LEPAS L8 review

Driving position

The LEPAS L8 is a pretty big family SUV, so like the mechanically similar Chery TIGGO 8, OMODA 7 and JAECOO 7, the seating position is pretty high.

It seems to be something of a Chery group trait that the driver’s seat doesn’t quite go low enough, so it can feel like you're sitting on top of the car rather than inside it given the position of the rest of the dash and steering wheel.

Still, headroom is totally sufficient, so we wouldn’t claim that there’s not enough room up front.

The seats are comfortable, but they’re not especially sporty or sculpted, so if you want some more side bolstering or under-thigh support for long trips, consider looking elsewhere.

Step up to top-spec Elevate models if you want the electrically adjustable front seats, which also come with heating, ventilation and massage for the full effect.

Don’t stress about the L8’s size – all-round visibility is good, but all models also get rear parking sensors and a reversing camera to make things a little easier.

You'll need to upgrade for front sensors and the Chery group’s 540-degree parking camera – a 360-degree camera that also paints a picture of what’s under the car.

Tech and features

LEPAS L8 trims

– Essence

– Elevate

Even the standard LEPAS L8 is loaded with all the essentials, like a 13.2-inch touchscreen that gives you access to your smartphone’s apps via wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Keyless entry is also standard, so you can keep your keys in your pocket or bag at all times, just to make life that little bit easier.

A panoramic sunroof, a three-pin domestic outlet (230V) in the boot, a 50W ventilated wireless phone charger and a 10.25-inch driver’s display are just some of the other highlights on entry-level Essence cars.

The top-spec Elevate model benefits from heated, ventilated and massage front seats, as we’ve already mentioned, but also an in-cabin fragrance system just like the OMODA 7 so you don’t have to have an unsightly tree hanging from your mirror.

That 540-degree parking camera, an eight-speaker Sony sound system and air purification are also standard affairs.

What matters most is how easy it is to find things inside, and we think the software should be fine for most users to navigate.

Thankfully, key temperature adjustments are housed on a shortcut bar at the bottom of the screen, but you’ll have to go digging for deeper changes to the climate system.

Engines and power

LEPAS L8 performance stats

– Power: 279hp

– 0-62mph: 7.9 seconds

– Top speed: Up to 111mph

– Driven wheels: Front-wheel drive (FWD)

LEPAS launched the L8 with just one powertrain – a heavy-hitting, all-rounder that ticks a lot of boxes. It’s a plug-in hybrid system that shares a lot of development with the one also found in Chery, JAECOO and OMODA cars.

It combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a large electric battery and motor for a largely electric-first driving experience.

That’s really helpful, because it feels quick from the get-go thanks to the electric motor’s instant response.

0-62mph is covered in 7.9 seconds, which might not sound impressive compared with modern-day electric cars, but it’s plenty quick enough for a family SUV and is in the ballpark of hot hatches from just a decade or two ago.

It’s in the right area, too, because other cars like the VW Tiguan eHybrid (272hp, 7.2 seconds) and Toyota RAV4 (272hp, 7.5 seconds) have similar performance.

There’s a one-speed dedicated hybrid transmission at work under the bonnet, so instead of conventional gears, the car balances maximum efficiency and smoothness. It does mean that it can rev quite highly under harsh acceleration with an empty battery, though.

Handling and ride comfort

Don’t be too concerned that LEPAS is a new brand to the UK, because it’s backed by parent company Chery, so the broader group of companies knows a thing or two about the British market (and the state of our roads).

In fact, the LEPAS L8 was designed specifically for European and British roads, so it’s a good fit.

On the whole, it’s geared more toward comfort than sport, which is ideal for a family SUV, but it can start to feel a bit unsettled on the worst surfaces.

If you’re doing a lot of motorway miles, you’ll notice just how refined it feels and how quiet the cabin is despite its large size. For example, all models come as standard with an acoustic windscreen to cut out some of the worst wind noise.

Like the L8, most PHEV family SUVs are also front-wheel-drive, but if you want some extra grip, consider all-wheel-drive rivals like the Toyota RAV4.

