The salary you need to afford the new Lepas L4 in South Africa

Prospective car buyers looking at the recently released Lepas L4 will need to earn at least R32,000 per month to afford the Chinese SUV on a finance plan, according to a calculation by TopAuto.

The newly introduced crossover is the latest, and highly anticipated, entry from automotive giant Chery.

Announced with a starting price of R299,900, the L4 comes in three specifications – Amur, Javan, and Pantera.

All three trimlines are fitted with the familiar 1.5-litre petrol motor, either naturally aspirated or turbocharged, found in much of Chery’s line-up.

The naturally aspirated motor and five-speed manual transmission found in the entry-level Amur combine to deliver 80kW and 148Nm to the front wheels at a consumption of 6.9l/100km.

The mid-spec Javan and flagship Pantera have been fitted with turbocharged versions of the 1.5-litre motor that generates 108kW and 235Nm.

These derivatives feature six-speed dual-clutch transmissions that also send power to the front wheels and have a claimed fuel economy rate of 7.0l/100 km.

Built on Chery’s all-new LEX intelligent platform, the L4 offers increased interior space thanks to its longer 2,700mm wheelbase.

Alongside its leather seats, the tech-heavy interior features a 13.2-inch 2K touchscreen infotainment system housed in the centre console, as well as an 8-inch digital driver instrument cluster.

Drivers can expect a 540-degree camera system, as well as wireless charging capabilities.

As a family-focused SUV, the L4 has a suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which Lepas says will monitor the road, anticipate risk, and provide real-time driver support.

Fitted as standard in all models are six airbags, stability control, and ISOFIX children’s car seat anchoring points.

What you need to earn

Buyers looking to get their hands on the all-new Lepas L4 can use the following formula to determine their potential monthly repayments.

• Car price – R299,900/R419,900
• Payment term – 60 terms (5 years)
• Interest – 10.25%
• Deposit – 0%
• Balloon – No balloon payment

If you consider this calculation, you will need to pay at least R6,500 per month for South Africa’s newest Chinese SUV, up to R9,000 per month for the flagship model.

With financial experts recommending that buyers do not spend more than 20% of their gross monthly salary on vehicle payments, you will need to earn at least R32,500 per month to afford the Amur on a finance plan.

Buyers opting for the top-of-the-range Pantera will need to earn at least R45,000 per month instead.

That being said, the calculation does not account for the additional vehicle ownership expenses, including insurance and maintenance costs, as well as fuel and other running costs, which all need to be considered.