China's Electric SUV Bears a Resemblance to a Lamborghini, Leaving an Impressive Impact During Test Drive
Hop aboard for a riveting review of the Deepal S07, China's first electric SUV from Deepal, a subsidiary of Changan Automobile. Here's an in-depth look at this bad boy!
This mid-sized SUV left me impressed with its driving characteristics during my two-day test drive around Singapore. The company ambitions are sky-high, investing a whopping $10 billion in the overseas market by 2030.
Initially, the Deepal S07, with its aggressive stance, sharp lines, and coupe-like roofline, seemed like a mini Lamborghini Urus doppelgänger. But don't be fooled—while the Italians love their gasoline, the S07 packs a punch with 100% electric power.
The S07 wasn't designed to take on the Lamborghini Urus; it's on a different playing field, going head-to-head against EV heavyweights like Tesla, Volkswagen, and BYD. Yet, it held its own, making a bold statement—on a smaller scale and at a much more budget-friendly price.
Interestingly, the SUV flagship of Deepal was sketched out in Turin, Italy, and assembled in Nanjing, China. Deepal is a breath of fresh air in the electric vehicle scene, a subdivision of state-owned Changan Automobile, launching its first model back in 2022.
Changan has some serious ambitions for Deepal. Last year, Deng Chenghao, the president of Deepal, spoke of expanding that 400,000-car milestone to 900,000 vehicles—400,000 in China and 100,000 for the global market. That's quite the growth!
The Deepal S07 ranges from 169,900 to 197,900 Chinese Yuan in China, which roughly translates to €20,500 to €24,000. The brand has also made its way to Thailand, Australia, Mexico, Nepal, and Pakistan, with vehicle sales starting in Singapore in March this year.
In March, Shen Xing Hua, the CEO of Changan Southeast Asia, spoke about Singapore's importance to their globalization strategy: "This will support our goal of investing more than $10 billion in overseas markets and achieving more than 1.2 million annual sales in overseas markets by the year 2030."
With 22 years under my belt in the automotive scene, I've tested cars in Singapore and beyond, from supercars to pickups. Driving the Deepal S07 around Singapore for two days gave me a firsthand feel of this premium EV SUV.
Marketed as a premium EV SUV, the fully-equipped S07 cost me $170,000 (approx. €150,000) in Singapore. Car prices here are generally higher due to additional taxes and registration costs. Compared to the Lamborghini Urus, priced around €1 million, the S07 was a steal. The Sealion 7 by BYD, its main competitor, ranges between €150,000 and €162,600.
The S07 came armored with 19-inch wheels, a massive panoramic sunroof, and sleek door handles that gracefully appeared when I unlocked the car. At first glance, I was impressed by its bold front and dynamic rear design, whichSet apart from the rounded contours of the Tesla Model Y. The cameras and sensors were cleverly integrated into the body, and the gaps were minimal—a significant improvement from Chinese cars I had driven 15 years ago.
I had a comfy ride the whole time, thanks to the large glass area, which provided excellent visibility. My only gripe was the driver's seat's lack of shoulder support on long drives. The rear seats were comfortable for two adults, with plenty of space and a flat floor for the third passenger in the middle.
The advanced noise reduction features impressed me as I drove almost all of Singapore. The double-glazed windows did a fantastic job blocking wind and road noise, keeping it impressively quiet inside, even as I approached highway speeds. I cranked up the 14-speaker sound system to play some John Mayer and felt the music shake up the SUV—the sound quality was impressive!
Storage space was ample in both the rear and front of the Deepal S07, giving me enough room to fittwo large suitcases and a few seasacks in the back and a carry-on in the front. I appreciated the spaciousness, but I missed having physical buttons for certain functions; most were controlled via the 15.6-inch touchscreen.
The hazard light switch placed on the ceiling took me a few minutes to find, and I thought the location was quite impractical. The steering had a reassuring weight and was precise, with the suspension handling curves like a BMW X3.
My main disappointment was the tires that came with the factory setup. A more capable tire with better grip and sidewall stability would have unleashed the full dynamic potential of the S07.
Overall, the Deepal S07 makes a strong case for itself alternative to the established EV SUVs on the market. I'd certainly look beyond the usual suspects and give the S07 some serious consideration if I were in the market for a new vehicle.
In essence, the Deepal S07 offers plenty of bang for your buck, competing with the big guns in the EV space and giving buyers a modern, well-equipped electric SUV with a solid balance of range and technology at a likely affordable price. The racing game is on!
- What about the Deepal S07's lifestyle integration and future prospects in light of its technological advancements?
- As the Deepal S07 challenges established EV players, will its sleek design, advanced technology, and budget-friendly price attract a new generation of tech-savvy car enthusiasts, reflecting advancements in lifestyle and urban mobility?
