The inflow of ambitious Chinese challengers has significantly changed the global electric car market, which was already extremely competitive. The Deepal S07, a mid-sized electric crossover from Changan Automotive, is one of the most recent and potentially innovative models. Its introduction into Western markets has been marked not only by aggressive pricing and a flood of technology, but also by significant aesthetic validation: earning the prestigious Torino Automotive Design Award for "Best Exterior Design."
The question, therefore, is not whether the Deepal S07 is simply competent, but if it is a truly great automobile, a vehicle whose content matches its award-winning style, and one that is actually worth the significant fanfare it has generated. A thorough examination reveals a clever, high-value proposition, but it is ultimately undermined by critical flaws in the fundamental EV and digital experience.
The Design Triumph: Style Born in Turin
The Deepal S07's first appeal stems from its appearance. The Torino Automotive Design Award's (TADA) "Best Exterior Design" award is no minor feat, especially given that the S07 competed against a field of increasingly homogeneous electric crossovers. The prize recognizes Changan's long-standing European design center in Turin, Italy, where the S07 was born.
The final design is sleek, futuristic, and ideally proportioned, with a long wheelbase that provides a solid, planted stance. It uses sharp creases, full-width LED light bars, and frameless doors to project a luxury, electro-modern appearance. While some reviewers argue that the design is too basic, drawing analogies to rivals such as the Tesla Model Y, Cupra, Polestar, and even Lexus, it nevertheless looks costly and different enough to turn notice. This marriage of Chinese production scale and European design sensibility is unquestionably the S07's finest achievement and key drawcard.
The Value Proposition and Tech Offensive
The S07 actually excels and lays its claim to be a market disruptor in its value proposition. Deepal has implemented a policy of delivering a single, high-end trim option that includes practically every function. The equipment list is quite broad, making many established luxury brands blush.
Inside the spacious cabin, which features high-quality "vegan leather" upholstery and a minimalist, screen-centric dashboard, standard features include a massive panoramic glass roof, ventilated and heated electric front seats, a powerful 14-speaker surround sound audio system, a wireless phone charging pad, and, most impressively, an Augmented Reality Head-Up Display. This augmented reality head-up display, which projected navigation cues and driving data onto the windshield, is often found in high-end German luxury cars and gives the S07 a distinctly futuristic vibe.
In terms of market positioning, the S07 successfully threads the needle. It costs more than entry-level Chinese models such as the BYD Atto 3 or MG ZS EV, but it is substantially less expensive than direct size competitors like as the Tesla Model Y and the upcoming Xpeng G6/G9. For purchasers who prioritize sheer feature-per-dollar value, the Deepal S07 is clearly enticing.
The EV Fundamentals: Range and Efficiency
Under the elegant shell, the Deepal S07 has a solid but unexceptional electric motor. It is normally driven by a single rear-mounted electric motor that produces roughly 160kW (218 horsepower) in several markets, resulting in a reasonable 0-100 km/h time of 7.5 to 7.9 seconds. Performance is suitable for everyday driving, with an emphasis on smooth and polished urban cruising rather than searing speed.
The car has a massive 80kWh NMC lithium-ion battery. This high battery capacity translates into a good WLTP range claim of around 295 miles (475 kilometres). In real-world testing, however, many reviewers discovered that the achievable range was closer to 400-420 kilometres. While this is fully usable for the majority of drivers, the S07 has poor energy economy. Many smaller-battery competitors obtain comparable range figures, implying that the S07 carries a larger battery than strictly required due to relative powertrain inefficiency.
The Core Flaw: Charging Speed and Digital Frustration
If the Deepal S07's exterior design is its finest achievement, its charging capacity and digital interface are its downfall.
The S07's maximum DC quick charging speed is at 90-93kW. This is a disappointing figure for an 80kWh battery in this competitive segment. A 10-80% top-up typically takes 45 to 47 minutes. In comparison, competitors such as the BYD Sealion 7, Xpeng G6, and the 800V-architecture Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 all have substantially faster charging capabilities, typically completing the same charge in 20-30 minutes. This poor speed seriously undermines the S07's long-distance touring capabilities.
Even more annoying is the vehicle's digital environment. The S07 follows the Tesla blueprint, relying nearly exclusively on its huge, centrally positioned 15.6-inch touchscreen. While the screen has superb visuals, a quick Qualcomm processor, and the unique ability to rotate toward the driver or passenger, the user interface (UI) is counterintuitive and frequently frustrating. Basic operations, such as controlling the windscreen wipers, are buried beneath menu layers, forcing drivers to glance away from the road for too long—a safety risk that fundamentally weakens the driving experience.
The driver assistance systems (ADAS), which are overly obtrusive and poorly calibrated, exacerbate this ergonomic nightmare. Reviewers repeatedly report a "overzealous" driver attention monitoring system that constantly barks out warnings for minor head movements, as well as speed alert/lane departure systems that are frequently "dumb, generally unwarranted, and in response to what would reasonably be considered perfectly legal" driving. While Changan claims to have modified this software for European markets, the fact that a five-step shortcut is required to stop the most unpleasant systems amounts to an admission of guilt, turning a potentially advanced feature into a source of mistrust and aggravation.
Driving Dynamics, Safety, and Practicality
The driving dynamics of the S07 are mixed. The chassis was supposedly designed in the United Kingdom to fit European roads; however, the resulting suspension tuning is hard and frequently "jiggly" over rough or broken terrain. This firmness improves cornering stability, but the light and rather vague steering discourage aggressive driving, making the S07 less exciting than its athletic appearance would suggest. Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) levels are generally acceptable; however, tyre and wind noise can become bothersome at highway speeds.
On the safety front, the S07 excels, earning a complete 5-star Euro NCAP safety certification, with an especially high score for adult occupant protection. The passenger compartment is spacious, thanks to the long EV wheelbase, and the practicality is strong, with a 445-liter boot and an outstanding 125-liter frunk (front trunk), which is ideal for storing charging cords.
The Verdict: Style over Sustainability?
The Deepal S07 is Changan's daring and extremely competitive package. The Torino Automotive Design Award is well-deserved—the S07 is undoubtedly the most attractive Chinese EV to enter the segment, and its extensive list of standard features provides excellent value for money. The Deepal S07 is a strong challenger for buyers who primarily drive in cities, value cutting-edge technology, and want a striking, feature-rich car at a low price.
However, the excitement is impossible to completely justify. Its performance in basic EV metrics, specifically, poor DC charging speed and subpar energy efficiency, are substantial sacrifices in a market characterized by rapid growth. The unpleasant, screen-based digital ergonomics, along with the overly sensitive and obtrusive ADAS, actively detract from an otherwise superior experience.
In essence, the Deepal S07 is a vehicle with stunning highs and aggravating lows. It nails the art of presentation but falls short on the mechanics of current EV travel and the fundamentals of practical interior design. It is a gorgeous, high-value vehicle, but potential buyers must be willing to put up with continuous digital annoyances and delayed charging. Until an Over-The-Air (OTA) update resolves the software issues and a hardware update improves charging speed, the S07 remains a car worth considering, although perhaps not with the same level of enthusiasm as its award suggests.