Deepal S05 First Drive Review

Size matters.

At least that's what Deepal seems to think, because the S05 could well be the spitting image of the S07 (already on sale in Singapore) if given just a cursory glance. More of the same, then?

Not exactly. The visual differences between both cars do actually reveal themselves upon closer inspection - the S07 feels sharper, chunkier, and more aggressive; the S05 prefers smoother lines and softer edges, even while retaining a sporty edge with its slim lights and low roofline. Unsurprisingly, it's thus more aerodynamic too, managing an even more slippery drag coefficient of 0.25Cd against its larger sibling's 0.258Cd. Still, it's clear that both are from the same seed.

More raised hatchback than full-out SUV

To the average driver, then, the two cars would thus be set apart most notably by how easy they would be to squeeze round Orchard Central's nefariously spiralling carpark. While the 4.75m long and 1.93m wide S07 is squarely in mid-size SUV territory - where you'll find the Tesla Model Y, or XPENG G6, or BYD Sealion 7 - the S05 aims for a smaller segment with an arguably larger pool in the market: That of compact SUVs or crossovers. 

Cars of this ilk might be the right sort of proposition for urbanites, after all, and the S05 is significantly downsized on most counts - in length (4,620mm), in width (1,900mm) and even height (1,600mm). For less confident drivers, you can imagine that would take some of the stress away. 

The S05 is targeted at a smaller segment than the one inhabited by the S07: Of compact crossovers or SUVs

But the S05 doesn't shortchange you in two important areas.

Firstly, its 2,880mm wheelbase (just 20mm shy of the S07's) still translates to generous legroom in the second row. Then comes the surprising revelation that it edges out its larger sibling in cargo carrying capacity, both at the rear and up front with its larger boot and frunk. In fact, the latter's 169-litre capacity might be one of the most generous we've seen on an electric car yet. Not bad for a model positioned as the entry point to the Deepal range.

Down but not out

Also downsized is the S05's battery, which is a more modest 56.1kWh LFP item compared to the S07's 79.97kWh pack. That's still good for up to 470km of driving on a full charge by the NEDC cycle, which should translate to above 400km in real-world conditions - a tidy sum by modern EV standards, in other words.

Nonetheless, the S05 will still be plenty sprightly for folks already won over by the wonders of electric propulsion. Set to be offered solely in rear-wheel drive guise when it arrives in Singapore, the unit we tested in Chongqing hits 100km/h from rest in 7.3 seconds, thanks to the healthy 175kW and 320Nm of torque from its single electric motor.

Downsized, and equipped with a smaller battery pack, the S05 doesn't feel all that heavy for an electric crossover

It's not ballistic-missile level quick - especially not against the more powerful E07 we drove right before it - but its smaller battery and more compact size do bestow it with a surprising quality of lightness, especially upon hard braking. Even if the car's power output is ultimately tuned downwards to put it in more favourable stead with Singapore's taxes (a likely possibility given what we've seen from other carmakers here), you could see the S05 still cutting a relatively lithe and peppy figure through urban traffic. 

While doing so, drivers will still be able to enjoy the sparse, yet well-built and pleasing sort of interior Deepal is starting to establish a name for. Expect an abundance of soft-touch materials, dual-tone upholstery that's easy on the eyes, and good levels of equipment. Those with a tendency to nitpick might nevertheless find the S07's cabin more upmarket. The faux-leather in the S05's second row somehow just doesn't wrap around occupants in the same luxurious-feeling manner, while its doors also do without the sprinkling of wood-trim found on its larger sibling. 

Like the S07, the S05 is equipped with a large 'Sunflower' central infotainment touchscreen that can swivel towards the driver or front passenger

But the same sorts of Deepal-specific, charming technological idiosyncrasies remain.

The S05 trades a digital instrument cluster for a large augmented reality head-up display, and has a friendly 'Sunflower' infotainment touchscreen crowning its dashboard that can swivel left- or rightwards depending on whether the driver or front passenger is getting their grubby fingerprints on it. There's also the wide range of voice and gesture-activated functions promised by the system. If you're slowly becoming enamoured with this specific blueprint of a 'smart car', the S05 might just stand uniquely apart from the competition.

Right-sized appeal

Since it's clear that Deepal has intended for there to be a clear through-line between both cars, to ask how the S05 differs significantly from the S07 on the surface may be a misguided question. Slice it however you may, you'll likely return to the same conclusion that the former stands as a smaller iteration of the latter.

Still, the reason for the S05's existence may be unearthed when observing other markets where the two already co-exist.

In Thailand, the entry-level variant of the S05 is priced in the ballpark of the BYD Atto 3 and MGS5 EV while boasting more space than both: A clear indicator of the segment (and larger sales volume) Deepal has its sights trained on. As players like BYD have shown, he who chases two rabbits in the automotive world sometimes winds up having both in hand. 

The S05 will enter a crowded field when it eventually lands in Singapore, but should still prove compelling if priced correctly 

Should the same for Deepal be replicated in Singapore, the S05 - with its pleasing cabin, class-leading space and technology - could well be a compelling contender in the compact electric SUV segment, fighting not based on an otherworldly novelty factor but on right-sized appeal. 

The Deepal S05 is set to arrive in Singapore before 2025 comes to a close, and will be offered in single-motor rear-wheel drive guise.