The return of Spain’s EBRO comes in the form of an SUV with a Chinese accent. Yet it takes only a few miles to realise it deserves serious attention.
After lying dormant for many years, the Spanish EBRO brand is back. The most surprising aspect of its return is not its partnership with China’s Chery, nor the resumption of production at its former Barcelona factory, most recently owned by Nissan. What stands out is the way the marque has prepared for its comeback.
It has assembled a range focused on the right segments, selected the powertrains buyers want and delivered an equipment-to-price proposition that is difficult to overlook. The sole caveat is the current absence of electric models, although that will be addressed in 2027. Aside from that, it appears to have made almost every decision correctly.
One key question remained: are the new models actually good enough? The s700 PHEV is the first EBRO we have driven, and the following pages assess whether this still largely unknown name conceals a product able to challenge established models in a fiercely competitive market.
Bigger than it looks
Stylistically, the s700 does not yet possess the visual identity of some of the segment’s more established contenders. Considering EBRO’s recent history, expecting otherwise would have been unusual. Even so, it is far from suffering the visual anonymity often associated with many brands now arriving in Portugal.
EBRO has aimed to establish a design language across its range, most evident in the closed front grille, which gives the s700 greater presence, and in the more intricately styled light clusters.
In this respect, the s700 is competent without being especially striking. More noteworthy is what its dimensions mean in practice: at 4.55 metres long, it is only 5 cm shorter than the Toyota RAV4, while also being 5 cm longer than the Jaecoo 7 and 1 cm longer than the Volkswagen Tiguan.
That makes it a family-sized SUV, offering sufficient room for everyday requirements as well as the demands of a holiday journey.
A somewhat anonymous interior
Space is no concern in this Spanish-Chinese SUV, which also performs well once you start examining the cabin finish. Most materials feel pleasant to the touch and contribute to a convincing impression of quality on board.
The main criticism concerns the overall layout, which closely resembles that of other offerings on the market. Certain details, particularly the centre console, even look slightly dated.
That said, while the general sense of quality is good, the equipment list is equally impressive and ranks among this SUV’s strongest points.
Starting with the inevitable displays, there is a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a centre-mounted infotainment screen of identical size. The user experience is pleasant in both cases, even if it is not particularly distinctive. Simpler, more modern systems exist in this class, but this one does not disappoint: it is smooth and responsive, helped by its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip.
EBRO s700 rear-seat legroom
The EBRO s700 also stands out for the room available in the rear seats. At 1.83 m tall, I can sit behind comfortably with plenty of space to spare.
Admittedly, these seats have no fore-and-aft adjustment, unlike those in the Renault Austral and Ford Kuga, for instance, and the backrest angle cannot be altered either. In return, there is something I consider even more important: headroom is class-leading.
The boot provides 484 litres of capacity, a figure in line with that offered by plug-in hybrid versions of the Tiguan, but substantially above the Jaecoo 7’s 340 litres. Returning to the Toyota RAV4 PHEV comparison, which also offers 340 litres, the EBRO s700 comes out ahead there too.
More than 1,200 km of range
In Portugal, the s700 is offered solely with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, pairing a 1.5-litre 143 hp turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors. One of these provides propulsion, producing 150 kW (204 hp) and 310 Nm.
Combined, the s700’s PHEV system develops 279 hp of maximum output and 365 Nm of peak torque, enough for a 0–100 km/h time of 8.4 seconds and a limited top speed of 180 km/h.
These figures are not exactly remarkable, but they are more than adequate for normal use. The s700 has sufficient “firepower” to inspire confidence during any overtaking manoeuvre and to handle a longer trip effortlessly.
Perhaps the most interesting component of this hybrid system is its 18.4 kWh LFP battery, which delivers up to 90 kilometres of fully electric range under the WLTP cycle. That is enough to cover much of the daily commute without consuming a drop of fuel, provided regular charging is possible, particularly overnight at home.
Longer journeys also remove any anxiety over charging: with both the battery and fuel tank full, the claimed combined range exceeds 1,200 kilometres.
More significant than that official claim was what we observed during the test. After around 600 kilometres without charging even once, the trip computer displayed 5.7 l/100 km. That is a highly impressive result for an SUV of this size weighing almost 1,900 kg.
How does it perform on the road?
As soon as you begin exploring the s700 on open roads, it becomes clear that EBRO has decisively prioritised comfort over any sporting ambition. The steering is over-assisted and conveys very little of what is happening at the front axle.
Body roll through corners is noticeable, while it is relatively easy for the front axle to lose traction. You do not even need to push particularly hard for this to happen. The tyres selected for this version appear to be partly responsible.
It is not, then, a dynamic experience that excites. But that is also far from this model’s priority, as it clearly focuses on ride quality. This is apparent both in the way the suspension absorbs road imperfections and in the acoustic insulation of the cabin.
What about the price?
The EBRO s700 PHEV is available in Portugal from €42,240 in Premium specification. The test car, in the range-topping Luxury trim, costs an additional €2,000, a difference that I believe is worth paying.
Among other items, it adds heated, ventilated and electrically adjustable front seats, a panoramic roof, head-up display and tinted rear windows. All of this comes on top of an already very comprehensive equipment list (see the list at the end of this article).
At this level, the s700 is at a slight disadvantage against the Jaecoo 7, which has a lower entry price, but it is significantly cheaper than a Volkswagen Tiguan with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
After a week with the s700, however, the Citroën C5 Aircross PHEV seems one of its most direct rivals. It offers up to 96 km in fully electric mode, greater interior space and an even larger boot, while also being more refined on the road. The French SUV also holds a slight price advantage, starting from €39,500.
Ultimately, the EBRO s700 PHEV has strengths that are hard to dismiss: extensive equipment, space, comfort and a hybrid system that proved efficient even without regular access to a plug. It will not appeal to those seeking a more involving drive, but it was never intended to.
Its biggest hurdle will probably be outside the car itself. In a segment full of familiar names, EBRO must still earn the trust that many rivals already carry in their badges. The s700, at least, gives it strong arguments with which to begin.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Leave a Comment