Changan Deepal S05 review

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Changan's Deepal S07 is the best Chinese family EV on sale in the UK. Is its smaller sibling similarly talented?

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Despite not yet being as recognisable as the likes of BYD, Jaecoo and Omoda, Changan has been around much longer than you might think. 

Based in Chongqing, it has been in the car manufacturing game for over 60 years. It launched its first car in the UK, the Changan Deepal S07, earlier this year, which proved to be a very respectable effort.

The Deepal S05 has an external speaker that you can use to announce your arrival with music or even speech. Mischief this way comes.
Alex Goy

Next up is the smaller Deepal S05, which the firm hopes will help to accelerate its influence in the UK at “China speed”. 

It promises tech, performance and the sort of stuff that ‘lifestyle’ people go all giddy over.

We had our first taste of the S05 in Austria for some cold-weather driving and low-grip fun, but we've now had the chance to test it on the UK's more demanding Tarmac. 

Changan has had an R&D base in the UK for years, as well as a design house in Italy, so it should be able to make good on its promise that its cars are 'tailored to European needs'. But can it challenge the European elite?

New Changan Deepal S05 cars in stock

 Changan DEEPAL S05 200kW Max 69kWh 5 Door Automatic [Pan Roof] opens in a new tab
£38,925
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£37,987
 Changan Deepal S05 68.8kWh MAX Auto 5dr opens in a new tab
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 Changan Deepal S05 68.8kWh MAX Auto 5dr opens in a new tab
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 Changan Deepal S05 68.8kWh MAX Auto 5dr opens in a new tab
£38,990
 Changan Deepal S05 68.8kWh MAX Auto 5dr opens in a new tab
£37,200
 Changan DEEPAL S05 68.8kWh MAX Auto 5dr opens in a new tab
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DESIGN & STYLING

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skyline detail

Measuring 4598mm long, 1900mm high and 1600mm wide, the S05 is roughly the same size as the Skoda Elroq. 

It's available with rear- or four-wheel drive, but all versions are powered by the same 68.8kWh battery.  

Claimed range is 303 miles for RWD cars, 278 miles for AWD cars. There's no big-battery version on the way, so that's your lot. 

Changan says areas of the S05 have been engineered specifically for the UK, thanks to input from its Birmingham-based R&D centre. This includes its five-link rear suspension and steering feel. 

When it comes to the look and feel of the car, the firm’s Turin team has done a fine job. With a drag coefficient rating of 0.26, it's aerodynamically efficient on paper, yet it doesn’t look like an egg, which is pleasing.

 

INTERIOR

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Jack Warrick Autocar 7

Like the S07, the S05 welcomes you with a pop-out door handle. Stepping inside reveals a minimalistic but well-appointed cabin.

There’s a real premium feel here, with soft, leather-like materials on the dash and doors, and comfortable seats, which are heated and ventilated as standard. 

In addition to perceived quality, space is plentiful. Changan claims there are 32 storage areas around the car, including a cavernous space under the front armrest, a 492-litre boot (1250 litres with the seats folded flat) and a practical 159-litre space under the bonnet.

Both rows are spacious enough for tall adults and head room is excellent across the board. 

At the helm, column stalks and steering wheel buttons are present, but there are no digital instruments. Most of the vital information is displayed on a well-positioned head-up display, which was so comprehensive that we initially didn't even notice the lack of traditional dials. 

The S05 has a seemingly endless level of multimedia customisation, and it’s a real boon. You can modify the data on the head-up display and the shortcut bar on the 15.4in touchscreen to your liking for quick access to your most used functions.

Speaking of which, S05's infotainment is crystal clear and easy to navigate, but its software is prone to some minor latency issues and lags on occasion. 

It is absolutely feature-packed, though, with games, apps and several interesting modes, including rest mode, where the 'queen' (meaning the front passenger) is reclined and a log fire is displayed. 

There's even a text-to-speech system that projects through an exterior speaker. It’s designed to communicate with pedestrians - informing them to cross the road, for example – but yes, you can make it say rude things.

ENGINES & PERFORMANCE

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Deepal front quarter

We originally sampled the S05 in 4WD guise in snowy Austria. The basis for our subsequent UK test was the RWD variant, which is expected to be the bigger seller.

It sends 268bhp and 213lb ft of torque to its rear wheels, which is good for a 0-62mph time of 7.5sec and a top speed of 112mph. The dual-motor car gets 429bhp and 370lb ft, hitting 0-62mph in 5.5sec. 

Power is delivered smoothly and unremarkably, which is ideal for a car of the S05’s genre.

Performance isn't class-leading but more than sufficient for easy motorway overtakes. It's no slouch.

