Lepas L8 revealed: The high-spec Chinese SUV coming for the Kia Sportage
Tue, 24 Feb 2026
- Lepas is a sister brand to Omoda, Jaecoo and Chery
- L8 is a five-seat Toyota RAV4 rival
- Expected to arrive initially with plug-in hybrid power
- Electric version also likely
This is the Lepas L8, and it's the first UK-bound car from a new Chinese brand. Lepas is a sister badge to Jaecoo and Omoda as it sits under the same parent brand, Chery.
The L8 is a mid-size SUV and will offer UK customers an alternative to cars like the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, the Kia Sportage and many more when it arrives in the third quarter of 2026.
Lepas is new brand, first launched last year. The name is a portmanteau of "leopard", "leap", and "passion".
While few official details of UK specs have yet been release, the L8 is on sale in other markets with the same plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system as the Jaecoo 7, with which it shares its platform alongside the Omoda 7. That suggests the same combination of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an 18kWh battery could make it to the UK, with a likely electric-only range of around 50 miles. It also points to the likelihood that an all-electric model could follow.
Lepas also makes a smaller SUV, the Lepas L4, which could make its way to the UK further down the line.
2026 Lepas L8 price and release date
Lepas says the L8 will go on sale in Q3 of 2026. Prices haven't yet been revealed, but we'd expect them to be aggressive, in line with Chery's other brands. The Jaecoo 7 PHEV costs from £35,165, while the Omoda 7 SHS costs from £32,000, so something in a similar bracket seems likely.
2026 Lepas L8 styling, interior and tech
Lepas describes the L8's styling as sophisticated, with design inspiration taken from "the agile, muscular contours of a running leopard" and LED headlights designed to look like a leopard's eye. The front faasic is inspired by, perhaps unsurprisingly, a leopard.
The handles are semi-recessed to improve aerodynamics, and at the back there are full-width taillights. It measures 4688mm in length, with a width of 1871mm and a height of 186mm. The wheelbase measures 2800mm. According to the firm's international website, it's available in six colours, with three interior colour choices – again, though, no UK details have been announced.
Inside, the company promises "advanced in-cabin features" and "comprehensive driver assistance systems" although no specifics have been given yet. Looking at other markets, we can expect a nature-inspired design good rear legroom and back seats that recline, with a portrait-orientated infotainment screen and large digital driver display, with physical air-conditioning controls on the centre console.
Other features include an air-quality monitoring system and an active fragrance system, as well as heated and ventilated front seats that can recline completely flat, and a front passenger seat that can be specified with a rising foot rest. A 50W wireless phone charger is also featured, as is an around-view monitor for easier manoeuvring.
2026 Lepas L8 engine, performance and fuel economy
While Lepas has not confirmed what will power the UK-bound L8, other markets use Chery's Super Hybrid System as found in its other cars. This combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an 18.4kWh battery, as also seen in the Chery Tiggo 7, but not the 33kWh unit seen in the Tiggo 9. An electric range of around 50 miles is likely. We'll update this article once more information is officially announced.
