By Sbu Mkwanazi

Another week, and another Chinese electric vehicle lands in our garage, and this one arrived with serious main-character energy. Meet the rear-wheel-drive Changan Deepal S07. On paper, it is already speaking our language: a single electric motor pushing out 160kW and 320Nm, good for a claimed 0 to 100km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds. That is quick enough to keep things interesting at the robots without pretending to be a track weapon.

And yes, before you ask, range anxiety. South Africans love asking about range the way we ask about fuel consumption. The S07 packs an 80kWh battery with a claimed 500km range. In the real world, expect around 480km, depending on how heavy your right foot is and how much you enjoy showing off that instant torque. For most daily commutes, school runs and even the occasional Joburg to Durban stretch with a charging stop, it is more than usable.

But what truly excites you before even pressing the start button is the styling. Designed in an Italian studio, the S07 does not look like a budget experiment. It looks deliberate. The “crystal sculpture” LED light signature at the front and rear gives it a futuristic glow, especially at night. Mama mia indeed. The coupe-style silhouette, flush door handles and bold 20-inch alloy wheels give it proper presence. At R995,900, it has to look premium, and thankfully, it does.

Inside, the Deepal continues the flex. The cabin is minimalist but tech-rich, centred around a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen that can switch between landscape and portrait modes. It is crisp, responsive and basically runs the show. Almost everything lives in there. The 14-speaker sound system delivers impressive clarity and, with the panoramic sunroof flooding the cabin with light, it feels airy and modern. There is also an electrically operated boot offering 445 litres of space, which is perfectly practical for a family SUV in this segment.

On the road, the S07 feels composed and confident. Being rear-wheel drive, it has a natural balance to it. Acceleration is smooth and immediate. That is the beauty of electric torque. Overtaking is effortless, and highway cruising is quiet and refined. It is not a corner-carving sports SUV, but it is stable, comfortable and more than capable for everyday South African driving conditions.

Where the Deepal really differentiates itself, though, is in its playful extras. Electric vehicles are no longer rare on our roads, so manufacturers are fighting for attention, and Changan clearly understood the assignment.

The integrated dash cam is a practical win. No more scrambling for witness statements after a close call, you have your own footage ready to go. It is one of those features you hope you never need, but you are glad it is there.

Then there is gesture recognition. Yes, you can literally mute the infotainment system by placing a single finger in front of your lips. It sounds gimmicky, but it works, and it is a cool party trick when showing friends the car.

Speaking of parties, the external speaker feature is easily one of the most unexpected additions. When stationary, the S07 can play music outside the vehicle, complete with lighting effects synced to the beat. Imagine pulling up at a picnic spot, switching on your favourite AmaPiano track and letting the SUV set the vibe. It is unnecessary. It is playful. And it is exactly the kind of feature that makes this car memorable.

At R995,900, the Deepal S07 enters a competitive premium EV space. But you would not buy it only for the respectable 480km real-world range, the 160kW and 320Nm output, or the long list of standard features. You would buy it because it brings personality to the segment. It is tech-forward, a little cheeky and unapologetically modern.

The S07 is not just trying to move you from A to B. It is trying to entertain you along the way. And in a growing sea of electric SUVs, that might just be its biggest advantage.