david April 23, 2025 No Comments

The Deepal S07: A Slick, Tax-Savvy EV That’s Turning Heads in Australia

So, you’ve heard about this new electric SUV hitting Aussie shores—the Deepal S07—and you’re wondering if it’s just another EV in a crowded market, or something genuinely worth getting excited about.

Well, spoiler alert: it’s the real deal. And if you’re lucky enough to have the option of a novated lease, it might be one of the smartest car choices you could make right now.

Let’s break it down—casual, clear, and with a focus on what actually matters.

First up… What even is the Deepal S07?

Great question. Deepal is a relatively new brand, but don’t let that fool you—they’re backed by Changan, one of China’s biggest carmakers (think Toyota-size scale). The S07 is their flagship electric SUV, and it’s built with tech, comfort, and sleek looks in mind. And now, it’s officially arrived in Australia.

The price starts at around $54,000 before on-road costs. That slots it in nicely against things like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, or Kia EV5—but with a couple of cheeky tricks up its sleeve, especially when it comes to value for money.

Why it’s a massive win if you’re doing a novated lease

Alright, here’s the golden nugget: the S07 qualifies for the Australian government’s FBT exemption on electric vehicles. That’s Fringe Benefits Tax—usually a bit of a sting in salary packaging—but if you’re getting a fully electric car under $89,332 (aka the Luxury Car Tax threshold), you skip the FBT altogether.

That’s huge. Like, thousands of dollars huge.

With a novated lease, this means:

  • You pay with pre-tax dollars, so you’re slashing your taxable income.

  • No FBT, so you’re not coughing up a heap in extra tax.

  • GST savings on the purchase price and ongoing running costs (which adds up surprisingly fast).

  • And typically, everything’s bundled into one neat payment—servicing, rego, insurance, tyres, charging… it’s all covered.

Seriously, if you earn a solid income and drive a reasonable amount each year, getting something like the S07 through a novated lease is about as financially smart as it gets.

Alright, what’s it like to actually drive?

Pretty smooth, honestly.

The version we’re getting in Australia has a 160kW electric motor (that’s about 215 horsepower if you’re old-school), with a 475km WLTP range from its 80kWh battery. That’s plenty for everyday commutes, and more than enough for weekend escapes without constant charging anxiety.

It does 0–100 km/h in about 7.9 seconds. So it’s no rocket, but it’s zippy enough for overtaking or merging onto highways.

There’s regenerative braking (of course), and you can tweak how strong it is, which is always a win if you want that one-pedal driving feel. It rides comfortably, leans more luxury than sporty, and feels solid on Aussie roads. Job done.

The inside scoop: Cabin and tech

Now this is where the Deepal starts to show off.

Inside, it’s slick. Minimalist. Kind of like a Tesla, but less clinical. There’s a big 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen—yep, it actually spins toward the driver or passenger—and a full digital dash. The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you’ll feel right at home.

The front seats? Heated and ventilated. Climate control? Tri-zone. Lights? Ambient and customizable. There’s even a speaker in the driver’s headrest for calls and nav instructions, so you’re not yelling over the stereo.

It’s little things like that which make it feel premium without the premium price tag.

Design: Yep, it turns heads

From the outside, it’s all about clean lines and modern vibes. You’ve got frameless doors, flush handles, and a panoramic glass roof—which makes the cabin feel light and airy without cooking you in summer, thanks to the UV coating.

The front end’s got that “I’m an EV” look—sleek and futuristic—but not so weird that it’ll look dated in two years. It strikes a nice balance.

Charging it up

Here’s the thing: it doesn’t have lightning-fast charging like a Kia EV6 (which goes over 200kW), but the S07’s DC fast-charging tops out at 92kW. That’ll still get you from 30% to 80% in roughly 30–40 minutes.

For daily use and occasional road trips, that’s totally manageable—especially if you’re plugging in at home overnight most of the time.

Safety and peace of mind

It ticks all the safety boxes you’d expect in 2025:

  • 360-degree camera

  • Blind spot monitoring

  • Adaptive cruise control

  • Lane-keeping assist

  • And all the usual airbags, traction control, etc.

On top of that, it comes with:

  • 7-year/160,000km vehicle warranty

  • 8-year/240,000km battery warranty

So you’re covered well into the next decade.

So… should you get one?

Look, if you’re shopping for a new EV and you’ve got the option to salary package it via novated lease, the Deepal S07 should absolutely be on your radar.

It’s:

  • Stylish

  • Comfortable

  • Loaded with tech

  • Well-priced

  • And a total tax hack if you’re eligible for the FBT exemption

Sure, it’s not as fast-charging as some of the Euro brands. And being a newer name in Australia, resale and brand recognition are still unknowns. But if you’re keeping the car for a few years and want to maximise your savings while driving something that looks and feels fresh, it’s a seriously solid option.

Wrap it up, Dave

You know how novated leases used to be mostly about Hiluxes and Hyundai i30s? This is a whole new league. With the government pushing EVs hard, and brands like Deepal delivering impressive cars like the S07 under that FBT threshold, it’s a perfect storm for smart buyers.

So yeah—if you’ve been holding off on getting an EV because you thought they were all $90K Teslas or budget boxes with no range, the Deepal S07 might just change your mind.

Worth a test drive? Absolutely.

Worth a second look for novated leasing? 100%.