In the hyper-competitive Chinese EV market, standing still means falling behind. Deepal, an electric brand under the Changan umbrella, clearly gets this. The company just launched the 2026 model year of its popular S05 all-electric crossover, giving it a significant boost in range and a welcome shot of power. For anyone who’s been on the fence about going electric, this update makes a compelling argument.
The Deepal S05 has been a strong seller since it hit the market in late 2024, and this refresh is designed to keep the momentum going. It directly addresses range anxiety while sweetening the deal with more muscle.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak power | 200 | kW | 268 hp, rear-axle motor |
| Range (CLTC) | 620 | km | Previously 510 km |
| Battery capacity (gross) | 68.8 | kWh | Supplied by CATL |
| Max DC fast-charge | 3C rate | — | 30–80% in 15 minutes |
| Starting price (discounted) | ¥125,900 | CNY | Approx. 17,475 USD |
More Miles, More Power, Less Waiting
The biggest story here is the new battery. The 2026 S05 BEV swaps its old 56.1 kWh battery for a beefier 68.8 kWh pack from CATL, a top-tier supplier in the EV space. That upgrade pushes the CLTC-rated range from 510 km to an impressive 620 km (about 385 miles). While real-world range will vary, that’s a solid number that makes longer trips much more comfortable.
To go with the extra range, Deepal also upgraded the motor. The new rear-axle unit puts out 200 kW (268 hp), a nice 33 hp increase. This should give the S05 a noticeably quicker feel off the line. When it’s time to plug in, the battery’s 3C fast-charging capability means you can get from 30% to 80% in just 15 minutes, which is barely enough time to grab a coffee.
Sleek Design, Minimalist Cabin
The S05 keeps its sleek, modern look. It’s a compact SUV with clean lines, thin running lights, and headlights tucked into the bumper for a distinctive face. Details like retractable door handles and a full-width taillight give it a premium vibe. Plus, with no engine up front, you get a handy 159-liter frunk for extra storage.
Inside, the cabin is all about minimalism. A huge 15.4-inch floating touchscreen with 2.5K resolution dominates the dashboard, handling almost all the car’s functions. There’s no traditional instrument cluster, a bold move that’s becoming more common in Chinese EVs. Instead, upper trims project key information onto a head-up display (HUD), keeping your eyes on the road.
The EREV Option and New Pricing
If you’re not quite ready to go all-electric, the Deepal S05 is also available as an EREV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle). This version uses a small 1.5-liter gasoline engine as a generator to charge the battery, but it hasn’t been updated for the 2026 model year yet.
The new all-electric S05 comes in three trims, with prices starting at 129,900 yuan (about $18,030). However, Deepal is offering a 4,000 yuan launch discount, dropping the entry price to just 125,900 yuan ($17,475). That’s a modest increase over the previous model, but you’re getting a lot more car for the money. This strategy of adding features while keeping prices sharp is a hallmark of China’s intense EV price wars, where value is everything. Automakers are constantly one-upping each other, and the real winner is the consumer.
