Deepal S07 Test Drive, Review; a New Player in China’s EV SUV Game

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.