New Changan Deepal S07 | A worthy Newcomer to the SUV market?

Changan has finally arrived in the UK, and it’s done so with a statement piece. This is the Deepal S07, the brand’s first all-electric SUV for British buyers, and it feels like a very deliberate attempt to land right in the sweet spot between premium ambition and sensible pricing.

At first glance, the S07 doesn’t look like a tentative market debut. Designed at Changan’s European studio in Turin, it has the sort of clean, confident surfacing you’d expect from a far more established badge. The proportions are nicely judged too: coupe-like from the side, properly SUV-ish in stance, with a long wheelbase that hints at interior space rather than just style for style’s sake. Full-width lighting, hidden door handles and a panoramic glass roof help it feel modern without trying too hard.

Under the skin a 79.97kWh battery feeds a rear-mounted electric motor producing 218PS and 320Nm of torque, which should be more than enough for both city duties and longer motorway slogs. Official WLTP range is up to 295 miles, and while real-world figures will always vary, that places it right in the thick of the family EV SUV pack. Fast charging is competitive too, with a claimed 30–80 percent top-up taking around 35 minutes on a rapid charger, making longer journeys feel far less daunting.

It’s also been tested, validated and fettled by a UK-based engineering team in Birmingham, with suspension, steering and calibration work aimed squarely at British roads and expectations. That’s a reassuring detail, particularly for buyers still feeling cautious about newer brands.

Inside, the cabin feels airy and well thought out, helped by that long wheelbase and the standard panoramic roof. Materials are vegan rather than leather, but they don’t feel cheap for it, and the overall design has a clean, yacht-like flow that avoids visual clutter.

The centrepiece is a large 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, which can switch between portrait and landscape depending on preference. It’s joined by an augmented-reality head-up display that projects key driving information directly into your line of sight, reducing the need to constantly glance down. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is a clever mix of voice and gesture control that lets you adjust key functions without poking endlessly at menus.

The S07 seats five comfortably, with generous rear legroom and a boot that’s perfectly usable for family life. For those who need extra versatility, an optional retractable tow bar allows towing of up to 1,500kg, which is more than enough for bikes, trailers or a modest caravan. Vehicle-to-load functionality also comes as standard, meaning the S07 can power external devices, from Ben's eBike to DJ'ing equipment.

What I find most compelling is Changan’s pricing strategy. At £39,990, it undercuts many similarly sized electric SUVs while staying just below the UK’s luxury car tax threshold. There’s only one version available, but it’s fully loaded, which removes the usual headache of trims, packs and expensive add-ons. What you see really is what you get. We aim to get one on review sometime in this New Year…

Thank you all, and enjoy!
Annabelle 😊