By Calixto Tay

Copyright asia361

So, Who (or What) is Deepal?

When Deepal first debuted locally at the Singapore Motorshow 2025, there were puzzled looks on people’s faces. The common questions came thick and fast:

“Is this an Indian brand?” (probably because the name sounds like Deepavali).

“How do you even pronounce it?”

“Is it reliable?”

And, of course: “Is the car any good?”

Let’s clear the air.

First up — no, Deepal is not Indian. It’s actually one of the many Chinese EV brands that has made its way into Singapore this year. The name “Deepal” comes from its Chinese name 深蓝汽车, which literally means “Deep Blue”. The brand was originally established under another name in 2008 by Changan Automobile — a major Chinese state-owned manufacturer — before being rebranded as Deepal in 2023.

Within Changan’s electric vehicle strategy, Deepal sits in the middle:

Changan = the budget, mass-market lineup.

Deepal = the mid-range, stylish and tech-packed brand.

Avatr = the premium luxury arm.

As for pronunciation? It’s not “deep-pal”, but “deep-ple”. File that one away before your car group chat laughs at you.

Now, about reliability. Sure, Deepal is a young brand, so long-term data isn’t out yet. But here are the facts: Deepal shot up to become one of the best-selling EV brands in China in 2024 and 2025, just a year after rebranding. And with Changan’s decades of manufacturing experience and tech know-how behind it, this isn’t some fly-by-night startup bolting batteries together in a shed.

So the last question remains: is the car any good?Well, let’s find out — starting with the Deepal S07, the first and only model currently available in Singapore.

Italian Flair with Chinese Ambition

You might be surprised to know that the Deepal S07 wasn’t styled in Chongqing or Beijing, but in Turin, Italy — the spiritual home of many automotive design legends.

The process was overseen by Bertrand Bach, Changan’s global design director, who brings more than two decades of experience penning cars for major international brands.

With the use of golden ratio, the proportions feel balanced, the stance feels planted, and the overall profile carries a distinctly sporty edge. You’ll spot angular lines running across the bodywork, giving the S07 its sharpness, but it never crosses into being overly aggressive or “fierce.” Unlike some EVs that look like they’re about to bite your ankles, the S07 strikes a nice balance between dynamic and approachable.

Then there’s the detail that will either make you smile or raise an eyebrow: the unique teardrop-shaped middle brake light. It’s a bold little flourish, positioned right at the centre of the roof spoiler, and it instantly makes the car stand out.

Ironically, it’s also given the S07 yet another unintentional association with India — first the “Deepal / Deepavali” name, now a diya lamp-style brake light. Coincidence?

Deep Comfort, All Space

Step inside the Deepal S07 and you’ll quickly realise that the fit and finish here is absolutely par for the course with the best in class, with padded surfaces everywhere, a frameless window design.

Like many Chinese EVs, there’s a huge panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with light. It feels properly modern, properly premium.

But the real highlight for me? The leather seats. My back is notoriously picky — the kind that complains loudly if a driver’s seat is even a little off. Yet in the S07, not a single grumble. The seats are supportive, plush, and genuinely comfortable, which in Singapore traffic counts for a lot.

Space is another area where the S07 impresses. At the back, you’ve got 445 litres of boot space, and yet rear passengers still enjoy generous legroom and headroom. No awkward knees-in-the-front-seat contortions here.

And then, as if that wasn’t enough, Deepal gives you a 125-litre frunk up front. Yes, you read that right — a frunk big enough to swallow one cabin-sized suitcases. In an EV coupe-SUV (sports utility vehicle), that’s rare.

The clever packaging means you don’t have to choose between hauling things and hauling people — the S07 does both comfortably. And that, in my book, is real luxury.

No detail was overlooked in the Deepal S07 — even the simple magazine holders behind the front seats feel robustly engineered, speaking of both quality and durability.

If there’s one thing the Deepal S07 doesn’t lack, it’s assistive software features. The list is extensive, complete, and surprisingly well-executed.

First up, the augmented reality HUD is well-executed, sharp, and even shows a virtual representation of the vehicle and road ahead of you. The home screen of the centre control interface is well thought out, giving you quick access to every control you actually need — no digging through endless menus just to adjust something basic.

The 360° camera is one of the sharpest I’ve seen at this price point. It doesn’t just show you the surroundings; it even displays the position and angle of the wheels, as well as the road beneath the car. Threading tight parking lots suddenly feels like a video game with cheat codes turned on.

Aircon? Fully digital and just as clever. You can precisely direct the airflow, or put it into “Swing” mode, where the vents oscillate automatically — yes, just like your aircon flaps at home.

Driving feel is equally customisable. In Customise Mode, you can independently tweak the steering weight, acceleration power, energy recuperation, and brake boost. It’s like a buffet of driving personalities, all served from the same car.

Of course, there’s also a full spread of driving assists: adaptive cruise control, speeding alerts, lane keep alerts, lane keep assist, and front and rear collision warnings. Basically, it has your back, your front, and your sides covered.

There’s even a cabin-facing camera that keeps an eye on the driver, issuing fatigue and distraction warnings if you’re nodding off or looking at your phone too much. But not everything is serious — the camera also supports gesture controls. Want to skip a song? Wave your hand. Want to take a selfie? Show a “V” sign with your fingers and the car obliges.

Plush, Not Punchy

Behind the wheel, the Deepal S07 is less about rocket ship and more about plushness. You won’t call it sporty — not in steering feel, not in handling, and definitely not in acceleration. Even with the power dialled up, the car leans towards the side of comfort and smoothness.

I don’t mean to say this car is slow though. With a single rear-wheel drive motor putting out 160 kW (215 bhp) and 320 Nm of torque, it isn’t a slouch by any stretch of imagination.

Acceleration is restrained — deliberate rather than explosive. It gets you where you need to go quickly enough, but it’s never trying to pin you into the seat like some other EVs. And honestly, that’s probably a good thing for what this car is meant to be: a comfortable, family-friendly cruiser.

One clever touch is in the regenerative braking. Even at its maximum setting, the regeneration isn’t abrupt. Instead of yanking the car to a stop like many EVs, the S07 allows it to coast a little longer before gradually applying braking force. With lesser jerky movement, passengers are far less likely to complain about the dreaded “EV car sick” effect.

It’s a very considered approach: instead of trying to be the fastest or the sportiest, the Deepal S07 focuses on being effortless and comfortable — and in daily Singapore traffic, that might just be the smarter move.

Deeper Understanding

Personally, after living with the Deepal S07, I also came away with a deeper understanding of Deepal itself. It’s not just another new Chinese EV brand with a funny name — it’s a serious player with solid engineering, clever design, and a clear focus on making EVs accessible. If this is their first showing in Singapore, I’d say the future looks bright. Or should I say, Deep Blue.

Key Figures

Experience the Deepal S07 for yourself at Deepal Singapore today.

Editor’s Note: The Deepal S07 reviewed was provided as a media review car by Deepal Singapore. This is not a sponsored post and all opinions are the writer’s own.