Changan Deepal S07 review: loads of style, but little substance

Senior Reviews Writer Mario Christou has spent a week with the Changan Deepal S07. He loves the way it looks, but does he love anything else about it?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this job it’s that looks don’t matter, for two reasons. One: just because a car is handsome doesn’t mean it’s going to be any good. Two: styling is subjective, after all, and just because I like the Changan Deepal S07’s lines, that doesn’t mean you will.

But I really, really, wanted the Deepal S07 to be great to drive, because compared to the slew of lumpy, generically-styled SUVs hitting the roads at the moment – I think it looks absolutely brilliant. The shark-nose, sleek roofline, funky light bar at the back and simple creases down its sides are all hits, as is the metallic orange paint scheme my test car came in.

The interior is pretty slick, too. The two-tone leather, contrast stitching, lovely plush trimming all over the place, posh quilting and wide centre console all appear suitably expensive in the Changan. It’s also spacious, with a solid 510-litre boot and an impressive 125-litre front boot.

However, it doesn’t take long for the stylish mask to slip and reveal a few too many quirks, which make the car very irritating to live with. For starters, the all-in-one infotainment screen may be crisp, but it’s a bit convoluted to use with too many menus and sub-menus to sift through. The head-up display is tiny, and the revolving battery level indicator just feels like an annoying gimmick after a while.

Then you notice the small interior details, such as the weirdly thick steering wheel spokes which get in the way of your fingers and the hazard light button which feels haphazardly-placed on the car’s ceiling. I have to mention the awful, fake wood-veneer door trims, and the window switches which seem to operate in reverse to every other car on sale.

It’s fine to drive, but unremarkable. The Deepal S07 isn’t particularly comfortable around town, nor is it very refined on the motorway, which isn’t ideal for a family SUV. It may have agile steering, but quick direction changes on a twisty road invoke a lot of body lean.

The 80kWh battery (your only option) makes for a claimed 295 miles – which I managed to get close to during my time with the car – but the Changan charges at a lowly 93kW. That means it’s best suited to city life, taking almost 50 minutes to go from 10-80% at a motorway services rapid charger.

It’s a shame, because while the Changan Deepal S07 is a car I enjoyed glancing at out of the window at home – it’s not a car I enjoyed driving. At almost £40,000 it’s a pricey choice of vehicle, too. The brilliant Peugeot E-3008 comes in cheaper, with more range and with a trusted badge in its grille.

If only it were a bit better to drive, then Changan really would have the Europeans hot under the collar.

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*Savings are made up of the maximum dealer discount off RRP – subject to dealership, location and trim. Prices correct at the time of writing.