The arrival of the Deepal S07 on Australian shores was met with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Here was a stunning, Italian-designed electric SUV that undercut the Tesla Model Y by thousands, promised a premium interior, and came backed by a solid 7-year warranty.

But early reviews were brutal. The driving experience was overshadowed by what many critics called “infuriating” and “overzealous” safety software that bonged, beeped, and scolded drivers incessantly.

Fast forward to late 2025, and the narrative has shifted. With a crucial Over-The-Air (OTA) software overhaul and aggressive pricing strategies, the Deepal S07 has reinvented itself as a serious contender. But is it enough to win over the Australian EV buyer? We took the updated 2025 Deepal S07 for a comprehensive test drive to deliver the true verdict.

Pricing: The Aggressive Underdog

The 2025 Deepal S07 arrives in a single, highly-specified variant priced at $53,900 before on-road costs. This positioning is deliberate, slicing cleanly between the budget-focused BYD Atto 3 (approx. $44,499) and the segment benchmark, the Tesla Model Y (starting north of $55,000).

However, the real story lies in the deals. Throughout 2025, Deepal has aggressively chased market share with drive-away offers, at times dropping the price to a staggering $49,990 drive-away for Model Year 2024 stock. For astute buyers, this fluctuating price point makes the S07 arguably the best value-for-money mid-sized electric SUV in the country—if you can catch the right sale.

Standard Equipment Highlights:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Panoramic glass roof with electric sunblind (a rarity at this price)
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• 15.6-inch “Sunflower” rotating touchscreen
• Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR-HUD)
• 14-speaker Sony surround sound system

The “True Fact” About the Software (ADAS)

Let’s address the elephant in the room immediately. The launch version of the S07 was plagued by a Driver Monitoring System (DMS) and Lane Keep Assist that were calibrated for chaotic Chinese traffic, not Australian highways. It would beep if you looked at the GPS, beep if you yawned, and beep if you went 1km/h over the limit.

The 2025 Update Truth:

Deepal listened. A major OTA update rolled out to Australian vehicles has largely fixed these deal-breaking issues.

• Permanent “Off” Switch: You can now permanently disable the Driver Attention Warning and Overspeed alerts. They do not turn back on every time you restart the car—a massive win for sanity.
• Refined Sensitivity: The Lane Keep Assist is now far less intrusive, intervening only when actually necessary rather than wrestling the wheel from your hands.

With these updates, the S07 transforms from a nagging nanny into a serene, quiet cruiser. If you read an early review slamming the safety tech, consider it outdated news. The current car is livable, compliant, and peaceful.

Driving Dynamics: Cruiser, Not Carver

Behind the wheel, the Deepal S07 makes its intentions clear: this is a comfort-first family SUV, not a sports car.

Power comes from a single rear-mounted motor delivering 160kW and 320Nm of torque. The 0-100km/h sprint takes 7.9 seconds. In the EV world, this is “adequate” rather than “fast.” It lacks the neck-snapping acceleration of a dual-motor Tesla or BYD Sealion 7, but for merging onto freeways and darting through city traffic, it feels punchy and responsive.

Ride Quality:

The suspension tuning is distinctly soft. It excels at soaking up low-speed urban bumps and speed humps, offering a “lopey,” relaxing ride that many families will adore. However, on a twisting country B-road, this softness translates to noticeable body roll. The car can feel a bit “floaty” over undulations at highway speeds. It doesn’t feel as planted or confident as a Tesla Model Y or Kia EV5, but for the 99% of driving that involves school runs and commuting, it is undeniably comfortable.

Range and Charging: The Weak Link?

The S07 packs a substantial 79.97kWh NMC battery, giving it a claimed WLTP range of 475km.

Real-World Range:

In our testing, which included a mix of Sydney traffic and 110km/h highway driving, we achieved an energy consumption average of around 18-19kWh/100km. This translates to a genuine, reliable real-world range of 400km to 420km. This is excellent efficiency for a vehicle of this size and weight (over 2 tonnes).

Charging Speed:

This is where the S07 stumbles. The maximum DC fast-charging rate is capped at 92kW.

Compared to rivals like the XPeng G6 (280kW peak) or Tesla Model Y (170kW+), the Deepal is slow. A 10-80% charge takes around 35-40 minutes in ideal conditions. While not a disaster for overnight chargers, it adds significantly to travel time on long interstate road trips. If you frequently drive Sydney to Melbourne, this might be a dealbreaker.

Interior: The “Wow” Factor

Stepping inside the S07 feels like entering a car costing $20,000 more. The cabin is a triumph of minimalism and material quality. Soft-touch leatherette covers almost every surface, and the quilted seats are genuinely luxurious.

The Tech:

• The “Sunflower” Screen: The 15.6-inch centre screen mechanically rotates 15 degrees towards the driver or passenger. Gimmick? Maybe. Cool? Absolutely. It runs on a Qualcomm 8155 chip (note: Australian models do not get the Huawei ADS system found in China), making the interface snappy and responsive. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and work flawlessly.
• AR-HUD: There is no instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Instead, a massive Augmented Reality Head-Up Display projects speed, navigation, and blind-spot warnings onto the windscreen. It is bright, clear, and intuitive, quickly making you forget about traditional dials.

Space:

The dedicated EV platform means space is abundant. Rear legroom is limo-like, and the flat floor makes the middle seat genuinely usable. The 445L boot is decent but smaller than a Model Y, though the 125L frunk (front trunk) is massive—perfect for storing charging cables and weekly groceries.

Verdict: The Smart Choice for the Patient Driver

The 2025 Deepal S07 is a complex car that has matured into a compelling product. It is stylish, supremely comfortable, packed with tech, and offers excellent real-world range.

Pros:

• Stunning interior quality and design.
• Excellent value (especially if you find a <$53k drive-away deal).
• Software updates have fixed the annoying safety alerts.
• Comfortable, quiet ride.

Cons:

• Slow 92kW DC charging limits road-trip appeal.
• Soft suspension lacks dynamic polish.
• Boot space is average for the class.

Should you buy one?

If you prioritize comfort, style, and value over raw speed and charging performance, the Deepal S07 is a fantastic buy. It feels more “premium” inside than a Tesla Model Y or BYD Atto 3 and offers a more relaxing daily drive. However, if you are a road warrior who demands the fastest charging speeds or sharpest handling, you may find the slow DC charging and soft ride frustrating.

Ultimately, the S07 proves that you don’t need to spend $70k to get a luxury EV experience—you just need to pick the right car.

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