Battery size: 75 kWh 
Miles per kWh: 3.8
E-Rating™: A
Max charge rate: 93 kW
WLTP Range: 295 miles 
Introduction
Right, let's go back to the beginning. You know that Changan is the manufacturer, here - and an established player in the Chinese domestic car market. Deepal is its new European brand, which was launched in 2022, and the S07 is the first model to go on sale here in the UK. It's a large, 4.7-metre electric family SUV, aimed squarely at the Tesla Model Y, Skoda Enyaq, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Peugeot 3008, BYD Sealion 7, Leapmotor C10 and forthcoming Kia EV5.
At the moment the Deepal S07 is only available in one, high-spec model complete with 215bhp, rear-wheel drive, five seats, and all the equipment you can think of, including a panoramic glass roof, heated and cooled seats, and augmented head-up display - amongst a lot of other cool features. There's no seven seat version, and no all-wheel drive variant on the cards just yet. But don't rule anything out because Deepal can move quickly. It's got the smaller Deepal S05 SUV arriving later in 2025, to take on the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq, and we're told that there are sixty existing models in the Changan portfolio, any of which can be tweaked, polished and prepped for sale in Europe.
Can I see much evidence of the Italian design flair? Or the 'distinctive' cross design and star-inspired cues that I was told set the Deepal S07 apart from its rivals? Not really, no. In fact, I think this looks just fine - but probably too generic for its own good. At a glance, most of us could confuse the S07 with a Lotus, a Polestar, a Cupra, an Audi, an MG or any number of other sharply creased, LED-lightbarred electric SUVs out there. I certainly could, and I stare at these cars for a living...
Range, battery and charging
For a car that feels very hi-tech in most regards, the range and charging are disappointing on the Deepal S07. The 75kWh lithium-ion NMC battery (complete with an 80kWh total capacity) promises up to 295 miles on the WLTP cycle — respectable, if not outstanding in this class. Plenty of rivals will take you further between charges, including smaller but similarly priced alternatives like the Skoda Elroq and Kia EV3.
They'll charge more quickly than the S07, too. With peak DC rapid charging speeds of 93kWh, the Deepal will take just under 50 minutes for a 10-80% charge of the CATL-sourced lithium-ion NMC battery, or will need some 25- to 30 minutes for a 100 mile top-up.
On the plus side, 11kW AC charging is standard, so you can make full use of any faster AC chargers often found around office and shopping areas, while a standard 7kW home charger will take around 12 hours. There’s also a heat pump to help winter efficiency, and vehicle-to-load capability so that you can power your campsite gadgets, charge your e-bike or power up any electrical device from the high voltage battery. Handy.
Practicality and boot space
It's a seriously roomy, classy-feeling passenger space in the Deepal S07. In fact, I reckon the interior is one of the chief reasons you'd buy one. The materials feel smart and high quality, with a nice blend of textures and colours, a tactile steering wheel, clean dash design, comfortable seats and 10-way electric adjustment for the driver. The S07 majors on rear-seat comfort, with loads of legroom, rear climate control - and there's even a button to open and close the panoramic roof blind back there. So you know that the kids will be happy. With this much space, even a couple of tall adults will feel comfortable back there.
The boot is the weak link. At 445 litres it’s smaller than the boot in an Enyaq or Model Y, and the rear seats only fold in a basic 60/40 split and don't slide or do anything particularly versatile. It’ll be fine for a buggy or the weekly shop, but if you need lots of load space, look elsewhere. Having said that, the 125-litre frunk is a huge bonus, and will be useful for more than just your charging cables.
Interior, design/styling and technology
Up front, the S07 makes a strong impression. The cabin feels minimalist and high quality, with soft-touch materials and a huge panoramic glass roof flooding it with light. There’s a definite Tesla vibe to the dashboard and the big, 15.6-inch portrait touchscreen, which can even swivel automatically towards you or the passenger.
Most functions are hidden in that screen — even the mirrors and wipers — but a shortcut menu helps, and the graphics are sharp. You also get over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a head-up display with augmented navigation so that you see floating arrows in front of the car pointing towards your next turn. And for a bit of fun, there’s ‘Nap mode’ for when you're charging and want to fully recline the seat, or ‘Bonfire mode’ serves up a crackling virtual fire that you can drag more virtual kindling onto, when you'll notice the cabin warm up and the seat heaters come on. Nice party trick to please the kids, eh?
Oh, and the Deepal S07 will also give you a light show, play your music through the external speakers, and even gives you the option of three different twinkly passenger warning sounds that play below 20mph. They all sound like a creepy ice cream van tune from a Stephen King movie, but having the choice is nice. There's also Dog mode and Camping mode. Wonder where they got the idea for all of these features?! Hmm...
Motors, performance and handling
Power comes from a 215bhp motor that drives the rear wheels for a 0–62mph time of 7.9 seconds. It’s quick enough and smooth enough, with Sport mode bringing a welcome injection of urgency to the throttle response. There's plenty of grip (although I haven't driven the S07 in wet weather, yet), and it feels secure in everyday driving.
But when the road turns bumpy, the S07’s weaknesses show. Despite being retuned for Europe, the suspension feels unsettled and lumpy, with a restless ride and some odd body movements in fast corners. There’s plenty of tyre roar on the 20-inch wheels too, so it’s not the most relaxing long-distance companion. Sure, it'll do the job, but there are so many better options if you value a car that's satisfying, precise and comfortable to drive. There are also more manoeuvrable electric SUVs than the S07, which has a sizeable 11.5-metre turning circle. It's not bad enough to be a deal breaker, but you'll be grateful for the impressively high definition, 360-degree camera when you're squeezing round a multi-storey car park.
Running costs and pricing
This is where the S07 starts to make sense. There’s just one trim level and it’s absolutely loaded, yet the price sneaks under £40,000 — which dodges the premium car tax and undercuts many rivals.
Standard kit includes heated and ventilated front seats, a 10-speaker sound system, a panoramic roof, ambient lighting, 10-way electric seat adjustment, semi-autonomous driving aids including adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, ambient lighting, automatic LED headlights, leatherette upholstery, a cooled wireless phone charging slot, head-up display, any of the three interior colours... It's all there, and it's all included. The only option is a retractable tow bar, which lets you tow up to 1,500kg.
There’s also a generous seven-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty and an eight-year/125,000-mile battery warranty. Changan currently has around 20 UK dealers, with plans for 50 by the end of 2025.
Verdict
The Deepal S07 is a bold debut. It’s stylish, packed with tech, and feels impressively plush inside. Factor in the generous spec and sub-£40k price, and it’s a tempting package on paper.
But, while it looks and feels the part, the S07 can’t yet match the best for ride, handling, charging speeds and range. For now, it’s not quite ready to dethrone the Tesla Model Y or Skoda Enyaq, and I'd also favour one of the smaller, similarly priced alternatives like the Renault Scenic, Skoda Elroq and Kia EV3. After all, these are also great, useful family cars that all offer longer range, faster charging and are better to drive. So, do look at those as alternatives if you're considering Deepal's roomier, lavishly equipped S07. Even so, as first efforts go, the S07 is impressive, and I've no doubt that Changan will move quickly to improve it and add further options to its range. For now, this is a brand to watch.
Want all the latest electric car news, reviews and videos? Sign up to the Electrifying newsletter, and don't forget to check out the Electrifying podcast.
7
