Lepas L8 PHEV: Price from 140,000 AED, Specs Revealed

Price: 140,000 AED (est.)

The Lepas L8 PHEV is a new plug-in hybrid family SUV arriving in the UAE for 2026. Stylish, packed with features, and priced below rivals like the Kia Sportage PHEV or Toyota RAV4 PHEV, it sits under Chery’s premium sub-brand umbrella and targets buyers who want electrified efficiency without going fully EV. Below is a complete guide to its price, specs, features and expected launch timing for UAE shoppers.

Looking for a family SUV with plug-in power that does not cost Toyota or Kia money? The 2026 Lepas L8 PHEV is the new Chinese contender aiming straight at models like the Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 in the UAE.

What follows is a full look at the confirmed specs, expected price, powertrain details, interior tech, rivals and the planned UAE launch window, built on the latest information up to February 26, 2026. It is a fresh sub-brand from Chery Group, positioned as the more stylish, fashion-forward arm that leans heavily on bold design and efficient PHEV hardware. You can check more on the brand at the official Chery site.

If you are wondering whether to wait for it or just buy that Kia Sportage PHEV now, this guide should help.

---

Lepas L8: Key Facts at a Glance

The Lepas L8 sits under the Chery umbrella alongside Omoda and Jaecoo, but it plays a different role. Lepas is pitched as the stylish one, aimed at younger, design-conscious buyers who still want practicality and value.

Underneath, it uses the familiar T1X modular platform adapted to LEX new energy spec, the same architecture that underpins models like the Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 and Jaecoo 7, tuned here for plug-in hybrid duty.

• UAE launch: Initial arrivals have begun through the Chery dealer network, with a broader sales rollout expected by mid‑2026, in line with markets like the UK, which is targeting Q3 2026.
• Body style: Mid-size 5-seat family SUV, aimed at city use, school runs and weekend highway trips.
• Platform: T1X / LEX new energy shared with other Chery products, which helps keep costs down while packing in more tech.

Also read: 2026 Toyota RAV4 Preview A Comprehensive First Look

Dimensions

The L8 sits in the sweet spot for a family SUV:

• Length: 4,688–4,725 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,800–2,825 mm
• Width: 1,860–1,871 mm
• Height: 1,686–1,695 mm

Rear passengers get up to 970 mm of legroom, which is near the top of this class, and Chery quotes a 66.5% space utilisation rate. In real terms, it should feel similar in cabin volume to the Sportage or RAV4, with a boot shaped for pushchairs and luggage rather than just brochure numbers.

---

Powertrains & Performance

PHEV Setup: Super Hybrid System

The Lepas L8 will arrive in the UAE primarily as a plug-in hybrid, built around Chery’s Super Hybrid System (SHS).

• Engine: 1.5L turbocharged petrol, around 105–115 kW and 210–215 Nm
• Electric motor: 150 kW, 310 Nm
• Transmission: single‑speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), front‑wheel drive (FWD)

Combined, the system produces:

• 255–275 PS (188–202 kW)
• 365–525 Nm of torque

Prototype drives in China have reported brisk electric shove at city speeds, with less body roll than a Tiggo 8, so expect easy overtakes rather than hot‑hatch drama.

There are also pure‑petrol versions with a 1.6L turbo and about 200 PS, plus full EV variants in some markets, although those are not yet confirmed for the UAE.

Battery & Electric Range

• Battery: 18.3–18.4 kWh LFP pack (lithium iron phosphate), known for thermal stability and longevity
• EV‑only range:
  • 50–57 miles WLTP (80–92 km)
  • Up to 107 km NEDC in overseas testing

For a typical UAE commute of, say, 30–40 km each way, many owners could cover weekday driving mostly on electricity if they plug in at home.

---

Charging & Efficiency

• DC fast charging: Up to 40 kW, so a public top‑up is more of a coffee stop than a full outing
• AC home charging: Will comfortably recharge the 18‑kWh‑class battery overnight on a standard wallbox

Efficiency is one of its key selling points:

• Fuel economy: 1.4 L/100 km combined WLTP with a charged battery
• Total range: Claimed beyond 800 miles (over 1,300 km) in UAE previews

If petrol prices tick up again, that sort of efficiency starts to look very appealing compared to a regular ICE SUV.

