Key Points
- Zecar saw the Lepas L6 electric SUV in person in Sydney, ahead of its October 2026 Australian launch.
- The L6 is a mid-size electric SUV with a 65kWh LFP battery, a 160kW/275Nm front motor and a claimed WLTP range of 440km.
- Lepas has not confirmed pricing for the L6, but Zecar expects it to start under $50,000 before on-road costs.
Lepas showed its L6 electric SUV in Sydney for the first time at launch event earlier this month giving Zecar an early in-person look at the car ahead of its October 2026 Australian launch. The L6 is the first model from Lepas, a new premium EV brand from Chery Group.
What Is Lepas?
Lepas is a new brand from Chery Group, built for markets outside China. It launched globally in April 2025 and is separate from Chery-badged models already sold in Australia. Lepas is the group’s ‘premium’ offering for EV and PHEV vehicles. Its target market is style-conscious, urban Australian buyers seeking a distinctive, design-led EV with technology and lifestyle appeal, rather than competing primarily on price.
Chery Group exported more than 1.3 million vehicles last year, and plans to bring further brands, including Freelander, iCaur and Jetour, to Australia in 2027.
Lepas Australia Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris said the L6 marks the start of the brand's local presence. “The L6 represents an exciting new chapter for our business and marks the arrival of Lepas in Australia,” Mr Harris said.
Lepas shared its ambitious roadmap at the event, mapping five nameplates against a rollout that runs from late 2026 through to 2028. These include a line-up of SUVs spanning small to large SUVs with both PHEV and BEV drivetrains.
Design
The L6's design is nothing particularly unique, but it is an overall attractive shape that is unlikely to offend many buyers. Slim LED headlights, which Lepas describes as inspired by a leopard's eye, run across the nose, and the car sits on 19-inch alloy wheels with a panoramic glass roof.
Interior
Inside, the L6 is a step up from other Chery Group cars ecar has seen, including the Jaecoo J5, Omoda 5 and Chery E5. Material quality and general presentation feel more considered and premium than those stablemates.
The cabin is built around an 8.88-inch digital driver display and a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lepas has fitted an eight-speaker Sony sound system, 50W wireless phone charging and colour-selectable ambient lighting.
Powertrain, Range and Charging
The L6 uses a 65kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery paired with a single front-mounted electric motor producing 160kW and 275Nm. Drive goes to the front wheels only.
Lepas claims a WLTP range of 440km, with energy consumption rated at 17.5kWh/100km. DC fast charging takes the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in about 22 minutes. Lepas has not published a peak DC charging figure in kW.
Lepas L6 EV key specifications
Spec | Value |
Battery | 65kWh LFP |
Motor | Single front-mounted |
Power / torque | 160kW / 275Nm |
Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
WLTP range | 440km |
Energy consumption | 17.5kWh/100km |
DC fast charging | 30-80% in about 22 minutes (peak kW not published) |
A Crowded Medium SUV Segment
The L6 is entering the medium SUV segment, one of the most competitive in the Australian new car market. Depending on how Lepas prices it, the L6 could end up competing with anything from the value-focused Geely EX5 to the larger, more powerful BYD Sealion 7.
Both of those rivals are established sellers with a local track record, so pricing will be central to how the L6 is received when it goes on sale in October.
Zecar's First Look Verdict
On first impressions, the L6 is a solid opening statement for Lepas in Australia. The design is not groundbreaking, but it is also not divisive enough not to put buyers off - think vanilla with a bit of edge. The interior is the highlight and is a genuine step up over other Chery Group models sold here.
The real test will be pricing relative to other more established options in the market. Lepas has not confirmed a price for the L6 ahead of its October 2026 launch, but we expect it to start under $50,000 before on-road costs.
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About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
