Battery size: 68 kWh 
Miles per kWh: 4.4
E-Rating™: A
Max charge rate: 200 kW
WLTP Range: 278 - 303 miles 
Introduction
The second UK model from Changan after the seven-seat S07, the S05 is, as the name suggests, a smaller version. So you get a well-equipped five-seat small SUV that goes up against stuff like the Skoda Elroq, Kia EV5, BYD Atto 3, Tesla Model Y, Toyota CHR+- pretty much anything in it’s price band. It’s not ‘just’ another recently-birthed Chinese start-up, either. Changan has been going since 1862 and has been making cars for four decades - its just never targeted Europe before. It’s state-owned in China, and has managed several joint ventures with more recognised European manufacturers like Ford and Mazda. In fact, the Mazda CX-6e is based on the Changan S07.
Range, battery and charging
In the UK, we’ll get a pair of S05s, both with the same LFP battery (68kWh useable). They both get the same spec, the only thing that changes is that one’s rear-wheel drive and gets the chunkiest range at 303 miles WLTP, the other is all-wheel drive, faster and manages 278. Which is about average for the class. There’s a standard heatpump, pre-conditioning (also via the navigation) and heated seats and wheel as standard - as is pretty much everything else, to be fair. On test the rear-wheel drive was managing reasonable miles-per-kWh of 3.4 in mixed driving, though that included some… more spirited testing. And the all-wheel drive requires more seat time to figure out how efficient it might be in the real world.
Plug in via the rear right-hand side and you’ll access a max of 200kW of DC charging (the average will be more like 130kW), good for 23 minutes 10-80% - which is excellent. Oh and theres’s 11kW DC, too. There’s also vehicle-to-load of 3.3kW for external power-ups, but no bi-directional charging.
Practicality and boot space
The S05 sits somewhere in the middle when it comes to raw practicality - though it’s definitely roomy. Front and rear seat accommodation is more than you ever need unless transporting giraffe-human hybrids, the boot is fine at 492-litres or 1,250 with the seats folded flat. Although that is supplemented by a very generous 159-litre frunk - more useful than you think. It’s not the biggest Electrifying has tested, but it’s up there. It’ll also tow 1,600kg if you option the £600 towball.
There’s decent storage, plenty of places to charge electronics - including a pair of wireless charging pads - and everything feels well-made; this doesn’t feel like the kind of car that’ll wilt after a couple of years of hard use, but time will tell.
Interior, design/styling and technology
As mentioned, the S05 feels like it’s been thought about. Changan has a design centre in Turin, so even though the S05 is a little bit inoffensive, it’s better in the metal. Apparently it’s ‘inspired by aviation’ - a stretch - although the frenched-in headlights do have a graphic that looks a bit like an aeroplane. It’s neat rather than stunning, calm rather than striking. But that’s not always a bad thing.
Quality is good throughout, everything feels nice and looks to have been put together by talented robots. Leather or vegan plastic leather comes in either black or orange, so bonkers or boring but nothing much in-between - although the orange option is surprisingly nice. As is the fully-reclining passenger seat with extendable footrest. Good for naps.
Obviously there’s the usual big touchscreen, 15.4 inches in this case, which you can move left or right to reduce glare or face a nosey passenger. There’s multi-zone voice control, gesture recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 14-speaker audio system … all standard. The steering wheel joysticks do feel a little flimsy, but seem to work well, and you do need to learn the trigger phrases/recognised words for the voice control, but it’s nothing an hour of sorting out wouldn’t cure. And everything really is standard - the only options are colours, the £600 towball and a big panoramic sunroof for a grand. All that and a five-star EuroNCAP rating too.
Motors, performance and handling
Quite simple in terms of the performance side of things. The rear wheel drive version gets 268bhp and runs from rest to 62mph in seven and a half seconds. Which is plenty. The all-wheel drive gets a second motor in the front and 430bhp, offering up 0-62 in 5.5 - which is rapid. Both top out at 112mph, but that’s largely moot. You don’t need more than the rear-wheel drive if you’re carting a family around.
Interestingly in it’s global footprint, Changan also has a ride/dynamics R&D centre in… Birmingham. And it shows. The steering is nicely weighted and accurate, the ride slightly firm/jiggly on a really bad road, but largely very competent. It’s quite a rounded-feeling car. Usually, if you were going to set a car up for UK B-roads we’d be tempted to offer up long travel suspension or possibly tank tracks, but the S05 feels mature.
Running costs and pricing
The rear-wheel drive S05 weighs in at £37,990, with the all-wheel drive two grand more at £39,990. But you’re paying for that drivetrain rather than a different spec. Both cars look the same and have the same kit - it’s just the performance and possibly terrible-weather traction that makes the difference. It’s a little early to get proper PCP and lease numbers, but there’s roughly 60 dealers in the mix now, plus an eight year battery warranty and seven years or 100,000miles on the car. So there’s lots of peace of mind. It’s a solid choice.
Verdict
So the name is a bit of a mouthful, but the Changan Deepal S05 is a very competent offering. It’s been honed in Turin and Birmingham, so doesn’t feel like a direct import from China. It’s got a simple buying structure, loads of useful standard kit and feels well made. It’s a bit low-key in some areas, but not everyone wants chintz. It's worth taking a look, especially if the finance price is right.
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