Deepal E07

First Impressions

Walking around the E07 for the first time, I immediately understood why it feels so spacious. At 5.04 metres long and 1.99 metres wide, this thing dominates the road. The design walks a careful line between elegant SUV and practical truck, which is no small feat. Deepal could have made this look awkward, but instead they've created something that feels intentional and cohesive. The split rear design with the glass section and truck bed is the key to pulling off this unusual double life.

Exterior Design

The front end presents itself with clean lines and a sleek closed-off grille that's typical for electric vehicles. The long LED daytime running lights add sophistication without being flashy. Detail touches like the black accents below the grille and the graphic elements on the panels show Deepal wasn't lazy with the design work.

Along the side, the decorative trim running from front to rear wheel arch adds dimension, while the power-retracting door handles disappear flush when locked, a detail I genuinely appreciate. The panoramic glass roof is a standout feature, though I notice the rear turn signals use basic flashing animation rather than the fancier sequential style you see elsewhere.

The rear end is where things get interesting. That glass hatch can open alone, or you can drop the entire truck bed gate for full access, giving you flexibility you wouldn't get in a conventional SUV. The bumper treatment is practical rather than flashy, and silver badging keeps things understated.

Interior and Technology

Step inside and you're greeted by a thoughtfully laid out cabin with genuine quality touches. The orange synthetic leather on the seats and steering wheel, accented with black trim, creates a cohesive look without feeling cheap. I appreciate that they didn't try to make this feel like a truck bed – it genuinely feels like an upmarket SUV.

The 15.4-inch touchscreen is responsive and the multiple camera feeds are crystal clear when backing up or navigating tight spaces. Eighteen speakers positioned around the cabin feel generous, and the dual-zone automatic climate control means you're not locked into whatever the driver sets. The wireless phone charger at 50 watts is solid, and the storage cubbies in the centre console actually have decent depth.

Front seats offer 8-way power adjustment with memory, while rear passengers get a flat floor, which matters more than you'd think on longer drives. The back seats fold 60-40 and the rear doors open wide for easy access. One drawback: the Performance trim only comes in orange leather inside, so if you want black you'll need the base Plus model instead.

Powertrain and Specs

The Performance All-Wheel Drive variant I spent time with packs dual motors delivering 598 horsepower and 645 newton-metres of torque. That's enough to hit 100 kilometres per hour in under four seconds, which feels genuinely quick. The 89.98-kilowatt-hour battery claims 590 kilometres of range on the NEDC cycle, though I haven't had a chance to properly test real-world efficiency yet.

Charge times promise 15 minutes from 30 to 80 percent using DC fast charging, which is respectable. Both AC and DC charging are supported, and the V2L system lets you power external devices from the car itself. The air suspension on this model adjusts damping intelligently, which should translate to a smooth ride in daily driving.

Practical Considerations

Here's what matters if you're seriously considering this: the E07 genuinely solves a real problem for people who want SUV space but occasionally need truck capability. That split rear design isn't just clever marketing – it actually works. You can fold those rear seats flat and load up for a camping trip, or keep them up and use the truck bed for cargo.

The electric systems controlling everything from the rear gate to the seat adjustments are convenient until something needs fixing. There's a learning curve to how everything operates, but nothing felt overly complicated during my time with it.

Final Verdict

The E07 is an unconventional vehicle that doesn't try to be something it's not. It's not a true truck, it's not a pure SUV – it's both and neither, which is precisely the point. If you need that hybrid functionality and value thoughtful design with solid build quality, this deserves your attention. Skip it if you're after maximum truck bed space or pure SUV manners, but for the practical hybrid lifestyle it targets, it delivers genuine value.