Changan Deepal S07 review | A credible Tesla alternative?
As the first major UK launch from the Changan team, the Deepal S07 impresses. This will be a brand to keep an eye on through 2026.
Another day, another new-market entrant – the Changan Deepal S07 is the brand’s first UK-focused product and has hopes of biting a share out of the Tesla Model Y’s market. Does it have what it takes?
Changan as a brand is one of China’s most established car makers – they’ve been building cars for decades and are now ramping up their global push with new EV platforms. It has development centres in Turin and Munich, and hopes to take on the likes of Tesla as well as some premium European brands.
What you might not know is that Deepal is a sub-brand, dedicated to producing high quality EVs. Its first UK model is the S07. It’s got the looks, but can it deliver when you drive it? And what’s it like as a leasing proposition? Here’s our first driving impressions.
What exactly is it?
The Deepal S07 is a large family electric SUV aimed squarely at taking on cars like Tesla. It’s got premium looks, a tech-laden interior and build quality that can rival many German brands.
Unlike some Chinese EVs that seem designed to appear anonymous, the Deepal S07 certainly looks a bit more distinctive – not wildly dramatic, but not boring or cheap either.
Those razor sharp edges give it a premium look, while further touches like frameless doors and a full-width rear light bar lean into this upmarket look too. From the rear, it looks a little reminiscent of the Lotus Eletre – no bad thing.
In the UK, spec and pricing is simple: there’s one trim level, one powertrain and a price that’s just under £40,000 – in line with other more premium Chinese brands, and undercutting the likes of Tesla quite dramatically.
Personal lease rates start from around £340 per month. That’s a little pricier than some Chinese brands, but considering the kit and quality the Deepal S07 offers, it’s rather impressive.
Trim, spec and value
The single option on the UK market isn’t short of kit. Key highlights include:
- An 80kWh battery offering up to 295 miles of range
- A 17in digital driver display that is rotated towards the driver
- Premium audio system with 14 speaks
- 13.8in heads-up display
- Panoramic sunroof
- Ambient lighting
- Semi-autonomous driving features like lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control
In short, the equipment and value are very compelling for the price point.
What about the interior and tech?
If you were expecting a budget-Chinese-EV feel, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the S07. The interior layout is minimalist and modern, with a large floating centre screen, clean horizontal lines across the dash and soft touch surfaces.
Aside from controls on the steering wheel and column, buttons are kept to a minimum – the huge touchscreen controls everything and, while it felt a little intimidating at first, the menu layout and shortcuts are easier to navigate than many of its rivals. It leans heavily on voice and gesture controls, which worked well, although some will always prefer physical buttons.
Storage and interior practicality are good: plenty of stowage including a cooled centre storage bin, deep glovebox, phone trays, cup-holders. In the rear there’s a flat floor (thanks to the EV architecture) which improves comfort for the middle occupant. Rear-seat legroom is generous, and the boot is decent at 510 litres, plus there’s a frunk (front boot) offering a further 125 litres of space – useful for charging cables and wet boots.
Overall: from a user-experience and quality-feel viewpoint the Deepal S07 punches above what you might expect given the price.
What about the driving experience?
The S07 offers a generally good driving experience. There’s plenty of power courtesy of its single -motor drivetrain, although its 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds won’t worry a Tesla Model Y. Steering is light and easy, and the rear-wheel traction is good and predictable.
We found that the car could be a little harsh though, with larger bumps being felt in the cabin at times. The driver assistance systems operate well once you’re used to them, and you can customise the large heads-up display to show the information you want.
Range-wise, official stats suggest around 295 miles should be possible – on our 100-mile drive we found this to be largely true. However, when it comes to charge speeds the Deepal S07 can only muster a max rate of 95kW – that’s a little down on key rivals, and means you’ll be wating around 45 minutes for a 10% - 80% charge.
Should you lease one?
If your brief is: “I want a well-equipped, roomy electric SUV for around £350 per month” then the Deepal S07 is worth considering. Its value proposition is excellent: for the price you get premium-level spec, strong space, high quality and a decent warranty.
However, if your priorities are fast charging and driving dynamics, then you might prefer a more established rival. The S07 could be a very smart choice for fleets and business users – just be sure that the range and charging capabilities meet your requirements.
So what’s the verdict?
The Deepal S07 may not be the most thrilling electric SUV of the year, and it may not yet beat all the benchmarks in range or charging speed. But it offers very impressive value: a well-finished cabin, modern tech, strong equipment levels and a credible family-sized electric SUV for under £40k.
If you’re in the market for a family EV lease and want maximum bang for your budget, it should feature on your shortlist.
If you’re more focused on every last mph of range or the fastest charging times, there are still better-rounded alternatives. But as a first major UK launch from the Deepal/Changan team — it’s impressive, and the brand will be one to keep an eye on through 2026.
