2026 CarExpert Choice Awards winner: Best EV – Large SUV

The Deepal E07 has been named Australia’s best large electric SUV in the 2026 CarExpert Choice Awards.

It beat out two finalists: the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9.

There's simply nothing else like the Deepal E07 on the Australian market – or anywhere.

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Marketed by Deepal as a 'Multitruck', the E07 is a large and distinctively styled electric SUV with a cargo area that can be opened to the elements with the push of a button (or with a simple voice prompt), turning it into a ute – or at least something close to it. No other vehicle in Australia offers this kind of functionality.

While there's a ute-like cargo area, the plush interior is hardly ute-like with acres of soft-touch trim, a terrific head-up display, and a large touchscreen.

Whether you opt for the base 252kW/365Nm rear-wheel drive variant or the 440kW/645Nm all-wheel drive Performance flagship with its blistering 4.0-second claimed 0-100km/h time, you get air suspension with Continuous Damping Control.

While it's quick, we wouldn't call it sporty, but we wouldn't use that appellation for many large SUVs or utes. What the E07 is, however, is comfortable.

Range is between 510km and 550km on the WLTP cycle, so this large, heavy electric SUV can go a decent distance between charges. If you need to stop along the way, it has a competitive 240kW DC fast-charge rate.

All E07s boast a long list of standard equipment including power-adjustable, heated, ventilated and massaging seats front and rear, making the Multitruck one seriously luxe offering.

It might not offer the level of off-road ability or outright cargo-hauling capacity of most utes, but the E07 is a compelling chimera of a ute and an SUV.

In a market full of same-same SUVs and utes, that makes the Deepal E07 a breath of fresh air.

2026 CarExpert Choice: Best EV – Large SUV

• Winner – Deepal E07
• Finalist – Hyundai Ioniq 9
• Finalist – Kia EV9

To see all the CarExpert Choice winners, click here.

MORE: Explore the Deepal E07 showroom