Peter Lyon
March 30, 2025
For SUV fans looking for one of the best-looking crossovers to come out of China, Deepal has just officially confirmed that its S05 electric SUV will make a Malaysian premiere this year. However, it must first grace the stage at the 46th Bangkok International Motor Show 2025 (BIMS 2025), where it is presently on display with a plethora of Chinese EVs, before it can call Malaysia home.
The Deepal S05 measures 4,620 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,600 mm in height making it larger than the BYD Atto 3 and around the same size as the Geely Galaxy EX5 and Proton eMAS 7.
Put the exterior under a fine tooth comb and you’ll notice that it looks rather similar to the Porsche Macan EV, including the headlights, profile, rake, and even the rear taillights.
In Thailand, the S05 comes in three distinct trim levels and is available as an EV or range-extender EV (REEV). The EV and REEV have starting prices of THB799,000 (about RM104k) and THB949,000 (about RM123k), respectively. The REEV is only offered in the more expensive Plus and Max trim levels.
With a top speed of 180 km/h, the S05 EV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds thanks to its single electric motor on the back axle, which generates 238 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque.
A 56 kWh lithium ion phosphate (LFP) battery pack bearing the CATL brand, which has a NEDC-rated EV range of 470 km, powers the electric drivetrain. While DC fast charging has a maximum charging capacity of 152 kW, which enables 30 to 80% charging in about 15 minutes, AC charging is available at a rate of 7 kWh.
Although it is slightly less potent at 218 horsepower and 320 Nm, the single rear motor powers the REEV version. In order to power the motor and charge the smaller 27 kWh LFP battery pack, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 98 horsepower serves as a generator.
The REEV Deepal S05 performs slightly worse, taking 7.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a touch longer to reach its top speed of 175 km/h. The 45L petrol tank, when combined with an electric motor, gives it a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. This spec can also cruise up to 170 km (NEDC) in total silence when powered by electricity alone.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
It borrows significant design hints from Porsche but still looks good and has great street cred. Its powertrains are its strength especially the range-extender model. That said, we still don’t know when the Deepal S07 will be released in Malaysia, so the S05 could be an even longer wait.
