Deepal S05 68.82kWh Review: Above Expectations

The Deepal S05 enters a fiercely competitive market for compact Category A SUVs. It has plenty going for it, but so does the competition

Singapore — There are plenty of similarly priced alternatives to the Deepal S05. And if you have not heard much about the brand, that is understandable. The Chinese marque has had just two models in its local line-up since its introduction here about a year ago.

To complicate matters for Deepal, parent company Changan Automobile has quite literally parked the brand under its own badge. Changan Singapore now has a three-model line-up comprising the Changan Q05, followed by the Deepal S05 and S07. Or should I call them the Changan Deepal S05 and Changan Deepal S07?

Over the years, I have learnt that Chinese carmakers can be rather poor at executing their branding. There is a tendency to create an overdose of sub-brands, resulting in sister models being shuffled between different brand identities. This can confuse consumers and, at times, leave a model range lacking a cohesive design language.

My branding rant aside, Deepal’s second SUV in Singapore shows plenty of promise, especially with its $186,999 price tag.

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A common shape, but plenty of good

The S05 may have a rather ubiquitous shape, but its inoffensive design should appeal to most buyers.

The headlights ditch the star-petal light signature seen on the S07, while the front end is less aggressive than that of its larger sibling. The result is a cleaner, more understated look.

Matt-black wheel arches give the S05 a more pronounced SUV appearance, while the rear quarter glass seems to take a little inspiration from the Porsche Macan.

At the rear, the Star Wing LED tail lights stretch across the tailgate, visually breaking up the SUV’s high-waisted proportions. Black cladding along the lower body adds a sportier touch, making the S05 appear lower and flatter than it actually is.

Roland Orzabal said, “I love a sunflower.” And so do I.

Like the Deepal S07, the S05 gets a Sunflower screen that can swivel towards the driver at the touch of a button. Its 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen runs the brand’s newer OS 3.0 software, while the slightly older S07 uses OS 2.5. That gives you an idea of how quickly automotive technology is moving: the gap between the two models is roughly a year.

The infotainment system offers a familiar assortment of features found in many Chinese EVs. These include modes for resting in the car and leaving your pet inside, as well as a sentry mode and a driving recorder.

For added comfort, the front passenger seat — which Deepal calls the ‘Queen Seat’ — comes with an adjustable leg rest. It is ideal for passengers who fancy a nap while someone else does the driving. Both front seats are ventilated, too.

Interestingly, Deepal has done away with the glovebox. This is not a deal-breaker, though, as there are still enough storage areas around the front cabin to keep your everyday odds and ends.

One of my favourite features is something decidedly old-school: conventional mechanical door handles. Rather than following the trend for electrically operated handles, Deepal has stuck with a simpler solution. Besides being less complicated, mechanical handles can also help keep costs down.

At the rear, the S05 scores well for legroom. Its 2,880mm wheelbase and 1,900mm width mean you can accommodate three adults across the back without too much grumbling.

I am, however, a little puzzled by the single rear air vent, which seems better suited to keeping one passenger comfortable than three.

As for practicality, the boot offers 492 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,250 litres with the rear seats folded. For comparison, the Aion V offers 427 litres, increasing to 978 litres with its rear seats folded.

Mellow delivery

The S05’s rear-mounted electric motor produces 133hp (99kW) and 290Nm of torque. Unlike some EVs that deliver their full torque in one enormous gob the moment you prod the accelerator, the S05 is more measured in its responses. Power delivery feels pleasantly linear, which is not quite what I would have expected from an electric SUV.

Regenerative braking comes with two presets: Standard and Stronger. Deepal has also included a slider that allows you to fine-tune the amount of regen to your liking. Personally, I instinctively pushed it towards almost zero.

There is, however, a slight delay between lifting off the accelerator and the regenerative braking taking effect. It takes a little time to get accustomed to how the car responds.

When it comes to stopping, the S05’s Comfort Braking function modulates brake application to reduce rear-end lift and nose-dive, making for a less dramatic experience.

Ride quality over uneven road surfaces is satisfactory, with the suspension soaking up most imperfections without too much harshness on the rebound. The S05 can feel a little floaty, however, and is not particularly adept at keeping its weight transfers in check when driven with enthusiasm.

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Being rear-wheel driven, the S05 also avoids the unruly front-end behaviour that can sometimes accompany a heavy right foot in a front-wheel-drive EV. You can squeeze the accelerator a little harder when exiting a bend without having to worry too much about the front wheels pulling you off line.

At expressway speeds, road noise generally stays in the background. That is, until you roll over a rough patch of tarmac, when the inevitable tyre roar makes itself heard. Despite its frameless windows, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the S05 keeps wind noise out of the cabin.

If there is one major complaint I have about the driving experience, it is the steering. It lacks feel and feedback, and I would describe its artificial weighting as being akin to playing Ridge Racer in a 1990s video arcade. It may give your arms something to do, but it does little to tell you what the front wheels are actually up to.

Can buy! Really!

The Deepal S05 is far from perfect, but in a market where we are staring down Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums of around $130,000, this compact electric SUV has plenty going for it.

For starters, it feels more expensive than some of its rivals, thanks in part to its solid build quality. It is also well-equipped, while its generous dimensions make it a practical choice for families who need room to stretch out.

The steering could do with more feedback, and the suspension could be better at keeping the body in check. Nevertheless, the S05 gets enough of the fundamentals right to make a convincing case for itself.

It may not be the most exciting compact electric SUV to drive, but it delivers a comfortable ride, a well-appointed cabin and plenty of usable space. In other words, the Deepal S05 does enough to exceed expectations — and deserves a spot on your shortlist.

Photos & Text: Clifford Chow

Pros	Cons
Well built	Steering lacks feel
Equipment where equipment largely matters	Lacks physical buttons
Generous interior space

Deepal S05 68.82kWh

Drivetrain	Full Electric
Layout	Single Motor, Rear-wheel Drive
Motor power / torque	133hp / 290Nm
Battery capacity	68.82kWh
Efficiency	16.7Wh/100km
Electric Range	647km
0-100km/h	11.4 seconds
Top Speed	180km/h
VES Band	A
Dealer	DPL Premium Automobiles
Price	S$186,999 with COE and VES
Verdict	The Deepal S05 is a well-built and affordable SUV, with quality that can match more expensive brands.