Deepal S05 PHEV Review: Chinese Plug-In Crossover Challenges Europe

European Union leaders gathered about two years ago to find ways to protect their local automotive industry from the advancing Chinese invasion. The chosen solution was the imposition of high protective tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China to neutralize their dumping prices, which Europeans claim are based on comprehensive subsidies from the Beijing government. By late 2024, cumulative tariffs of several dozen percent were indeed imposed on Chinese electric vehicles.

In hindsight, the attempt was as effective as plugging a bursting dam with a finger. Chinese manufacturers absorbed the tariff hikes and kept prices low across most of their electric models, resulting in the overall market share of Chinese EVs shrinking only marginally, from a peak of 22% to 17%.

At the same time, the European Union was flooded with an influx of advanced, well-equipped Chinese plug-in hybrid models at rock-bottom prices, which are not subject to protective tariffs. Their share in this European segment jumped within two years from 37% to 60%, and this is likely just the beginning. Today, Europeans are trying to formulate new regulations for taxing plug-in hybrids, but it is doubtful whether this will help.

A prime example of this process is the "Deepal" brand by China's Changan, which entered Europe with two electric models and within less than a year added a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Deepal S05 family crossover, aimed at competing in the heart of the market.

Exterior Design

Externally, the PHEV is almost identical to its electric sibling sold here since 2025. It features a rounded, eye-friendly, and somewhat generic design with narrow front headlights and a massive front bumper stretching continuously up to the sloping engine hood.

The side profile lacks unusual elements, combining oversized wheel arches with respectably sized rims, hidden door handles, large glass surfaces, and a relatively low horizontal roof. The rear, equipped with a horizontal light bar and a top spoiler, also echoes many other models. What stands out are the dimensions, especially the unusually long wheelbase for this category at 2.88 meters, which places the wheels far at the corners of the body.

Interior and Ergonomics

Inside, the cabin is nearly identical to the electric model. The entry threshold is positioned at a fairly comfortable height for getting in and out, and the front seats can be positioned relatively high above the command deck to improve forward visibility, at the expense of headroom.

The front seats are wide and comfortable, and the rear seat is wide enough for three adults to stretch their legs forward freely without hitting the front seatbacks. Headroom is more constrained than in some full-sized SUVs competing in the segment, particularly in the rear. The trunk is convenient for loading and unloading, offering a useful volume of 492 liters, among the best in its category.

The command array and human-machine interface belong to the minimalist school of Tesla and its followers. There are virtually no physical buttons or stalks in the cabin, except for the gear selector, turn signal and wiper stalks on the steering column, and a few tiny control buttons on the doors and steering wheel. At least the air vents are manually adjustable.

The lack of buttons does contribute to a clean "iPhone-like" look, but requires the driver to dig through menus to operate frequent functions. The screen itself is sharp, clear, and fast-responding, even pivoting on a motorized axis toward the driver. The human-machine interface has likely undergone a software update or two compared to what we remembered from the electric version, but it still demands considerable driver attention while on the move.

Feature enthusiasts will find countless options for customisation, some of them quirky. For example, an option to broadcast pre-programmed commands to nearby drivers through an exterior speaker, including the command "Stop talking on the phone and concentrate on driving," which in Israel could easily land a driver in trouble.

Tesla-style ergonomics also mean abandoning a conventional digital instrument cluster in favor of a head-up display (in the top trim). Anyone struggling with such sophisticated technologies will have to focus their gaze on the central screen to get basic driving information.

Materials and Comfort

Materials and build quality are impressive both visually and tactually, featuring soft plastic trims and handsomely stitched artificial leather generously inlaid on the seats, dashboard, and doors. Sound insulation is successful, and upon acceleration, the gasoline engine is barely audible.

Standard equipment in the top MAX trim we tested exhibits typical Chinese generosity that could put many European, Japanese, and Korean competitors to shame. This means two ventilated electric front seats, including an electric leg rest for the passenger seat, an electric tailgate, a panoramic roof with an electric sunshade, an audio system with 14 surprisingly high-quality speakers, and a long list of additional features.

Engine and Fuel Economy

The plug-in system combines a 1.5-liter turbo-gasoline engine, an electric motor, and an 18.4 kWh battery. It boasts an impressive specification on paper that does not disappoint on the road. While a stated output of 320 horsepower creates exaggerated performance expectations that are cooled down by a modest 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 7.9 seconds, in daily conditions the vehicle responds briskly to the accelerator pedal and gains speed smoothly and quietly on all types of inclines. When the battery drops below a certain threshold, self-charging activates accompanied by a noticeable and rough sound.

When the battery is fully charged, the official electric range is about 100 kilometers. Although in practice the range shortens by about 20% when the air conditioner runs round the clock and the driver is in a rush, this is still impressive and desirable energy efficiency in an era of soaring fuel prices. Anyone diligent about regularly charging the vehicle from the home grid and avoiding aggressive acceleration will visit the gas station quite rarely. However, the battery's charging rate from the grid is rather slow compared to some competitors.

On the Road

The electric version of the car we tested a few months ago struggled to achieve the right balance between comfort, control, and body roll management under load. However, the learning curve of Chinese engineers is steep, and the PHEV features significantly faster and better steering than the electric version with decent feedback. Body roll in tight turns is well managed, and the wide tires grip tightly.

Lately, the most impressive improvement has been made in ride comfort: instead of the undulating and swaying response, the PHEV's suspension handles bumps maturely, including when passing over urban speed bumps.

Nevertheless, the dynamic department is not entirely bug-free. Brake response is sensitive and requires adaptation, and the regenerative braking system's operation is barely perceptible. The lane-keeping assist system constantly and unnecessarily annoys the driver, requiring continuous disconnection, while ground clearance is rather limited compared to some segment rivals. Clearing high curbs is still possible, but caution is required. In the city, the turning circle is large due to the exceptional wheelbase, requiring more arm work during U-turns and in parking lots.

Pricing

The Deepal S05 PHEV costs 155,000 shekels for the base version and 165,000 shekels for the highly equipped top tier. These prices reflect good value for money considering the interior space, energy efficiency, equipment, and overall refinement, but the car is entering one of the most crowded and competitive segments against well-established rivals. Will there be room for everyone in the market? Time will tell.