A photo shared on Facebook appears to show the Lepas L4 in Malaysia without any camouflage, seemingly in the middle of a promotional shoot. The L4, along with the entire Lepas brand, is expected to make its official local debut in 1H 2026.
For those unfamiliar, Lepas is a new sub-brand of Chery and is positioned exclusively as an international marque, similar to Jaecoo. Unlike Jaecoo, however, Lepas will reportedly focus on markets such as the Middle East, South Africa, and Southeast Asia, guided by the brand’s “In Somewhere, For Somewhere” development philosophy aimed at addressing specific local needs.
The brand made its international debut in Indonesia recently, showcasing a range of SUVs including the L4, L6, and L8 — with the latter becoming the first Lepas model to go on sale there. All three share a common design language dubbed the “Leopard Aesthetic”, highlighted by split headlights with slim daytime running lights (DRL) inspired by a leopard’s eyes, as well as a large front grille flanked by black side elements housing the main light beams.
The model spotted here in Malaysia is the Lepas L4, identified by its sportier front lip with side vents, a spiral matrix-styled graphic on the front grille, and sculpted wheel arches along the sides. A black plastic insert on the D-pillar further differentiates the L4.
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Measuring 4,406 mm long, 1,820 mm wide, and 1,635 mm tall, with a 2,640 mm wheelbase, the Lepas L4 sits squarely in the B-segment SUV class. As such, it will go up against rivals like the Honda HR-V, Proton X50, the recently unveiled Mitsubishi Xforce, and its brother from another mother, the Chery Tiggo Cross.
Looking to the South Africa market, where the model has already been fully revealed, the Lepas L4 is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 147 hp and 225 Nm of torque. While further technical details have yet to be confirmed, the SUV is expected to feature a front-wheel-drive layout, in line with other Chery Group offerings.
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Inside, the L4 is equipped with an eight-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a vertically oriented 13.2-inch central infotainment display with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, similar to that found in models from Jaecoo. However, unlike Jaecoo’s more minimalist, straight-lined interior design, the Lepas L4 adopts a more expressive approach, featuring wavy dashboard patterns and quilted leather-style finishes on the seats and door cards.
According to an announcement from Lepas South Africa, the company also plans to introduce the L4 with a hybrid variant, though it has not disclosed any information regarding the electrified version. The company also announced that the car is slated to launch in the country on 31 March 2026, which could give us a better idea of what to expect when the Lepas L4 officially unveils in our parts of the world.
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