Newcomer Chinese EV brand Deepal sizes up Tesla, BYD, Zeekr and Xpeng

The electric SUV market is about to get busier with Deepal confirming its Australian launch within weeks.

But while the first Deepal model to come to Australia, the S07 electric SUV, is sharply priced overseas, local importer Inchcape says it won’t be the cheapest electric SUV in the market.

The fledgling brand from Chinese giant Changan this month hosted a launch party at Bondi Beach to herald the imminent arrival of the new S07 mid-sized electric SUV.

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Executives from state-owned Changan Automobile and counterparts from local importer Inchcape – which also looks after Subaru and Peugeot – showcased the S07 that will go head-to-head with the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV5 and upcoming BYD Sealion 7, Zeekr X and Xpeng G6.

Like so many Chinese brands, Deepal is largely unknown in Australia, in part because it only emerged in China in 2022.

The name denotes deep blue and “signifies the endless possibilities that lie at the depths of the ocean and the universe”, according to Mr Shen Xinghua, the CEO of Changan Automobile for the Asia Pacific region.

The S07 is easier to get your head around.

It’s a mid-sized SUV about the size of a Toyota RAV4, one of the cars it will in some way be competing with.

But its more direct electric combatants include the top-selling Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and a raft of newcomers from mostly unheard of brands.

Local Deepal general manager Cormac Cafolla says the brand is “more than just vehicles” and that it will deliver “a really good value proposition”.

The one piece of the value equation we’re yet to learn about is pricing.

Mr Cafolla warns that the S07 may not be the bargain some are hoping for.

“We’re not aiming to be the cheapest, we want to offer that value proposition that we feel is right for the Australian consumer,” he says.

It’s getting busy around the $60K mark for electric SUVs – the Tesla Model Y sells from $55,900 plus on-road costs – and anything above that price tends to sell in a trickle rather than a rush.

The only hint is that the Deepal S07 sells for less than the Tesla overseas, suggesting a sub-$50K price point could be possible.

And for that you can expect a long list of standard equipment in the S07.

That includes synthetic leather with orange stitching, heated and ventilated front seats (with memory function for the driver), dual-zone ventilation, heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof with electric closing shade, inbuilt dashcam, smart key entry, 14-speaker Sony sound system, power tailgate and wireless phone charger with ventilation.

There’s also an augmented reality head-up display and a 15.6-inch central infotainment screen that can tilt towards the driver or passenger.

Safety systems include autonomous braking in forward or reverse, blind spot warning, side exit warning, speed sign recognition, lane keep assist and lane change assist.

The S07 is powered by a 160kW/320Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels.

It’s claimed to hit 100km/h in 7.9 seconds and has a 79.97kWh battery (bigger than most rivals) with 475km of WLTP range.

The standard wheels are 19-inch alloys or you can option 20s. There’s also a choice of seven metallic colours: white, grey, black, green, blue, yellow and orange.

Deepal will support its cars with a seven-year, 160,000km warranty as well as a separate eight-year, 240,000km warranty on the high voltage battery.

The S07 is only the start of the Deepal journey locally.

“Over the next three years we plan to introduce at least nine high quality BEVs around the world,” says Mr Shen Xinghua.

A selection of concept cars were on display at the Australian launch.

They included a Tesla Cybertruck-inspired fastback-style ute and an adventurous looking off-roader.

Cafolla says that all are under consideration for Australia but that “we have to make sure that they’re fit and right for the Australian market”.

“We’re exploring and we’re talking to our Chinese team about all of the vehicles here tonight and how we bring them to Australia.”