Deepal S07 vs S05: New Energy SUVs From China: Which One Should You Bet On?

Abu Dhabi: Over the last few years, the Chinese auto brands are highly visible across the UAE. Their growing sales is a clear indication of presence, you can walk into any mall parking lot and you'll spot BYD, Geely, Chery, and a dozen others. They're selling well because they offer features and tech that cost double on Japanese or European brands. Deepal is the latest name joining an already crowded market, and it offers electric vehicle options.

What exactly is Deepal? It is part of Changan, one of China's oldest and biggest automakers. Changan has been around for decades and sells millions of cars globally. They're not some startup experimenting with EVs. Deepal is their premium sub-brand focused entirely on electrification.

The brand entered the UAE in mid 2025 with two SUVs, the Deepal S05 and S07. Both are available as pure electric vehicles or as extended-range electric vehicles (EREV). The EREV version has a small petrol engine that works as a generator, giving you electric driving with a safety net for longer trips. It's a smart and practical solution for buyers worried about charging stations or planning desert road trips.

The S05 starts at AED 89,900 and the S07 begins at AED 119,900. The S05 is a compact five-seater aimed at city drivers, young professionals, or small families. The Deepal S07 is a proper mid-size SUV targeted at large families who prefer space and flexibility. Both come loaded with tech, screens, and features that make them competitive against established brands costing significantly more. This is one big positive of the Chinese brands, and they are attracting cost conscious buyers. Are you looking for an affordable SUV, and open for an EV, then these two are quite an option. We compare them right here to help you with all the key details. 

Market Position

The S05 entered the UAE market in mid-2025 as Deepal's compact SUV segment, which frankly is quite crowded right now. It's a five-seater SUV with sharp styling that doesn't look like every other Chinese crossover. The S05 is primarily available as an all-electric vehicle or an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine acting as a range extender. The S05 competes with models like the BYD Sealion 6, Geely Galaxy L6, and even some traditional petrol SUVs in the AED 90,000-110,000 price range.

The S07 which was launched nearly at the same time is a slightly bigger SUV but in the same category more or less, but considered as a flagship for the brand.  The S07 uses the same 1.5-litre petrol engine in its EREV variants but features more powerful electric motor setups. Deepal is targeting buyers who would consider a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, or even the BYD Seal. The S07 pricing is where the real fun is, it undercut established hybrids while offering more features and slightly better electric range.

What stands out about both SUVs is the tech, again where the Chinese brands score a lot browny points.  Don’t think these aren't stripped-down economy models. The interiors have large screens, digital clusters, and driver assistance features you generally find in costly models. But the question remains whether buyers will trust a new brand enough to make the switch. Chinese brands have gained ground in the UAE, but Deepal is still building its reputation from scratch.

Price Comparison

The price gap is smaller than expected, which tells you these SUVs are closely positioned. The S05 is the more affordable entry point, but the S07 isn't priced dramatically higher despite being bigger and more powerful.

Price (AED)	Deepal S05 BEV	Deepal S05 REEV	Deepal S07 REEV 200 Max	Deepal S07 BEV 620 Max
Lower Range	89,900	91,000	1,19,900	1,49,900
Upper Range	91,000	94,500	1,20,000	1,51,000

The S05's pricing puts it in direct competition with petrol SUVs that offer no electrification. You could get a base Nissan Qashqai or Mazda CX-5 in the same range, but without the fuel savings or electric driving experience.

The S07's pricing is interesting because the top variant jumps to a larger battery with 200 km of electric range. That's a significant upgrade for buyers who rarely want to use petrol. Both SUVs come with standard warranties covering the battery and the powertrain. Service costs should be reasonable given Chang'an's established network, and parts availability is improving as the brand expands across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

Dimension Comparison

The S05 measures 4,620mm long, 1,900mm wide, and 1,600mm tall. That's compact crossover territory, similar to a Mazda CX-5 or Honda CR-V. The S07 is bigger at 4,750mm long, 1,930mm wide, and 1,655mm tall. That extra length accommodates more cargo space.

Ground clearance is 150mm for the S05 and 180mm for the S07. Neither is built for serious off-roading, but they'll handle broken roads and light trails without scraping. The wheelbase is 2,880mm for the S05 and 2,900mm for the S07, which helps with interior space and ride comfort.

