REVIEWS by Sean Loo
Deepal isn’t a brand as well-known as other Chinese manufacturers, but the S07 shows it can make just as good of an impact.
Before you even adjust your seatbelt or tap the brake pedal, the Deepal S07 greets you with a cheerful, “Hi! I’m Deepal!”
It’s chipper and just a little too enthusiastic, like an intern on their first day who insists on calling everyone “boss”. But as far as first impressions go, it works. It sets the tone for a car that tries, sometimes too hard, but always with its heart in the right place.
Not Just Another EV From China
By now, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) wave has firmly crashed onto our shores, and we’re spoiled for choice. But Deepal is a name still fresh in Singaporean ears.
It’s the EV sub-brand of Changan Automobile, a state-owned industrial juggernaut that traces its lineage back to making guns for the Qing dynasty.
But there’s nothing militaristic about the S07’s approach. Instead of brute force, it leans into beauty. Designed in Turin, the S07 wears its proportions like a well-cut blazer.
Frameless windows, crisp body lines, and a drag coefficient of just 0.258 hint at the designers’ obsession with both form and function.
But Style Has Its Price
Of course, swoopy silhouettes come with trade-offs. The S07’s low-slung roofline and raked rear glass make outward visibility more of a challenge. Luckily the car does include blind spot monitors and a 360-degree camera system.
There’s also no automated parking feature here, which is surprising in a car that’s otherwise brimming with driver assistance tech. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision mitigation all make the cut, but you, the human, are still expected to do the dirty work. Not that I mind, of course.
A Drive That Soothes, Not Startles
Step on the accelerator, and the Deepal doesn’t launch like a caffeine-crazed greyhound. Instead, it sets off measured and composed. With 218bhp and rear-wheel drive, it’ll go from 0 to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
What matters more is how it feels. The S07 floats along with the comfort of a continental cruiser. Think more Mercedes glide than BMW grip. The suspension tuning leans towards plushness, and the steering is light, ideal for city commutes and winding carpark ramps. There’s a flicker of dynamism in the chassis, suggesting the car could hustle if it really wanted to, but it’s let down by tyres that are better suited to a shopping trolley.
Still, for most people like school-run heroes, the weekday warriors, the weekend wanderers, this serene demeanour will be just right.
Cabin Calm, with a Touch of Swank
And these folks will appreciate the cabin, where the S07 really shows its cards. The cabin is awash with soft-touch materials and thoughtful details.
The pièce de résistance is the 15.6-inch touchscreen that can swivel to face either front occupant. It’s a neat party trick, especially if your passenger wants to DJ or doom-scroll in full view.
Ambient lighting adds to the lounge-like atmosphere, and the seats, wrapped in plush synthetic leather, are wonderfully welcoming.
Rear passengers get even more space to stretch out thanks to the flat floor and generous wheelbase.
The panoramic glass roof bathes the interior in light, though unlike a certain American EV that shall not be named, Deepal thoughtfully includes a proper roller sunshade. Your scalp will thank you.
Practicality, Mostly Sorted
The boot offers 445 litres of storage, which is decent for most chores. The real surprise comes in the frunk, which measures a whopping 125 litres. It’s the largest I’ve personally encountered, and it’s even big enough for a cabin-sized luggage. Not bad for a space usually reserved for charging cables and “dirty” items.
The 80kWh battery promises up to 475km, which translates to once-a-week charging for most urban drivers. That’s more than enough for Singapore’s humble sprawl and even the occasional JB supper run.
Value That Makes You Look Twice
At S$220,999 with COE, the Deepal S07 is a pretty face and it’s got substance. The only real chink in its armour is the badge. Deepal isn’t a household name, for now at least.
But give it time. If the S07 is any indication of what this brand is capable of, it won’t stay in the shadows for long. It’s honest, comfortable, and like that overly eager intern, it just wants to do a good job and be liked.
In a world where most electric crossovers are about as emotionally expressive as a fax machine, the S07 does stand out. Not by shouting, but by smiling.
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