LDV D90 vs LEPAS L4

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

LDV D90 in South Africa

LDV D90

D90 Flagship Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 899,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 160 kW 🔧 500 Nm ⛽ 10.99 km/l
VS
LEPAS L4 in South Africa

LEPAS L4

1.5T Pantera 6DCT Petrol 6-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 419,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 108 kW 🔧 225 Nm ⛽ 14.3 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

LDV D90 vs LEPAS L4: the short answer

D90 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while L4 remains close.

L4 starts ZAR 600,000 cheaper D90 from ZAR 899,900 · L4 from ZAR 299,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification D90 L4
Maximum Power D90160 kW @ 4000 rpm L4108 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque D90500 Nm @ 1500-2400 rpm L4225 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm
Engine Size D901996 cc L41499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy D9010.99 km/l L414.3 km/l
Ground Clearance D90210 mm L4160 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

D90

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

L4

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

D90

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

L4

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec D90 L4
Model Introduced Year 2025 2026
Generation Current South African D90 generation. First-generation LEPAS L4 compact SUV
Facelift History No later South African facelift is published. The L4 launched as the first LEPAS model in South Africa in 2026.
Facelift Launched Since 2025 2026
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Seven-seat large SUV SUV
Model Year 2025 2026
Production Status active Active
Segment SUV Compact SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec D90 L4
Length 5046 mm 4406 mm
Width 2016 mm 1820 mm
Height 1876 mm 1635 mm
Wheelbase 2950 mm 2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 210 mm 160 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 51 l
Boot/Cargo Space 343 l 458 l
Kerb Weight 2370 kg 1346 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3100 kg 1844 kg
Payload Capacity 730 kg 498 kg
Towing Capacity 3100 kg 1200 kg
Seating Capacity 7 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 3 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.45 m 5.275 m
Front Headroom 1010 mm 1005 mm
Rear Headroom 990 mm 975 mm
Front Legroom 1050 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 950 mm 890 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This D90 and L4 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: D90 82 vs L4 47.

Efficiency index: D90 45 vs L4 56.

Safety-equipment index: D90 93 vs L4 92.

Practicality index: D90 78 vs L4 59.

Ownership-cover index: D90 not separately scored vs L4 not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

D90 leads by 12 points

D90 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while L4 remains close.

Evidence leader 76 /100
Lead 12 points
Data 68% source coverage
76
#1 Evidence leader

D90

68% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 45
Performance 82
Efficiency 45
Safety 93
Practicality 78
Leads by 12 points
64
#2

L4

83% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Performance 47
Performance 47
Efficiency 56
Safety 92
Practicality 59
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance D90 +35 Efficiency L4 +11 Safety D90 +1 Practicality D90 +19

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

D90

Performance 82/100
Efficiency 45/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 78/100

L4

Performance 47/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 59/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index LDV D90 leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts vs 64 pts for L4

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, D90 leads. However, L4 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

D90 vs L4 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.