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.
L4 and ZS are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
ZS starts ZAR 10,000 cheaperL4 from ZAR 299,900 · ZS from ZAR 289,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
L4
ZS
Maximum Power
L4108 kW @ 5500 rpm
ZS84 kW
Maximum Torque
L4225 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm
ZS150 Nm
Engine Size
L41499 cc
ZS1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
L414.3 km/l
ZS14.08 km/l
Ground Clearance
L4160 mm
ZS175 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
LEPAS L4
1.5T Pantera 6DCT
Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
L4
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
ZS
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?
L4
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
ZS
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
L4
ZS
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
First-generation LEPAS L4 compact SUV
Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History
The L4 launched as the first LEPAS model in South Africa in 2026.
Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
2026
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2024
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
Compact SUV
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
L4
ZS
Length
4406 mm
4314 mm
Width
1820 mm
1809 mm
Height
1635 mm
1624 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
160 mm
175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
458 l
359 l
Kerb Weight
1346 kg
1258 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1844 kg
1695 kg
Payload Capacity
498 kg
437 kg
Towing Capacity
1200 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.275 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1005 mm
1043 mm
Rear Headroom
975 mm
995 mm
Front Legroom
1040 mm
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
890 mm
850 mm
Spec
L4
ZS
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated NSE Petrol
Engine Code
SQRE4T15C
NSE
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1499 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Multi-Point Electronic Fuel Injection
Multipoint fuel injection
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
77.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
80.5 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
108 kW @ 5500 rpm
84 kW
Maximum Torque
225 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm
150 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed DCT
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
185 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
10.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
17.6 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
No
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
80.2 kW/tonne
66.77 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
167.2 Nm/tonne
119.24 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
L4
ZS
Gearbox
6-speed dual-clutch automatic
4-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Not Available
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
4.13:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
6
4
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Dual clutch
Torque converter automatic
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
Front-wheel drive
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
Not Available
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
6
4
Spec
L4
ZS
Claimed Mileage
14.3 km/l
14.08 km/l
City Mileage
11.5 km/l
10.99 km/l
Highway Mileage
16.8 km/l
16.95 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
48 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6B
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
14.3 km/l
14.08 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
51
48
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
L4
ZS
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
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
Yes
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes - front seats
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
L4
ZS
Cruise Control
Adaptive
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Park Assist
No
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Standard
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
Spec
L4
ZS
Seat Material
Faux leather
PVC + PU
Heated Seats
No
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Faux leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way power
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
4-way manual, no height adjustment
Seat Trim
Faux leather
PVC + PU
Spec
L4
ZS
Climate Control
Climate control
ETC air conditioning
Power Windows
Front and rear
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Standard
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
AC Type
Climate control
ETC air conditioning
Spec
L4
ZS
Infotainment System
13.2-inch
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
8-inch segment display
Not Available
USB Ports
2
Standard
Infotainment Screen
13.2-inch
8-inch
Touchscreen
13.2-inch
8-inch
Spec
L4
ZS
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Rear
Standard
Roof Rails
Standard
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
LEPAS South Africa colour availability varies by derivative and launch allocation.
Pearl Black, Arctic White, Storm Silver, Burnt Orange, Dynamic Red, Atlantic Blue
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Standard
Spec
L4
ZS
Approach Angle
20.0 deg
19.0 deg
Departure Angle
28.0 deg
29.0 deg
Wading Depth
400 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
No
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
18.5 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
L4
ZS
Tyre Size
215/60 R17
215/50R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary T-type spare tyre
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch
17
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Mechanical
Spec
L4
ZS
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut independent suspension
Independent
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam semi-independent suspension
Torsion Beam
Spec
L4
ZS
CO2 Emissions
159 g/km
165 g/km
Spec
L4
ZS
Service Plan
5 years / 75,000 km
5 years/60,000 km
Spec
L4
ZS
Ownership Role
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
419900 ZAR
309900 ZAR
Pricing Role
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
419900
309900
Starting Price Zar
419900
309900
Spec
L4
ZS
Warranty
5 years / 150,000 km
7 years / 200,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This L4 and ZS 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: L4 47 vs ZS 37.
Efficiency index: L4 56 vs ZS 55.
Safety-equipment index: L4 92 vs ZS 87.
Practicality index: L4 59 vs ZS 52.
Ownership-cover index: L4 not separately scored vs ZS 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
L4 and ZS 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
L4 leads by 7 points
L4 and ZS are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
L4
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
59/100
ZS
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexLEPAS L4
leads the specification evidence index with 64 pts
vs 57 pts for ZS
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, L4 leads. However, ZS 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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