Changan is one of China’s oldest car manufacturers. (Changan)
Chinese car manufacturers are swarming Britain’s new car market with their ultra-low price tags, up-to-date technology and premium-feeling cabins.
One of the latest brands to arrive here in the UK is Changan. You may have never heard of the company, but Changan is one of China’s longest-serving car manufacturers, having begun building passenger vehicles in 1984.
Changan launched its first model on our shores last year, and now, it’s expanding further with the arrival of the Deepal S05 – a midsize SUV that is built to rival the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq.
Updates
The S05 can now be ordered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. (Changan)
The Deepal S05 was initially launched with an electric powertrain, but the brand has seen a gap in the market and has introduced a new plug-in hybrid variant.
With the option of a new PHEV setup, it gives customers more choice and flexibility when it comes to choosing the right S05 for them.
Externally, the recipe remains the same as the EV model, with its aircraft-inspired styling. The cabin is also unchanged, featuring a choice of black or orange interior upholstery and a tilting 15.4-inch infotainment screen that comes as standard on the range-topping Max model.
Engines and transmissions
The plug-in hybrid setup can take the car a claimed 62 miles on electric power. (Changan)
Under the bonnet, there is now a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor and 18.4kWh battery pack.
The whole unit develops a combined power output of 255bhp and 300Nm of torque, while 60mph comes round in 7.7 seconds and the car has a top speed of 112mph.
Changan claims the car has an electric-only range of up to 62 miles, while it can return 139mpg; however, that figure needs to be taken lightly when it comes to real-world driving.
The onboard battery pack also supports DC rapid charging, which enables a 30 to 80 per cent charge to be completed in as little as 15 minutes.
Behind the wheel
The engine is whisper-quiet at any speed. (Cameron Richards)
The first thing that stands out about this plug-in hybrid model is how quiet the petrol engine is.
Whether you’re driving in town or on the motorway, the whisper-quiet powertrain could easily make you think you’re driving an EV. There’s a dedicated ‘EV’ button, which allows the car to run purely on battery power, while a ‘Hybrid Auto’ function enables the petrol engine and electric motor to work together, with the engine acting as an onboard generator to maintain the battery’s charge level.
In terms of handling, the Changan has nicely weighted steering, and there are several drive modes which can further alter the car’s characteristics. Push into a corner and the car starts to understeer with limited traction from the front wheels. However, body lean is kept in check, with little rolling and pitching.
Around town, the car is smooth, refined and composed, with the suspension dealing with undulations with ease. Unfortunately, the narrow rear window and thick B-pillar design mean that pulling out of side turnings can be tricky, with a large blind spot impairing visibility. Thankfully, the standard 360-degree camera helps out here.
Styling
The design is identical to the electric model. (Cameron Richards)
In terms of design, the plug-in hybrid variant looks identical to the electric model, which is neither good nor bad.
Changan likes to boast that the car was designed in Turin, Italy, and features lots of aircraft-inspired styling cues, with the front bumper and headlights styled to look like the wings of an aeroplane. Other design touches include frameless window surrounds, a full-width rear LED lightbar, V-shaped spoiler and arrow-shaped taillights.
The Deepal S05’s silhouette isn’t going to set the world alight, yet it doesn’t do anything radical or game-changing when it comes to appearance.
Interior and practicality
The cabin is very minimalist. (Cameron Richards)
Stepping inside is a pleasant surprise, as all of the materials feel high quality and premium.
Our test car is fitted with the black Vegan leather upholstery, although you can opt for an orange colour scheme, which really brightens up the cabin.
Sadly, the Changan follows in the footsteps of many other Chinese cars in this class by being very touchscreen-focused, with few physical buttons which can make operating even the climate control difficult while on the move.
Our top-of-the-range Max test car comes with a tilting 15.4-inch touchscreen that can angle itself directly towards the driver, although this does seem like a gimmick.
At least storage is good throughout, with the car boasting a large centre console storage cut-out, an extremely deep centre armrest compartment, a 50W wireless smartphone charger, two cup holders and large door bins. It’s just a shame there’s no traditional glove box.
Space in the back is more than acceptable for two average-sized adults, while the flat floor creates more footroom. The back seats are complemented further by a centre armrest with additional cup holders and large door bins in the rear doors.
There is a total of 552 litres with the rear seats upright – that’s just six litres off the pace of a Hyundai Tucson PHEV, but 127 litres more than a BYD Seal U. Fold the standard 60:40 split-folding back seats down, and that space increases to 1,310 litres.
Unlike the electric model, the plug-in hybrid variant loses the handy frunk under the bonnet, but there is a huge 60-litre underfloor storage area that makes up for it.
Prices and trim levels
There are two trim levels to choose from. (Changan)
The S05 comes with plenty of standard kit for the money, and customers can choose from two trim levels.
Pro (£32,990): The entry-level Pro comes with features such as a 15.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree surround camera, an eight-speaker audio system, adaptive cruise control and electrically adjustable front seats.
Max (£34,990): The range-topping Max costs £2,000 more than the Pro variant, boasting a tilted 15.4-inch touchscreen display, a heated steering wheel, a 14-speaker sound system, a 50W wireless smartphone charger, and heated and ventilated front seats.
Compared to its rivals, the Changan is £3,690 cheaper than a Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid and £2,000 less than a BYD Seal U. Plus, every Deepal S05 comes with a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, along with an eight-year, 124,000-mile warranty on the car’s battery.
Verdict
The Changan Deepal S05 PHEV isn’t a very exciting car, despite its aircraft-inspired styling.
However, look beneath its rather bland exterior, and you’ll find a very capable, easy-to-live-with C-segment plug-in hybrid SUV that is refined, comfortable, efficient and quiet.
It might lack the pedigree or familiarity of some of its key European rivals, but as an overall package, this new plug-in hybrid variant of Changan’s smallest model is definitely worth considering.
RATING: ★ ★ ★ ½ ☆
Pros:
Pleasant to drive
Good value for money
Refined and ultra-quiet powertrain
Impressive amount of interior space and storage
Cons:
Bland exterior design
Poor side and rear visibility
Lack of physical buttons
Not the most interesting or exciting alternative
FACTS & FIGURES
Model we’ve tested: Changan Deepal S05 Max PHEV
Price of test car: £34,990
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol with electric motor and 18.4kWh battery
Power: 255bhp
Torque: 320Nm
0-60mph: 7.7 seconds
Top speed: 112mph
MPG: 139mpg
CO2 emissions: 47g/km
Electric-only range: 62 miles
