There's another new player in China's EV SUV game. I gave it a ride.

Business Insider

05-05-2025

At first glance, the Deepal S07's aggressive stance, sharp lines, and coupe-like roofline gave off serious Lamborghini Urus vibes. But while it resembled the Italian, gas-powered SUV, the S07 is fully electric.
The Raging Bull is also not the type of brand that this Chinese EV looks like it's trying to compete with. Instead, the Deepal S07, the company's first SUV, would be better compared with other EVs, including Tesla, Volkswagen, and BYD.
Still, I thought it made a bold first impression — just in a smaller, much more wallet-friendly package than the Lamborghini. I later found out that Deepal's flagship SUV was designed in Turin, Italy, and assembled in Nanjing, China.
Deepal is an electric vehicle brand under state-owned Changan Automobile, one of China's oldest automakers. While Deepal is a newer player in the EV space, Changan started building cars in 1959 and released its first Deepal model in 2022.
Changan has big aspirations for the Deepal brand. At the end of last year, Deng Chenghao, the president of Deepal, gave a speech to celebrate the rollout of the company's 400,000th car. He said the company aims to deliver another 500,000 cars — 400,000 in China, and 100,000 for the global market — by the end of this year, per iChongqing, a government-affiliated English-language news platform.
In China, the Deepal S07 is priced between 169,900 and 197,900 Chinese yuan, or $23,300 and $27,200.
The brand expanded into Thailand in 2023, followed by Australia, Mexico, Nepal, and Pakistan. In March, the cars began selling in Singapore.
In a press release from March, Shen Xing Hua, the managing director of Changan Southeast Asia, said Singapore plays a pivotal role in the company's globalisation strategy. "This will support our goal of surpassing $10 billion in overseas market investment and achieving over 1.2 million annual sales in overseas markets by 2030," Shen said.
Over my 22 years in the automotive scene, I've test-driven cars in Singapore and abroad, getting behind the wheel of everything from supercars to pickup trucks.
The Deepal S07 is being marketed as a premium EV SUV
So what's the Deepal S07 like to drive?
For two days in mid-April, I test drove a fully specced S07 across Singapore. Here, the car retails for 220,000 Singapore dollars, or $170,000. Car prices are significantly higher in Singapore than most other countries because of the extra tax and registration costs. The Lamborghini Urus costs around SG$1.5 million, and BYD's Sealion 7, the S07's direct competitor, retails for between SG$212,888 to SG$237,888.
Marketed as a premium EV SUV, the S07 had 19-inch wheels, a large glass roof with a sunshade, and sleek door handles that popped out only when I unlocked the car. I found that the bold front and dynamic rear design were a refreshing change from the more rounded contours of the Tesla Model Y, another midsize SUV.
The cameras and sensors are tucked neatly into the body. And, as I'm into the details, I liked that the panel gaps were minimal. In all, it was a far cry from the Chinese cars I test drove 15 years ago. Back then, it often felt like I was checking out unfinished prototypes — the kind that made me wonder how long they'd hold up.
The improvement in the Deepal S07 is a testament to the strides Chinese manufacturers have made.
Comfortable back seats
I drove the SUV around most of Singapore and felt comfortable behind the wheel the whole time. I had great visibility from the expansive glass area throughout.
My butt was comfy on the terracotta leather cushioned seats, but I did feel like the driver's seat could use better shoulder support for long drives.
I tried sitting in the back and found the rear seats comfortable for two adults — there's plenty of space. The flat floor also gives the third person in the middle enough legroom.
Take in the view
All the windows were double-glazed, which helped cut down wind and road noise from outside, even at highway speeds. I didn't go over 65 miles per hour (thanks to Singapore's speed cameras), but even when I came close, it was impressively quiet inside.
I tested out the 14-speaker sound system by blasting John Mayer on Spotify while driving along the highway — the audio quality was impressive.
Plenty of trunk space, both in the front and back
Both the front and back of the Deepal S07 have a lot of space for storage. Travelers can fit two big suitcases and a few duffel bags into the rear trunk and a carry-on in the frunk.
It's all on the screen
The lack of physical buttons — most functions are handled through a 15.6-inch touchscreen — gives the cabin a clean, modern look. That said, I couldn't help but think I'd need some time to adjust if I bought this car. Part of that's because I'd be a first-time EV owner, but also because almost everything runs through the screen. Wiper speed, climate control, seat heating, audio — it's all digital.
Sticking with the button-less theme, the hazard light switch was mounted on the ceiling. It took me a few minutes to find, and it made me think it was a pretty impractical spot.
Smooth acceleration and steering
One pleasant surprise with the S07 was how it skips that "rocket launch" feeling I've felt in other EVs — the kind of jolt you get with some Teslas and Porsches. There were no sudden sprints that might leave a passenger clutching their seat. It accelerated with a smooth ease, proving that performance doesn't always have to come with a side of whiplash.
The steering had a reassuring weight and precision to it. As I navigated a series of bends, I noticed an uncanny similarity to the way a BMW X3 handles.
Let down by the tires
That said, the factory-fitted tires didn't quite do the car's chassis justice. A higher-performance tire with better grip and sidewall stability would probably bring out the S07's full dynamic potential.
This car stands out as a strong alternative to the more established EV SUVs. If I were shopping for one, I'd definitely look beyond the usual suspects and give the S07 a serious look.