Changan Deepal S05 First Drive: A New Name to Take Seriously

Hot on the heels of September’s SMMT figures showing Chinese manufacturers taking a growing share of UK new car registrations, I decided to take the Changan Deepal S05 out for a spin, courtesy of the marvellous team at Nathaniel Car Sales in Bridgend.

Deepal is Changan’s electric vehicle brand, and the S05 enters the same busy part of the market as the Skoda Elroq, Kia EV3, Renault Scenic E-Tech, Jaecoo E5 and MGS5 EV.

First impressions

The S05 is a good-looking car, and the welcome inside is rather clever. After keyless entry, the central screen automatically tilted towards me as I settled into the driver’s seat. A small touch, but an appealing one.

Model matrix

There is one 68.8kWh battery and a choice of two powertrains: a rear-wheel-drive model with 268bhp, or a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version with a whopping 429bhp.

The rear-wheel-drive car has more than enough performance, and it also offers the longer official range: up to 303 miles on a charge, compared with 278 miles for the all-wheel-drive model.

Cabin and tech

Inside, the S05 felt more premium than a number of rivals in this segment. Black vegan leather with contrasting orange stitching gave the cabin an upmarket feel, while the plush seats were comfortable. Heated and ventilated front seats added to the appeal.

One of my favourite features was the head-up display. Alongside speed, it showed information on regenerative braking, battery level, overtaking and the indicators. The blue lettering was also easier for me to read than the usual white displays I have encountered in other cars.

That indicator display proved particularly useful because the indicators themselves had an annoying habit of staying on after I had completed a turn. A small grumble, but one I noticed during the drive.

Driver assistance

I was relieved to find that, on the car I drove, I could save my preferred driver-assistance settings to a profile, including switching off the features I found intrusive. That saved the familiar routine of having to work through them individually each time.

Judging by conversations with other drivers, I am far from alone in finding some of these systems irritating. If we are still arguing with our cars over the assistance they provide, I suspect driverless cars may need a little more time to win everyone over, however capable the technology becomes.

Practicality check

Boot space: The S05 offers a generous 492 litres with the rear seats up, enough for four small suitcases. Of the alternatives mentioned above, only the Renault Scenic E-Tech offers a larger boot.

Passenger space: There is plenty of room in the front and rear, with ample headroom and legroom in the back. Four adults should be comfortably accommodated.

Storage and cup holders: The S05 passes the extra-shot flat white test with ease. An essential part of the assessment, as regular readers will know.

Range and value

My test loop suggested a real-world range of around 250–260 miles. That is my estimate from this drive, rather than the official WLTP figure.

Changan quotes peak DC charging of up to 200kW, with a 30–80% charge taking around 15 minutes under suitable conditions.

Manufacturer figures. Actual range and charging times vary with conditions, battery temperature and charger output.

Pricing and ownership

With a starting price below £40,000 and a generous standard equipment list, the S05 makes a strong case on value. It also has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and a seven-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty.

For drivers who can charge at home on a low-cost overnight tariff, diesel at around £2 a litre makes electric running costs look particularly appealing.

Verdict

The Changan Deepal S05 left me impressed. The cabin felt premium, there is space for adults and their luggage, and the head-up display was a particular highlight. I would like the indicators to be a little less persistent, but that was a small complaint in an otherwise positive first drive.

Changan may not yet have the recognition of MG or BYD in the UK, but I saw enough to think it could join Jaecoo, Chery and Omoda among the Chinese brands making a big splash here.

For a tailored quote on the Changan Deepal S05, get in touch with me at Fleet Alliance.