Engaging Sport mode sharpens the throttle response, adding a noticeable sense of urgency.

RIDE & HANDLING

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Rear three quarter s2

The S05’s suspension and steering were engineered and tuned with input from Changan's Birmingham-based R&D centre. In theory, that should mean it will handle the UK’s variable road surfaces with ease. 

Certainly, on the smoothest roads at low speeds, the S05 is pleasantly comfortable, its soft suspension handling potholes reasonably well. Smoother motorways are no trouble either, so for day-to-day driving, most will be more than happy.With light, quick steering, it’s easy to direct around town and navigate around corners. ​But, while Changan describes the S05 as a “fun entrant” in the C segment, its manners in more challenging scenarios aren’t so positive.

In the face of the Cotswolds' unpredictable undulations, the SUV’s softly sprung suspension struggles to keep up. The S05’s composure is challenged by body roll and understeer.

The Elroq is a more rounded option if driving dynamics are at the top of your shortlist. 

The S05 recovers some points with its excellent cabin isolation. Thanks to sound reduction tech, including vibration-absorbing suspension and 5mm-thick frameless glass, it’s a genuinely quiet and serene place to be. 

The car's customizable ADAS contribute to this feeling – a quality we also observed when evaluating the larger S07.

All of these systems are set-to-forget, meaning you won’t have to worry about switching them off every time you set off.

A welcome departure from the nagging ADAS found in competitors, the car allows you to adjust the volume of the various beeps and bongs to your liking.

MPG & RUNNING COSTS

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Changan Deepal S05 front

Changan emphasises the S05’s slippery drag coefficient of 0.25, which is almost equal to that of the Elroq and Kia EV3.

On a mix of motorways, A-roads and B-roads, our RWD test car returned 3.6mpkWh. That’s equal to 247 miles of range in the real world, which is only average. 

However, its maximum charging speed is 200kW – significantly better than the EV3's 135kW and more competitive than the Elroq's 175kW.

The S05 does its best to justify its £37,995 price tag, which isn't dissimilar to comparatively specified rivals', thanks to a generous level of standard equipment.

It's offered in a single trim, which includes premium features such as a wireless phone charger, sat-nav, keyless entry, a 360deg camera, and level-two assisted driving technology.

A delightful glass roof is a £1000 extra and a tow bar can be added for £600.

VERDICT

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Changan parked

Ultimately, while the S05 looks the part inside and out, it’s short of dethroning its European rivals.

Its bouncy ride and uncomposed handling are disappointing and its range is pipped by most alternatives.

However, there’s no denying its family-friendly practicality and its impressive technology - particularly its unique take on removing the stress from ADAS.

It's a good option for drivers after something different and a fine effort from the brand with high hopes for the UK. 

Alex Goy

Alex Goy

Alex has, for his sins, been making things about cars for longer than he was in full time education. Print, online, words, pictures, or video, he’s happiest when there’s something to shown to the wider world. 

A freelancer, he has written for titles all over the world, written for telly shows, and hosted more than a few YouTube films. You’ll find him (when not hard at work) on various social networks talking about hand made British sports cars, tea, and cats. Mostly cats, to be honest. 

Over his career he’s delved into the murky world of DeLorean, driven the fearsome Mille Miglia in a Jaguar C-Type, put his mother in a Ford Focus RS to see if she could drift it (she could… just), and driven Crazy Carts around a closed Toys ‘R Us all in the name of work. The freelance life is a varied one, which is probably what makes it so exciting. 

While he’s not spent his whole career on the pages of Autocar, he did spend a good chunk of the summer of 2007 as the work experience kid here, so when he does pop in he at least knows where the kettle is. 

Alex is an expert in:

- Car reviews

- Classics

- Restomods

- Things that make you laugh like Zippy

Q&A

What was your biggest news story?

Something involving a supercar manufacturer that directly quoted something someone wasn’t supposed to say. There were phone calls. 

What’s the best car you’ve ever driven?

It’s a toss up for me. The Bugatti Veyron was a landmark moment in engineering, and a privilege to experience. That said, for sheer silliness the Morgan Aero Coupé left a mark so deep I fell hard for the brand. Perhaps surprisingly, I maintain that the Dacia Duster is the best car in the world right now because it’s so honest - give me a Mk II post facelift in lurid orange any day and I’ll be happy. 

What will the car industry look like in 20 years? 

If you’d have asked me that ten years ago I’d have said ‘all electric all the time,’ but now..? I’m not so sure. While sustainable fuels aren’t going to be the answer for everything (the maths doesn’t maths on that one), there’ll still be a place for ICE. But will we be all EV all the time? Maybe… maybe not.