Changan Unveil Deepal S05 REEV & Uni-S HEV at Festival of Motoring 2026
Having recently joined Changan South Africa on their Africa Media Tour trip in June 2026, Kumbi M on Cars got a firsthand look at the brand’s expanding new energy vehicle strategy tailored directly for the local market.
Deepal S05 REEV: The Range-Extended Game Changer
Designed in Italy and engineered in the UK, the Deepal S05 REEV brings range-extended electric capability to eliminate range anxiety entirely.
Exterior Styling
The S05 features a sleek, grille-less front fascia paired with ultra-slim LED headlights, an electric tailgate, and a standard panoramic skylight. It rides on sharp 18-inch alloy wheels in a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout.
Interior & Technology
Inside, the premium cabin is lined with microfibre leather seats and equipped with an electrically adjustable, heated, and ventilated front row. The dashboard is anchored by a 15.4-inch "Sunflower" central touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 14-speaker sound system. High-tech driving aids include a massive 50-inch augmented-reality head-up display (AR-HUD), a 50W wireless phone charging pad, single-zone climate control with a PM2.5 filter, and a 540-degree HD camera system with full Level 2 ADAS.
Powertrain & Battery
The SUV is driven by a 160 kW / 320 Nm electric motor, backed by a 1.5-litre petrol engine (72 kW / 125 Nm) functioning strictly as an on-board generator to charge the 27 kWh battery. It delivers up to 200 km of pure electric range and a combined range exceeding 1,000 km, with 20-minute fast-charging capabilities.
Changan Uni-S HEV: Hybrid Power Meets Premium Comfort
Building on the petrol model launched earlier this year, the Uni-S HEV brings self-charging hybrid efficiency to the midsize SUV segment.
Exterior Styling
The hybrid model is distinguished by a redesigned front grille and aerodynamic body lines, available in five exterior paint options: White, Black, Putty Grey, Shadow Grey, and Fluorite Grey. It rolls on 18-inch wheels on the entry CL grade, while the flagship CE variant upgrades to 19-inch alloys and adds an electric panoramic sunroof with rain-sensing auto-close.
Interior & Technology
The cabin comes upholstered in microfibre leather (offered in red or black accents) with heated and ventilated front seats. Tech is centered around a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment display supporting wireless smartphone integration. The flagship CE model adds dual-zone climate control, multi-colour ambient lighting, an 8-speaker audio setup, seat memory functions, and an expanded active safety suite including Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
Powertrain & Efficiency
It combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine (110 kW / 220 Nm) with an electric motor (166 kW / 290 Nm total) through an electronic CVT driving the front wheels. Changan claims an impressive combined fuel consumption of just 4.0 L/100 km from its 51-litre tank.
Commercial Range & Local Availability
Jameel Motors also showcased the returning Changan Star commercial lineup, offering five working body variants (Single-Cab Dropside, Double-Cab Dropside, Single-Cab Box Body, Panel Van, and Minibus) powered by a 1.25-litre petrol engine (72 kW / 119 Nm) with standard air conditioning.
The Changan Star Commercial Range arrives locally in September 2026, backed by a 5-year / 200,000 km warranty. The Deepal S05 REEV and Uni-S HEV will land in South African showrooms in November 2026. In terms of warranty cover, the Deepal S05 comes with a 5-year / 150,000 km vehicle warranty, an 8-year battery warranty, and a 5-year / 90,000 km maintenance plan, while the Uni-S HEV includes a 5-year / 150,000 km warranty and a 5-year / 90,000 km service plan.
