Changan Deepal S05 320kW Max 69kWh AWD 5dr Auto

Ten Second Review

Chinese maker Changan enters the Plug-in Hybrid market with this car, the Deepal S05 PHEV. Those shopping in the segment for a lower mid-sized crossover with Plug-in Hybrid power might like to take a look.

Background

Changan's core model, the mid-sized Deepal S05, might make more sense for you in Plug-in Hybrid rather than EV form. Here, we'll take a closer look. The limited familiarity UK customers have with China's growing Changan brand is based around the company's Deepal-badged EV offerings. But to grow as quickly as it needs to in our market, the company will have to adapt, something Chinese marques have shown themselves to be very good at. The S05 EV was this manufacturer's second UK product, launched here in early 2025, a lower mid-sized crossover EV model with a platform capable of supporting different kinds of drivetrains. It's the PHEV version of it that we look at here.

Engines and Tech Spec

It's interesting that this very Chinese-style model's PHEV drivetrain was part-developed at Changan's UK R&D centre in Birmingham, so you'd think that it would be engineered to suit our stop-start bumpy road network. The S05 PHEV uses the company's latest 'Ultra Hybrid' technology, which sees a 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine paired with a permanent magnet synchronous rear-mounted electric motor, the two combined producing 254bhp. The motor is energised by an 18.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery offering an EV range of up to 62 miles. There's 320Nm of torque and 0-62mph takes 7.5s en route to 112mph. A twin motor AWD version's also offered in other markets but as yet, there's no sign of that coming here. As with the S05 EV, there's a head-up display instead of an instrument binnacle - and an area view camera system for surroundings that cuts out at 18mph. Other Chinese brands don't set the bar high in terms of ride and handling in this segment and despite the British R&D input, you shouldn't expect this S05 to match the rest of its European rivals around the twisty stuff. As usual with Chinese cars, you'll probably come away from a drive feeling that a little more work is needed on steering feel, the firm ride and the intrusiveness of the ADAS features.

Design and Build

Visually, there's very little to distinguish this S05 PHEV from its EV counterpart. At 4.6-metres long, this S05 isn't that much smaller than the brand's larger S07 model and follows Changan's preference for producing cars a little bigger than the class norm. Slim LED headlamps and flush door handles are recognisable from the larger model, but the S05 goes without its contemporary's large front bumper air intakes in favour of a smoother look. The side profile features a double waistline intended to mimic the aerodynamic silhouette of an aircraft fuselage. And the S05 rides on big 20-inch wheels. At the rear, a full-width LED taillight design derived from the shape of spacecraft wings and an illuminated Deepal logo are complemented by a high-mounted V-shaped spoiler with integrated brake light and an aero-optimised bumper diffuser. Inside, it's very nicely finished by the Thai factory - another thing that might really sell you this car. You'll have to be comfortable with buttons being banished, virtually everything located to the expected large 15.4-inch central touchscreen; not only climate control and music but things like wing mirror adjustment drive mode changes. There's no instrument screen; just a 50-inch augmented reality head-up display projected in front of the driver. It's a very practical cabin, with over 30 cubbies provided for various things. And there's simply loads of standard kit, with a 14-speaker premium sound system, ventilated front seats, a panoramic camera system and synthetic leather upholstery that looks and feels a lot nicer than the Chinese norm. The rear seat is good for two adults, but a squash for three. Out back there's a 552-litre boot (60-litres bigger than that of the S05 EV model). But in this PHEV, you have to do without the EV model's useful 159-litre under-bonnet 'frunk' compartment. In this PHEV with the rear seats folded, the luggage capacity figure rises to 1,310-litres.

Market and Model

Expect prices for this PHEV model to be very similar to those of the S05 EV, which is priced in the £38,000-£40,000 bracket. Changan Deepal launched here with 20 UK sites, with Lookers Star City in Birmingham its UK flagship centre. The brand says that a further 30 dealer sites will be added shortly nationwide, operated by well-known names like Ancaster, Parks, DM Keith and Stoneacre. You get plenty of standard kit for the asking price, including 20-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, power-folding mirrors, powered door handles and a heated windscreen. Inside, there's a 50-inch projected head-up display with augmented reality navigation, a 50W wireless 'phone charger, 64-colour dynamic ambient lighting, vegan upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, powered front seat adjustment and a 540-degree surround-view camera system. Media stuff's taken care of by a 15.4-inch central screen with wireless 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' and a premium 14-speaker audio system. A Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function allows the Deepal S05 to supply power to external devices. Unlike most of its rivals, Changan doesn't ask any more for paint choice - there's five metallic colours to choose from. And two interior colour themes - black or orange. There are only two main options, a big 1.9m2 panoramic glass roof (another £1,000) or a tow bar (which is £600). Safety, Changan says, was a vital cornerstone of the Deepal S05's development. The vehicle has been awarded the highest possible, five-star Euro NCAP rating, scoring particularly highly for adult and child occupant protection. As standard, it is equipped with 17 intelligent driver assistance systems, enabling Level 2 autonomous driving, supported by a network of cameras, radars and ultrasonic sensors.

Cost of Ownership

This S05 PHEV model's electric motor is powered by an 18.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which can be charged at up to 11kW AC. Using a more common single-phase 7.4kW home wallbox, a full charge would take just under 3 hours. You could reduce that by an hour if you had an 11kW wallbox with a three-phase supply. This S05 also supports DC fast charging at up to 55kW (which is unusually fast for a Plug-in Hybrid). A 30-80% DC charge would take around 35 minutes. A full DC charge would take just under an hour. You want peace of mind if you're buying into an unknown brand and Changan Deepal provides it with an impressive seven year / 100,000 mile warranty. Even the battery warranty is better than the class norm, at eight years / 124,000 miles. Expect to pay more for insurance than with rivals. Servicing intervals are every year or 12,427 miles (20,000km), depending on which comes first. Changan reckons this car will offer 'best-in-class' residual values; that's a brave prediction for an unknown Chinese brand - we'll have to wait and see.

Summary

Like every other brand selling PHEVs here, Changan says it's doing so because 'drivers shouldn't have to compromise when looking to drive electric'. But what the S05 PHEV is really here for is to broaden the company's market share - and it should certainly do that. There's nothing here that's class-leading or particularly stand-out. Various VW Group products will go further than this Deepal model on a single charge; but with equivalent spec they cost more. Changan instead here has concentrated on matching the PHEV technology from its Chinese rivals and from the other main European conglomerate, Stellantis. Which it's done at the same time as delivering an arguably better all-round value proposition. If you're looking for a lower mid-sized family Plug-in Hybrid crossover, you might find the end result difficult to ignore.