First Drive: Is the Changan Deepal S05 just another electric SUV?

What is it?

Chinese car manufacturers have been arriving on UK shores in droves and they’re showing no sign of stopping.

Changan is one of the latest to jump onto the bandwagon. It launched the Deepal S07 last year, and now, it’s expanding its range of vehicles with the Deepal S05 – a midsize electric SUV that is going up against cars like the Skoda Elroq and Kia EV5.

So, is this new model just another electric SUV, or does it have hidden depths against the competition? Let’s find out.

What’s new?

Changan might be an unheard of brand here in the UK, but it’s one of China’s longest-serving car manufacturers and has been producing vehicles for 45 years.

The Deepal S05 is the firm’s latest creation and benefits from lots of modern touches like the minimalist interior design, while the exterior has lots of aircraft-styling cues to fit in with its sportier appeal.

It comes with electric power and a choice of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive setups, while there is one fully-loaded trim level with very few options available, to make it easier for the customer to decide their perfect car.

The Deepal S05 also sits on Changan’s ‘CPA’ multi-energy platform, which enables several powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid variant that will arrive later down the line.

What’s under the bonnet?

You’ll be able to get the Deepal S05 with one battery pack in two configurations.

All cars are hooked up to a 68.8kWh battery with our test car fitted with a single rear-mounted electric motor to produce 268bhp and 290Nm of torque. It can take the car to 60mph in 7.3 seconds and will run out of puff at 112mph.

Changan claims that the car can be topped up at speeds of 200kW from a rapid-charger, completing a 30 to 80 per cent charge in 15 minutes.

There is also the option of a dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant, boosting power to 418bhp and 502Nm of torque, while this model can manage a claimed 278 miles between charges.

What’s it like to drive?

The Deepal S05 isn’t the most exciting car to drive, as it does everything in a rather mundane way.

The steering has a good turn-in, but is vague and inert, while the ride is soft, yet not the most composed over rough surfaces.

Rear visibility is limited due to the narrow window and tall headrests, and there doesn’t appear to be any regenerative braking, which would give a boost in its efficiency.

Refinement is excellent, however, with very little wind and road noise entering the cabin and the instant torque you get from the rear-mounted electric motor delivers a smooth surge of power.

How does it look?

Like most SUVs, the Deepal S05 lacks the charm that you get from a traditional hatchback or estate.

To make the car stand out, Changan has turned to aircraft for the S05’s design with the front headlights and bumper inspired by the wings of an aeroplane, while the flared wheel arches and double waistline are intended to mimic an aircraft’s fuselage.

There are also flush door handles and frameless window surrounds, while the rear end is distinguished by arrow-style LED taillights and a V-shaped spoiler.

What’s it like inside?

The Deepal S05 is typically Chinese with very few buttons, giving it a cleaner and more modern look.

The trade-off is that the lack of switches still makes it not intuitive enough to operate the most basic functions while you’re driving along.

At least it’s a practical interior with Changan claiming there are ‘34’ storage spaces dotted about the cabin. The S05 doesn’t have a glovebox, though it comes with one of the largest and deepest centre console storage boxes of any car and there is more space under the floating centre console. There are two cupholders and two wireless phone chargers, although the door bins are narrow.

Space isn’t too bad in the back, and headroom isn’t compromised with the optional panoramic sunroof fitted. The flat floor makes it easier for three to sit abreast comfortably, while you can slide your feet under the front seats without any problems.

The S05 provides a 492-litre boot capacity, which is more than what you’d find on a Skoda Elroq’s 470-litre volume, plus the rear seats folded down will increase that space to 1,250 litres.

There is an additional 28-litre underfloor storage area and a 159-litre frunk, making this Chinese alternative one of the most practical cars in its class.

What’s the spec like?

There’s no shortage of equipment as the Deepal S05 is only available in one trim level.

Standard kit includes a 15.4-inch infotainment display, keyless entry, a wireless smartphone charger, a 14-speaker sound system, a head-up display and satellite navigation.

The only options available are the glass panoramic sunroof and a tow bar, while the five exterior colour choices are all no-cost options.

Prices start at £37,990 for the rear-wheel drive model and rise to £39,990 for the all-wheel drive variant. That makes it more than £1,000 cheaper than the entry-level Kia EV5, while the Changan also comes with a lot more standard equipment for the money.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a midsize electric SUV, the Changan Deepal S05 ticks all the right boxes.

Sadly, that’s all it does. This new Chinese model doesn’t do anything radical to make it stand out in an overcrowded sector, with the lacklustre driving experience and complicated user interface screen being its key negatives.

However, if you like what it has to offer, the competitive prices, fantastic equipment levels and practical interior make it a sensible, yet rather boring choice in this sector of the market.