Toyota Harrier vs Deepal S07: The battle between tradition and tech
One is a refined petrol cruiser built on decades of Toyota reliability; the other is a newcomer filled to its premium soft touch plastic brim that promises to push Bangladesh into the electric age
In Bangladesh's ever popular pseudo SUV scene, the Toyota Harrier is an ubiquitous face. It's the well-dressed cousin who shows up at weddings in a neatly pressed panjabi, shakes everyone's hand while staying away from the limelight.
Now, into this same gathering rolls something that makes all the aunties reach for their prospective daughters at the sight of a new eligible bachelor: the Deepal S07, a Chinese electric SUV that looks like it took a wrong turn off the set of a sci-fi film.
It's a small wonder since the appliance on four wheels was designed in Turin, Italy. Hence the borrowed looks of a Lamborghini Urus is way too prevalent minus the price tag.
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Both are premium crossovers, both seat five, but their personalities couldn't be more different. One is a refined petrol cruiser built on decades of Toyota reliability; the other is a newcomer filled to its premium soft touch plastic brim that promises to pull Bangladesh into the electric age. Let's dive in deeper.
The average Modellista kitted Harrier in Gulshan traffic usually blends in perfectly with Dhaka's upper middle class car parks with the plethora of Land Cruisers, CR-Vs, and Prados. The lines are elegant but understated, with a coupe-like roofline that doesn't compromise on presence. It screams understated luxury in classic Toyota fashion with a Z Leather package.
The Deepal S07? It has a hard time blending in, especially if it's specced in the factory Cosmic Yellow — which looks more like the Porsche Acid Green, or the BMW flavoured Sunset Orange.
The sharp creases, frameless doors, the flush handles that pop out when you approach, the futuristic "Star Petal" LED DRLs and the clear taillights along with the light bar scream European business casual, since the design was penned in Italy after all. It borrows road presence from the fact that it can pass for a Lamborghini Urus Performante from 20 steps away for someone with myopic eyes
The Harrier's interior feels like coming home, the familiarity of a JDM Toyota product. You sink into literally cool and comfortable ventilated leather seats, surrounded by soft-touch materials with all the familiar HVAC controls.
The infotainment screen, with Apple CarPlay, isn't huge, but it's clear and responsive. Toyota has sprinkled in the right amount of tech: adaptive cruise, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, without making you feel like you need the help of Gen Z to operate it.
The Deepal S07 on the other hand is from another planet; one that speaks fluent Mandarin and Cantonese, and sometimes Thai and Malaysian. A massive 15.6-inch screen dominates the centre console and can rotate left to right while favouring the passenger or the driver side alike, which is a cool party trick if you ask me.
However, the real party trick which can be seen as a borderline gimmick is the Tesla Model X style dance it does with its lights and outside speakers which you can use to blast your tunes to the outside world if you're feeling particularly obnoxious.
The dashboard is clean, with air vents running across its width. There's a head-up display with AR navigation, a 14 speaker Sony sound system with directional headrest audio, and even a gesture control which can be used to take a selfie inside the cabin. Cool party tricks nevertheless. Both of them can be had with the ever so cool panoramic sunroof which is always a welcoming feature.
Powering the Harrier is either a 2000 cc petrol engine or a 2500 cc hybrid, both paired to CVT to keep things smooth. It won't out drag the Deepal from a stop start since it's hybrid ICE vs Electric, but it will glide along Airport Road without much interference from its comparatively archaic 21st century tech. You'll average around 14–15 km/l if you're light on the throttle, which is respectable given Dhaka's stop-go traffic.
The suspension is set for comfort, soaking up speed bumps and potholes of Bashundhara without discomfort. Since both cars already share a raised ride height, there is absolutely no point driving them spiritedly even though both exhibit minimal levels of body roll as expected from their form factors.
The Deepal S07's pure electric motor is a different animal. Instant torque makes overtaking easy, especially useful on 'Bangla Tesla' laden Dhaka roads when they decide that the fast lane is also the slow lane. With up to 258 hp and a 0–100 km/h time of under seven seconds, it's properly quick. Range is a claimed 560 km, depending on the driving style of course and fast charging from 30–80% takes just 35 minutes.
The Harrier's 396-litre boot is big enough for a family's weekend roadtrip, and rear legroom is generous. The cabin is also well insulated. And let's be honest, Toyota's reliability and resale value mean it's an easy sell to your uncle when you decide to upgrade.
The S07 has more interior space thanks to its EV platform's form factor, with a flat floor that makes the back seats feel open and airy. The tech is incredible, but with limited service centres for Chinese EVs, a software glitch could be more frustrating than a Karwan Bazar gridlock.
Reconditioned Harriers range between Tk 60–90 lakh depending on age and spec which might be steep, but justifiable when you factor in reliability, resale, and Toyota's parts availability in Bangladesh.
The Deepal S07 is puzzling to say the least. Despite all the luxury amenities and tech, it starts at Tk 64 lakhs — a number that will surely be tempting you to make the switch to the EV lifestyle.
For most Bangladeshi buyers, the Harrier remains the safer bet with its reliability, comfort and its ease of blending in. The S07 is for the bold, the early adopters, the ones who want their car to be a conversation starter at every Gulshan signal.
In Dhaka's evolving SUV landscape, both have their place. One carries the weight of traditional resale value, the other waves to the future with an LED light show. The question is: are you ready to swap Toyota's calm handshake for Deepal's electric fist bump?