Boot space

LEPAS L8 boot space:

– Boot space: 507 litres

– Incl. rear seats folded: 1,314 litres

507 litres from a family SUV is already good, but then you remember it’s a plug-in hybrid so a lot of space has been taken up already by the high-voltage battery, so for LEPAS to have carved out a 507-litre space is even more special.

Pitted against PHEV versions of the VW Tiguan (490 litres), Toyota RAV4 (446 litres) and Chery TIGGO 8 PHEV (494 litres), it’s a clear winner, but the OMODA 7 SHS-P (590 litres) and Honda CR-V e:PHEV (635 litres) do offer more space.

Rear seats

Rear-seat space is one of the LEPAS L8’s biggest strengths, with a long 2,800mm wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels).

It means there’s 970mm of rear legroom, per LEPAS’ official figures, which is a lot. That’s nearly a whole metre.

We found it exceptionally spacious in the back, and while it partly explains why the L8 doesn’t have a best-in-class boot, we’re amazed at how much space LEPAS managed to create both for back-seat occupants and the boot without any apparent compromises.

Headroom is also excellent given the car’s tall roofline, so it’s a bit more practical for taller adults than an OMODA 7.

Instead of trying to cram in two rear seats into the boot, like the Chery TIGGO 8, it’s a strict five-seater which is good news all-round for comfort.

Storage solutions

If you’ve been inside any other Chery, JAECOO or OMODA car, it’ll feel broadly similar.

There’s a floating centre console up front with open storage underneath and cup holders on top.

Wireless phone charging also has you covered on the convenience front, and built-in ventilation keeps your phone from overheating. Of course, you’ve got USB-C ports, too.

Towing

It might be an efficient PHEV, but the LEPAS L8 is actually rated to tow a braked trailer up to 1,500kg, which covers most small and medium family caravans.

We haven’t tested the L8’s towing abilities, but we suspect the electric-first nature of its drivetrain should bode well for performance with a heavy trailer on the back.

LEPAS L8 dimensions

– Height: 1,686mm

– Width: 2,142mm (incl. door mirrors)

– Length: 4,688mm

– Kerb weight: Up to 1,850kg

Safety

Being such a new car, the LEPAS L8 hasn’t been independently crash tested yet, but most of its rivals have four or five stars and it compares pretty well in terms of safety equipment.

Standard Essence models have most of the same driver aids as top-spec Elevate, so there’s no reason not to choose the cheaper version, but the top model does get a 540-degree parking camera and self-parking.

Some of the standard features include autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, door-opening warning and traffic jam assist for the adaptive cruise control.

Fuel economy

– PHEV range: 56 miles

– Battery size: 18.4kWh

– MPG: 47.1mpg (claimed)

Think of the LEPAS L8 as something of a plug-in hybrid and electric car mix. Its electric motor generally takes charge of driving, and the petrol engine usually tops up the battery, but it can drive the wheels when needed too.

The 18.4kWh battery is good for a claimed 56 miles of electric-only range, which should cover most shorter commutes, and the car will always default to an electric-first drive.

Official testing with a flat battery also reveals the L8 PHEV should be able to do 47.1mpg, so even on the longest of motorway journeys when the battery runs flat, you shouldn’t be burning through the petrol.

In fact, LEPAS says it’ll do a combined 745 miles of total range.

If you want to charge at a rapid station, you can use up to 40kW for 30-80% in 20 minutes, but this is usually more expensive and we’d stick to charging overnight at home, if you can.

For comparison, the VW Tiguan eHybrid has a similar 19.7kWh battery but a longer 75-mile electric range, while the latest Toyota RAV4 Plug-in uses a 22.7kWh battery for 85 electric miles.

Fuel economy and electric range is about on par with rivals from other emerging brands, like the Chery TIGGO 8 and OMODA 7.

Reliability

There’s no hiding from the fact that LEPAS is one of the UK’s newest brands, so dealer network reputation is still largely unknown, but the brand itself shouldn’t cause you any concerns.

It’s part of the broader Chery group of brands, and we’ve already seen how much success they’ve had. The JAECOO 7 has been a best-seller multiple months in a row.

The car itself has a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, in line with Kia, and an eight-year warranty on the plug-in hybrid battery.