I took off for Altai the other day—not for the cedars and honey, but for the premiere of the Deepal S07. The brand is new and few people know about it, since it only entered the market in 2026. It is a sub-brand of Changan that focuses on hybrids and electric vehicles. Deepal has already made waves in China; they have a line where driving range and technology go hand-in-hand, all at a very accessible price point. In short, this isn’t just another Chinese brand; it’s an ambitious player determined to make its mark.

The S07 was designed by a visionary with a distinguished background and a resonant surname, Bach. Before joining Deepal, he worked on the Changan lines and contributed to several concepts that emphasized clean lines and aggressive elegance. He prefers a design free of unnecessary body creases but appreciates when the lighting evokes a sharp gaze. For the new model, he collaborated with the Italian studio Pininfarina, resulting in an S07 with a predatory squint at the front, muscular contours along the side, and a confident rear stance.

The new model is a mid-sized crossover, 4.7 meters long, featuring a hybrid powertrain. It’s designed for those who want a vehicle capable of handling the city, the country retreat, and even the Altai mountains, thanks to a range exceeding 1000 km. On pure electric power, it can travel approximately 150–180 km, which is also quite impressive. Who is this car for? For the young professional who wants a car that is stylish and «smart» without being overly complicated. For the family needing space and safety, but without the pretension. And for people like me—who love a car that delivers emotion but doesn’t demand a sacrifice in comfort.

When I got behind the wheel on the Chui Highway, the first thing I noticed was the silence. Not a dead quiet, but one where you can hear the wind whispering in the mirrors and the suspension softly absorbing the imperfections. It handles the S07 hairpin turns with confidence: the regenerative braking system assists during descents, and the hybrid powertrain delivers torque precisely when needed. No jerks, no «where is the power?». The acceleration doesn’t slam you back, but it confidently places you into the flow—and that is enough.

In corners, the crossover doesn’t lean, but it doesn’t pretend to be a sports car either—it’s an honest family SUV that can be composed when needed. The steering wheel is informative but not heavy. The settings balance lightness with feedback. All that’s left to do is grip it and enjoy the ride. The brakes are predictable, without unnecessary harshness. Overall, on mountain roads, it performed like an experienced companion: it didn’t push too hard, it didn’t fall behind; it simply went where you wanted it to go.

Price? Deepal is trying to offer reasonable value here. In China, the S07 starts at approximately 160–180 thousand yuan (which is about 2.2–2.5 million rubles). In Russia, it is 4 million. This price includes the government subsidy provided when financing a hybrid. Comparing it to competitors: against the Haval F7, the S07’s advantage is its hybrid powertrain and longer range. The Geely Atlas is a strong rival in terms of driving comfort and favorable pricing, but the S07 offers a more contemporary design and a focus on fuel efficiency.

Where does S07 fall short? Brand recognition. Haval and Chery have been established for a long time; they have a loyal audience and a developed dealer network. Deepal is just beginning, and that is a risk. Buyers are surely thinking: will I be able to resell it later? Plus, the multimedia and voice control features are not yet up to the standard of top systems—sometimes you have to repeat commands for the car to understand that you want to turn on the radio, not order pizza.

Market prospects? The S07 has every chance of succeeding in the «smart hybrid for city and travel» segment. Especially if the brand develops a service network and offers good warranties. Young people love technology and efficiency, families desire space and range, and everyone wants the car not to look boring. And this is exactly where the S07 hits the mark.

My personal impression? I would get it. Not for the status, but to be able to hit the mountains for the weekend without worrying about gas stations, and to not fry from fuel consumption in traffic. S07 is about balance: between technology and simplicity, between emotion and practicality.