To Deepal or to AVATR? Our two writers bicker it out…
07 May 2025|56 views
Deepal's launch in Singapore earlier in March this year also marked the official arrival of its parent, Changan Automobile, on our shores.
And while we've already spent some time up close with the Deepal S07 here, our time at Auto Shanghai 2025 demonstrated that the Chongqing-based carmaker has a lot more up its sleeves than what Singapore presently knows. The motor show saw its three sub-brands celebrating the launch of a new model each: The Deepal S09, the Changan Nevo Q07 and the AVATR 06.
Among them, two caught the eye of our writers, and as always, some bickering has endured since: One has taken a fancy to the Deepal S09, while the other's weapon of choice is the AVATR 06. Will there be a winner?
Julian thinks the Deepal S09 is the epitome of form meeting function
Big cars aren't my thing. Doesn't matter if you're a Cullinan or a Bentayga - I repeat, big cars aren't my thing. Maybe it's ego speaking… Since I can't afford a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley (and many other cars, by the way), there's a good chance I'll say they aren't for me. Perhaps if I'm a billionaire, my preference and integrity can be compromised…
Recently I caught a glimpse of the Deepal S09, the Chinese carmaker's all new flagship SUV that will go against the likes of the Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Land Cruiser and the Volvo XC90 in Singapore. In China, it'll go head on with cars like the Li Auto L9 and the Aito M9.
Built to properly accommodate six in comfort, Deepal states that the S09's boot can house up to six cabin sized luggage bags even with all three rows in place (the sixth piece fits neatly into the storage area underneath the boot's false floor)
Regardless of who or what the three-row, six-seater S09 goes up against, the car is undoubtedly an appealing machine, especially to a family man like myself. Firstly, because it can seat six, the engineers and designers of the car intelligently created sufficient space to carry six cabin-sized luggage bags with all the seats up - presumably one per passenger. Can't say the same for the AVATR 06…
Secondly, all thanks to the 3,105mm wheelbase, it's helluva spacious. For all three rows. And with space to boot. Sure, it can be a tad cumbersome to drive around Singapore, especially around narrower roads and tight corners in multi-storey carparks. Still, we see an abundance of Toyota Alphards/Vellfires, DENZA D9s and Zeekr 009s running around our tiny island. Perhaps if I'm a better driver, I'll be able to say driving a car that measures over 5.2m long and 2m wide is a walk in the park…
The S09 promises plenty of digitalisation on board, with a pair of 15.6-inch OLED screens up front powered by Huawei's HarmonyOS, and a 21.3-inch 3K screen to entertain rear occupants
Lastly, the Deepal S09 is equipped with a pair of 15.6-inch OLED screens up front that's powered by Huawei's HarmonyOS, a next-generation operating system, while the back features an additional 21.3-inch 3K screen that folds down from the ceiling which should make for quite a reasonable entertainment package. The icing on the cake, however, has to be the sliding centre console that can move forward and backward to serve either the front or second row occupants as desired.
More than these, Deepal's flagship SUV is a range-extended EV that is equipped with a 40.18kWh battery, which can not only support fast charging at up to 180kW, but also draw additional power from a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine onboard that serves as a generator. You can have your cake and eat it here: Enjoy the refinement and power of an EV, while not suffering from any range anxiety.
Sure, if you were to compare this with the AVATR 06, the Deepal S09 may seem less futuristic. I'm sure Mattheus will be boasting about just how cutting-edge and new-age the 06 is as an EV, and I don't disagree. But I suspect that's the only thing he's got going for the car. The S09, on the other hand, has ample space and grace that puts it at the top of its class.
Like I said, can't say the same for the AVATR 06…
But Mattheus thinks the AVATR 06 is even more alluring, since it hits all the right notes for a new generation of luxury EVs
Julian isn't wrong - the AVATR 06 is indeed on the cutting edge of the electric revolution. But to stop there would to do this luxury electric fastback from Changan Automobile injustice, for there's much more nuance and depth to its appeal than one sentence can encompass.
The 06 may not boast the same sort of sheer physical presence that the full-sized Deepal S09 manages with ease, but it turns heads in a different way: With its tapered roofline, planted stance, and overall space-age styling (those hook-like daytime running lights up front are stunning). Heavyweights such as the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal, and Hyundai Ioniq 6 should do well to look over their shoulders in the years to come.
The 06 may not be an imposing full-sized SUV, but still has plenty of presence thanks to its space-age design
A fastback sedan also surely cannot trump a full-size SUV when it comes to the number of passengers it can carry, but all five passengers onboard the 06 won't be shortchanged when it comes to both space and luxury. After all, this is no compact car; it's 1,960mm wide and has a 2,940mm wheelbase, which should give occupants all the shoulder and legroom they need in the rear.
