Changan reviews

If you’re unfamiliar with Changan, it’s actually one of China’s oldest car manufacturers having produced more than 30 million cars. It’s also had an engineering base in the UK since 2010, as well as a design centre in Italy since 2001. Not just another newcomer then.

The benefits of Changan’s global approach become quickly apparent when you get behind the wheel of its Deepal electric SUVs. Hop into the Deepal S07 and the first thing you notice is the striking interior. The soft-touch vegan leather and wood-effect trim both look and feel the part, and you can even choose from three different interior colours at no extra cost. There’s also plenty of passenger space, and rear legroom is particularly generous.

The Deepal S07 is exceptionally well-equipped, too. Standard features include a large 15.6in touchscreen that can rotate towards the driver or passenger, a clever head-up display, 540º parking camera, panoramic glass roof and a punchy 14-speaker sound-system.

Meanwhile, the newly introduced Deepal S05 offers a brilliant alternative to the larger Deepal S07. It delivers the same premium ethos in a marginally smaller package. This family electric SUV is perfectly suited to urban driving, and boasts a similarly extensive list of high-tech features and the swathes of upmarket materials seen in its larger sibling. With punchy performance, 30-80% charging in as little as 15 minutes, and up to 303 miles of range, the Deepal S05 has a lot going for it.

Add to that a 7-year warranty (with a UK based parts warehouse should you need it), and excellent road manners thanks to the work of the Midlands-based engineering team, and the Changan Deepal S07 and Deepal S05 make a strong case to be at the top of any buyer’s shopping list.