Deepal S05 Tested: First 150K SUV with LiDAR—How Does Its Smart Driving Fare in Chongqing’s Complex Conditions?

The all-new Deepal S05 facelift model underwent real-world testing in Chongqing on July 21, with a primary focus on validating its newly added intelligent driving assistance capabilities. This vehicle debuts with a LiDAR sensor, powered by dual Horizon Robotics J6M autonomous driving chips delivering 256 TOPS of computing power, and features an end-to-end, single-segment algorithm architecture. It integrates a total of 27 high-performance sensors, including three millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 11 high-definition cameras. The test route spanned approximately 25 kilometers, covering urban roads in Chongqing, cross-river bridges, and the winding mountain roads of Nanshan Mountain. The route included typical complex scenarios such as interchanges, tunnels, construction zones, lane reductions, consecutive curves, and undulating slopes. With the Tianshu Navigation Pilot intelligent driving assistance system activated, the vehicle demonstrated smooth acceleration and deceleration logic in dense urban traffic involving frequent lane changes, cut-ins, slow-moving vehicles, and lane obstructions—executing maneuvers naturally without abrupt braking or noticeable hesitation. In multi-level interchange and ramp areas, the system successfully performed lane keeping, speed adjustments, and exit selection based on navigation inputs. During mountain driving, the vehicle proactively reduced speed ahead of curves, maintaining stable steering without excessive corrections. Human intervention was only required once near the end of the route at a particularly complex S-curve section. The vehicle also supports a full-scenario roaming assistance feature that operates independently of navigation, enabling it to identify drivable areas and assist decision-making in non-standard environments like campuses and parking lots. Additionally, it features a “Blue Light” status indicator—a set of external lights that communicate the vehicle’s autonomous driving state to surrounding road users. The intelligent driving mode offers three selectable profiles: Aggressive, Standard, and Gentle. The test used the Standard mode, which closely aligns with everyday driving habits. The navigation system employs a four-map fused, lane-level AR solution combining 3D lane modeling, SR rendering, and environmental reconstruction to deliver intuitive guidance in complex scenarios like multi-level interchanges. For parking, the S05 supports smartphone remote parking, a 540° panoramic view system, and a transparent chassis function—ideal for tight spaces or limited-visibility situations. Active safety features include low-speed automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. The chassis has been upgraded with FSD variable-damping shock absorbers and HRS hydraulic rebound stops, balancing ride comfort over urban bumps with responsive handling through consecutive corners. Rear headroom measures 990 mm, and the rear seatbacks offer adjustable recline angles. Front seats come equipped with ventilation, heating, massage functions, and lumbar support. The cabin incorporates acoustic insulation packages and acoustic laminated glass to reduce wind and road noise. The smart cockpit is powered by a 3nm automotive-grade chip, ensuring fluid operation on the 15.6-inch central touchscreen. Externally, the vehicle retains frameless doors and semi-flush door handles, achieving a drag coefficient of 0.25 Cd. The BEV variant offers two range options—520 km and 620 km—both featuring CATL battery cells, 3C ultra-fast charging, a heat pump HVAC system, and 6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) external power output. This facelift brings advanced intelligent driving hardware—including LiDAR—to the sub-¥150,000 compact SUV segment, addressing a wide range of assisted driving needs for daily commuting and family travel. Pre-sales will commence the following day.