Yet another new brand name to add to the list of vehicles on the Australian market. This time it’s Deepal which, although it does sound like it could be from India, is one of the most recent in the growing stream of fully-electric Chinese SUVs to be launched here.
Deepal is a sub-brand of Changan Automobile which is the fourth largest Chinese brand behind BYD, Geely and SAIC. It is imported here through Inchcape who also bring in Subaru and Peugeot vehicles.
The first model to come here is the S07, a mid-sized SUV that will compete against EVs including the Tesla Model Y, Subaru Solterra, Toyota bZ4X, Ioniq 5 and Kia EV5, all of which are more expensive.
But wait, there are more, less established Chinese EV brands either here already or on their way wit similar vehicles including BYD Seal, Leapmotor C10, Geely EX5 and XPeng G6, Skywell ET5 and Aion V.
Deepal S07 comes in a single variant priced at $53,900 plus on-road costs. It started with two dealerships each in Sydney and Melbourne with three more added recently in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
STYLING
Opinions seem divided on the external appearance of the Deepal S07 which, although classed as an SUV isn’t far off looking like a large hatchback.
We were immediately turned off by the huge chiselled shape at the front with large triangular openings on either side with a patterned interior and small foglights at the top. Others will no doubt like it but, to our eyes, it spoils what otherwise would be a stylish vehicle.
There’s LED lighting all around the vehicle including a three-piece cloverlike design to the headlights and tapered daytime running lights. The three-part design is repeated on either side of the full-width rear brake lights.
The S07 comes with 19-inch alloys as standard with optional 20-inchers. The design is certainly eye-catching and again likely to divide opinions.
Frameless windows add an attractive appearance.
The panoramic sunroof extends over the entire length and width of the vehicle.
Available in 7 exterior colours inspired by the stars: Comet White, Lunar Grey, Eclipse Black, Nebula Green, Celestial Blue, and two premium colours, available at an additional cost: Cosmic Yellow and Sunset Orange. The interior trim is available in two standard colours: Black or Orange.
INTERIOR
While almost every current new vehicle relies on a dashboard-mounted touchscreen for a variety of controls and settings, Deepal S07 takes this to another level. It effectively has no dashboard, no driver’s instrument screen, physical controls or knobs. Virtually everything is controlled through a 15.6-inch screen.
The only thing directly in front of the driver is a camera mounted on the steering column that monitors driver inattention – more on that in our drive impressions.
The positive aspects of the Deepal’s touchscreen are its size, shape and location. Rather than spanning most of the dashboard as is becoming common in other vehicles, it automatically tilts towards the driver bringing it within easy reach. It can also be adjusted to tilt towards the front passenger.
Audio and cruise control can be set through steering wheel stalks. The windscreen wipers can also be turned on through the left-hand stalk however adjustments need to be made through the screen.
In place of an instrument cluster, many of the most important drive settings can be included in a excellent customisable head-up display that overcomes much of the need to look at the touchscreen.
Strangely, the air conditioning vents cannot be adjusted either manually or through the screen – or if they can, we couldn’t find how. Rear seat passengers get their own climate control panel between the front seats which also allows the front passenger seat and the sunroof to be adjusted.
Boot space is 445 litres with the rear seatbacks in place, expanding to 1385 litres when they are folded. There is also a useful 125 litres in the frunk (ie. under the bonnet), a convenient spot for the charging cables.
POWERTRAIN
Power comes from a single, rear-mounted electric motor that generates 160 kW and 320 Nm from a 79.97 kWh ternary lithium battery. Energy consumption is listed as 18.8 kWh per 100 kilometres with a claimed range under the WLTP system of 475 kilometres.
Maximum AC charge rate is 11 kW and DC is 92 kW.
INFOTAINMENT
Features include two USB-A and one USB-C ports, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a 14-speaker Premium Sony sound system.
Satellite navigation includes the location of local EV charging stations but does not extend to long-distance trip planning.
There’s a large wireless smartphone charging pad.
SAFETY
Deepal S07 has just been tested by ANCAP and achieved all five stars.
In addition to the normal statutory safety features, including seven airbags, Deepal S07 comes with front collision warning, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist alert, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert and braking, lane departure warning, lane change assist and centre control and rear collision warning.
