Honda Civic RS vs Changan Deepal S07

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Honda Civic RS in South Africa

Honda Civic RS

1.5T RS CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 725,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 178 kW 🔧 240 Nm ⛽ 16.1 km/l
VS
Changan Deepal S07 in South Africa

Changan Deepal S07

Deepal S07 Electric Current
ZAR 995,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 160 kW 🔧 320 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Honda Civic RS vs Changan Deepal S07: the short answer

Deepal S07 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Civic RS remains close.

Civic RS starts ZAR 270,900 cheaper Civic RS from ZAR 725,000 · Deepal S07 from ZAR 995,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Civic RS Deepal S07
Maximum Power Civic RS178 kW Deepal S07160 kW
Maximum Torque Civic RS240 Nm Deepal S07320 Nm
Engine Size Civic RS1498 cc Deepal S07Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy Civic RS16.1 km/l Deepal S07Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Civic RS134 mm Deepal S07165 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Honda Civic RS

1.5T RS CVT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Changan Deepal S07

Deepal S07

Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Civic RS

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

Deepal S07

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Civic RS

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

Deepal S07

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Civic RS Deepal S07
Model Introduced Year 2022 2025
Generation Based on 11th generation platform First South African Deepal S07 retail generation in one five-seat configuration.
Facelift History Introduced with latest Civic generation No South African facelift has been announced for the current Deepal S07.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending Current Not Applicable
Body Style Sedan Coupe SUV
Color Note White, Black, Silver, Blue, Red, Grey -
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Sedan Battery-electric mid-size SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1350 kg -
Vehicle Type Sedan Passenger car
Spec Civic RS Deepal S07
Length 4678 mm 4750 mm
Width 1802 mm 1930 mm
Height 1415 mm 1625 mm
Wheelbase 2735 mm 2900 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 134 mm 165 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 134 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 47 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 495 l 445 l
Kerb Weight 1350 kg 2073 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1800 kg 2490 kg
Payload Capacity 430 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity 1200 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors Not Officially Disclosed
Minimum Turning Radius 5.5 m 5.75 m
Front Headroom 955 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom 942 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 1074 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 950 mm Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This Civic RS and Deepal S07 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Civic RS 63 vs Deepal S07 65.

Efficiency index: Civic RS 63 vs Deepal S07 90.

Safety-equipment index: Civic RS 92 vs Deepal S07 92.

Practicality index: Civic RS 58 vs Deepal S07 66.

Ownership-cover index: Civic RS 43 vs Deepal S07 not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Deepal S07 leads by 12 points

Deepal S07 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Civic RS remains close.

Evidence leader 77 /100
Lead 12 points
Data 58% source coverage
77
#1 Evidence leader

Deepal S07

58% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Performance 65
Performance 65
Efficiency 90
Safety 92
Practicality 66
Leads by 12 points
65
#2

Civic RS

91% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Ownership 43
Performance 63
Efficiency 63
Safety 92
Practicality 58
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Deepal S07 +2 Efficiency Deepal S07 +27 Safety Level Practicality Deepal S07 +8

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Deepal S07

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 66/100

Civic RS

Performance 63/100
Efficiency 63/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 58/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Changan Deepal S07 leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts vs 65 pts for Civic RS

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Deepal S07 leads. However, Civic RS may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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Civic RS vs Deepal S07 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.