The S05 also came away with the full five-star rating from Euro NCAP when tested in 2025, with a particularly strong result in the adult occupant category of 94 per cent.
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Five stars |
| Adult occupant protection | 94% |
| Child occupant protection | 87% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 78% |
| Safety assist | 76% |
- Best buy: Deepal S05 Ultra PHEV Max
We’re used to cut-price Chinese car prices, so it was a bit of a surprise to see the Deepal S05 coming in at £37,995 for the RWD EV, and £39,995 for the AWD. That’s getting on for mid-spec Skoda Elroq territory.
You can pay a lot less than that, though – we’ve seen discounts of up to £8,000 via the Auto Express Buy a Car service. The plug-in hybrid meanwhile gets a lower starting price of £32,990.
There is only one specification for the Deepal S05 EV called Max, with every model coming generously equipped with that large touchscreen and head-up display. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 540-degree surround-view camera system, a built-in dashcam system, 14-speaker stereo, wireless charging pad and numerous driver-assistance systems. The only optional extras are a panoramic roof (£1,000) and a detachable tow bar (£600).
The PHEV can be specced in a slightly less well-apportioned Pro trim, which misses out on the wireless phone charger, rotating screen, heated and ventilated front seats and augmented reality head-up display. It’s an extra £2,000.
The Deepal S05’s strong pricing pitches it against some much better-rounded alternatives. You can have a Skoda Elroq SE L 85 for less, and although the standard equipment level isn’t as high on the Czech car, it drives far better than the Changan and can go much further on a full charge.
The Kia EV3 meanwhile is another much more sorted package that’s £2,000 less than a Deepal S05 in its cheapest bigger-battery form, but the price does ramp up quite quickly from there if you want more gear to better compete with the Changan’s offering. Again, though, the range is significantly better.
The Deepal S05 also has to compete with fellow Chinese cars, many of which are much more aggressive on price. The Geely EX5, for example, has a starting price that’s some £8,000 lower.
The S05 Ultra PHEV looks a bit keener on price than the EV, undercutting the cheapest Kia Sportage PHEV by about £6,000. Again, though, there are plenty of other value-focused, Chinese-made PHEVs that the S05 has to tempt people away from, including the MG HS.
The Deepal S05 has some redeeming qualities, but at this price, you can do much better. It’s not a car we strongly recommend, although there are some good deals around to offset its less-good elements.
The Deepal S05 must be serviced every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.