Another one from Chery: Lepas enters SA’s competitive SUV arena
Of late, something interesting has been happening. Chinese manufacturers have moved from the sidelines to the centre of the conversation, and they aren’t shy about it either. Brands like Chery, GWM and BYD, to name just a few, have been quietly forcing the industry to rethink its playbook.
What they seem to be doing is pushing harder on price, packing in more technology, and accelerating electrification in ways that make some legacy brands look a little… uncomfortable. It’s quite a turnaround when you think about it. Not too long ago, early models struggled to win over buyers, and many people questioned their safety, quality and long-term reliability. Today, the conversation has shifted dramatically.
Take the Chery Group as an example. In South Africa alone, it now operates four sub-brands, each targeting a slightly different buyer, and the sales charts are starting to showcase that momentum. In February alone, Chery moved 2,312 units across Mzansi, placing it right in the mix with some very serious manufacturers.
Now the group is adding yet another name to the family, Lepas. From what we’ve seen so far, it looks like a brand positioned to slot neatly between style and premium appeal, and if the trajectory of its siblings is anything to go by, it could very well carve out a space for itself.
About Lepas
As some of you may have guessed, the name Lepas draws inspiration from the Leopard. The name is a blend of ideas ‘Le’ comes from leopard and leap, while ‘Pas’ is derived from passion. It’s a slightly unusual naming route, but, as we found out at the brand launch, tells more about what the brand is trying to project: something energetic, stylish and a little bit aspirational.
In terms of positioning, Lepas enters the market as a more premium, lifestyle-focused SUV brand aimed at young families, urban professionals, and buyers who care just as much about design and image as they do about practicality. In simple terms, it’s targeting people who want their car to feel like part of their lifestyle, not just something that gets them from point A to point B.
What’s interesting, though, is how carefully this launch appears to have been planned. The brand has reportedly spent the better part of the past year preparing for its arrival in Mzansi. A big part of that strategy is distribution. Lepas will be sold through Chery’s dealer network of more than 80 dealerships across the country, the same approach that was initially used when brands like Omoda and Jaecoo entered the market. While some of these brands have since created their own showroom identities, starting with an established dealer network helps solve one of the biggest problems new brands usually face.
The launch itself also hinted at the scale of the ambition behind the brand. The event was attended by a number of Chery Group dealer partners, many of whom appeared genuinely enthusiastic about the newcomer. Beyond the dealer network, the new brand is also establishing partnerships with several media publications, as well as energy company Engen. This also shows how serious the brand is in the local market.
What’s Lepas bringing to the table?
To answer that question, quite a few models are already lined up. At launch, Lepas is introducing the Lepas L4, which serves as the entry point into the range. In the coming months, it will be joined by the larger Lepas L6 and Lepas L8.
The L4 itself is offered in three derivatives: Amur (5-speed manual) and the Javan and Pantera, both equipped with a 6-speed DCT. Underneath, it rides on the Chery Group’s LEX platform, measuring 4,406mm in length, 1,820mm in width and 1,635mm in height. That makes it slightly larger than the Chery Tiggo Cross, even though the two sit on completely different platforms.
Styling-wise, the L4 is a genuinely good-looking thing. It feels fresh and quite different from what we’ve grown used to under the wider Chery Group envelope. There’s a stronger focus on design flair here, which makes sense given the brand’s lifestyle-focused positioning.
Inside, the cabin makes a solid first impression, especially at this price point. The level of premiumness stands out immediately, and it’s clear who the car is aimed at. Materials feel surprisingly upmarket, while the 13.2-inch portrait infotainment screen is intuitive and easy to navigate. Thankfully, there are physical buttons for key functions like HVAC and the hazard lights, something many cars from the East have ditched.
That said, it’s not perfect. I’m still not a fan of the piano-black trim around the centre console, mostly because it tends to pick up scratches and fingerprints far too easily. The storage compartment beneath the infotainment screen could also benefit from a rubberised or cushioned base to stop items from sliding around.
But there are positives that stand out. For one, the constant warning beeps we often complain about in Chinese cars are noticeably absent, which is a relief. You also get dual USB ports up front, although rear passengers unfortunately miss out on their own ports. A 50W wireless charging pad is included, and while it sits in direct sunlight, which could potentially heat up a smartphone, Lepas has integrated a dedicated cooling vent to help manage temperatures.
On the range-topping model we drove at launch, other highlights include ventilated front seats and a sunroof, rounding off what is, overall, a surprisingly well-thought-out cabin for a newcomer to the segment.
How does it drive?
Powering the range are two petrol engine options. The first is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated unit producing 80kW and 148Nm, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The second, and arguably the compelling option, is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit with 108kW and 235Nm to the front wheels through a 6-speed DCT. It’s this version we drove at the recent launch around the Northwest of Johannesburg.
From the get-go, there’s a noticeable bit of turbo lag when pulling away from a stop, something you feel especially in stop-start driving. But once the turbo spools up, the power delivery smooths out nicely, and the car settles into a comfortable drive. This makes sense since its focus is clearly on ease of driving and everyday comfort.
Our launch drive was fairly short, but it was enough to get a sense of the L4’s character. The ride is composed, the cabin remains quiet enough for relaxed cruising, and overall, it gives off a familiar vibe. In fact, it reminded me quite a bit of the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max in the way it balances comfort and smooth power delivery. And if that comparison holds up over a longer drive, that’s not a bad place for Lepas to start.
Is Lepas actually necessary… or is it just Chery slicing the market even thinner?
On paper, you could argue the latter. The Chery Group already has several brands chasing slightly different buyers, so adding another badge almost feels like careful market segmentation at work. But spend a bit of time in the L4, and it starts to make sense. For starters, it looks different from the usual Chery products that we are used to.
Then there’s the pricing, which, considering that the compact SUV segment is one of the most competitive divisions in Mzansi, is a strong value play. So is the Lepas brand necessary? Maybe not entirely. But with sharp styling, plenty of tech and aggressive pricing, Lepas might just prove that there’s still room for one more player in the game. It also helps that the brand isn’t starting from scratch. By plugging into Chery’s existing dealer network, Lepas already has the kind of reach and after-sales confidence that many newcomers struggle with.
We’ve already seen this approach work for Omoda and Jaecoo. And judging by how quickly these brands have grown here, Lepas might not stay the ‘newcomer’ for very long.
Pricing
- Lepas L4 1.5 Amur (manual): R299,900
- Lepas L4 1.5 Javan DCT: R369,900
- Lepas L4 1.5 Pantera DCT: R419,900
The car is backed up by a 10-year/1.0-million km engine warranty, 5-year/150,000km warranty, a 5-year/75 000km service plan and a 2-year Lepas Care for DCT models.
