Changan Deepal S07 Car Review

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…the Changan Deepal S07 a direct rival to the Tesla Model Y. Changan is one of the many new entrant brands arriving in the UK. Changan is, like MG, state-owned and has several sub-brands. It’s first sortie into the UK is with Deepal, but it also operates Avatr, a more luxury oriented brand and Kaicene an LCV brand.

The Deepal S07 is fitted with an 79kWh battery, and powered by a 215hp motor, giving a 295-mile official range. At launch, only a single rear-drive variant is being offered – with the only option a towbar.

Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloys, 15.6-inch infotainment screen, wireless phone charging, panoramic roof, Bluetooth, V2L, heat pump, dual-zone climate control, powered front seats, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, vegan leather upholstery, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 360-degree camera, satnav and head-up display.

Is The Deepal S07 Suitable For My Fleet

At first glance the Deepal S07 looks like a straight rival to the Tesla Model Y, or any of the large family all-electric SUVs on the market. While the equipment levels are, if not class leading, definitely best-in-class equalling the powertrain is where Changan has saved some money. The official range isn’t as good as the Tesla’s 380-plus figure with the Deepal coming in 5 miles below 300 miles. However, in real-world driving we were on track for a 308 mile range. The power and therefore acceleration are down on rivals too. But what will concern higher mileage business users is the 93kW max charge speed. To be competitive, you’d really like to see a 150kW and to be class leading you’d need over 200kW. And having a faster charge speed would make up for the lower range.

The counter to this is that interior space is excellent with plenty of rear-seat legroom for adults, a 510 litre boot and a sizeable 125 litre frunk.

Leasing A Deepal S07

Lease rates have yet to appear online, either through brokers or Changan’s own site. However, Nic Thomas told FleetandLeasing.com the expects figures to come in below that of the equivalent Tesla Model Y, which is is currently being offered for £453 a month on a 3+36 contract with 10,000 miles a year.

Driving A Deepal S07

Differentiating electric SUVs isn’t an easy task for those selecting their next company car. Not only are there a host of offers from legacy brands, but after Tesla showed how many Model Ys is could sell, there has been an onslaught from the new entrant brands.

The latest, from Changan, called the Deepal S07, is, however, worth attention.

Yes, it looks similar to all the rest; that means it is sleek and angular in all the right places without compromising interior space and it is in no way offensive to look at.

So that’s a tick in the box.

Inside, the cabin is impressively high quality both for materials and for the construction.

Equipment levels are excellent with everything you could possibly want for. And putting it ahead of the Tesla in this aspect is the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a head-up display.

The single large central infotainment screen is logical to use even if some controls are a buried too deep – door mirror adjustment is being single out here. Equally, if you want to change drive modes, that’s more presses than you’d ideally want. At least turning off the lane-keeping and speed limit warning is simple.

Driving the Deepal S07 doesn’t require a start button, just have the key on you and press the brake – as you do in some premium brand rivals.

On the road the S07 shows that the UK development team has done a good job. There’s little in the way of steering feel, but few cars in this class do, but visibility is good and positioning the car on the road is easy.

Ride comfort is impressively good and the car’s suspension doesn’t crash over potholes and the seats are comfortable on longer runs. On the handling side, the Deepal S07 doesn’t quite come up to the more exciting cars in the class, but equally it doesn’t embarrass itself either. In either respect, there’s nothing to put buyers off.

While the range and low charge speed could put some off, we found the real-world efficiency was actually better than the official figure. Over mixed roads we saw a 3.9m/kWh average efficiency, which with the 79kWh battery would give a 308-mile range.

If lease rates do come in at a highly attractive point, the Deepal S07 will win sales from fleet users, provided they don’t need the faster charging capability of rivals.

FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The Deepal S07

If the lease rates are as attractive as Changan claim and providing you’re not doing regular long journeys necessitating fast public charging, then the Deepal S07 is a highly appealing package.