Deepal has entered the Australian market with the S07, a mid-size electric SUV from a brand with no local heritage.
Changan backs the company, and the vehicle starts at AU$47,990 (US$34,400) with on-road costs included.
That price represents a drop of roughly AU$10,000 (US$7,200) from its early 2025 launch figure.
It also undercuts a base Kia EV5 by AU$2,000 (US$1,400) and a Tesla Model Y by more than AU$15,000 (US$10,800).
With no established reputation to lean on, pricing becomes the primary selling point. On that front, Deepal has made a strong opening move.
What the Deepal S07 Offers
Buyers get a single configuration, with a choice between 19- or 20-inch wheels.
The SUV stretches 4,750 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,625 mm tall, riding on a 2,900 mm wheelbase.
Curb weight is listed at 2,073 kg (4,570 lbs).
A 79.97 kWh ternary lithium battery powers a rear-mounted electric motor producing 160 kW (214 hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque.
That output sits roughly level with other electric SUVs in the segment.
The 0-62 mph run takes 7.9 seconds, and efficiency is quoted at 17.8 kWh/100 km.
A 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load function adds a practical extra.
Charging, however, is where the S07 falls behind: peak DC rate is only 92 kW, so going from 30 to 80 percent takes 35 minutes.
AC charging tops out at 11 kW.
Design, Cabin, and the Screen Trick
Changan styled the S07 at its Turin, Italy facility. A coupe-SUV roofline and sporty lights give it a distinct presence compared with much of the competition.
Inside, the layout follows the pattern of many current Chinese electric SUVs. Material quality helps offset the lack of originality.
Every version comes with a 15.6-inch central infotainment display supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Like a Tesla Model Y, there is no separate digital instrument cluster.
A large augmented-reality head-up display partially fills that gap, though a conventional cluster would still be preferable.
The cabin's standout feature is the central screen's ability to sit centered or angle toward the driver or passenger.
After a week with it turned toward the driver, a centered screen in another car felt strange.
Some BYD models rotate their screens between portrait and landscape. Deepal's solution is arguably the better idea.
The tablet-like software is simple to navigate, if busy with controls and settings. Graphics are clear and responsiveness is excellent.
A swipe down from the top opens configurable shortcuts.
Climate control also runs through the screen, and it works acceptably, though switching vents on and off and directing airflow proved fiddly.
An AI-powered voice assistant greets the driver on every entry. It can be switched off.
The driving position is good, but a lower seat and more steering wheel adjustment would improve it.
Soft-touch synthetic black leather covers the wheel, seats, center console, dashboard, and door panels.
Orange contrast stitching adds a sporty touch. The same synthetic leather on the floor mats felt cheap by comparison.
Two large adults fit easily in the rear, which also gets separate climate controls and toggles to slide the front passenger seat.
Cargo space measures 445 liters (15.7 cubic feet) with the rear seats up.
Folding those seats opens up 1,385 liters (48.9 cubic feet). Practicality is respectable, though not class-leading.
Smooth But Soulless on the Road
Early criticism focused on the S07 feeling unfinished and having poorly calibrated safety systems. Software updates over the past year appear to have largely addressed those complaints.
The overzealous driver monitoring system can be disabled through the swipe-down menu. It stays off even after the vehicle is powered down and restarted.
When active, it proved overbearing, frequently flagging distraction no matter how focused the driver was. The S07 is not especially quick, which is expected from a single-motor setup.
It reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in about 7.9 seconds.
The overall verdict: the Deepal S07 stands out, is affordable, and efficient, but it lacks brand recognition, is slow, and offers average range.
