TryGOLD- Free

LEVC L380
Auto Express|October 16, 2024
FIRST DRIVE Luxury eight-seat electric MPV glides in with a sumptuous, versatile interior, air suspension and a long range
- Mark Rainford
LEVC L380

MPVS have very much fallen out of favour in Europe but, for the rich and the famous, premium people-movers like the Mercedes V-Class and Lexus LM remain very much in vogue.

Now LEVC, manufacturer of the iconic TX/TX5 London taxi, is looking to muscle in on the MPV action with its L380, an electric MPV.

It's a big car. So big, in fact, that it's available to order in China with eight seats (UK cars are due in around 18 months). That in itself wouldn't be so surprising but for the fact that those chairs are spread across four rows in a body that's still a few centimetres shorter than a V-Class.

Indeed, such is the practicality of the L380, it comes with not one but two rows of fully reclining captain's chairs, with passengers in the second and third rows both able to lie back, complete with a leg rest, without any compromises. There are also near-two-metre-long rails in the floor that allow all the seats to be spread out, or pushed together for greater storage space.

When specified as an eight-seater, the fourth row seats can fold into the floor electronically, or rotate 90 degrees to enable a so-called 'fishing mode, allowing you to dangle your legs out of the back and catch your lunch in comfort.

These qualities mean the L380 is just as adept at bussing a large family around as it is shuttling the wealthy to their private jets.

Comfort is at the core of the L380's repertoire. It sits on a modified version of Geely's SEA platform (called SOA), which has proven itself particularly capable under cars such as the Polestar 4 and not yet UK-relevant Zeekr 001.

This story is from the October 16, 2024 edition of Auto Express.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 16, 2024 edition of Auto Express.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM AUTO EXPRESSView All
Nissan Ariya Nismo
Auto Express

Nissan Ariya Nismo

FIRST DRIVE Applying a legendary Japanese performance brand name to an electric SUV is a bold move, but it works - to a certain degree, at least

time-read
3 mins  |
February 05, 2025
Jaecoo J7 SHS PHEV
Auto Express

Jaecoo J7 SHS PHEV

FIRST DRIVE Chinese brand's premium SUV employs some clever tech, but is still found wanting in a few critical areas

time-read
3 mins  |
February 05, 2025
Range Rover MY25
Auto Express

Range Rover MY25

FIRST DRIVE The interior may have 'done a Tesla', but all the key Range Rover strengths remain in this updated model

time-read
3 mins  |
February 05, 2025
USED BUYER'S GUIDE DS3 Crossback
Auto Express

USED BUYER'S GUIDE DS3 Crossback

FROM 8,500 Chunky DS crossover is a bold and distinctive choice in a sea of small SUVs

time-read
4 mins  |
February 05, 2025
£55m investment in EV charging infrastructure
Auto Express

£55m investment in EV charging infrastructure

New initiatives aim to tackle lack of consumer enthusiasm for the EV switchover

time-read
2 mins  |
February 05, 2025
Citroen C3 Aircross
Auto Express

Citroen C3 Aircross

FIRST DRIVE French firm takes all that's great about the C3 supermini and refines it in chunky new small SUV

time-read
5 mins  |
February 05, 2025
HONDA e:NY1
Auto Express

HONDA e:NY1

EV passes screen test with flying colours, but its efficiency is still very disappointing

time-read
3 mins  |
February 05, 2025
DRIVEN NEW FIAT GRANDE PANDA
Auto Express

DRIVEN NEW FIAT GRANDE PANDA

Retro styling is back with a vengeance, but Fiat's answer to the new Renault 5 has substance to match its iconic roots

time-read
5 mins  |
February 05, 2025
New Mazda electric SUV will follow 6e saloon
Auto Express

New Mazda electric SUV will follow 6e saloon

Brand has trademarked the name CX-6e, with UK boss telling us to \"watch this space\" for a sibling to forthcoming four-door EV

time-read
3 mins  |
February 05, 2025
Citroen C4
Auto Express

Citroen C4

AEX CITROEN was keen to emphasise the four pillars of its brand image - 'comfort', 'daring', 'sustainable' and 'simple' - ahead of us driving the new C4.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 29, 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more