Lepas L8: China’s New SUV Means Business
Is the UK’s SUV market ready for another Chinese challenger? Motoring journalist Tim Barnes-Clay takes a closer look at the new Lepas.
Lepas, another new marque from automotive giant Chery – the company behind Omoda and Jaecoo – is positioning the L8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) as a premium SUV that combines handsome styling, generous technology and impressive efficiency at a competitive price.
Having first seen the L8 at Milan Design Week, I then drove the model at its recent UK media launch, held at The Langley in Iver, Buckinghamshire. Set within 150 acres of historic parkland, the five-star country estate provided an appropriately refined backdrop for the newcomer.
Premium Thinking, Sensible Pricing
Before the drive, I sat down with Lepas UK Managing Director Ray Wang to discover why he believes the L8 deserves a place on Britain’s corporate driveways.
“The name combines ‘leap’ and ‘passion’,” explains Wang. “The leopard inspires it because we admire how it moves – poised, powerful and always in control.”
Every Lepas sold in the UK will be electrified, either as a plug-in hybrid or fully electric, with a battery-electric L8 arriving in 2027.
Wang says the brand’s philosophy is summed up by its slogan, Drive Your Elegance.
“Premium isn’t just about expensive materials. It’s about generous equipment, advanced technology and creating a vehicle that genuinely improves everyday life.”
That philosophy extends to the price list. The L8 PHEV ‘Essence’ starts at £34,900, while the flagship ‘Elevate’ costs from £37,900. Considering similarly sized premium SUVs easily punch past £50,000, the Lepas immediately looks like strong value.
Built for Business
Beneath the bonnet, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol mill works with a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) and an 18.4kWh battery, which can be DC fast-charged from just 30 per cent to 80 per cent in around 20 minutes.
The resulting figures are undeniably newsworthy: Lepas claims up to 56 miles of electric-only driving, a combined range of 745 miles, fuel economy of 403.5mpg, and CO2 emissions of 21g/km.
“With a full battery and a full tank, you could comfortably drive from Eastbourne to Aberdeen,” says Wang.
For business drivers needing to cover serious miles, the L8’s range may well be the reason they don’t dismiss the new arrival out of hand.
Lepas: Comfortable Wherever You Drive
Lepas says the L8 has been tuned specifically for European roads, with the steering and suspension adjusted to suit British tastes.
“We’ve learned a great deal through Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo’s experience in Europe,” says Wang.
Although my route was confined to Buckinghamshire and Berkshire rather than London, it offered a varied mix of roads. We passed the famous Pinewood Studios instead of Slough’s trading estates, before winding through picturesque rustic villages, fast open stretches and heavy urban traffic. That was enough to get a measure of the L8’s character.
Despite its generous proportions, the Lepas never feels ungainly. Visibility is excellent, the steering is accurate enough, and the hybrid system delivers lively acceleration, getting to 62mph in 7.9 seconds. Any road noise is well suppressed, while the suspension handles disintegrating asphalt and the oh-so-predictable potholes so well that you almost feel you’re back in a time when the UK’s highways and byways had far fewer defects.
Even though I didn’t drive to London, I came away convinced the L8, especially in top ‘Elevate’ guise, wouldn’t feel out of its league there. It looks and feels brave enough to handle the tough daily grind on the capital’s roads. Yet, there’s little doubt it’s agile enough to deal with the underground car parks beneath, for example, Canada Square, Cabot Square, Jubilee Place or Westferry Circus.
Space Without Bulk
Inside, the gleaming digital displays and soft-touch materials create a cabin that appears classier than the sub-£40,000 price tag suggests.
There is ample space for five-up, with rear-seat passengers benefiting from princely legroom, helped by a flat floor. I’m 5ft 11in, and sitting directly behind the driving position I’d set for myself, there was almost enough room to swing a leopard. My knees didn’t come close to the back of the front seat.
Importantly, as alluded to earlier, that spacious cabin doesn’t translate into an unwieldy driving experience. The Lepas feels very manageable, making it equally suited to business use and longer leisure journeys.
The Challenges facing Lepas
The L8 is, then, a rather impressive package, but brand recognition remains Lepas’ biggest challenge.
Buyers considering premium SUVs often value heritage as much as specification, and persuading them to leave behind BMW, Audi, Lexus or Mercedes-Benz won’t happen overnight.
Also, the dealer network is still growing. But Wang is realistic. “In terms of the network expanding and sales volumes, it will be a little bit restrained compared with our sister brands like Omoda and Jaecoo. But still, let’s say in 12 to 24 months’ time I’d like to have a two per cent market share.”
Verdict: Is the Lepas L8 Worth Considering?
The Lepas L8 has plenty of good points, including competitive pricing, a plug-in hybrid powertrain that keeps on giving, and bags of room.
Just as importantly, it feels equally at home on rural roads as it does in built-up areas, suggesting a commute into London’s financial district would be almost as painless as a stroll in the park.
Sure, the brand strength of the new badge is not yet established, but judge the L8 on its merits as observed at its UK media launch, and it presents a convincing argument.
For city professionals and corporate executives considering choices beyond the established tier-one players, this SUV belongs in the final running.