Another new Chinese car maker has arrived in the UK, as Changan launches its first model here – the all-electric Deepal S07 electric SUV. Priced from £39,990, it promises up to 295 miles of driving range, a tech-packed interior and a seven-year warranty.
The Deepal S07 has been designed in Italy, developed in Birmingham, and is being sold through 20 dealerships, with a further 30 to follow by the end of 2025. It’s hobbled by a less-than-stellar 93kW charging capability but a comprehensive safety package including a five-star Euro NCAP rating is more competitive.
Changan is one of China’s biggest and longest-established car companies, with global operations and joint ventures with Ford and Mazda. It hopes the Deepal S07 will tempt UK buyers looking for a well-equipped EV at a competitive price.
What’s on the spec sheet?
The Deepal S07 is pitched as a technology-rich SUV that undercuts many rivals. Inside you’ll find a rotating 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, an augmented reality head-up display, voice and gesture controls, and a premium 14-speaker audio system. A panoramic roof, vegan leather seats and a full driver-assistance suite are also standard.
With 218hp and 320Nm of torque, it promises brisk – not ballistic – performance, while the 80kWh battery is class average, and offers up to 295 miles of WLTP driving range. Rapid charging can take the battery from 10-to-80% in 48 minutes, which isn’t anything to write home about, while a vehicle-to-load function lets the car power appliances directly.
Nic Thomas, managing director of Changan UK, said: ‘The Changan Deepal S07 is designed to make electric driving accessible, enjoyable and practical for UK consumers. We believe it will resonate with British drivers looking for a high-quality EV without compromise.’
What this means for you
For UK car buyers, this is yet another option in a fast-growing list of Chinese EVs now on sale. The Deepal S07 is priced directly against mainstream electric SUVs like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
The arrival of another major Chinese manufacturer also puts pressure on established brands to sharpen their prices and specs. If the S07 proves popular, expect to see rivals responding with keener finance deals and shorter delivery times.
For used buyers, the big unknown will be residual values. Warranty cover looks strong, but it will take time to see how the brand’s cars hold up in the UK’s used car market.
Editor’s view: more doesn’t necessarily mean better
It feels like barely a week goes by without another Chinese brand setting up shop here. The Deepal S07 is yet another sign of how seriously these firms are taking Europe, and they’re not here to mess around – the spec sheets are loaded, and the prices are hard to ignore.
From where I’m sitting, this could be good news for car buyers who aren’t shopping with a specific brand in mind. Every time a new, well-equipped EV hits the market at a sensible price, it forces the competition to raise their game. If you’re shopping for an electric SUV, that can only work in your favour, even if you don’t buy it – because the next car you do will probably be cheaper.
Yes, it’s one more badge to learn and one more dealer network to figure out, and my main question in these cases is always, ‘who will buy it?’ With 295 miles of driving range, a £39,990 price and a warranty that looks generous, the Deepal S07 could make waves, as long as it price matches (or beats) rivals from BYD, Chery and Geely. I’ll be watching with interest to see who takes the plunge.
Keith Adams – Editor, Parkers
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