Deepal S05 REEV

First Impressions

The Deepal S05 immediately caught my attention because it's not a pure EV—it's a REEV, a range-extended electric vehicle. That matters in Thailand right now. Charging infrastructure is growing, but you still hit delays and gaps. A gas engine that silently tops up your battery when it depletes removes that anxiety entirely. I went in expecting another basic Chinese entry, but came out impressed by how refined everything feels.

Design and Exterior

The exterior is clean and unfussy. Changan's design language favors simple, purposeful lines, and the S05 wears that well. The LED front lighting is distinctive without being loud. What struck me most was the attention to detail—the door handles hide into the body, the panoramic roof with powered shade adds genuine light and space, and the proportions feel modern and balanced.

On 18-inch wheels, it has a solid stance. The gas filler sits discreetly on the left, charging port on the right. Nothing screams for attention, which in a crowded segment is actually refreshing.

Interior and Practicality

Step inside and you feel the care taken with materials. Soft-touch plastics dominate, everything has a premium feel without claiming to be leather. The center screen tilts toward the driver as you enter—a small touch that makes a real difference to visibility. Storage is genuinely impressive: I counted 29 water bottles distributed throughout the cabin before even touching the rear cargo area. Pull out the armrest steps and open those door cubbies, and you start to understand how much thought went into this.

The rear passengers get air vents, dual USB ports, and an airy panoramic roof. Headroom is generous thanks to that glazed ceiling. In the trunk, I managed to fit one small carry-on bag, one medium checked bag, and one large checked bag with all five seats occupied—no folding needed. For a weekend family trip or a business journey with luggage, this car delivers.

Technology and Controls

The infotainment system is quick and responsive, with English language support. It includes level two autonomous driving features—lane keeping, front collision warning, lane departure warning—all standard. This is typical of Chinese EVs: they pack in every available feature at this price point. The head-up display keeps your eyes on the road. Seat adjustment is automated and granular, accessible either through the physical control or a shortcut on the touchscreen.

One quirk: the window switches are inverted—push down to raise, push up to lower. It's a Chinese car convention that takes a moment to adjust to, but it's harmless.

Driving Experience

On the road, the S05 excels. The ride is genuinely soft and smooth, with light steering that encourages relaxed, comfortable driving. Acceleration is adequate without being thrilling. Everything about the tuning whispers that this car was engineered for daily commutes and highway runs, not apex hunting.

I took it to the track out of curiosity, not expectation. The extra weight from the gas engine (about 150 kg over a pure EV) compounds the soft suspension setup. You feel significant weight transfer through corners, and the rear end wants to slide if you provoke it. But here's the thing: on the road where 99 percent of buyers will drive, that soft setup is an asset. It absorbs bumps, smooths out the rough edges, and makes a two-hour drive feel effortless. The rear-wheel-drive layout does allow some tail-happy playfulness in low-grip situations, which adds a unexpected bit of character.

Value for Money

In Thailand, the Deepal S05 sits in a competitive B+ SUV EV segment alongside BYD models and other Chinese brands. What impresses me is the breadth of standard equipment—full ADAS, panoramic roof, an infotainment system that actually responds quickly, quality materials throughout, and the clever range-extended concept that removes charging infrastructure as a barrier to ownership. You're not making compromises on features to hit a price point; you're getting a genuinely well-rounded package.

Final Verdict

The Deepal S05 is not trying to be something it isn't. It won't thrill you on a circuit or turn heads as a performance statement. What it does is deliver a comfortable, practical, technology-rich family SUV that doesn't leave you anxious about battery range. If you're shopping in Thailand's growing EV segment and value comfort, space, and real-world flexibility, this deserves a serious test drive.