Changan Deepal S07 vs BMW iX1

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
BMW iX1 in South Africa

BMW iX1

xDrive30 M Sport Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 1,255,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 230 kW 🔧 494 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Changan Deepal S07 vs BMW iX1: the short answer

iX1 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Deepal S07 remains close.

Deepal S07 starts ZAR 214,100 cheaper Deepal S07 from ZAR 995,900 · iX1 from ZAR 1,210,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Deepal S07 iX1
Maximum Power Deepal S07160 kW iX1230 kW
Maximum Torque Deepal S07320 Nm iX1494 Nm
Engine Size Deepal S07Not Applicable iX1Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy Deepal S07Not Applicable iX1Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Deepal S07165 mm iX1190 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Deepal S07

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

iX1

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

Deepal S07

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

iX1

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Deepal S07 iX1
Model Introduced Year 2025 2023
Generation First South African Deepal S07 retail generation in one five-seat configuration. Battery-electric U11 compact SUV, closely related in body and cabin architecture to the third-generation X1.
Facelift History No South African facelift has been announced for the current Deepal S07. The current U11 iX1 is the first battery-electric X1 generation; no South African facelift has been announced.
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style Coupe SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Battery-electric mid-size SUV Premium SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger car Car
Spec Deepal S07 iX1
Length 4750 mm 4500 mm
Width 1930 mm 1845 mm
Height 1625 mm 1616 mm
Wheelbase 2900 mm 2692 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 165 mm 190 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 445 l 490 l
Kerb Weight 2073 kg 2085 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2490 kg 2580 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 570 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 1200 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors Not Officially Disclosed 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.75 m 5.8 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 1020 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 981 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1050 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 928 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Deepal S07 and iX1 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 iX1 95.

Efficiency index: Deepal S07 90 vs iX1 90.

Safety-equipment index: Deepal S07 92 vs iX1 92.

Practicality index: Deepal S07 66 vs iX1 64.

Ownership-cover index: Deepal S07 not separately scored vs iX1 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

iX1 leads by 8 points

iX1 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Deepal S07 remains close.

Evidence leader 85 /100
Lead 8 points
Data 69% source coverage
85
#1 Evidence leader

iX1

69% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 95 Check Practicality 64
Performance 95
Efficiency 90
Safety 92
Practicality 64
Leads by 8 points
77
#2

Deepal S07

58% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Performance 65
Performance 65
Efficiency 90
Safety 92
Practicality 66
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance iX1 +30 Efficiency Level Safety Level Practicality Deepal S07 +2

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

iX1

Performance 95/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 64/100

Deepal S07

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index BMW iX1 leads the specification evidence index with 85 pts vs 77 pts for Deepal S07

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, iX1 leads. However, Deepal S07 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

Deepal S07
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Deepal S07 vs SEALION 7 →
Deepal S07
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Deepal S07 vs NX →
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Deepal S07 vs ATTO 8 →
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Deepal S07 vs Tank 500 →
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Deepal S07 vs GLC →
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iX1 vs SEALION 7 →
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iX1 vs NX →

Deepal S07 vs iX1 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.