Lepas L8 SUV Aims for Premium Feel at Family-Friendly Price
The new Chinese-market Lepas L8 SUV offers a spacious interior and long hybrid range, but faces stiff competition and driving dynamics challenges.
Lepas, a new automotive brand from China's Chery Group, has launched its flagship L8 SUV in the UK, aiming to offer a premium experience at a competitive price point. The L8 is the fourth brand from Chery to enter the British market in less than two years, following Omoda, Jaecoo, and Chery itself. Collectively, these brands have made a significant impact, with Chery Group vehicles accounting for one in every eight new cars registered in the UK in a recent month, outperforming established manufacturers like Ford.
The Lepas L8 is positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to luxury SUVs such as the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. Its design features distinctive leopard-eye headlights and a diamond-mesh grille, with a body shape described as porcelain-inspired, aiming for a sophisticated urban aesthetic. While not the most visually striking, it offers a smart-casual style.
Inside, the L8 emphasizes comfort and space, boasting best-in-class roominess with ample headroom and legroom, even for tall passengers. The interior features leather-effect materials, a panoramic roof, and large windows contributing to an airy feel. Higher trim levels include heated and ventilated front seats with an eight-point massage function, and rear seats that recline to 180 degrees. Practical family-oriented features include a fold-down tray table on the front seatback and extensive storage compartments. The boot offers 507 liters of space, expandable to 1,300 liters with the rear seats folded.
Technologically, the L8 is equipped with a 13.2-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch driver display. Standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 50W wireless smartphone charging. Higher trims add features like a Nano-Aqua air purification system, an in-cabin fragrance system, and a premium Sony eight-speaker audio system.
Driving Dynamics and Powertrain
The L8's driving experience presents a mixed picture. While the ride in Comfort mode is firm yet adequate for absorbing road imperfections, the steering lacks feedback and feels overly light, making precise control challenging. The intrusive Lane Keep Assist system further contributes to a disconnected feel. Sport mode does not improve steering feel, described as being like attempting to steer through jelly. Consequently, the L8 is best suited for motorways and dual carriageways rather than more demanding roads.
However, the 275bhp 1.5 TGDI hybrid powertrain delivers strong performance, providing useful acceleration for junctions, overtaking, and merging onto highways. The car's brakes are responsive and well-tuned. In electric-only mode, the L8 offers a silent and smooth experience, complemented by extensive soundproofing and noise-cancellation.
The plug-in hybrid system provides a 56-mile electric-only range, which Lepas claims can enable most weekly commutes to be completed on a single charge. The SUV also supports fast charging, reaching 80% capacity from 30% in just 20 minutes. The Super Hybrid System offers a combined range of 745 miles and is projected to achieve over 50mpg in real-world conditions. The system is also used in the Jaecoo 7, with owners reporting significant fuel savings.
Pricing and Trims
The Lepas L8 is available in two well-equipped trims. The entry-level Essence trim starts at £34,900, significantly undercutting rivals like the Kia Sportage PHEV (starting at £38,595) and Peugeot 5008 PHEV (starting at £43,005). Standard features include privacy glass, a panoramic sunroof, the 13.2-inch infotainment screen, a digital driver display, 50W wireless charging, and a suite of 20 ADAS features.
The top-spec Elevate trim, priced at £37,900, adds features such as active engine-noise cancellation, a hands-free tailgate, heated and ventilated front seats with massage, a heated windscreen, ambient lighting, an in-cabin fragrance system, rear-seat table, air purification, a Sony audio system, parking sensors, a 540-degree camera, and advanced parking assist. Even at this higher price, the L8 remains considerably cheaper than premium alternatives like the Audi Q5 PHEV (nearly £60,000) and BMW X5 PHEV (over £80,000).
The Lepas L8 comes with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty. While not flawless, the L8 presents a compelling value proposition for cost-conscious families, offering a spacious interior, long hybrid range, and competitive pricing, though its success may be challenged by its own sibling brands and the increasingly crowded market.