Browse over 9,000 car reviews

FROM OUR EXPERT TEAM
Explore Articles

Deepal G318 2025 review - International preview drive

Deepal Electric Best Electric Cars SUV Best SUV Cars Deepal SUV Range Adventure EV EVs Electric Cars Cars
...

Likes

  • Hectares of space
  • Range
  • Tough looks

Dislikes

  • Modest road feel
  • Side-opening tailgate
  • Front USBs a bit awkward
James Cleary
Deputy Editor
12 Mar 2025
7 min read

There’s a major highway in China that runs from Shanghai in the east to Zhangmu in the west, over 5000km, up to the Nepalese border. And, believe it or not, this car is named after it… the G318. It’s a range-extender electric vehicle that’s under evaluation for Australia.

In fact, Deepal Australia says this upright, off-road-capable five-seater, offered in two- and four-wheel drive in its home market is “under strong consideration” for local sale and CarsGuide was invited to steer it at Deepal’s parent company, Changan’s circa-1500 hectare proving ground in Chongqing, China.

It’s rumoured to be heading for right-hand-drive production for the UK, and if it comes to Australia it will be the four-wheel-drive version that we get. It’s available with multiple off-road modes and has standard air suspension.

Given the G318 hasn’t been confirmed for Australia, anything related to pricing and specification can only be speculative. But for broad comparative purposes in the domestic market it’s offered in multiple grades stretching from the equivalent of AUD$38,500 for the two-wheel drive, entry-level model all the way up to $69,000 for the top-spec, all-wheel-drive version.

In domestic trim, features included on the 4WD flagship include LED exterior lighting (with auto headlights and intelligent high beam), a panoramic sunroof, heated/folding exterior mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, six-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat (four-way on the passenger side), climate control air, adaptive cruise, 10.25-inch instrument display, 14.6-inch central media screen, 16-speaker audio (with four-zone karaoke!), 20-inch alloy rims and more.

At a fraction over five metres long (5010mm), close to 2.0m wide (1985mm) and 1.9m tall (1895mm), with a 2880mm wheelbase, this is a full-size five-seater with a similar footprint to the Toyota LandCruiser Prado.

It has a classically upright look with a minimum ground clearance of 210mm; the standard air suspension on upper grades able to lift that by a further 30mm.

2025 Deepal G318
2025 Deepal G318

The bluff nose and C-shape cyborg-style headlight treatment give the car a distinctive appearance while retaining a traditional 4WD stance and overall proportions, reinforced by prominent side cladding and over-fenders as well as a side-opening rear door with externally mounted full-size alloy spare.

Quad spotlights in the standard roof rack dial up the macho factor and Jeep-style design Easter eggs include a profile of the car in negative relief on the wheels.   

2025 Deepal G318
2025 Deepal G318

And despite plush (quilted) synthetic suede and synthetic leather trim the interior is closer to traditional than some of its Deepal stablemates.

In the front of the G318, you’ve got a relatively conventional set-up in the sense that there is a physical instrument display (albeit a 10.25-inch digital screen) as well as a 14.6-inch central media screen. There’s also a sensible mix of on-screen functions and physical controls. 

For storage, bins in the doors are pretty generous. There is a glove box over on the passenger side. There’s a pair of (roller covered) cupholders, a tray for two phones (including 50W wireless charging), a deep bin between the seats and a large additional bay under the console with USB connectivity.

2025 Deepal G318
2025 Deepal G318

In the back, for me at 183cm tall there’s acres of legroom, tons of headroom and in terms of practicality, there are pockets in the front seatbacks and individual ventilation for backseaters, which is always welcome.

There are decent bins in the doors, a fold-down centre armrest with a couple of cupholders and a slot for a phone or hand-held game console.

Speaking of armrests, there are USB-C sockets in the rear armrests, which is handy.

2025 Deepal G318
2025 Deepal G318

Boot volume is a healthy 818 litres with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat upright and a cavernous 1747L with it folded down.

