Changan Deepal S07 review: Contender or pretender?

Join us as we take a closer look at the Changan Deepal S07, another Chinese electric SUV making waves in the UK

Another week, another Chinese EV landing on UK shores. But the Changan Deepal S07? This one’s a doozy.

But here's where it gets interesting: despite being Chinese-made, this thing's Italian-designed and British-engineered. Changan's pulled together expertise from across Europe to create what Europeans need.

And they've made some seriously bold moves to stand out.

They've completely ditched the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel – everything lives in the head-up display instead. You get a button to exit the car rather than a traditional door handle. Even the exterior styling screams Tesla Model Y vibes.

But here's the thing: Tesla's crown has already been claimed. BYD overtook them on global sales, proving Chinese manufacturers aren't just players in the EV game – they're rewriting the rules.

With an OTR of just £39,990, it undercuts the OG King of EVs on price while loading up on spec. The question is: in a court where the throne's already been taken, can the Deepal S07 prove itself as a serious contender – or is it destined to play the Jester?

We spent some time behind the wheel to find out.

What we drove:

Model: Changan Deepal S07 EV 218 Electric 79.97kWh Auto
Body Style: SUV
Power: Electric (160 kW / 218 PS)
Battery: 79.97 kWh
Range: Up to 295 miles (WLTP Comb)
Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds
Colour: White
Price from: £39,990

Specifications correct at the time of publication

Familiar silhouette, distinctive details

Now you may be thinking this brand-new car looks a tad familiar. And you'd be correct.

On first sight, it looks Tesla Model Y-esque. That sloping silhouette, the dimensions, even the design features, all resemble the all-popular Model Y.

Flush door handles? Snap.

LED light bars? Snap again (spoiler, it's even similar inside).

But here's the thing: while the overall shape might feel familiar, Changan's added enough of its own personality to make the S07 stand out.

The sharp, star-inspired lighting elements give it a slightly different character, and the sculpted body lines create a more dynamic presence than some rivals in this price bracket.

The aerodynamic sculpting isn't just for show either – those carefully shaped surfaces help reduce drag, boosting efficiency and range. Every curve has been thought through by an award-winning Italian design studio in Turin.

We drove the Comet White version, which looked properly premium with its clean, modern finish. But if you fancy something bolder, Changan offers five colours at no extra cost: Sunset Orange, Eclipse Black, Lunar Grey, and Nebula Green all come standard. And it even says 'Illuminate the future' which we were big fans of.

It's not groundbreaking or wildly original, but it's well-executed, attractive, and feels more premium than the £39,990 price tag suggests.

Will it turn heads like a Polestar? Probably not. But it'll spark curious looks as people wonder what badge that is – and for a brand-new player in the UK market, that's not a bad starting point.

Light, bright, and loaded with tech

Step inside, and the Tesla Model Y likeliness continues.

It’s light, bright and airy thanks to the panoramic sunroof, and there's space galore to stretch out.

We had the black interior, which looked stunning with its modern, Scandi-style minimalism. Although, we'd be lying if we said we didn't wish we could've experienced the Sunset Orange exterior with its matching orange interior – now that would've been a statement.

The yacht-inspired design keeps things clean and uncluttered, with soft-touch materials dominating the cabin. The 64-colour ambient lighting adds a nice touch of personalisation, letting you set the mood however you fancy.

Front seat comfort is spot-on. You get heated and ventilated seats as standard, plus a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with 4-way lumbar support and memory function. Set it once, and the car remembers your preferred position every time you get in.

Here's where things get interesting, and a little divisive.

There's no instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. None.

Everything from your speed, remaining range, navigation instructions, and safety alerts lives in the AR head-up display projected onto the windscreen.

Some of us liked it: some of us, not so much. It’s a design choice that’s sure to divide opinion.

It keeps your eyes on the road and the information is clear and easy to read. But it takes some getting used to, and not everyone will appreciate having their driving data floating in front of them, rather than tucked behind the wheel.

