Lepas L4 to enter South Africa's hotly contested compact SUV market in 2026

Hot on the heels of the new Lepas brand’s L8 flagship SUV, which made its global debut in June, the first example of the Lepas L4 compact SUV has rolled off the assembly line.

As with the L8, the new L4 has been confirmed for South African introduction. The Chery-owned Lepas brand is set to debut locally in the first quarter of 2026. A midsize L6 model will also be launched globally, with local introduction also a possibility.

Lepas has not yet released detailed specifications for its new L4 compact model, but reports from abroad indicate that it will be based on the Chery Tiggo Cross, which is known as the new-generation Tiggo 4 in most overseas markets.

Power is likely to come from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, and given Chery’s new energy push, a hybrid version will surely be in the running too.

Pricing points remain unknown at this stage, but Lepas models are expected to carry a premium over their Chery equivalents.

"While we’re keeping full details under wraps for now, the (Lepas) range has been designed to offer something for a variety of lifestyles; from dynamic city driving to larger, more versatile options for individuals and families who enjoy comfort, technology, elegance and of course style," Lepas South Africa's national brand manager Letitia Herold told IOL.

"The LEPAS 8 will definitely be one of the highlights of the launch, offering a bold design and a premium experience, while the rest of the range brings together a fresh take on everyday mobility.

"LEPAS is about confidence, colour and innovation, and we’re looking forward to introducing a new kind of premium experience to the South African roads early next year," Herold added.

The L4 boasts a similar aesthetic to its larger L8 sibling, with curvaceous contours that some might equate to a modern Jaguar vehicle, such as the F-Pace.

Interestingly Lepas, whose name fuses “Leap” and “Passion” describes its design language as “Leopard Aesthetics”, inspired by the muscular lines of a leopard. Furthermore, the vertical-slit headlights, seen on both the L8 and L4, mimic a leopard’s “agile eyes”.

The L8, as previously reported, will be offered on global markets with a choice of ICE, plug-in hybrid and fully electric variants. This includes the familiar 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine that powers the current Chery Tiggo 8 Pro.

Chery Auto describes the Lepas brand as a vanguard of the company’s globalisation strategy.

“The rapid growth of Lepas is inseparable from the strong strength of Chery Group. Relying on Chery's accumulation as 22 years as an export leader, the technical network of eight global R&D centres, and the fully integrated global R&D, production, and supply chain,” Chery Auto said.

“Lepas has had the confidence of ‘technical trust from 16.3 million global users’ since its inception. This all-dimensional capability of ‘manufacturing-R&D-integration’ has provided a solid guarantee for the rapid implementation of L4.”

IOL Motoring