Chinese car manufacturers have been landing on British shores thick and fast and there's little indication that the trend is slowing down. Changan is among the latest brands to enter the fray. Having launched the Deepal S07 last year, the company is now broadening its lineup with the Deepal S05 – a mid-size electric SUV taking aim at rivals such as the Skoda Elroq and Kia EV5.
So, is this newcomer merely another electric SUV, or does it have what it takes to outshine the competition? Road tester Cameron Richards took a closer look.
Changan may be relatively unknown on British roads, but it's one of China's most established car manufacturers, having been producing vehicles for 45 years. The Deepal S05 is the brand's newest offering, boasting plenty of contemporary touches, including a minimalist cabin design, while the bodywork draws heavily on aircraft-inspired styling to complement its sportier character.
It arrives with electric power and a choice of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, alongside a single fully-equipped trim level with minimal options, making it straightforward for buyers to choose their ideal specification.The Deepal S05 also rides on Changan's 'CPA' multi-energy platform, which supports several powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid version due to arrive further down the line.
What's under the bonnet?
The Deepal S05 will be available with one battery pack offered in two configurations. Every version comes equipped with a 68.8kWh battery, with our test model featuring a single rear-mounted electric motor generating 268bhp and 290Nm of torque. It rockets from 0-60mph in 7.3 seconds and tops out at 112mph.
Changan states that the car can be charged at speeds of up to 200kW using a rapid-charger, achieving a 30 to 80 per cent charge in just 15 minutes. A dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant is also available, pushing power up to 418bhp and 502Nm of torque, while this version boasts a claimed range of 278 miles on a single charge.
What's it like to drive?
The Deepal S05 isn't the most thrilling vehicle behind the wheel, going about its business in a rather unremarkable fashion. The steering responds well initially, but feels vague and lifeless, while the ride is comfortable yet struggles to remain composed on uneven road surfaces.
Rearward visibility is hampered by the narrow rear window and tall headrests, and there appears to be no regenerative braking system, which would otherwise enhance its overall efficiency. Refinement is outstanding, though, with minimal wind and road noise penetrating the cabin, and the instant torque delivered by the rear-mounted electric motor provides a seamlessly smooth surge of acceleration.
How does it look?
Much like the majority of SUVs, the Deepal S05 lacks the character and appeal you'd find in a conventional hatchback or estate. To help the car turn heads, Changan has drawn inspiration from aviation for the S05's styling, with the front headlights and bumper taking their cues from aircraft wings, while the flared wheel arches and double waistline are designed to replicate a plane's fuselage. Flush door handles and frameless window surrounds also feature, with the rear end set apart by arrow-shaped LED taillights and a V-shaped spoiler.
What's it like inside?
The Deepal S05 is typically Chinese in its approach, featuring very few buttons, lending it a cleaner and more contemporary appearance. The downside is that the absence of physical controls still makes it insufficiently intuitive when trying to operate even the most basic functions while on the move.
On the plus side, it's a practical cabin, with Changan claiming there are '34' storage spaces scattered throughout the interior. The S05 lacks a glovebox, yet boasts one of the largest and deepest centre console storage compartments of any car on the market, with additional space beneath the floating centre console. Two cupholders and two wireless phone chargers are included, though the door bins are on the narrow side.
Rear passenger space is reasonable, and headroom remains unaffected with the optional panoramic sunroof installed. The flat floor allows three passengers to sit side by side in comfort, while there's ample room to slide feet beneath the front seats with ease. The S05 boasts a 492-litre boot capacity, surpassing the Skoda Elroq's 470-litre offering, while folding down the rear seats expands that figure to an impressive 1,250 litres.
An additional 28-litre underfloor storage compartment and a 159-litre frunk make this Chinese contender one of the most versatile vehicles in its segment.
What's the spec like?
There's no lack of equipment, as the Deepal S05 comes exclusively in a single trim level. Standard features include a 15.4-inch infotainment display, keyless entry, a wireless smartphone charger, a 14-speaker sound system, a head-up display and satellite navigation.
The only extras on offer are a glass panoramic sunroof and a tow bar, while all five exterior colour choices come at no additional cost. Pricing kicks off at £37,990 for the rear-wheel drive version, rising to £39,990 for the all-wheel drive model. That positions it over £1,000 below the entry-level Kia EV5, with the Changan also delivering considerably more standard equipment for the price.
Verdict
For those seeking a mid-size electric SUV, the Changan Deepal S05 ticks all the right boxes. Regrettably, that's where it stops.
This newcomer from China fails to bring anything groundbreaking to an already saturated market, with its uninspiring driving dynamics and overly complex infotainment interface proving to be its most significant shortcomings. That said, if the car appeals to you, its keen pricing, impressive standard kit and functional cabin make it a perfectly reasonable, if somewhat uninspiring, option in this particular segment of the market.
