Deepal S05 vs. S07 in the UAE: Which Changan-Backed SUV Should You Buy?

Abu Dhabi: Chinese brand Changan Automobile has introduced the Deepal brand in the UAE to offer premium-oriented electric vehicles at relatively accessible price points. Al Tayer Motors, the brand's exclusive UAE distributor with showrooms across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, now retails the S07, introduced in early 2025, followed by the S05 just months later. Within a short period, both cars have created a buzz among buyers, with two different Deepal SUVs to choose from. Both cars share the same platform and engineering approach, are sold through the same Changan dealer network, and follow a similar technology-focused philosophy. But they are not the same car. We compare them in depth to tell you everything you need to know.

Pricing Comparison 

Feature	Deepal S05	Deepal S07
Starting Price (UAE)	AED 89,900	AED 119,900
Top Variant Price	AED 91,000 (REEV)	AED 149,900 (BEV 620 Max)
Powertrain Options	BEV / REEV	BEV / REEV
Monthly Finance	From AED 1,399	NA
Vehicle Warranty	6 years / 150,000 km	6 years / 150,000 km
Battery Warranty	8 years / 150,000 km	8 years / 150,000 km

The gap between the S05 and S07 is real and purposeful. The S05 is designed to attract buyers looking for a more accessible EV, while the S07 positions itself as a more premium offering.

City Compact vs. Highway Cruiser

This is where the two SUVs truly belong to different categories.

Dimension	Deepal S05	Deepal S07
Length	4,620 mm	4,750 mm
Width	1,900 mm	1,930 mm
Height	1,600 mm	1,625 mm
Wheelbase	2,880 mm	2,900 mm
Boot Space	492 L + 20 L frunk	510 L + 125 L frunk

The S07 is clearly bigger, and in the UAE, where school runs in Mirdif and highway drives to Abu Dhabi are weekly activities, that extra size has a real advantage. The S05's compact dimensions make it better suited for tighter parking structures in Downtown Dubai or JBR. But if you regularly seat four adults and carry luggage for a weekend in Hatta, the S07's extra cabin room and boot space will be appreciated every single time.

The S07 also gets a 125-liter frunk, which is genuinely useful for keeping charging cables, groceries, or a gym bag completely out of sight. The S05's 20-liter frunk is more of a bonus pocket than a true storage solution.

Exterior

The S05 blends aerodynamic, coupe-like styling with proportions that make it feel closer to a raised hatchback than a traditional SUV. The flush door handles, low roofline, and sharp front fascia give it an almost European feel. The S07, on the other hand, is more upright, wider, and built to project authority. Its 20-inch alloy wheels and larger stance make it look the part on Sheikh Zayed Road without trying too hard.

• Deepal S05 exterior colors: Comet White, Eclipse Black, Cosmic Yellow, Lunar Grey, Nebula Blue, Sunset Orange
• Deepal S07 exterior colors: Grey, Red, Black, White

The S07 has more conservative color choices that reflect its family-first personality. The S05, meanwhile, gets bolder color options like yellow and orange, making it clear this SUV is aimed at a younger, more expressive buyer.

Both SUVs get a panoramic sunroof. If you have ever sat in a car baking under the Dubai summer sun waiting for the AC to kick in, you will know that sunroof tinting and cabin insulation matter here more than almost anywhere else.

The Cabin

As expected from modern Chinese EVs, both SUVs are packed with features rarely seen at this price point. But there are real differences worth knowing.

Interior Feature	Deepal S05	Deepal S07
Infotainment Screen	15.4-inch	15.6-inch
AR Head-Up Display	Yes	Yes
Audio System	Premium speakers	14-speaker surround sound
Seat Ventilation	Yes	Yes
Seat Heating	Yes	Yes
Wireless Charging	Yes	Yes
Panoramic Sunroof	Yes	Yes
Camera System	540-degree	540 HD degrees
Rear Individual Screen	No	Yes
Integrated Gimbal Camera	Yes, 4K roof-mounted	Not confirmed
V2L (Vehicle to Load)	Not confirmed	Yes (optional)

The S05 gets an integrated 4K gimbal camera mounted on the roof, with 120-degree rotation and electronic stabilization. This is particularly useful for buyers who spend weekends at Jebel Jais or the Liwa dunes. It also adds something genuinely different for families documenting road trips or outdoor adventures. It is unusual for a car at this price point and gives the S05 a personality that goes beyond spec sheets.

