Lepas leaps into the UK market, joining stablemates Omoda, Jaecoo and Chery.
Chery has confirmed that its new Lepas brand is coming to the UK this year, and the first model to launch here will be its Lepas L8 flagship SUV.
The Lepas name comes from ‘leopard’, ‘leap’ and ‘passion’, and the marketing material says the L8’s styling ‘takes inspiration from the agile, muscular contours of a running leopard’, and that the ‘distinctive LED headlights are styled to echo the focused intensity of a leopard’s eye’.
However, we can’t help but notice the similarities between the front end of the Lepas L8 and Chery’s Tiggo 8.
Around the sides, the Lepas L8 has a simpler design than Chery models, and the rear end sees a slim, full-width lightbar that could be borrowed from a host of different carmakers – we see bits of Audi, Leapmotor and Porsche in its design. Even the brand’s font is very close to a Porsche font.
Lepas L8 range and performance
We would expect the L8 to feature Chery’s Super Hybrid System, which has already found plenty of UK homes in Jaecoo and Chery models. Lepas’ international website states an electric range of 66 miles, which is a bit more than what you get in the Jaecoo 7 SHS but less than the Omoda 9’s claimed EV range of 93 miles.
With the petrol engine in play and both power sources fully topped up, Lepas promises a combined range of over 800 miles. The battery power will be prioritised over the engine, giving an EV-like driving experience – but without any of the range anxiety.
Dimensions
At 4,688mm long, the L8 squeezes in between the Chery Tiggo 7 and 8. It’s a five-seater with a focus on space and comfort – the rear seats recline and there looks to be a lot of legroom.
The L8 is 1,871mm wide (excluding mirrors) and 1,686mm tall. The wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels) is a substantial 2,800mm.
Prices, positioning and release date
Lepas will introduce its first UK-bound model in autumn 2026.
Whereas Chery is aimed at family buyers, Omoda at younger and fashion-conscious buyers, and Jaecoo at buyers who like the rugged 4x4 look, Lepas is going to be the boldest one. As you can see, the brand will offer bright colour schemes to attract people that want to stand out. That’s certainly a bold choice for the UK market considering the most popular car colour here is grey.
We would expect prices to fall in line with Chery’s Super Hybrid models, with a starting price of around £30,000 to £35,000 seeming likely.
Future Lepas models
The brand’s website also mentions the Lepas L4, a smaller and presumably cheaper model that looks to be roughly Nissan Qashqai-sized. Splitting the L4 and L8 will be the Lepas L6. All three models are expected to come to the UK in the next couple of years, offering petrol, electric and/or plug-in hybrid choices.
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