Soueast S06

Design & Quality

Once you’re inside, what comes to your mind is a trend that is now becoming quite obvious with all the Chinese brands. The cabin feels a lot techy and equipped with the latest features; somehow, the Chinese are good at electronics and technologies, which is what new buyers want. This is visible even in the affordable segment S06. In no time, you get the feel of stepping into a big step up compared to many budget rivals. The soft-touch materials shouldn’t surprise you, as they become quite commanding and noteworthy, and you hardly hear any rattles or creaks even on rough patches, which indicates a job well done. 

Dust wipes off easily, which is useful here, and at night, the new 72-colour ambient lighting makes the cabin feel upscale and special. The large 15.6-inch touchscreen is slick thanks to the Snapdragon 8155 chip, and it is indeed user-friendly. The ventilated seats, the SONY audio system on the Max trim, sound premium. Features like the 540-degree camera and wireless charging are things you usually associate with pricier cars. Against rivals like the Urban Cruiser or Haval Jolion, it feels roomier and offers more kit at a lower price. Overall, it feels like a smart buy if you want premium touches without spending big.

Front Seat

The driver’s seat in the base trims is manual, while the Max trim gives you electric adjustment and ventilation. The cooling works quickly and makes a big difference in peak heat. From behind the wheel, the visibility is excellent, and the leather-wrapped steering has a perfect, grippy feel with controls that are easy to handle. The high driving position gives you that commanding view of traffic, making city driving less stressful and long trips more comfortable.

Electronic Parking Brake

Every trim comes with an electronic parking brake and auto-hold. Something necessary in traffic, helps stop rolling and saves you from keeping your foot on the brake all the time. On slopes, it holds steady, which makes hill starts smooth. After using it for a bit, you realise just how much easier it makes stop-and-go driving.

Rear Seat

At the back, the S06 feels spacious, something families will consider in a big way. It is for three, though two adults will be more comfortable on longer journeys, like any SUV in this segment. Legroom is fine, you won’t complain, and thanks to the flat floor, the middle passenger does not feel squeezed. The rear AC vents work effectively, and having USB ports at the back is a real win for families. I also liked the stain-resistant upholstery, something good to maintain if kids are part of the driving.

AC Vents

The dual-zone AC cools the cabin quickly, even in the hottest afternoons. To keep the passenger comfortable, the rear vents are strong, and the CN95 air filters aren’t just a feature to tick the box, but actually quite effective in cutting dust. The voice control for adjusting temperature actually works better than expected and lets you keep focus on the road while still tweaking settings.

Storage Options

The S06 is dotted with clever storage areas, again, keeping in mind the family customers' profile. The glovebox is easy to access and well-lit, the door bins are deep, and the armrest box is cooling, which is fantastic for keeping drinks chilled on the move. There’s also under-floor storage in the boot, which helps keep small items like tools or shopping bags neatly tucked away..

Armrest

Both front and rear armrests are available and make a huge difference during long drives. The rear one has standard cupholders for passengers to use and feel convenient. Overall, you get the impression that the cabin is designed to keep everyone happy, not just the driver.

Charging Options

Between the five USB ports and a 50W wireless charging pad on Pro and Max trims, there is enough to not let you run out of charging options to keep your devices alive. In today’s world, where navigation and music streaming are a must, this is something I found really practical. Passengers loved being able to charge their phones at the same time without fighting for sockets.

Boot Space

The boot is a strong point here, another practicality aspect that the brand has focused on. With 650 litres it easily handles the daily needs of luggage, groceries, or weekend camping gear. You get to utilise the  60:40 split seats, and that opens a lot more space whenever needed. I liked small but useful items like the tie-downs and retractable cover, which keep bags from sliding around when you’re taking a corner or hitting a speed bump. For a family, this space feels generous and definitely ahead of many rivals in this price band.

• 6 airbags
• ABS, EBD, ESC
• Hill assist, descent control
• Automatic High Beam Assist

• Blind-spot detection
• Adaptive Cruise Control 

• Lane-keep assist

• AEB with pedestrian detection
• TPMS
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• ISOFIX
• Collision auto-unlock

The exterior represents a combination of edgy, modern and distinctive. The stylish Roaring Tiger grille gives it a solid look, and the well-designed LED headlights enhance the overall appeal. Dimension-wise, the 4,616 mm length and 1,910 mm width put it in the compact segment, but it doesn’t appear very small; rather feels a lot bigger.

The 190 mm ground clearance, your city driving is as smooth and even over light sandy patches without scraping. What is also worthy of attention, which makes it quite attractive, is that the aerodynamic shape, not only for looks, but also keeps wind noise low on highways.

Front

From the front, it is a lot better than what we usually come across in the segment, that means a lot sleeker, premium and also bold. The gusty grille integrated with bright LED daytime lights provides a confident identity. The sculpted hood is visible from the driver’s seat, boosting its SUV credentials. The fog lamps are placed nicely at the bottom, and the design seems smartly thought out, since it resists dust build-up, which is a small but real plus in the climate we have around here. Overall, the front feels quite aggressive but also has that friendly persona, which is a balance many SUVs miss.

