Changan Deepal S07 review

To say it's thoroughly forgettable is probably a compliment. Too many of the new-brand crossovers – petrol, hybrid or electric – have steering that weights up oddly or turns unprogressively. Or brakes that do nothing then bite hard, or grab you to rest when you want to ease down the last yard. Or accelerator pedals that twang your head back when all you wanted was to gently catch the car in front in a sticky traffic queue.

The Deepal 07… doesn't. That's about it really. There's little engagement or feedback from the major controls, but they don't actively annoy. It's easy to rub along with.

No rear-drive fun then?

Yup the motor is in the back, but 218bhp isn't enough for antics. But it does corner neutrally and show good traction out of roundabouts, and it doesn't torque steer. Again, generally blameless. It's just that the best rivals offer a bit more more.

How's the power?

It chimes well with the general fuss-free vibe. It's not about laughing-gas acceleration off the line, or brutal overtaking dominance. Just a helpful and easily metered surge.

There are different driving modes to alter acceleration map, and you can set a steering wheel button to switch between them but the difference is subtle. Regeneration paddles? Nope, you're clearly not supposed to get involved.

How about the safety assist and driver aids?

Changan's UK engineers have recalibrated them, and the lane-keeping steering intervention is far more subtle than in a typical Chinese car. Also, swiping the screen from the left brings up a button to switch it off. Same with the speed 'assist' which is also absurdly verbose. We thought bongers were annoying, but a heavily Chinese-accented voice saying "You are over the speed limit" every time you transgress by 2mph (or when it's misread the signs) is just stalky.

Meanwhile, the radar cruise control and lane centring system gives decently smooth motorway help. It's turned on, Tesla style, by a double tap on the transmission stalk, and the head-up display tells you what lane markings can (and by extension can't) see.