Chery is set to introduce another new brand to Australia with the launch of Leave Middle of next year.
But what is Lepas, you may ask? And what will make it different from the Chinese automaker’s other spin-off brands like Jaecoo and Omoda?
Well, Lepas (a portmanteau of Leaping and Passion and therefore pronounced Leap Ass) becomes the group’s fashionable brand with a more lively and elegant appearance.
The boldest of the four Chery brands will focus on bold shapes, bright colors and creative interiors to appeal to trendsetters and will be more female-focused compared to the mainstream values-focused Chery brand.
In contrast, Jaecoo follows a harder urban/off-road theme, while Omoda aims to appeal to style-conscious customers who want something sportier and more expressive. These two brands are partners in markets such as Australia, where they are sold in the same showrooms.
Lepas is expected to be rolled out locally from this date – that 2026 After L8 – a five-seat mid-range SUV with an extended wheelbase and plug-in hybrid drive. Two smaller SUVs will soon be added, the L4 and the L6.
Until then, we were able to test the L8 on an exclusive first drive last week during a flying visit to Chery’s headquarters in Wuhu, China.
Note: We were only provided a limited amount of images for this review, so we relied heavily on marketing images
How much does the Lepas L8 cost?
Chery is still months away from finalizing details of its Lepas launch plans, and as such has not released any concrete information on pricing or specifications for the L8.
However, we do know that it is based on the same platform as the Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid mid-sized SUV that recently hit Australian showrooms. Pricing was $39,990 per car for the base model Urban and $43,990 per car for the flagship Ultimate.
The L8 is expected to command a price premium over the Tiggo 7, falling somewhere between that and the high-tech all-wheel-drive Omoda 9 – likely around $50,000 – thanks to its range of unique features, exclusive exterior design elements and an improved two-tone interior.
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What does the Lepas L8 look like from the inside?
Here’s the thing about the Lepas L8: it’s about creating a more upscale aesthetic through color, comfort and practicality, rather than any significant mechanical differences between it and the Tiggo 7.
So the design and treatment of the interior will determine much of its appeal and eventual success.
And I have to say, it does that quite well, especially with the two-tone black and Tiffany green configuration of the test vehicle we drove in China, clearly setting it apart from its mainstream sibling.
It might be a little too bright for some, but others will love it. And I think that’s the point: to offer something different. Aside from the color treatment, the overall design and layout is also different on the L8, with a horizontal main portion of the dashboard separated by a stylish lower lip with a textured stripe pattern.
The console runs up to the center of the dashboard and features a 13.2-inch portrait tablet-style touchscreen surrounded by subtle chrome trim. It also has a separate 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, while the Tiggo 7 has two 12.3-inch screens arranged side by side above the dashboard.
There are few physical controls apart from a dial for the multi-mode driving settings and essentials like the hazard lights, with most functions controlled via the touchscreen.
Thankfully, the Lepas operating system is largely similar to that of other Chery models, offering a logical menu structure, clearly labeled phone-style widgets and ventilation control shortcuts at the bottom.
The L8 also features a column-mounted gear selector compared to the Tiggo’s more conventional shifter, freeing up space in the center console for a pair of phone holders – one with a wireless phone charging pad – two cup holders and a lid and armrest compartment.
There is additional open storage space under the console, large enough for a handbag, as well as USB and 12V power outlets. The front seats are super comfortable with supple padding and good lateral support, plus they have heating and ventilation controls and a decent amount of adjustment to suit most sizes.
There’s plenty of headroom in both rows of seats and plenty of legroom in the back – more than enough for two adults to stretch out comfortably. Overall it is a very pleasant place.
What’s under the hood?
The Lepas L8 shares its plug-in hybrid powertrain configuration with the Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid, which combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with a special single-speed hybrid automatic transmission that features a built-in electric motor driving the front wheels.
Chery – and later Lepas – don’t provide combined performance figures like other carmakers, but say the petrol engine alone produces 105kW of power and 210Nm of torque, while the electric motor produces an additional 150kW and 310Nm.
Power is provided by an 18.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, which can provide a zero-emissions range of up to 93 km in the Tiggo 7, which is likely to be the same in the L8.
The same applies to the claimed fuel consumption of 1.4 l/100 km in the WLTP cycle.
How does the Lepas L8 drive?
The biggest problem Lepas will have is that the L8 doesn’t really have its own unique driving character.
Broadly speaking, performance is on par with the Tiggo 7, so its premium price has to be justified by the bright exterior color palette and spacious, improved interior alone.
But that’s not so bad, because the latest generation Tiggo 7 has evolved well beyond the middle of the road where it started.
We’ll reserve final judgment on the Lepas L8’s dynamic characteristics until we can test it on local roads, but it was comfortable and competent during the few hours we spent with it behind the wheel in China, on a mix of bumpy urban roads, super-smooth highways and on Chery’s test track.
The overall suspension tuning is probably a little too soft and ponderous for most Australian tastes, and the electric power steering is light and lifeless.
But that’s how the Chinese prefer their vehicles, and Chery is aware that we have similar requirements to European drivers when it comes to body control and steering precision, and claims this will be taken into account in the final suspension settings for export models.
What won’t change significantly, if at all, is how the powertrain works, which is seamless when transitioning from all-electric to hybrid mode and delivers plenty of power from the electric motor when needed.
When the petrol engine starts and under hard acceleration it is more noticeable to the ears, but the engine note is not overly harsh or unrefined.
What do you get?
We’ll have to wait for a full rundown of the Lepas L8’s standard features, but it’s expected to come with a comprehensive list of creature comforts.
Expected highlights include:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights and taillights
- Electric windows
- Electrically operated tailgate
- Optional two-tone faux leather cover
- Electrically adjustable front seats
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Keyless entry with automatic ignition
- Dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents
- Full-length panoramic sunroof
- 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
- 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Premium audio system
- Voice command
- LED ambient interior lighting
- Wireless phone charger
Is the Lepas L8 safe?
The Lepas L8 has yet to be tested by an independent NCAP safety body, although it is expected to match the Tiggo 7’s five-star ANCAP rating.
Expected standard safety equipment includes:
- 8 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Forward collision warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keeping assistant
- Blind spot detection
- Rear cross traffic warning
- Driver monitoring
- 360 degree parking display
- Parking sensors front and rear
How much does it cost to operate the Lepas L8?
Again, we’ll have to wait and see whether Lepas does anything different than Chery – or its brands Jaecoo and Omoda – when it comes to after-sales regulations.
But it is expected to offer at least Chery’s seven-year, unlimited mileage warranty with capped price maintenance and roadside assistance. Or go one step further, like Jaecoo and Omoda, with an eight-year guarantee.
Daily Sparkz’s opinion on the Lepas L8
The launch of Lepas will be an interesting case study.
If you ignore the bright color choices and upgraded interior, the L8 drives just like the Tiggo 7. And for most suburban families, that’s all they want – and probably all they have to spend.
However, if you like to stand out from the crowd and want to loosen up your wallet a bit, then the L8 feels a little more special – especially on the inside.
However, whether the extra money is worth it is a question we’ll have to wait a while to answer.
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