Side

From the side, the design flows well right from the front to all the way back. The flared wheel arches raise its sporty stance, and the chrome window line hones its appearance. The roof rails are practical for weekend gear, and the long 2,720 mm wheelbase gives it superb stability when driving on open roads. One thing I liked was how the body lines catch the evening light; it makes the car look more expensive, and hence attracts attention from most people around, as it looks quite new, not a common sight.  The entry height is just right, too, neither too high nor too low, so getting in and out is just quick and easy.

Alloy Wheels

The higher trims get 19-inch alloys with 235/55R19 tires, and they look stylish and fit well into the SUV's overall design elements. On regular city roads, the grip is good and also gives you confidence when cornering. On light sandy tracks, they are just fine. The durability is okay too, and they can manage balance, style and comfort without making the ride too firm.

Rear

At the back, the wide LED taillights are just regular ones, not much of innovation, and they do the job of giving clear signalling at night. There’s a small spoiler that adds sportiness without being too shiny, and the skid plate does a good job protecting against loose gravel. The Pro and Max trims get a 360-degree camera; the clarity of the feed is a lot better than one might expect.

Colors

You get a total six colours to choose from, they are Aurora Green, White, Black, Silver, Grey, and Blue.

City Performance

It is a good city SUV, and that is visible with the driving experience as it feels right at home. We got to test both engines, the 1.5 turbo with 156 hp and the 1.6 turbo with 197 hp. The smaller one is perfectly fine for city traffic, while the 1.6 has that extra kick when you need it. The DCT gearbox is smooth most of the time, though you can sense a little hesitation at low speeds, but that is not a big deal. The steering feels light for quick parking, and U-turns are easy in our crowded streets. The mileage was around 13 km per litre in mixed traffic, which is pretty good for this segment, another huge strength of the S06, and the Eco mode further helps too. The 540-degree camera and blind-spot monitoring make parking at tight spots a lot less stressful.

Highway Performance

The highway experience has been mixed, not great, but now underperformance too. So, yes, not a big deal, if you choose to occasionally head for an interstate highway drive on the S06. It cruises comfortably at 160–180 km/h without feeling that typical nervousness. The 1.6 turbo does a better job in such drives, is quick to overtake and feels strong even with passengers and luggage. The 1.5 needs a bit more planning when you’re loaded up, but it doesn’t struggle, so not bad either. Wind noise is surprisingly low. The adaptive cruise control on the higher trims makes long drives less tiring, a feature not to miss.

Ride and Handling

Again, being a Chinese car, don’t let your prejudice come in when evaluating the quality of ride and overall handling. Because it is anything but like that, it does better on most of the parameters, and you don’t have to have that hesitation. The suspension setup, McPherson in the front and multi-link at the rear, gives it a comfortable ride. Most potholes and bumps are dealt with smoothly, though sharp dips can feel firm. I found it stable on mixed roads, with less body roll than I expected in curves. The steering stays light in the city but gets firmer at highway speeds, which is good to boost your confidence. The ground clearance of 190 mm is decent for this SUV. Good for individuals and families for its overall handling and quality of ride, not to be perturbed by the DCT’s little at crawling speeds.

• 15.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

• 10.2-inch digital cluster

• Leatherette seats
• Dual-zone AC
• SONY 8-speaker audio (Max)

• Keyless entry
• 540-degree camera
• Panoramic sunroof (Pro/Max)

• Wireless charger
• Mobile phone reminder

1.5T DCT Lite

The base variants, as expected, are low on features. But what is offered is not any less, if you consider the price. This includes LED lights, a big 15.6-inch screen, cruise control, and the safety basics. It’s roomy and efficient, though you miss out on luxuries like the sunroof.

1.5T DCT Pro

This is rather called as the best deal, you get some additional features than the base one, like a sunroof, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, and wireless charging. It looks like a lot more premium without a big jump in price.

1.6T DCT Max

In this variant, things change a bit. With the more powerful engine for your fun highway drives, there is SONY audio, adaptive cruise, and electric seats.

STD EV

The EV is smooth and silent around town, with very low running costs. The catch is its 114 km range, which is fine for daily commuting but not for long-distance drives. For urban use, though, it’s a refreshing change.

Sayarabay Recommendation

For most buyers, considering what they value the most, our recommendation is the 1.5T DCT Pro at around. The reasons are obvious; here you’re basically getting the right mix of tech and features, like the 360-camera and ventilated seats make daily life easier, while the fuel efficiency stays wallet-friendly. For KSA families, this trim makes the most sense.

The 2025 Soueast S06 is a very solid package if you’re looking at the compact SUV space. It has a sharp design, the cabin feels upmarket for the price, and the features list is strong, given how Chinese brands are known for their offering these days. The performance is more than enough for city and highway use, with the 1.6 turbo adding real fun. Yes, the DCT can be hesitant at times, but apart from that, it drives well and keeps passengers comfortable. It is an excellent pick for budget-conscious families or younger buyers who want something stylish without stretching the wallet.

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