Happily, the tailgate opens left to right which works well for access when parallel parking on the left-hand side of the road. Maximum braked trailer towing capacity in China is 1600kg.

As mentioned, the Deepal G318 is offered with a choice of single-motor rear-wheel drive (185kW/310Nm) and dual-motor all-wheel drive (316kW/572Nm) in China, with the latter in the frame for Australian sale.

2025 Deepal G318
2025 Deepal G318

Also on-board is a 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine acting purely as a generator for the drive battery without any connection to the drive wheels.

The all-wheel-drive G318 with air suspension boasts a WLTP pure-electric range of 138km, with an official fuel consumption figure of 7.7L/100km contributing to a combined petrol-electric range in excess of 1000km. The drive battery is a 35kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) unit and claimed 30-80 per cent charging time is 30 minutes.

In terms of the drive experience, this isn’t the type of car you’d typically pitch through your favourite set of corners but overall the G318 feels pretty composed. 

2025 Deepal G318
2025 Deepal G318

We drove it on Changan’s test facility in China, over a variety of surfaces - curves, straights, bumps, undulations, potholes… you name it.

And it feels well buttoned down. The steering is light but quite accurate. Not exactly the last word in road feel, though.

Part of that may be down to running on 18-inch snow/ice tyres, so, there’s that. With Australian spec likely to include 20-inch rims on more conventional rubber, we’ll reserve judgement for a drive on local soil.

2025 Deepal G318
2025 Deepal G318

Acceleration is pretty rapid with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.5 seconds for the 4WD and the 1.5-litre engine firing up occasionally is really unobtrusive.

Suspension is by double wishbones at the front and a five-link arrangement at the rear with the air suspension adding ‘Soft’ and ‘Hard’ settings as well as height adjustment. Worth noting an ‘Active Magic’ function scans the road ahead making micro-adjustments to the air suspension in line with upcoming conditions.

The 4WD powertrain includes a rear and (virtual) central diff lock as well as five terrain modes (‘Wading’, ‘Snow’, ‘Rugged’, ‘Mud’ and ‘Sand’) plus an impressive, if brutal on tyres, ‘standing turn around’ tank-turn style function, recommended for loose surfaces only.

2025 Deepal G318
2025 Deepal G318

Braking is by ventilated discs all around with regen in support.

We’ll have to wait for details on safety tech if and when the G318 is confirmed for Australia but the 4WD model in the home market is equipped with auto emergency braking (AEB with vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian recognition), lane assist, blind-spot detection, lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, driver fatigue alert and more.   

And stand by for high-level assisted driving with multiple cameras, radars and Lidar sensors on board.

The airbag count runs to eight (dual front, front and rear side and side curtain) and there are two ISOFIX anchor points for child seats in the rear.

Expect Deepal to cover the G318 with the brand’s seven-year/160,000km warranty with 12 months roadside assist and separate eight-year/240,000km drive battery cover. Capped-price servicing will almost certainly be offered.

Verdict

The Deepal G318 combines range-extender tech similar to that used in established models like Nissan’s e-Power X-Trail and Qashqai with genuine off-highway ability, taking maximum advantage of its electric powertrain’s flexibility. It breaks new ground for four-wheel drives and we look forward to testing its mettle on local soil if Deepal pulls the lever and brings it to Australia.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

James Cleary
Deputy Editor
As a small boy James often sat on a lounge with three shoes in front of him, a ruler between the cushions, and a circular drinks tray in his hands. He would then play ‘drivings’, happily heading to destinations unknown for hours on end. He’s since owned many cars, raced a few, and driven (literally) thousands of them at all points of the globe. He’s steered around and across Australia multiple times, spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas. His time in motoring journalism has included stints at national and international titles including Motor, Wheels and TopGear, and when asked to nominate a career highlight, James says interviewing industry legend Gordon Murray, in the paddock at the 1989 Australian Formula One Grand Prix was amazing, especially as Murray waived away a hovering Ayrton Senna to complete the conversation. As Deputy Editor, James manages everything from sub-editing to back-end content while creating written and video product reviews.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.

Comments