Within the cabin, the widespread use of soft-touch materials, top-grain Nappa leather on the seats, as well as suede for the headliner, all lend weight to the car's top-end positioning. International sites even indicate that the 06 can be equipped with a 25-speaker Meridian sound system! I'm not a father (at least not yet), but I love ferrying my family around too, and have no doubt that the 06 will serve duty as a passenger carrier with ease.
Wanna talk about tech? Sure, the 06 may not have the snazzy dual-infotainment touchscreen setup that the S09 has, but what it presents front occupants with might be even cooler. A 35.4-inch panoramic screen runs the full length of the dashboard, and can integrate the live feeds from the car's electronic exterior mirrors.
Heaps of tech on offer too: The 06's party piece is its 35.4-inch 4K panoramic screen that resides behind the the steering wheel and central infotainment screen, and runs the full length of the dashboard
It's on the move, however, that the 06 should really put itself above the S09.
While this stylish fastback can also be opted for in China as a range-extended EV, you'll want to turn your attention to the range-topping pure-electric variant. With two electric motors sending 440kW and 645Nm of torque to all four wheels, the 06 can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in a scant 3.9 seconds, before hitting a limited top speed of 210km/h.
It's not just speed in a straight line that the 06 promises, too; it also hits all the right notes on paper for tackling the twisties, thanks to front double wishbones and a rear multi-link suspension; its ability to shift torque between the front and rear axles via intelligent electronics; a Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system a la VW's DCC; and an advanced brake-by-wire system.
The dual-motor all-wheel drive variant of the AVATR 06 is capable of a 3.9 second century sprint, while still managing up to 600km of range from its 72.88kWh battery
And fine - the range-extended S09 might offer more overall driving range thanks to its two-in-one powertrain, but the 06's powerful electric architecture and efficient battery should well eradicate any worries about having to recharge frequently. Even the all-electric AWD 06 gets up to 600km of range from its 72.88kWh LFP battery, which can support rapid charging that will see its state-of-charge go from 30 to 80% in under a claimed 10 minutes.
Don't get me wrong: The Deepal S09 is a deeply impressive new flagship for the brand, and should no doubt shake up the luxury SUV segment if it ever arrives in Singapore. Still, the AVATR 06, with its sweet styling and impressive range of capabilities as an electric car for the modern age, is still where my fascination unequivocally lies.
Don't forget to check out these other stories!
The best new car debuts at Auto Shanghai 2025
Playing the long game: Deepal aims for the top of the market
Deepal's launch in Singapore earlier in March this year also marked the official arrival of its parent, Changan Automobile, on our shores.
And while we've already spent some time up close with the Deepal S07 here, our time at Auto Shanghai 2025 demonstrated that the Chongqing-based carmaker has a lot more up its sleeves than what Singapore presently knows. The motor show saw its three sub-brands celebrating the launch of a new model each: The Deepal S09, the Changan Nevo Q07 and the AVATR 06.
Among them, two caught the eye of our writers, and as always, some bickering has endured since: One has taken a fancy to the Deepal S09, while the other's weapon of choice is the AVATR 06. Will there be a winner?
Julian thinks the Deepal S09 is the epitome of form meeting function
Big cars aren't my thing. Doesn't matter if you're a Cullinan or a Bentayga - I repeat, big cars aren't my thing. Maybe it's ego speaking… Since I can't afford a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley (and many other cars, by the way), there's a good chance I'll say they aren't for me. Perhaps if I'm a billionaire, my preference and integrity can be compromised…
Recently I caught a glimpse of the Deepal S09, the Chinese carmaker's all new flagship SUV that will go against the likes of the Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Land Cruiser and the Volvo XC90 in Singapore. In China, it'll go head on with cars like the Li Auto L9 and the Aito M9.
Built to properly accommodate six in comfort, Deepal states that the S09's boot can house up to six cabin sized luggage bags even with all three rows in place (the sixth piece fits neatly into the storage area underneath the boot's false floor)
Regardless of who or what the three-row, six-seater S09 goes up against, the car is undoubtedly an appealing machine, especially to a family man like myself. Firstly, because it can seat six, the engineers and designers of the car intelligently created sufficient space to carry six cabin-sized luggage bags with all the seats up - presumably one per passenger. Can't say the same for the AVATR 06…
Secondly, all thanks to the 3,105mm wheelbase, it's helluva spacious. For all three rows. And with space to boot. Sure, it can be a tad cumbersome to drive around Singapore, especially around narrower roads and tight corners in multi-storey carparks. Still, we see an abundance of Toyota Alphards/Vellfires, DENZA D9s and Zeekr 009s running around our tiny island. Perhaps if I'm a better driver, I'll be able to say driving a car that measures over 5.2m long and 2m wide is a walk in the park…
The S09 promises plenty of digitalisation on board, with a pair of 15.6-inch OLED screens up front powered by Huawei's HarmonyOS, and a 21.3-inch 3K screen to entertain rear occupants
Lastly, the Deepal S09 is equipped with a pair of 15.6-inch OLED screens up front that's powered by Huawei's HarmonyOS, a next-generation operating system, while the back features an additional 21.3-inch 3K screen that folds down from the ceiling which should make for quite a reasonable entertainment package. The icing on the cake, however, has to be the sliding centre console that can move forward and backward to serve either the front or second row occupants as desired.