The S05 offers 552 litres of boot space with the rear seats up. That's solid for a compact SUV and beats many competitors. The S07 provides 320 litres behind the third row when all seats are up, but fold the third row and you get 750 litres. Fold everything and you're looking at over 1,500 litres, not a bad place to haul large cargo of bags or even if you’re shipping house. 

Dimension	S05	S07
Length	4,620mm	4,750mm
Width	1,900mm	1,930mm
Height	1,600mm	1,625mm
Wheelbase	2,880mm	2,900mm
Ground Clearance	150mm	165mm
Boot Space	552L	320L (7-seat)
Seating	5	5
Fuel Tank	40L	45L

Powertrain Comparison

The S05 comes in two versions. The pure electric BEV runs on a single rear motor producing 175 kW (238 hp) with a 56.12 kWh battery. The EREV variant comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine as a range extender, not a traditional hybrid. The EREV makes around 215 hp combined and uses a smaller 27.28 kWh battery. You get 160-200 km of pure electric range, then the petrol engine kicks in to extend total range beyond 900 km. This dual offering gives buyers flexibility based on their charging situation.

The S07 offers more configurations. Pure EV versions have motors producing either 218 hp or 258 hp, depending on trim. The EREV version uses the same 1.5-litre petrol generator but delivers 234 hp and 320 Nm torque. It has a 31.74 kWh battery with 160 km electric range. The full EV version uses a massive 79.97 kWh battery, giving you 475-620 km range depending on specification.

As far as the charging times go, it all depends on your configuration. Let's say, a regular 220V outlet takes 8-10 hours. A proper 7 kW wall can bring it down to about 2-4 hours. A DC fast charger gets you from 30% to 80% in just 15-35 minutes, perfect for highway stops. Both SUVs use a single-speed automatic transmission for smooth electric driving. The EREV system seamlessly manages the switch when the petrol generator starts working.

Specification	Deepal S05	Deepal S07
Powertrain	Single rear electric motor	EV: Single electric motor; EREV: Electric motor + 1.5L petrol range extender
Motor Power	175 kW (238 hp)	EV: 218 hp or 258 hp; EREV: 238 hp + 95 hp petrol engine
Battery Capacity	56.12 kWh LFP battery	EV: Up to 79.97 kWh; EREV smaller pack options
Driving Range (CLTC)	Around 510 km	EV: 520 - 620 km; EREV: Up to 200 km electric range
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	7.3 seconds	6.7 seconds
Drivetrain	Rear-wheel drive (RWD)	RWD or AWD depending on variant
Top Speed	180 km/h	Not specified
Charging	Fast DC charge; 30-80% in 15 min (Deepal S05)	DC fast charge 30-80% in about 35 min; Vehicle to Load (V2L) function available on S07
Advanced Driver Assistance	Yes, multiple sensors and ADAS systems	L2+ ADAS including lane keeping, adaptive cruise, emergency braking

Features Comparison

Exterior

It is noticeable that both the SUVs follow a similar design language, where you find clean lines and subtle finesse. The S05 has a sportier look with a sloping roofline and a little bolder front. The LED headlights are slim with integrated DRLs. The grille is body-colored since there's less need for cooling compared to traditional petrol cars. The flush door handles give a modern, appealing feel.

The S07 takes a more traditional SUV approach with an upright stance and larger proportions. The LED lighting is similar but with a different signature, to make them look different in some ways. Both SUVs come without chrome overload, using body-colored and black accents instead, is what you see. 

Feature	S05	S07
Headlights	LED slim design	LED with DRLs
Tail Lights	LED 3D	LED connected design
Design Language	Sporty coupe-SUV	Traditional SUV
Grille	Closed panel	Active grille
Wheels	18-inch alloy	20-inch alloy
Door Handles	Flush design	Flush design

Interior

The S05's cabin feels premium even if the prices are modest. One thing you don’t miss is the huge, 15.6-inch central touchscreen that rotates between portrait and landscape modes. The base variant gets fabric seats, but some variants have leather upholstery. The digital instrument cluster is a 10.25-inch unit. The panoramic sunroof is standard across all variants, letting in plenty of light, most SUVs do not have them, so there you won’t miss them either. 

