Deepal S07

• You get two engine choices; the first one is BEV, which has a 160 kW (218 hp) electric motor that churns out a massive 320 Nm of torque. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. The EREV has a 175 kW (238 hp) electric motor plus a 1.5L petrol engine that makes 70 kW (95 hp). The petrol engine charges the battery when needed.
• The BEV goes up to 620 km on one charge with its 79.97 kWh battery. That's enough for most weekly driving. The EREV does 215 km on electric alone, then up to 950 km total when you use the petrol engine. This model addresses the range of worries and issues that you might have.
• There is the fast charging option available, which needs just 15 minutes to take the battery from 30% to 80%. That's like a break for coffee, and you are ready for a long drive, and it does that using 18.6 kWh per 100 km. The EREV uses 4.95 L per 100 km when running on petrol.
• Rear-wheel drive with one motor gives better weight distribution. The wheelbase is 2,900 mm, so it's stable on highways. Ground clearance is 165 mm, suitable for cities and speed bumps.
• Top speed is 180 km/h. Electric power gives you instant acceleration with no noise. The fun part is you don’t have to deal with regular transmission with just a single speed for smooth power delivery.

Some compromises:

• The BEV version has to be changed, and you must have a charging station nearby. Saudi Arabia is still building its charging network, so plan your routes.
• Rear-wheel drive is not as capable as all-wheel drive in sand. The front trunk has 125 L of space but no light inside

• On your speedy highway drive, the suspension does a great job because of its tuning and handles bumps well. Active noise cancellation keeps it quiet. Long drives feel relaxed with no engine vibration.
• Electric power responds instantly when you press the accelerator. No gear changes. No turbo lag. Regenerative braking adjusts to save energy and can be set stronger or lighter. You can almost drive with one pedal in city traffic.
• Huawei's Qiankun Smart Driving system uses AI cameras. It assists lane changes, avoids obstacles, and parks itself in vertical, parallel, or diagonal spots. You just press a button and watch.
• The 360-degree camera has sensors (60 cm front, 150 cm rear) that help with parking, especially when you are dealing with tight spots.
• It is offered with seven airbags to protect everyone, including the driver's far side.
• This SUV is perfect for the city, as the size is quite suitable to navigate even crowded roads and narrow lanes. In cities, the size is easy to handle.

Things to know:

• Some of you might feel that due to the sloping roof, the headroom is lower in the back row. But mostly tall passengers will notice.
• The electric tailgate is slow and beeps constantly. No hands-free opening.
• Driver monitoring gets annoying when you adjust climate controls because it thinks you're distracted. Speed warnings and lane alerts need getting used to.

No storage under the boot floor. The bag hooks don't hold shopping bags in place properly.

• The seats are microfibre leather with electric heating and cooling. The driver's seat adjusts 6 ways with electric lumbar support. The materials feel expensive everywhere you touch and also durable too, which means they are good for Saudi weather.
• The floating sound island design with DEEPAL speakers looks like a yacht interior. Frameless mirrors and hidden door handles add style and reduce wind noise.
• The 15.6-inch touchscreen runs HarmonyOS on Snapdragon 8155 chips, so it's quick. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work wirelessly. Voice control understands natural commands.
• The 12.3-inch AR head-up display shows navigation and speed on the windscreen. It looks like the information is floating on the road ahead. You keep your eyes forward instead of looking down.
• The panoramic sunroof has an electric shade. Dual-zone climate control keeps the driver and passenger comfortable. Touch controls in the rear let back passengers adjust their vents.
• Sony's 14-speaker system sounds amazing with active noise cancellation. The cabin stays quiet even at highway speeds. Wireless charging works with compatible phones, and USB ports are everywhere.
• Five seats with a flat floor means no hump in the middle. There is ample legroom at the back, despite the sloping roof. The boot size is 445 litres plus 125 litres in the frunk for charging cables.
• The dimensions are 4,750 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,625 mm tall. Good balance between style and space.

You get premium features for the price.

• Seven airbags protect everyone (front, side, curtain, and driver's far side). Euro NCAP gave it 5 stars with impressive scores: 95% adult protection, 87% child protection, 74% vulnerable road users, and 77% safety assist. That's better than many European SUVs.
• Electronic Stability Control keeps you stable in corners. Traction control stops wheel spin. Good brakes work in all conditions. Child locks, ISOFIX points for child seats, and doors that unlock automatically if there's a crash.
• Huawei's Qiankun system is greatly helpful, especially on the highways. It assists lane changes by checking your blind spots, avoids obstacles in your path, and the parking assistance works smoothly.
• A 360-degree camera offers a complete view around the car, and the smart sensors work well in measuring distances precisely. An auto-dimming mirror stops headlights from blinding you at night. Front sensors detect objects 60 cm away; rear sensors see 150 cm.
• The car reads speed limit signs and road signs, including school zones. You can program the steering wheel buttons for the functions you use most. This makes it safer because you keep your hands on the wheel.

What to watch out for:

• Service Network: Deepal is new in Saudi Arabia through Almajdouie Motors. The service network is smaller than Toyota or Hyundai. Check where the nearest service centre is before buying.
• Driver Assistance: Huawei's system is advanced but needs practice. Some warnings can be too sensitive. You still need to watch the road always. It's not fully self-driving.
• Battery Warranty: Eight years on the battery is good coverage. But we don't know yet how batteries last in Saudi summer heat. Fast charging works great when you find compatible chargers.