The 15.6-inch "Sunflower" touchscreen dominates the dashboard and does something rather clever – it rotates to face either the driver or passenger depending on who needs it.

Bit gimmicky? Maybe.

But it's genuinely useful for keeping glare off the screen or letting your passenger control the entertainment.

Connecting via Bluetooth was refreshingly quick, and the infotainment system is generally easy to navigate. You get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a 40W wireless fast charger with cooling to stop your phone overheating.

The 14-speaker premium sound system is genuinely impressive. There are even speakers built into the driver's headrest, which transmit phone calls and navigation instructions directly to you without disturbing passengers.

But the voice control? That was a struggle.

We tried multiple times to get it to understand "charging port" but it just couldn't pick it up. When voice control is supposed to be a key feature, it needs to work better than this.

We hate to admit it, being car afficionados and all, but we did get stuck in the car momentarily.

There are no door handles inside. Instead, you get a button to exit the car. Simple and effective, but worth knowing before you hop in and think you’re stuck.

There's plenty of room in the back to properly spread out, and they also get a multifunctional rear touchscreen with some fun features like Nap Mode, Smoking Mode, and Camping Mode.

Storage and practicality are well thought out too. The boot offers a respectable 510 litres of cargo space – enough for weekly shopping, sports kit, and weekend trips.

Need more room? Fold the rear seats down in a 60/40 split for larger items.

But here's the clever bit: there's a 125-litre frunk under the bonnet.

That's genuinely useful storage – big enough for charging cables, muddy boots, or keeping shopping bags separate from the main boot. It's a proper advantage of the EV that not all rivals make the most of.

On top of all of that, you get handy storage throughout the cabin. We are big fans of cupholders, and the Deepal S07 has them in both the front and the rear. Winner winner chicken dinner.

Overall, the interior feels premium, spacious, and genuinely well thought out. The head-up display will divide opinion, and the voice control needs work, but there's a lot to like here – especially at this price point.

Smooth as butter, sharp as a knife

Get behind the wheel and the Deepal S07 delivers that characteristic instant EV responsiveness that makes electric driving so addictive.

Press the accelerator and the 160kW (218PS) rear motor launches you forward with impressive smoothness.

That instant torque delivery means overtaking and motorway merging are completely stress-free, even if the 7.6-second 0-62mph sprint isn't groundbreaking.

It's genuinely quick enough for everyday use, and crucially, it's smooth. Really smooth. Like butter.

Around town, the S07 rides nicely, soaking up bumps with ease and keeping things comfortable. The multi-link rear suspension does a decent job of cushioning imperfections, and the overall driving experience feels composed and refined.

But – and there's always a but – things get a bit less settled when speeds increase.

On faster roads and motorways, the suspension becomes slightly fidgety over rougher surfaces.

It's not uncomfortable exactly, but you'll notice more movement than you would in rivals like the Kia EV3 or SKODA Enyaq.

There's a bit more road noise than you'd hear in more premium rivals, especially on rougher surfaces, but it's not excessive. Wind noise is well-controlled thanks to the aerodynamic design, and the cabin stays reasonably quiet even at higher speeds.

The handling is good. There's plenty of grip through corners, and the car feels stable and predictable. The speed-sensitive steering provides decent feedback, getting heavier as speeds increase, though it's not the most communicative setup you'll experience.

Sport mode adds a welcome injection of urgency to the throttle response, making the car feel noticeably more eager. Eco and Normal modes keep things relaxed for everyday driving.

The smart regenerative braking system offers adjustable levels of brake regeneration, helping to maximise range. It takes a bit of getting used to as the initial bite can feel quite strong, but most drivers will quickly adapt to it.

Out on the motorway is where the Deepal S07 really shines. The Integrated Adaptive Cruise Control makes long journeys feel effortless, maintaining a perfect distance from the car ahead without any input needed. Combined with Lane Keep Assist and the full suite of driver assistance features, motorway miles feel like a breeze.

The lane-keeping tech occasionally feels a bit intrusive, but you can adjust the sensitivity or turn it off completely if it becomes annoying.

