Chery Group is back at it, giving local buyers yet another badge to decipher. This time it is Lepas, a self-described “design-led” spin-off that intends to set up its own standalone dealer network instead of sharing showroom space with its corporate siblings. Leading the charge in the fourth quarter of 2026 is the Lepas L6, a mid-size electric SUV built on the fresh modular LEX architecture.
The official factory specifications lock in a single front-mounted electric motor with 160kW/275Nm from a 67.1kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. The claim is an estimated range of an adequate 450km and a 0-100km/h sprint of a relaxed 7.9 seconds. The cabin adopts a minimalist ethos with a digital instrument panel paired with a huge central infotainment screen, a generous panoramic glass roof with an electric sunshade, and heated and ventilated synthetic leather seats. Keep in mind, cars costing double still don’t have vented seats.
ABOVE: Lepas L6 electric SUV.
The Local Heavyweights
While local pricing remains a mystery, the L6 is tipped to take a stab as the heart of the affordable electric family wagon market, likely hovering around the $45,000 to $50,000 mark. To see if it holds any real substance, you have to stack it directly against the ever expanding waistline of the plump Australian auto market.
The segment benchmark remains the laudable Tesla Model Y. Starting at $58,900 for the entry-level rear-wheel-drive model, it commands a princely premium over the newcomer. The base Model Y offers 220kW/420Nm of outclassing power, putting the Lepas on the back foot on performance and cargo versatility. While the L6 counters with ventilated seats and a more conventional cabin aesthetic, it operates on a standard 400-volt architecture that will struggle to match the charging network integration and software refinement that keeps the American product at the top of the sales charts. The V4 tesla Superchargers nudge 1200kw overseas. Australia, of course, lags like a bar of drunken sailors, regardless of what is being charged.
Closer to the expected price range of the Lepas is the BYD Atto 3 at $39,990 – $44,990. The Atto 3 is a touch smaller but punches hard on value. It uses a 60.5kWh battery for a comparable 420km range, all while offering a respectable 150kW/310Nm output. While the L6 offers a modern, minimalist dash design with shortcut buttons, the BYD relies on a fresh interior layout, a proven local track record and an established service network.
Then there is the cute little Geely EX5, a fresh-faced rival that lines up almost perfectly with the L6 on specification. At $41,990 – $45,990, the EX5 has a front-mounted motor with an identical 160kW of power but a beefier 320Nm of torque. It carries a 68.4kWh battery and a superior 450km to 475km range. The Geely’s premium cabin experience sports a 15.4-inch screen and a 16-speaker sound system, mounting a serious challenge to the Lepas before the first local shipment even docks.
Do We Really Need Another Chinese Sub-Brand?
Probably not. Chery Group brolly shelters Chery, Omoda, and Jaecoo in local showrooms, with iCar and Freelander waiting in the wings. Throwing Lepas into the mix creates an impressively diverse stable, although the L6 shares basic electrical architecture, battery technology, and component hardware with its corporate siblings under the skin. Such is the advantage of spreading technology over many brands.
Unless the distinct dealer network and curvier exterior styling can offer a genuinely unique ownership and service experience, buyers might find this latest badge addition feels like unnecessary complexity in an already saturated market.
Unless the distinct dealer network and curvier exterior styling can offer a genuinely unique ownership and service experience, buyers might find this latest badge addition feels like unnecessary complexity in an already saturated market.
More Electric SUV Stories
- New ORA 5 Is Cheap, Value, And Calls Old Guard Makers Liars
- 2026 Kia EV4 Earth LR FWD Review
- Geely EX5 Complete Specifications Revealed
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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