There are also front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, automatic crash unlocking, adaptive cruise control, intelligent speed limit alert, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring.
Last, and very much least, is the driver attention alert which is activated whenever the driver takes their eyes of the road for even a couple of seconds. The quite insulting message is “Please Concentrate” which ignores the fact that so much attention need to be directed to the touchscreen.
The alert is not only harsh but carried on for up to 10 seconds. Fortunately, there is a shortcut on the screen that enables it to be turned off quite easily along with the other usual suspects – very sensitive speed limit alert and lane correction.
We don’t object to these features in principle. After all they are there to protect bad drivers and no doubt serve that purpose well.
DRIVING
There’s a fair bit to learn prior to hitting the road with the Deepal S07.
First up, the doors will automatically unlock and the thin handles pop out when the vehicle senses the keyless fob. When you enter, you’re greeted by a “Welcome to Deepal” voice message. Annoying, but it does clarify that the name should be pronounced like ‘steeple’ rather than ‘dee-pal’ as I’d been doing.
Next thing, there’s no start button, just select the gear from the column stalk and you’re ready to go, although most drivers will precede that by turning off any unwanted alarms.
There are no interior door handles. Instead, they are unlocked through one of four buttons on the front armrests – one touch unlocks the door a second one opens it. The other three buttons control the windows and manually lock and unlock the doors.
The standard adjustments needed before moving off are to adjust seat and mirror settings. No problem with the first, the front seats are powered with the usual controls at the outer side.
Not such luck with the door mirrors which can only be adjusted through the touchscreen. Once set, the positions can be locked in which is fine when there’s only one driver but not annoying where there are multiple drivers.
Visibility is excellent to the front and sides but not so at the rear where a combination of three headrests and a thin screen seriously restricts viewing.
Unlike other silent EVs the Deepal has an exterior warning sound to alert pedestrians.
Although the Deepal does have the instant acceleration that comes with all EVs it’s two-tonne weight means it’s not as sharp of the line as lighter vehicles.
However once underway it picks up quickly and offers a beautifully smooth, quiet and comfortable driving experience.
As with all EVs Deepal S07 comes with regenerative braking to increase battery charging. There are three levels although it doesn’t include one-pedal driving.
SUMMING UP
The deciding factor for most potential Deepal buyers is whether they are willing, or able, to adapt to such a tech-heavy vehicle. Safe to say that it will appeal much more to younger drivers than older ones and therefore the price, although competitive in its segment, is still likely to be around $60k on the road.
While we have highlighted the many frustrations from what is a very innovative vehicle by the end of our week behind the wheel we had grown to understand and appreciate its quality.
Potential buyers will need to be patient as they scroll through the seemingly endless controls stored within the touchscreen. We barely touched the surface.
We understand that software upgrades will be made shortly. These will be made using Over-The-Air (OTA) system.
Putting all our criticisms aside, the Deepal S07 is an excellent car to drive and would make a perfect long-distance cruiser although you’ll need to plan your own charging schedule.
The standard warranty covers seven years but, unusually, just 160,000 kilometres. Battery warranty is eight years and 240,000 km.
After the vehicle’s initial complimentary service at 5,000 km or 6 months (whichever comes first), the service intervals will then follow the regular service intervals of 10,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first.
Finally, although the Deepal brand is effectively unknown in Australia, it is being backed by the well-established and trusted Inchcape group.
RATINGS
Looks: 7/10
Performance: 7/10
Safety: 8/10
Thirst: 7/10
Practicality: 7/10
Comfort: 9/10
Tech: 9/10
Value: 8/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Deepal S07: $53,900
Note: This price does not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Deepal dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Deepal S07 fully-electric rear-wheel drive five-door wagon)
POWERTRAIN
Single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor
Maximum power: 160 kW
Maximum torque: 320 Nm
Battery Type: Ternary Lithium
Battery Capacity: 80 kWh
Energy consumption: 18.6 kWh/100km
Range (WLTP): 475 km
DRIVELINE: Single-speed, automatic, rear-wheel drive
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4750 mm
Wheelbase: 2900 mm
Width: 1930 mm
Height: 1625 mm
Turning Circle: 11.5 metres
Kerb Weight: 2073 kg
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Sold disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Vehicle: Seven years, 170,000 km
Battery: Eight years 240,000 km