More than these, Deepal's flagship SUV is a range-extended EV that is equipped with a 40.18kWh battery, which can not only support fast charging at up to 180kW, but also draw additional power from a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine onboard that serves as a generator. You can have your cake and eat it here: Enjoy the refinement and power of an EV, while not suffering from any range anxiety.
Sure, if you were to compare this with the AVATR 06, the Deepal S09 may seem less futuristic. I'm sure Mattheus will be boasting about just how cutting-edge and new-age the 06 is as an EV, and I don't disagree. But I suspect that's the only thing he's got going for the car. The S09, on the other hand, has ample space and grace that puts it at the top of its class.
Like I said, can't say the same for the AVATR 06…
But Mattheus thinks the AVATR 06 is even more alluring, since it hits all the right notes for a new generation of luxury EVs
Julian isn't wrong - the AVATR 06 is indeed on the cutting edge of the electric revolution. But to stop there would to do this luxury electric fastback from Changan Automobile injustice, for there's much more nuance and depth to its appeal than one sentence can encompass.
The 06 may not boast the same sort of sheer physical presence that the full-sized Deepal S09 manages with ease, but it turns heads in a different way: With its tapered roofline, planted stance, and overall space-age styling (those hook-like daytime running lights up front are stunning). Heavyweights such as the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal, and Hyundai Ioniq 6 should do well to look over their shoulders in the years to come.
The 06 may not be an imposing full-sized SUV, but still has plenty of presence thanks to its space-age design
A fastback sedan also surely cannot trump a full-size SUV when it comes to the number of passengers it can carry, but all five passengers onboard the 06 won't be shortchanged when it comes to both space and luxury. After all, this is no compact car; it's 1,960mm wide and has a 2,940mm wheelbase, which should give occupants all the shoulder and legroom they need in the rear.
Within the cabin, the widespread use of soft-touch materials, top-grain Nappa leather on the seats, as well as suede for the headliner, all lend weight to the car's top-end positioning. International sites even indicate that the 06 can be equipped with a 25-speaker Meridian sound system! I'm not a father (at least not yet), but I love ferrying my family around too, and have no doubt that the 06 will serve duty as a passenger carrier with ease.
Wanna talk about tech? Sure, the 06 may not have the snazzy dual-infotainment touchscreen setup that the S09 has, but what it presents front occupants with might be even cooler. A 35.4-inch panoramic screen runs the full length of the dashboard, and can integrate the live feeds from the car's electronic exterior mirrors.
Heaps of tech on offer too: The 06's party piece is its 35.4-inch 4K panoramic screen that resides behind the the steering wheel and central infotainment screen, and runs the full length of the dashboard
It's on the move, however, that the 06 should really put itself above the S09.
While this stylish fastback can also be opted for in China as a range-extended EV, you'll want to turn your attention to the range-topping pure-electric variant. With two electric motors sending 440kW and 645Nm of torque to all four wheels, the 06 can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in a scant 3.9 seconds, before hitting a limited top speed of 210km/h.
It's not just speed in a straight line that the 06 promises, too; it also hits all the right notes on paper for tackling the twisties, thanks to front double wishbones and a rear multi-link suspension; its ability to shift torque between the front and rear axles via intelligent electronics; a Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system a la VW's DCC; and an advanced brake-by-wire system.
The dual-motor all-wheel drive variant of the AVATR 06 is capable of a 3.9 second century sprint, while still managing up to 600km of range from its 72.88kWh battery
And fine - the range-extended S09 might offer more overall driving range thanks to its two-in-one powertrain, but the 06's powerful electric architecture and efficient battery should well eradicate any worries about having to recharge frequently. Even the all-electric AWD 06 gets up to 600km of range from its 72.88kWh LFP battery, which can support rapid charging that will see its state-of-charge go from 30 to 80% in under a claimed 10 minutes.
Don't get me wrong: The Deepal S09 is a deeply impressive new flagship for the brand, and should no doubt shake up the luxury SUV segment if it ever arrives in Singapore. Still, the AVATR 06, with its sweet styling and impressive range of capabilities as an electric car for the modern age, is still where my fascination unequivocally lies.
Don't forget to check out these other stories!
The best new car debuts at Auto Shanghai 2025
Playing the long game: Deepal aims for the top of the market
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