Deepal's delayed electric BYD rival nears Australian launch

The Deepal S05 is one step closer to Australian showrooms, though the electric SUV is arriving later than expected.

The mid-size crossover SUV has now appeared in Australian Government certification documents, and Deepal Australia has confirmed it’s due on sale here during the first half of 2026.

The company had announced early in 2025 that the SUV would launch here during the second half of 2025.

Government approval documents list a pair of powertrains: a 200kW single-motor configuration and a 320kW dual-motor configuration. Both use a 68.82kWh battery.

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The S05 will be offered with a choice of 18- or 20-inch alloy wheels.

The 68.82kWh battery is the larger of two batteries offered in electric S05 vehicles globally, and features lithium iron phosphate chemistry. Vehicle-to-load capability is also standard with an output of 6kW.

In rear-wheel drive guise, the S05 offers 485km of range under the WLTP cycle and does the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 7.5 seconds.

The all-wheel drive variant, which isn't offered in China but is being rolled out in Europe, does the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 5.5 seconds and has 445km of range on the WLTP cycle.

The S05, which entered production in China in 2024, slots in under the Tesla Model Y-rivalling S07 and sits somewhere between BYD’s Atto 3 and Sealion 7 in size.

It measures 4620mm long, 1900mm wide and 1600mm tall on a 2880mm wheelbase. Boot space is 492 litres, with an additional 159L under the bonnet.

Local pricing has yet to be confirmed, though the S07 is priced at $49,990 before on-roads. Deepal is still clearing model year 2024 (MY24) stock, and is currently offering $5000 cashback and three years of free servicing.

The S05 features MacPherson strut and five-link independent rear suspension. In addition to electric powertrains, there’s also an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version offered in China.

Depending on the variant, Chinese-market S05s are offered with a power tailgate, power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation and massage, and an augmented reality head-up display.

All feature a panoramic glass roof, LED headlights, and a suite of active safety and driver assist technology powered by five millimetre-wave radars and 12 ultrasonic radars.

All S05s also feature a surround-view camera system with a transparent chassis mode, as well as a semi-autonomous parking system.

Inside, there’s a 15.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system. There’s no instrument cluster, though unlike a Tesla you can view your speed on the available head-up display.

The Deepal brand, owned by Chinese automotive giant Changan, officially commenced sales in China in 2022 and arrived here late in 2024 with the mid-size S07 electric SUV.

This was followed in 2025 by the E07 Multitruck, an unusual flagship that blurs the lines between a coupe SUV and a ute.

MORE: Explore the Deepal S05 showroom