There’s no shortage of new electric vehicles arriving in South Africa, but every now and then one comes along that genuinely surprises you. The Deepal S07 L, from Changan’s premium EV sub-brand, is one of those vehicles. It combines futuristic styling, an upmarket cabin and an impressive list of standard features, all while undercutting many of its established rivals.
The design certainly won’t be mistaken for anything else. Sharp lines, sleek LED lighting and flush door handles give the S07 L plenty of road presence. Whether you love it or not is another story, but one thing is certain, people notice it. We lost count of how many times someone asked, “What car is that?” Even the security guards at the shopping centre wanted a closer look. That’s about as South African as it gets.
Inside, the S07 L continues to impress. The cabin feels clean, modern and spacious, with a flat floor that creates an airy feel and massive rear legroom. If you’re the designated family chauffeur, the passengers in the back might end up more comfortable than you are.
Technology is where the Deepal really flexes its muscles. Standard equipment includes an augmented reality head-up display, a 15.6-inch touchscreen that rotates depending on what you’re doing, a crisp 14-speaker Sony sound system, wireless smartphone connectivity and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality. There’s also a generous 125-litre front trunk, giving you extra storage for charging cables or the shopping.
However, there is one aspect of the interior that left us scratching our heads. Almost every function is buried somewhere in the touchscreen. Want to adjust the climate control? Touchscreen. Need to adjust the mirrors? Touchscreen. Before long you’ll find yourself tapping through menus like you’re trying to book an appointment at Home Affairs. Physical buttons would have made everyday use far more intuitive.
Powering the S07 L is a single electric motor producing 160kW and 320Nm. Performance is smooth, quiet and effortless, with instant torque making overtaking and pulling away from traffic lights a breeze. It’s not the quickest electric SUV in its class, but it has more than enough performance for everyday driving and never feels short of power.
Deepal claims a driving range of between 500km and 560km, depending on the driving conditions. During our time with the S07 L, we managed around 450km on a full charge. While that falls short of the claimed figure, it’s still a respectable real-world result and should comfortably cover the daily needs of most South Africans.
On the road, the S07 L feels refined and comfortable. The suspension absorbs bumps well, making it well suited to South African roads, while the cabin remains impressively quiet at highway speeds. It’s the kind of vehicle that encourages you to settle in and enjoy the drive rather than rush to your destination.
That said, the driver assistance systems can become a little overenthusiastic. The lane-keeping assist and various warning chimes seem determined to remind you they’re there, sometimes a little too often. It feels like having that one backseat passenger who comments every time you get close to the white line. Thankfully, most of these systems can be adjusted, although we’d prefer they were less intrusive from the outset.
Charging performance is another area where the Deepal gives away a few points. While perfectly usable for daily commuting, its DC fast-charging speeds trail some of its competitors, meaning longer stops on extended road trips. For many owners this won’t be a deal-breaker, but it’s something worth considering if you regularly travel long distances.
As a newcomer, there’s also the question of long-term resale value. Deepal is still establishing itself in South Africa, so buyers won’t have years of ownership data to rely on. That’s not necessarily a criticism, just one of the realities of buying into a newer brand.
Verdict
The Deepal S07 L is proof that you don’t need to spend well over R1 million to enjoy a genuinely premium electric SUV. It undercuts several premium European rivals while matching, and in some areas exceeding, them on technology, cabin space and overall equipment levels.
At R995,900, it offers excellent value for money. Yes, we’d like physical controls for frequently used functions, the driver assistance systems could be less intrusive, and faster charging would make long-distance travel more convenient. But those are relatively small compromises in what is otherwise a very well-rounded package.
If you’re shopping for an electric SUV and are willing to look beyond the traditional badges, the Deepal S07 L deserves a serious place on your shortlist. It delivers luxury, practicality and technology in a package that feels ready for the future.
