This electric SUV shows just how quickly Chinese cars have caught up

Not every car that comes across the Carwow reviews desk can be amazing. For every 10/10 car, there are dozens that are merely okay: perfectly adequate vehicles that do little exceptionally well, but nothing disastrously badly either.

Until quite recently, many of the Chinese cars arriving in the UK seemed to diverge from this. Instead of being average across the board, they’re excellent in some areas and awful in others. Just look at the Jaecoo 7 – it’s great value, well-equipped and has a brilliant hybrid engine – but the pure petrol option is gutless and thirsty and it’s generally pretty rubbish to drive.

But lately there have been a few models that buck that trend, and the Changan Deepal S05 is one of them. It stands out not because it’s exceptional, but because it isn’t. And that could make it a serious problem for established brands.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

With around 300 miles of electric range, a practical SUV body and a price tag of £38,000, the Changan Deepal S05 competes with cars such as the Skoda Elroq, the Kia EV3, the Ford Explorer and the Renault Scenic E-Tech. For the amount of equipment you get, it’s decent but not outstanding value.

The range in the real world is okay too, sitting between big and small-battery versions of those cars. It’s quick enough. It’s smart yet anonymous looking. So far, so ordinary.

And that’s exactly why I think it signals a real problem for legacy car makers – because it signals that the latest generation of Chinese cars, only a few years on from the awkward, lacklustre first wave, don’t need to make any apologies. The Deepal S05 is not alone. Cars such as the Jaecoo 8, Geely Starray and MG S9 increasingly match established alternatives in the areas that matter most to ordinary buyers.

That’s because most people aren’t car enthusiasts. They don’t care that a car is fun in the corners; they care that it’s safe. They’re not fussed that the interior design is particularly classy, instead they want hardwearing materials, comfy seats and easy-to-use tech.

It is also becoming obvious that many buyers are less concerned about the badge on the bonnet. Yes, brands such as BMW and Mercedes are probably safe for a while yet, as they still carry clout in the car park. But the same people who jumped ship for Kia or Hyundai back in the day won’t bat an eyelid when Changan or Chery or Aion or Xpeng turn up in a nearby showroom. They’ll see good deals on decent cars and that’ll be that.

There are a few question marks still. The cars have caught up more quickly than their ownership experience, and aftercare is an issue – MG is the longest-serving Chinese brand in the UK and it still frequently ranks at the bottom of customer satisfaction surveys.

Owners’ groups for several newer brands also contain recurring reports of slow parts supply and lengthy repair times. Not everything can scale as quickly as the sales side, it seems.

But if these brands can ramp up the quality of their owner experience as quickly as they’ve advanced the quality of their cars, then I think some legacy manufacturers are in for a shock – when they find out just how much loyalty their customers don’t have.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

Want to see the latest car content first? Add Carwow as a preferred source here. Click here to follow us on Reddit, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos. You can also subscribe to our WhatsApp channel to get the latest news sent straight to your phone.