Also read: UAE Petrol Price 2025 Trends And Predictions

Future Variants

Internationally, pure‑petrol and full EV versions exist. The UAE looks set to receive the PHEV first, followed by EVs as the brand builds out its charging ecosystem. The platform can support all‑wheel drive (AWD), although an AWD version has not yet been confirmed.

---

Design & Exterior Styling

Leopard‑Inspired Aesthetics

Lepas talks about the L8 as being inspired by a leopard in motion, and for once the marketing line is not completely far‑fetched. The nose is low and sharp, with:

• slim LED DRLs shaped like narrowed eyes
• distinctive Hunter Light headlights
• an optional chrome grille pattern that feels more premium than fussy
• a full‑width rear light bar with intricate diamond‑triangle elements
• semi‑recessed door handles for better aerodynamics and a cleaner side profile

There are 6 exterior colours available globally, including brighter shades like Tiffany Green and Norway Forest Green, each using a seven‑layer paint process. Expect those to feature in UAE brochures, alongside safer blacks, whites and silvers.

The number plate sits low in the rear bumper, which gives the tailgate a cleaner, more upmarket look.

Dimensions & Everyday Practicality

The footprint lands squarely in the mid-size SUV bracket:

• Length: 4,688–4,725 mm
• Width: 1,860–1,871 mm (mirrors folded)
• Height: 1,686–1,695 mm

A 2,800–2,825 mm wheelbase helps deliver that 970 mm rear legroom figure, so adults will fit comfortably behind adults. Higher‑spec trims are expected to ride on 20‑inch alloys. Ground clearance is set for kerbs, speed bumps and mild gravel tracks rather than serious off‑roading, which matches how most family SUVs are used.

---

Interior & Comfort

Cabin Layout & Space

Inside, the L8 leans hard into the tech‑lounge look:

• Portrait 13.2‑inch touchscreen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip
• 10.2‑inch digital instrument cluster
• Separate physical controls for the core climate functions, so you are not stabbing at a screen just to change the fan speed

The long wheelbase pays off inside. Rear passengers benefit from up to 970 mm of legroom, so tall adults or teenagers will not feel short‑changed. Around the cabin you get:

• 47 storage spaces for bottles, phones, bags and odds and ends
• 11 “Magic Hooks” to hang shopping, handbags or backpacks

Comfort & Convenience Features

Depending on trim, the equipment list is impressively long:

• Wireless charging up to 50 W
• Reclining front and rear seats; front seats can fold almost flat
• Passenger front seat with footrest and eight‑point massage, plus ventilation and heating
• Heated and ventilated seats in key positions
• Air quality monitor and an active fragrance system
• Two‑tone interiors (for example, black with Tiffany Green accents)
• Panoramic sunroof
• Leather upholstery on higher trims

The overall effect should feel closer to a premium Korean SUV than a budget Chinese import from a decade ago.

---

Technology & Infotainment

The car runs Lepas OS, which is designed to feel like a smartphone interface rather than a clunky old car system.

• Customisable widgets and tiles
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Natural‑style voice commands
• OTA updates so software and features can improve over time

Driver Assistance & Safety Tech

On the driver assistance side, expect a full suite:

• Around‑view monitor
• Latest‑generation ADAS, including:
  • AEB (autonomous emergency braking)
  • adaptive cruise control
  • blind‑spot monitoring
  • lane keeping assistance
  • driver monitoring

Convenience features include a power tailgate, LED ambient lighting, a 360‑degree camera setup and, on some versions, a rear LCD panel. There are multiple USB points, Bluetooth connectivity and an upgraded audio system on upper trims.

