The arrival of the Deepal S05 marks a significant shift in parent company Changan’s UK strategy. While the larger S07 served as an introductory flagship, the S05 is the car tasked with doing the heavy lifting in the highly competitive compact crossover sector. Designed in Turin and benefiting from substantial chassis development at the company’s research and development centre in Birmingham, it feels like a product tailored for European tastes.

Measuring 4.6m in length, the S05 bypasses smaller rivals such as the Kia EV3 to compete directly with the Tesla Model Y and Škoda Elroq. It is an exceptionally spacious vehicle, a fact most evident when opening the bonnet. At 159 litres, this ‘frunk’ is one of the largest in any electric car, providing genuine utility for charging cables without encroaching on the 492-litre rear boot.

On the road, the Birmingham-tuned suspension delivers a composed and quiet ride. It is set up primarily for comfort, soaking up the imperfections of British roads with a level of refinement that was occasionally missing from earlier Chinese imports. While it might lack the sharpest handling in the class, it feels predictable, even if the light steering feel prioritises ease of use over driver feedback. The rear-wheel-drive version produces 268hp, providing a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds, which is more than adequate for fleet duties.

The 68.8kWh battery supports 200kW rapid charging, allowing a 30% to 80% top-up in 15 minutes. This speed is a critical selling point for high-mileage drivers. Official WLTP range is 303 miles for the rear-wheel-drive model, sitting above the psychologically significant 300 miles threshold, but only just.

Inside, the cabin takes a cleanly executed minimalist approach. A 15.4-inch central touchscreen handles almost every vehicle function and can pivot towards the driver. There is no traditional instrument cluster; instead, a large, augmented-reality head-up display projects an image into the driver’s field of view, with speed and navigation data appearing to float on the road ahead.

While some may find the button-free cabin interface takes time to master, the system is responsive and the voice control is effective. Material quality throughout is notably good for the price point. The dashboard is finished in a combination of soft-touch surfaces and brushed metal detailing that feels more premium than the entry-level pricing might suggest. Rear passenger space is generous enough to comfortably accommodate adults on longer journeys, and the panoramic roof adds to the sense of airiness.

Changan is supporting the launch with a rapidly growing dealer network. It now has over 60 sites operational through partners such as Lookers and JCT600, having reached its year-end targets early. This expansion is necessary to combat the limited brand recognition that any new entrant faces in a mature market. Backed by a seven-year warranty, the S05 is priced from £37,990. A dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variant is also available at £39,990 for those requiring additional performance or all-weather traction.