Changan Deepal S07 vs Toyota Hiace

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.

Changan Deepal S07 in South Africa

Changan Deepal S07

Deepal S07 Electric Current
ZAR 995,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 160 kW 🔧 320 Nm
VS
Toyota Hiace in South Africa

Toyota Hiace

2.5D Panel Van MT Diesel 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 680,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 75 kW 🔧 260 Nm ⛽ 11.8 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Changan Deepal S07 vs Toyota Hiace: the short answer

Deepal S07 has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over Hiace.

Hiace starts ZAR 315,000 cheaper Deepal S07 from ZAR 995,900 · Hiace from ZAR 680,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Deepal S07 Hiace
Maximum Power Deepal S07160 kW Hiace75 kW
Maximum Torque Deepal S07320 Nm Hiace260 Nm
Engine Size Deepal S07Not Applicable Hiace2494 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Deepal S07Not Applicable Hiace11.8 km/l
Ground Clearance Deepal S07165 mm Hiace175 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Deepal S07

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency

Hiace

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Deepal S07

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Hiace

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Deepal S07 Hiace
Model Introduced Year 2025 2019
Generation First South African Deepal S07 retail generation in one five-seat configuration. H300 generation – front-engine layout replacing the previous cab-over design
Facelift History No South African facelift has been announced for the current Deepal S07. Current H300 generation launched in SA in 2019 – major redesign from rear-engine layout
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable 2019
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style Coupe SUV Van
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Battery-electric mid-size SUV Van
Vehicle Type Passenger car Van
Color Note - White, Silver
Dealer Stock Note - Base grade in the South Africa lineup
Tare Mass Kg - 2080 kg
Spec Deepal S07 Hiace
Length 4750 mm 5380 mm
Width 1930 mm 1880 mm
Height 1625 mm 2285 mm
Wheelbase 2900 mm 2985 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 165 mm 175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 70 l
Boot/Cargo Space 445 l 5200 l
Kerb Weight 2073 kg 2080 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2490 kg 3500 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 1420 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 2000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 2 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 1 rows
Doors Not Officially Disclosed 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.75 m 6.5 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 992 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed Not Applicable
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1032 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This Deepal S07 and Hiace 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: Deepal S07 65 vs Hiace 37.

Efficiency index: Deepal S07 90 vs Hiace 48.

Safety-equipment index: Deepal S07 92 vs Hiace 44.

Practicality index: Deepal S07 66 vs Hiace 71.

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

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 28 points

Deepal S07 has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over Hiace.

Evidence leader 77 /100
Lead 28 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 28 points
49
#2

Hiace

84% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 71 Check Performance 37
Performance 37
Efficiency 48
Safety 44
Practicality 71
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Deepal S07 +28 Efficiency Deepal S07 +42 Safety Deepal S07 +48 Practicality Hiace +5

Large 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

Hiace

Performance 37/100
Efficiency 48/100
Safety 44/100
Practicality 71/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Changan Deepal S07 leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts vs 49 pts for Hiace

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

Deepal S07 vs Hiace 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.