---

Pricing, Trims & UK Availability

Estimated Costs

For the UAE, the L8 PHEV is expected to start:

• From 140,000 AED
• With top variants staying under roughly 160,000 AED

Those estimates are based on projected UK pricing of around £28,000–£35,000 (using 1 GBP ≈ 4.7 AED). That puts it comfortably below a Kia Sportage PHEV or Toyota RAV4 PHEV, while sitting slightly above a Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, which generally starts around the 120,000 AED mark once similarly equipped.

Planned trims are still to be confirmed, but a three‑tier structure such as Urban, Premium and Ultimate would fit the brand’s usual strategy, with features like the panoramic roof and higher‑end ADAS reserved for the top tier.

Also read: Best SUV In UAE A Guide To The Best Options In 2025

Buying Timeline

• Pre‑launch interest / orders: Expected from Q2 2026 via Chery dealers
• Dealer coverage: Expanding across the UAE through the broader Chery family, including local partners such as AW Rostamani

Checking official UAE Chery or Lepas channels closer to launch will give the most accurate pricing and stock information.

---

Rivals & Comparisons

Here is how the L8 stacks up against some familiar names on paper:

On price and spec, the story is simple: more electric range and more space for noticeably less money than the usual Korean and Japanese options. The trade‑off is brand familiarity and long‑term resale value, which Chinese brands are still building in the region.

Why Choose Lepas L8?

Because you get a value PHEV package that punches above its price:

• Longer quoted EV range than key rivals
• Generous space and features for the money
• Modern styling instead of anonymous fleet‑car looks

If you mostly drive in the city but like to do regular Abu Dhabi or Fujairah runs, that combination of electric commuting and hybrid long‑distance range makes a lot of sense.

---

Safety, Warranty & Ownership

Safety Expectations

Lepas is aiming high. The L8 targets a 5‑star result in tests such as Euro NCAP, taking cues from related models like the Tiggo 8, which has recorded around 82% adult occupant protection, 85% child protection and 80% vulnerable road user scores.

Expected hardware and software include:

• 8+ airbags
• AEB
• adaptive cruise control
• blind‑spot monitoring
• 360‑degree camera
• traction control
• hill‑start assist
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• ISOFIX child‑seat mounts

Running Costs

Ownership packages in the UAE are likely to mirror existing Chery offers:

• Warranty: 7‑year unlimited‑kilometre cover, often extendable to 8 years on related models
• Servicing: Capped‑price servicing and roadside assistance bundles

With quoted fuel use of 1.4 L/100 km (with regular charging), running costs should undercut conventional petrol rivals quite comfortably, especially for high‑mileage drivers.

---

Conclusion

If the final UAE specification matches what is being previewed, the Lepas L8 PHEV will land as a very serious alternative to mainstream mid‑size SUVs. For around 140,000 AED to start, you get:

• A usable 50+ mile electric range
• Strong combined output of 255–275 PS and 365–525 Nm
• Space that rivals or beats a Sportage or RAV4
• A long warranty and low official fuel consumption of 1.4 L/100 km

For families who want SUV practicality without committing fully to an EV, it looks like a smart middle path.

---

Summary Table

---

People Also Ask

What is the Lepas L8 release date in the UK?

The UK is targeting Q3 2026, with pre‑orders likely to open shortly beforehand. The UAE market is expected to see cars in showrooms around mid‑2026.

Lepas L8 price UK?

Early estimates suggest a starting price of under £30,000, roughly equivalent to about 140,000 AED at current exchange rates.

Is Lepas L8 PHEV or EV?

The initial launch is a PHEV. Fully electric versions exist in other markets and could follow later, but they are not yet confirmed for the UAE.

Lepas L8 vs Kia Sportage?

On paper, the L8 PHEV is cheaper, offers more quoted electric range and slightly more cabin space than the Kia Sportage PHEV, while aiming at a similar level of tech and comfort.

Who makes Lepas L8? Related to Chery?

Yes. Lepas is a Chery sub‑brand, sitting alongside Omoda and Jaecoo, and shares platforms and technology with those models.

Where can I schedule a test drive for a luxury SUV like Lepas L8?

You can schedule a test drive with Alba Cars.