Overall, the driving experience is smooth, comfortable, and more than adequate for daily use. It's not a sports car (nor does it pretend to be), but it's a genuinely pleasant thing to pilot on commutes, school runs, and longer journeys alike.

Going the distance? But not breaking any records

The Deepal S07 has a range of 295 miles (WLTP Comb) from its 79.97kWh battery, which isn't breaking any records but is still plenty for most drivers' weekly needs.

Here's the thing though: similarly-priced rivals like the Kia EV3, Renault Scenic, and SKODA Elroq will all take you further between charges.

But Changan's included some thoughtful touches to help maximise what you've got.

The heat pump comes as standard (definitely needed in Britain's unpredictable climate) helping preserve range when temperatures drop. Smart regenerative braking also comes in handy, letting you eke out as much range as possible from each charge.

But what about charging?

With a peak DC fast charging rate of 93kW, a 30-80% top-up takes around 30 minutes. That's noticeably slower than rivals like the Kia EV3 and Tesla Model Y, which'll both charge significantly quicker.

Deal-breaker? Not necessarily.

If you're charging at home most of the time and only occasionally relying on public rapid chargers, it's perfectly manageable. But if you regularly do longer journeys requiring mid-trip charging stops, those extra minutes will add up – and those rivals will have gone further and get you back on the road faster too.

The generous standard equipment and sub-£40k price make it an attractive package, but sadly when it comes to range and charging speed, the S07 isn't class-leading.

What's good, and what's not

The Changan Deepal S07 has plenty going for it at this price point, but there are some notable compromises worth knowing about. Here's the honest breakdown.

The good bits:

• Innovative head-up display
• Loaded with tech
• Heat pump as standard
• Three interior colours at no cost
• Decent boot space – 510 litres plus 125-litre frunk
• Comprehensive safety kit

The not-so-good bits:

• Tesla Model Y copycat styling
• Voice control struggles
• Slow charging speed
• Door exit buttons confusing
• More road noise than premium rivals

What's the verdict?

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

So, does the Changan Deepal S07 have what it takes to dethrone the Tesla Model Y?

It's closer than you might think.

At £39,990, the Deepal S07 undercuts the Model Y significantly while throwing in an impressive amount of standard kit.

Heated and ventilated seats, 14-speaker sound system, panoramic roof, AR head-up display, adaptive cruise control – it's all included. Plus, you get five exterior colours and three interior choices at no extra cost.

The interior feels genuinely premium with that light, airy Scandi design. The innovative head-up display is clever tech executed well. And with 510 litres of boot space plus a useful 125-litre frunk, practicality is sorted. The driving experience is smooth, refined, and comfortable.

So what's holding it back?

Range and charging speed. The 295-mile range (WLTP Comb) and 93kW charging are adequate but not impressive.

For most people charging at home, this won't matter. But if you regularly do longer journeys, those extra minutes at chargers add up.

Is it a Tesla killer? Not yet.

But it's a genuinely compelling alternative that offers serious value for money. For buyers prioritising equipment levels and upfront value over ultimate range, the S07 makes a very strong case.

Top 5 reasons to consider the Changan Deepal S07:

1.       Exceptional value at £39,990: Generous standard equipment undercuts rivals significantly

2.       Premium-feeling interior: Light, airy cabin with quality materials and innovative head-up display

3.       Loaded with tech: 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, 14-speaker sound system, wireless charging, adaptive cruise control

4.       Practical and spacious: 510-litre boot plus 125-litre frunk, generous passenger space

5.       Smooth, refined driving experience: Instant torque, comfortable ride, comprehensive driver assistance features

Would we recommend leasing a Changan Deepal S07?

Yes – especially if you're after maximum equipment for your money and charge at home primarily.

The slower charging and shorter range are compromises, but not deal-breakers for most drivers. What you will notice is the premium interior and comprehensive tech for under £40k.

It might not wear the Tesla badge, but the Deepal S07 proves you don't need one to get a seriously impressive electric SUV.