery producing 160kW.
The Leapmotor B05 electric hatchback has been priced for New Zealand, giving the clearest indication yet of what Australians will pay when the car launches locally. New Zealand distributor Armstrong's has confirmed the five-door hatch starts from NZD $43,990 for the Life variant, with orders open now and deliveries expected in August or September 2026.
The B05 has already cleared Australian regulatory approval. Federal Government road vehicle standards documents published on 20 April 2026 confirmed the B05 for sale in Australia. A local launch is expected before the end of 2026, though Leapmotor Australia has not yet announced pricing or a firm date.
New Zealand Pricing and What It Suggests for Australia
Two variants are available in New Zealand. Based on the current NZD to AUD exchange rate of approximately 0.82, the NZ prices convert to rough Australian dollar equivalents. These are estimates only. Australian pricing will reflect local taxes, duties, and market positioning and has not been confirmed by Leapmotor Australia.
Leapmotor B05 NZ Pricing vs AUD Estimate
Variant | NZ Price (before on-roads) | Estimated AUD Equivalent | Battery |
B05 Life | NZD $43,990 | ~AUD $36,200 | 56.2kWh |
B05 Design | NZD $47,990 | ~AUD $39,500 | 67.1kWh |
For context, the B10 small SUV sits just above the B05 in the New Zealand range at NZD $44,990 for the Life and NZD $49,990 for the Design. If Australian pricing follows a similar pattern to the B10, the B05 should come in at $37,990 drive-away, which will match the MG4 EV range which starts at $37,990 driveaway in Australia.
Specs: Design Variant
The Design variant is the one on display at New Zealand's Fieldays agricultural show. It pairs a 67.1kWh battery with a rear-mounted 160kW motor producing 240Nm, driving through a single-speed transmission. Leapmotor quotes a WLTP range of up to 480km.
DC fast charging peaks at 168kW, with a 30 to 80 per cent top-up taking around 20 minutes. AC charging is handled by an 11kW on-board charger. The B05 is 4,430mm long and runs multi-link rear suspension, which Leapmotor says contributes to a 50:50 weight distribution.
Leapmotor B05 Specifications
Specification | B05 Life | B05 Design |
Battery | 56.2kWh | 67.1kWh |
Motor output | Not confirmed | 160kW / 240Nm |
WLTP range | Not confirmed | Up to 480km |
DC fast charging | Not confirmed | Up to 168kW |
AC charging | 11kW | 11kW |
Length | 4,430mm | 4,430mm |
Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
Suspension (rear) | Multi-link | Multi-link |
Seats | 5 | 5 |
Equipment: What the Design Variant Includes
The Design variant rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and comes with a fixed panoramic glass roof with an electric sunshade. Interior materials include synthetic leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats. Both driver and passenger seats are power adjustable.
Screens include a 14.6-inch central display with satellite navigation, over-the-air updates, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, plus an 8.8-inch driver instrument display. Audio is a 12-speaker surround system. Keyless entry uses an NFC key or the Leapmotor app. Wireless phone charging and a 360-degree camera with rear parking sensors are standard.
Driver assistance includes adaptive cruise control with intelligent speed assist, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and LED auto headlights with high beam assist.
Warranty
Leapmotor covers the B05 with a six-year, 150,000km vehicle warranty and six years of roadside assistance. The battery carries a separate eight-year, 160,000km warranty.
How It Lines Up Against Rivals
In New Zealand, the closest direct rival is the MG4 Urban, which launched at NZD $38,990. That undercuts the B05 Life by NZD $5,000, but the MG4 Urban has a smaller battery, less power, and a smaller interior footprint.
In Australia, the B05 will face the MG4 EV, which starts from $37,990 driveaway, and the BYD Dolphin. Both are front-wheel drive. The B05's rear-wheel drive layout, 480km WLTP range, and 168kW DC charging speed are competitive advantages at this price point, assuming Australian pricing lands within range of the NZ equivalent.
Platform and Production
The B05 is built on Leapmotor's Leap 3.5 platform, the same underpinnings as the B10 SUV. It is manufactured in Spain through Leapmotor's partnership with Stellantis, which holds a 21 per cent stake in the brand. The production base in Europe reduces exposure to potential tariffs on Chinese-manufactured vehicles to the European market.
Where the B05 Sits in the Leapmotor Australia Range
Leapmotor entered Australia in late 2025 with the C10 mid-size SUV. The B10 small SUV followed, currently the brand's most affordable model at $39,990 driveaway. The B05 hatchback is expected to sit near or just below that price point when it arrives, adding a third body style to the local range alongside a B10 REEV range-extender variant also recently confirmed for New Zealand.
What to Watch For
Australian pricing has not been confirmed. The NZ price suggests a ballpark of $36,000 to $38,000 AUD before on-road costs, though this is an estimate based on currency conversion and not an official figure. Leapmotor Australia has also not confirmed which variants will be offered locally, or whether the Life grade will be available.
A higher-performance B05 Ultra variant with up to 180kW has been confirmed for study in Australia by Leapmotor International, but is not yet confirmed for local sale.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
