Changan's latest electric SUV Deepal S05 hits the market

Deepal, the electric vehicle subsidiary of Changan Automobile, has launched its second new model in the past three months, the S05 compact SUV. This comes hot on the heels of the L07 sedan, which debuted in May. The S05 comes in both battery electric and extended-range electric (EREV) versions.

The Deepal S05 officially has a starting price of RMB 119,900 (approximately $16,880). Deepal clearly wants to get these vehicles into customers' hands quickly, as deliveries are already underway.

The S05 BEV comes in four different variants, with prices ranging from RMB 119,900 to RMB 145,900 ($20,500). For those interested in the EREV model, there are two variants available, starting at RMB 139,900 ($19,700) and going up to RMB 149,900 ($21,100).

This SUV measures 181.9 inches in length, 74.8 inches in width, and 63 inches in height. It boasts a wheelbase of 113.4 inches, providing ample interior space. The S05 BEV packs a single electric motor that delivers a maximum power of 175 kW (approximately 235 hp). This allows the SUV to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in a respectable 7.3 seconds. It comes equipped with a 56.12 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, providing a CLTC (China light-duty vehicle test cycle) range of 317 miles.

The S05 EREV, on the other hand, features a 1.5 L petrol electric generator and an electric motor outputting 160 kW (215 hp). This version takes 7.9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph. It also uses a lithium iron phosphate battery, albeit a smaller 27.28 kWh unit, which provides a CLTC pure electric range of 124 miles. With a full tank of fuel and a fully charged battery, the EREV promises an impressive combined range of 767 miles.

Deepal is a relatively new player in the EV arena, having been established by Changan Automobile in 2022. Its first model, the SL03, launched in July 2022 and was positioned as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model 3. With the launch of the S07 in July of this year and now the S05, Deepal has a far more balanced electric lineup. The company delivered 22,709 vehicles in September alone, marking a 30.74% increase year-on-year and a 12.81% increase compared to August. From January to September, Deepal delivered a total of 143,419 vehicles.

Via