Deepal has refreshed its S05 compact electric SUV for the 2027 model year, and the most significant change is the addition of two trims equipped with lidar and support for urban NOA (city advanced driver assistance). The previous generation also had a small protrusion on the roof, but that housed a camera, not lidar, according to Autohome's first-drive review.
Visually, the facelift is evolutionary rather than . The daytime running lights switch from a C-shape to a dart-like design, the active grille adopts vertical slats, and a chrome strip now runs around the lower body. The side profile is unchanged, with length at 4,620 mm and wheelbase at 2,880 mm, but new cameras and sensors hint at the upgraded driver-assist hardware. Door handles become semi-recessed, and the 18-inch wheels swap the previous low-drag design for a more conventional look.
Interior refinements and a 3nm chip
Inside, the cabin has been simplified. The 15.4-inch central screen grows to 15.6 inches on the lidar-equipped trims, though the difference is barely noticeable. The rotating 'sunflower' screen, standard on some 2026 trims, is now an option across the range. Door panels gain a physical pull handle and a small phone slot, and the centre console has been redesigned for better ergonomics, though it loses the angled phone holder found on the old model. A glovebox, missing before, is now fitted.
The infotainment runs on a 3nm cockpit chip, and Autohome found the interface responsive, with smooth map scaling and app use. However, the reviewer noted the screen no longer offers a manual day/night display toggle, which made the map hard to read in bright sunlight. Phone connectivity has also changed: the 2027 model supports Honor's interconnect system, while the previous generation offered Apple CarPlay, Carlink and Huawei HiCar.
Powertrain, range and charging
The electric powertrain is carried over: a single rear motor producing 200 kW (268 hp) drives the rear wheels, and the 520 version keeps a 56.12 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. The range-extender (EREV) variant has been dropped. Deepal claims a CLTC range of 520 km for the 520 version; that figure is roughly 15-20% more optimistic than a WLTP estimate, which would be around 420-440 km (est.).
In Autohome's highway test, driving at an average speed of 102 km/h, the car consumed 16.4 kWh per 100 km, covering 167 km from 80% to 30% battery. On a 600 kW third-party charger, the battery went from 29% to 80% in 16 minutes, pulling up to 168 kW, which matches the claimed 3C maximum charge rate.
Standard equipment now includes FSD (frequency-selective damping) shock absorbers and HRS (hydraulic rebound stop) dampers across the range, a setup previously reserved for the larger S07 and L07 models. The suspension handles small bumps and body roll well for the price class, though Autohome notes it is not as capable as continuously variable damping systems.
The 2027 Deepal S05 starts at 129,900 yuan (about $18,300) for the 520 Zhizhen version, a Chinese guide price before taxes and incentives. That matches the BYD Yuan Plus 520, and Autohome notes dealers may offer several thousand yuan in discounts. The lidar-equipped trims cost roughly 10,000 yuan more, which the reviewer says makes the standard 520 Zhizhen the better value for most buyers.