The S07's interior steps up with more space and refinement. The same 15.6-inch rotating screen is also here, but the digital cluster is 12.3-inch bigger. In the mid variants you get leather seats, with power adjustment and ventilation. The cabin has other features like ambient lighting, though not as many colors as premium brands. For your audio and entertainment needs, there is a 14-speaker sound system on the top trim.

Some standard features on both the SUVs are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is surprisingly not standard on all Chinese brands yet. Wireless charging is available on upper trims. The S05 gets automatic climate control. The S07 adds three-zone climate control, useful when you have passengers in all three rows.

Feature	S05	S07
Screen Size	15.6 inches (rotating)	15.6 inches (rotating)
Instrument Cluster	10.25 inches	12.3 inches
Seats	Fabric / Leather	Leather (upper trims)
Sunroof	Panoramic	Panoramic
Climate Control	Automatic	Three-zone automatic
Speakers	8-speaker system	14-speaker (top trim)
Connectivity	Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto	Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto
Wireless Charging	Mid/Top trims	Mid/Top trims

Safety

Safety isn’t compromised, and you get both SUVs with comprehensive safety features. The S05 has ABS, ESC, traction control, and six airbags. There's a 360-degree camera system on top trims, which helps with parking in tight spots. You also get blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard.

The S07 matches the S05 on most safety features but additionally has adaptive cruise control on the top trim. Also, lane-keeping assist is available, along with blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. Both SUVs get ISOFIX points for child seats and tyre pressure monitoring systems.

Feature	S05	S07
Airbags	6	6
ABS/ESC	Standard	Standard
Camera System	360° (upper trims)	360° (upper trims)
ADAS Features	Blind spot, lane departure, AEB	Full suite on top trim
Parking Assist	Rear camera + sensors	Rear camera + sensors
ISOFIX	Standard	Standard
TPMS	Standard	Standard

What Works in the UAE

There is no big difficulty in knowing what both SUVs stand for. They are certainly capable of handling the basics that matter for buyers of this segment. Like, for example, the air conditioning is strong and cools the cabin quickly, necessary when faced with summer temperatures above 45 degrees. The interiors use materials that don't absorb too much heat, though you'll still want a sunshade for the windscreen.

The electric range is practically useful for daily driving across our cities and towns. Most car owners in Dubai or Abu Dhabi cover less than 80 km per day (on average), which means you can drive entirely on electricity if you charge nightly. The petrol engine provides backup for longer trips to Ras Al Khaimah or Al Ain without range anxiety, which is an added advantage. 

Now, on the service and support, Deepal is new, and in the process of building its dealer network across major cities. Right now, service centres are available in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, with expansion plans to other parts of the country. The brand is backed by Changan, which has been in the UAE for years, so parts availability should improve over time. Overall, not a completely new territory that you’re entering as far as your ownership is concerned. 

Which One Should You Buy?

Since both these SUVs are targeted at two unique sets of buyers. The choice boils down to certain key tasks. The S05 is a good pick if you're looking for a compact-sized but capable SUV for your everyday city driving requirements. Because it is smaller and so helps you park rather easily without much of a hassle. Your running costs will also be lower if you charge regularly. The 125 km electric range covers most daily distances. The sporty exterior look appeals to younger SUV buyers or smaller families, with a practical boot space. 

The S07 is perfect for buyers who need more space. If you have a growing family or regularly carry more than five people, the optional third row is genuinely useful. The extra power on the top trim makes a difference on highways, especially when fully loaded. The 200 km electric range on the flagship variant means you can go days without using petrol.

If your budget can go a little up, the S07 top trim is the better value. You get the larger battery, more power, and the flexibility of seven seats. But if you're mainly driving solo or with one passenger, the S05 saves you money upfront and offers similar efficiency.

Conclusion

Today more than ever, Chinese brands are becoming ubiquitous across the UAE. They aren’t a novelty anymore. Some of them are more prominent than others who have arrived late. Deepal is one among the later entrants, but aims to take big shots at the 

competition. It's both SUVs, the S05 and S07 tick the right boxes for buyers looking to transition into electrification without giving up the convenience of a petrol engine.

What you’re getting is the latest tech, with all the features, at a very reasonable price. The decision comes down to your space needs and budget. A compact five-seater for daily city commute or a slightly bigger SUV with extended electric range. With regards to the features, they share almost all of them with a few exceptions. So you're hardly missing anything on that aspect.