Another new automotive brand has arrived in Australia, with Lepas introducing its first model, the L6 BEV. Part of the ever-expanding Chery Group, Lepas is positioned as a more premium offering, combining contemporary design, generous equipment and electric power.
Priced from $47,990, the L6 enters an increasingly competitive electric SUV segment, where buyers have plenty of alternatives offering strong performance, long driving ranges and extensive technology.
We recently had an opportunity to drive the new L6 on Australian roads. While there’s nothing particularly groundbreaking about its specifications, the driving experience revealed a few welcome surprises.
2026 Lepas L6: Specifications
Electrical: 65kWh LFP battery
Output: 160kW / 275Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Tare weight: 1860kgPower-to-weight: 11.62:1 (kg:kW)
Official range: 440km
Claimed 0-100km/h: 7.9 seconds
Max charging AC/DC: 6.6kW/120kW
Starting price: $47,990
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2026 Lepas L6: How much does it cost?
The Lepas L6 EV is priced from $47,990 (excluding on-road costs), placing it among a growing selection of electric SUVs competing around the $45,000–$50,000 mark. It is being offered in a single trim level for now.
Standard equipment is generous, including 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, Sony audio, wireless smartphone connectivity and automatic parking assistance.
Ownership coverage is also competitive, with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, eight-year/200,000km battery warranty, seven years of roadside assistance and seven years of capped-price servicing.
2026 Lepas L6: Interior & packaging
The L6 makes a positive first impression inside, with a modern dashboard design, attractive materials and a level of presentation that feels appropriate for its semi-premium positioning.
There’s a clean, relatively minimalist layout, centred around a 13.2-inch infotainment touch-screen and 8.88-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with a 50W wireless phone charger.
One of the highlights is the eight-speaker Sony sound system, which delivers impressive audio quality for this class. It’s a welcome inclusion and helps give the cabin a more upmarket feel. Other features include a panoramic sunroof with a retractable sunshade, while acoustic glass for the front doors is designed to help reduce outside noise.
Rear seat space is good, with a flat floor opening up expansive legroom for all three across the back. You also get twin climate vents, charging options, and a flip-down armrest. However, it would have been nice of Lepas to offer an adjustable recline level for the rear bench purely to differentiate against its rivals.
Boot space is measured at 435L or up to 1255L with the rear seats folded. We couldn’t find any V2L charging socket in the back, which is a downside compared with some competitors. Even those volume measurements are not particularly attractive for this class. There is a 99L tub under the boot floor, which is a bonus. It’s fully sealed as well so it could be great for wet towels and sports gear.
Overall, the cabin is nicely presented and well equipped, although the general design and technology layout aren’t particularly different from what we’ve seen in numerous other modern Chinese SUVs.
2026 Lepas L6: Powertrain & handling
It comes with a single electric motor producing 160kW and 275Nm, sent to the front wheels only, receiving energy from a new 65kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
Those figures are respectable, but hardly exceptional in today’s electric SUV market. There’s enough performance for everyday driving, with the usual immediate electric motor response making acceleration feel smooth and effortless around town. Lepas claims 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
However, buyers looking for particularly strong acceleration or an engaging powertrain won’t find anything especially noteworthy here. Some similarly priced alternatives offer considerably more power and stronger performance, if that’s what you want.
Where the L6 does make a more convincing impression is in its handling. Compared with some other SUVs from the Chery Group, which can feel overly soft and floaty, the Lepas has a noticeably tighter and more controlled suspension setup.
On Australian roads, it feels composed and secure, with less unnecessary body movement through corners and over undulating surfaces. There’s an engaging sense of firmness without the suspension feeling excessively harsh.
This gives the L6 a slightly sportier character than its specifications might suggest, and it’s arguably one of its strongest attributes. It doesn’t transform the vehicle into a performance SUV, but the chassis, which has been tested in Australia before going on sale, feels better resolved than some of its stablemates.
With a full charge, the L6 offers a claimed WLTP driving range of 440km. That’s adequate for most everyday driving requirements, but it’s also fairly ordinary by current standards. Several competitors offer greater range for similar money, with some exceeding 500km between charges.
DC fast charging is supported, with Lepas quoting a 30–80 per cent charging time of approximately 22 minutes using a max 120kW charger. Again, that figure is hardly class-leading. With some newer electric SUVs supporting considerably faster charging, the L6 doesn’t offer any particular advantage in this area. It also offers a slow 6.6kW rate with AC power – most offer 11kW or up to 22kW.
For buyers primarily charging at home, these limitations might not be especially important. However, those regularly travelling longer distances may find the additional range and faster charging capabilities of some competitors more appealing.
2026 Lepas L6: First impressions
The Lepas L6 BEV is a competent electric SUV with a quality interior, impressive Sony sound system and surprisingly well-controlled handling. Its suspension feels more suited to Australian roads than some rivals, with a higher degree of composure and a sportier character. However, the 160kW powertrain, 440km range and charging performance are all fairly average for this increasingly competitive segment.
Overall, the L6 follows a familiar formula, dressing conventional electric SUV technology in a slightly more premium package. There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with that approach, and the driving dynamics are a genuine positive. But at $47,990, buyers can find alternatives offering more power, longer range and arguably more character right now.
2026 Lepas L6: Video
