Leapmotor B05 vs Volkswagen Polo
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Overseas model shownLeapmotor B05
From $35,990
Hatchback
Electric
Electric Motor
160kW
—
ANCAP: no data
357L
Volkswagen Polo
From $30,790
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
85kW
5.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
351L
Leapmotor B05: we're still completing transmission, turning circle, braked towing and energy consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Leapmotor B05 starts from $35,990 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Polo opens at $30,790. That makes the Volkswagen Polo the more affordable entry point by $5,200.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $39,589 and $33,869 respectively.
The Leapmotor B05 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Volkswagen Polo, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
67.1kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 174kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 174kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Leapmotor B05 features a 14.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 8.8-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Polo gets a 8-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Leapmotor B05 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, panoramic roof, heated front seats, V2L and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Volkswagen Polo. The Volkswagen Polo counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Leapmotor B05 runs a pure electric powertrain producing 160kW and 240Nm of torque, sent through its transmission to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds.
The Volkswagen Polo responds with a Petrol making 85kW and 200Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.4 seconds.
The Leapmotor B05 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 85kW. In the real-world sprint, the Leapmotor B05 is 3.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Leapmotor B05 measures 4,430mm long on a 2,735mm wheelbase, 350mm longer than the Volkswagen Polo at 4,080mm (2,564mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Leapmotor B05 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 357L in the Leapmotor B05 and 351L in the Volkswagen Polo, giving the Leapmotor B05 a 6L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m diameter
Good
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.4 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (Leapmotor B05) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Polo). The Leapmotor B05 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Leapmotor B05 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Leapmotor's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Polo if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Leapmotor B05 takes 5 of 6 key spec categories. The Leapmotor B05 adds peace of mind with a longer 6-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Leapmotor B05 and Volkswagen Polo?
The Volkswagen Polo is the cheapest at $30,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Leapmotor B05 by $5,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Polo uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Volkswagen Polo all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Leapmotor B05 has the largest boot at 357L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Leapmotor B05 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Leapmotor B05 makes the most power at 160kW. The Leapmotor B05 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.7s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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