Deepal S05 2025 Review – International
Things are heating up in the compact SUV segment and Deepal wants a slice of the action with its S05, which arrives later in 2025The Deepal S05 is a compact SUV that’s not so compact, and it packs in the tech as part of a value pitch in the growing electric SUV segment. Due in Australia late in 2025 with sub-$50K pricing, the five-seater will initially be offered as a battery-electric vehicle but could expand to include a range-extender hybrid system. Throw in a well presented and functional interior, and it adds to the options for those chasing an affordable but practical EV.
How much does the Deepal S05 cost?
Pricing and spec are yet to be determined for the Deepal S05.
But clearly it’s going to undercut the larger S07 that went on sale here early in 2025.
That car sells from $53,900 plus on-road costs, so something south of $50,000 is absolutely on the cards.
For that you’re getting a compact SUV that’s bigger than most. At 4.6 metres long and 1.9 metres wide it is bigger than the BYD Atto 3 and Kia EV3 that compete in a similar part of the market.
Arguably the S05’s biggest competition is the just-arrived Geely EX5 that is priced from $43,490 plus on-road costs.
With any luck the S05 will get close to that.
And expect plenty of gear, too, including leather-look trim, a sunroof, digital instrument cluster and a 15.4-inch infotainment screen.
The car we drove also had a head-up display reinforcing that value equation.
The S05 is available as a single motor rear-wheel drive making 175kW or a dual motor all-wheel drive with 295kW.
There’s also a range-extender hybrid that gets a smaller battery but adds a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine to generate electricity and allow for longer drives without plugging in.
That’s the car we drove, but all three are on the wish list for Deepal in Australia.
At least one – likely both – of the EV versions will come to Australia with the range extender on the wish list but yet to be confirmed.
What’s good about the Deepal S05?
The Deepal S05 is bigger than most in the compact SUV category and that’s one of its biggest assets.
It starts with an open and airy feel created by the vast sunroof and flat floor.
That means decent foot space in the rear, which combined with generous knee room makes for an impressively functional SUV.
Adults will have little to complain about in the back and up front there’s also decent space.
The floating centre console hovers over a sizeable receptacle to take care of small bags.
The S05 is also nicely presented with above-average plastics and decent seat trim
The tech helps with the upmarket flavour, too.
Between the head-up display and big centre screen there’s plenty to play with.
That centre screen can tilt from side to side too, putting it on a better angle for the driver, if that’s what you prefer.
Our very brief drive of the range-extender EV version also suggests it’s a decent thing to drive.
There’s some nice weight and feedback in the steering and it felt nicely planted on a slippery skid pan.
In range-extender guise you should get well over 100km from a charge and then add to that with the petrol engine, taking the overall range beyond 1000km.
As a pure battery-electric vehicle, there’s a 68.8kWh battery that provides about 470km of WLTP range in rear-drive guise. The all-wheel-drive lowers that claim to about 420km.
What’s not so good about the Deepal S05?
Like the S07 that’s already in Australia, the Deepal S05 has a heavy reliance on tech that takes some getting used to.
It pays to know your way around that centre screen and spend some time setting it up.
Like the S07 you can program some of the virtual buttons at the bottom of the screen.
There are also two programmable favourites buttons on the steering wheel to make it easier to get to commonly used functions.
But we’d still like to see more fixed buttons. An easier way to recirculate the ventilation, for example, or a volume dial for the sound system.
Our brief drive also suggested performance tends towards the leisurely side.
Yes, having an e-motor do the work makes it easy to tap into, but acceleration is acceptable rather than outstanding.
On our range-extender model you also get some whirring from the engine at higher speeds as it creates electricity.
Should I buy a Deepal S05?
The Deepal S05 has the potential to be one of the more convincing sub-$50K electric SUVs.
While we don’t know the price yet, that’s key to its appeal, especially as activity heats up in the segment.
But the spacious cabin and what is shaping up to be a well-specified car makes it a competitive proposition in a market segment that’s heating up.
Of course, as with any new brand, there are unknowns regarding after-sales support and residual values.
2025 Deepal S05 at a glance:
Price: Less than $50,000
Available: Second half of 2025
Powertrain: Permanent magnet synchronous motors
Output: 175kW/320Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 68.8kWh lithium-ion LFP battery
Range: about 470km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: N/A
Safety rating: Not tested
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- Spacious cabin is more akin to a mid-sized SUV rather than a tiddler
- Spec is yet to be confirmed but like the S07 it’s looking like being generously appointed
- Easy-to-access electric propulsion and promise of decent range
- Heavy focus on tech takes some adjustment with major in-cabin controls
- Performance tends towards leisurely by EV standards
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