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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
L4
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
J7 SHS
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
L4
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Model Introduced Year
2025
2026
Generation
Current South Africa J7 SHS range
First-generation LEPAS L4 compact SUV
Facelift History
Current South Africa version listed by official source
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
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
SUV
Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg
Not Available
-
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Length
4500 mm
4406 mm
Width
1865 mm
1820 mm
Height
1670 mm
1635 mm
Wheelbase
2672 mm
2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
174 mm
160 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
500 l
458 l
Kerb Weight
1795 kg
1346 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2210 kg
1844 kg
Payload Capacity
420 kg
498 kg
Towing Capacity
1300 kg
1200 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.4 m
5.275 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
1005 mm
Rear Headroom
975 mm
975 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1040 mm
Rear Legroom
910 mm
890 mm
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Front Track Width
Not Available
-
Rear Track Width
Not Available
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut independent suspension
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Torsion beam semi-independent suspension
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Automatic
Climate control
Power Windows
Standard
Front and rear
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Standard
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not Available
-
AC Type
Automatic
Climate control
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
SQRE4T15C
Fuel Type
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
Plug-in Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1500 cc
1499 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Petrol injection
Multi-Point Electronic Fuel Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
9.5:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
77.0 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
80.5 mm
Maximum Power
255 kW @ 5500 rpm
108 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
525 Nm
225 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm
Combined Power
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
6-Speed DCT
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
185 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
10.2 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
17.6 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
80.2 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
167.2 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
90 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
40 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
160 min
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
20 min
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Gearbox
DHT
6-speed dual-clutch automatic
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
4.13:1
Number of Gears
Hybrid DHT
6
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Automatic clutch
Dual clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Electric
Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
DHT
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
FWD
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
Hybrid DHT
6
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Claimed Mileage
100.0 km/l
14.3 km/l
City Mileage
17.4 km/l
11.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
23.0 km/l
16.8 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 l
51 l
Emission Standard
Euro VIb
Euro 6B
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Real-world Mileage
100.0 km/l
14.3 km/l
Charging Port Type
Plug-in hybrid AC/DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC/DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
60
51
Combined Driving Range
1200
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
18.7
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Available
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
1200 km
Not Applicable
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Airbags
Multiple airbags
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
AEB
Standard
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Yes - front seats
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Yes
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Standard
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Cruise Control
Standard
Adaptive
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Standard
Parking Sensors
Standard
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Standard
Auto Wipers
Standard
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Park Assist
Not Available
No
Around View Monitor
Standard
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Standard
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Seat Material
Leatherette / leather
Faux leather
Heated Seats
Standard
No
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Yes
Front Shoulder Room
Not Available
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Available
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Faux leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Power
6-way power
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Power
4-way manual
Seat Trim
Leatherette / leather
Faux leather
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment
13.2-inch
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
8
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Standard
8-inch segment display
USB Ports
Front and rear USB where listed
2
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
13.2-inch
Touchscreen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
13.2-inch
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Standard
Rear
Roof Rails
Standard
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, model green, olive grey, moonlight silver and two-tone colours where listed.
LEPAS South Africa colour availability varies by derivative and launch allocation.
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Standard
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Approach Angle
Not Available
20.0 deg
Departure Angle
Not Available
28.0 deg
Wading Depth
Not Available
400 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
No
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Available
18.5 deg
Ground Clearance Max
174 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
174 mm
-
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Tyre Size
235/50 R19
215/60 R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Temporary T-type spare tyre
Wheel Rim Size
235/50 R19
17-inch
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
CO2 Emissions
Not Available
159 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
-
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Service Plan
5 Year / 75 000 km
5 years / 75,000 km
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Ownership Role
range-specific
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Price Zar
689900 ZAR
419900 ZAR
Pricing Role
range-specific
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Starting Price
689900
419900
Starting Price Zar
689900
419900
Spec
J7 SHS
L4
Warranty
7 Year / 200 000 km
5 years / 150,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This J7 SHS 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: J7 SHS 91 vs L4 47.
Efficiency index: J7 SHS 96 vs L4 56.
Safety-equipment index: J7 SHS 94 vs L4 92.
Practicality index: J7 SHS 62 vs L4 59.
Ownership-cover index: J7 SHS 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.
Model imagery
J7 SHS and L4 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
J7 SHS leads by 21 points
J7 SHS holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over L4.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
J7 SHS
Performance
91/100
Efficiency
96/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
62/100
L4
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
59/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexJaecoo J7 SHS
leads the specification evidence index with 85 pts
vs 64 pts for L4
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, J7 SHS leads. However, L4 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
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.
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