The S07, in contrast, focuses more on passenger comfort. Its floating sound-island cabin concept, individual rear-seat touchscreens, and 14-speaker audio system with active noise cancellation create an experience that feels noticeably more premium than its asking price suggests. The S07's interior design especially benefits families who value rear passenger comfort as much as the driver's experience.

Powertrain

When it comes to EVs, range anxiety is still a real concern for UAE buyers, particularly those living in apartments in Jumeirah, Sharjah, or Al Barsha who cannot plug in at home every evening. Both cars offer a REEV option that directly addresses this concern.

Powertrain	Deepal S05 BEV	Deepal S05 REEV	Deepal S07 BEV	Deepal S07 REEV
Motor Power	175 kW (234 hp)	160 kW (215 hp)	160 kW	175 kW
Battery	56.1 kWh LFP	27 kWh LFP	80 kWh LFP	45 L fuel tank
Claimed Range	460 km	900+ km combined	475 km (WLTP)	950 km combined
DC Fast Charge	15 min (30 to 80%)	20 min (30 to 80%)	Standard fast charge	Petrol top-up
Drive Type	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive

The REEV option on both SUVs is a clever strategy for the UAE market. The 1.5-liter petrol engine primarily acts as a generator to keep the battery topped up. You still get the smooth and quiet driving feel associated with EVs while retaining the flexibility of stopping at ADNOC when needed. For buyers making regular Dubai-to-Abu Dhabi trips or weekend drives toward Al Ain, the REEV setup significantly reduces range anxiety.

The S07's long-range BEV with a claimed 475 km WLTP range is more than sufficient for most UAE buyers. Considering that the UAE's heat and constant air-conditioning use can reduce real-world EV range by roughly 15 to 20 percent, these figures remain practical for daily use.

Both BEV variants also use lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry, which generally handles sustained heat better over time compared to some other battery types.

Safety 

Safety Feature	Deepal S05	Deepal S07
NCAP Rating	Not yet confirmed	Euro NCAP 5-star
Airbags	Multiple	Front, side, curtain, far-side
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Yes	Yes
Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control	Yes	Yes
Lane Keeping Assist	Yes	Yes
Blind Spot Warning	Yes	Yes
Driver Fatigue Monitoring	Yes	Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Yes	Yes
360 Camera System	Yes (540 degrees)	Yes (540 HD)
Door Opening Warning	Yes	Yes

 

The S07 received a five-star Euro NCAP rating, which gives it particularly strong safety credentials for UAE buyers who want verified crash-test performance before signing anything. The S05 comes with a comprehensive ADAS suite, though its independent safety rating has not yet been confirmed for the UAE market. Both SUVs include advanced safety technologies that only recently began appearing in vehicles costing substantially more.

Target Buyers

The Deepal S05 is the compact, tech-heavy city SUV built for buyers who want maximum technology in a smaller footprint. The integrated 4K gimbal camera makes it genuinely unique in this segment. The REEV's combined range of over 900 km means a solo professional driving between Dubai and Sharjah daily is unlikely to worry much about charging. Its entry price and monthly payment structure also make it the easiest way into the Deepal family without compromising heavily on features.

The Deepal S07 is the family-oriented luxury cruiser. It is wider, quieter inside, and designed with rear passengers firmly in mind. The individual rear screens, 125-liter frunk, and five-star safety rating make it especially appealing for family buyers. If you regularly seat five adults, pick up relatives from Dubai Airport, or head to Fujairah for an Eid weekend, the S07 justifies its higher asking price far more clearly.

The Verdict

Both SUVs come from Changan Automobile, one of China's largest and most established automakers, and are backed in the UAE through Al Tayer Motors, a name buyers already trust through decades of presence across the country. That dealer confidence matters more than many buyers initially realize. Knowing your EV can be serviced through an established network with genuine parts availability and OTA software support changes the ownership experience considerably.

The S05 is the smarter buy if budget, city life, and cutting-edge technology are your priorities. The S07 is the better choice if you are buying a vehicle the entire family will spend long hours in and want to feel that added comfort every day. The compact electric SUV segment in the UAE has become considerably more competitive, and Deepal is quickly establishing itself as a serious player.

Also Read: Ford Territory or Nissan X-Trail? The SUV Dilemma UAE Families Face