Deepal S07 achieves five-star ANCAP safety rating

The Deepal S07, a new battery-electric SUV from Chinese brand Changan, has achieved a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The S07 recorded a 95% score for Adult Occupant Protection, equaling the Toyota Camry as the highest scorer under ANCAP's 2023-2025 safety criteria.

The vehicle excelled in crash tests, with perfect injury risk scores for the driver in side-impact and oblique pole tests, and the front-seat passenger in frontal offset tests. Its design also minimised risks to occupants of other vehicles, only incurring  a small 0.86-point deduction for frontal offset crash compatibility.

For child safety, the Deepal S07 achieved maximum points in both frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests. Additionally, the vehicle passed ANCAP's post-crash access criteria, with its retractable door handles extending automatically and remaining functional even after a power loss.

The SUV's emergency systems also demonstrated resilience in water immersion scenarios, allowing its electric windows to remain operational. Carla Hoorweg, ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We’ve seen a number of new brands enter the local market over the past year and they continue to impress in meeting the high safety standard Australian consumers and fleet buyers expect."

The Deepal S07 is equipped with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane support systems, with performance rated as Good to Adequate in most scenarios. However, a Marginal rating was recorded in AEB crossing scenarios, where the SUV showed limited braking capability when crossing another vehicle’s path.

Driver Monitoring systems received an ANCAP Safety Assist score of 1.32 out of 2, reflecting the Deepal S07's ability to monitor driver attention effectively. However, when CarSauce reviewed the Deepal S07 it revealed calibration issues, with the system frequently issuing unnecessary alerts, such as when wearing sunglasses or briefly glancing at navigation. These behaviours suggest that while the system performs well in controlled testing, its sensitivity may detract from the driving experience in everyday scenarios.