Soueast S07

Design & Quality

There are a lot of finer and segment-best elements inside the cabin. This makes it quite interesting if you’re looking for the differentiation angle for your next SUV. The design seems to be nothing but simple and subtle, not over the top. Right from the soft touch surfaces, no rattles, it feels nicely built quality as well. I like how dust wipes off easily, which is excellent for the kind of weather conditions we have here in KSA.

At night, the new RGB ambient lighting changes the mood inside. The 12.3-inch screen paired with the Snapdragon chip is fast and smooth, with no lagging menus. Likewise, the ventilated seats are another key feature, and the 540-degree camera, SONY audio system, wireless charging, and HUD make this cabin feel like it belongs in a higher segment. Not much of a problem given we are dealing with a Chinese SUV, and overall, it feels like a well-thought-out cabin.

Front Seat

The driver’s seat in higher trims is power-adjustable and ventilated. The driving position is high and commanding, giving you good visibility all around, which enhances safety. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped and feels nice in the hand, with all the controls where you need them. It is the kind of setup that makes both city traffic and long highway runs comfortable.

Electronic Parking Brake

This is one of those little features that makes a big difference. With auto-hold, you do not have to keep pressing the brake in stop-and-go traffic. On inclines, it holds the car steady, so no rollback. Frankly, once you get used to it, you would not want to go back to a manual handbrake.

Rear Seat

Space at the back is decent, given the size of the SUV and usability.  It will seat three if needed, but two adults will be the most comfortable for long trips. The head and legroom are solid, and the flat floor makes the middle seat more usable. Rear AC vents make a big difference, and the extra USB ports are a thoughtful touch. The upholstery is stain-resistant, which families with kids will really appreciate, as maintenance becomes easier. 

AC Vents

Cooling is one of the highlights in the SUV, and nobody really wants a poor AC, considering the climatic situation in KSA. The dual zone system cools the cabin very quickly, and the rear vents are strong enough to keep the back row comfortable. The CN95 filter handles dust well, and the voice control for temperature adjustments works smoothly, so you do not need to take your eyes off the road.

Storage Options

Storage has been designed with families in mind, something needs to be, as practicality is at the heart of everyday use. The glovebox is big enough for you to keep all kinds of stuff, it is well-lit, the door bins are deep enough for bottles, and the armrest box even has a cooling function for drinks. 

Armrest

Another common but necessary comfort feature; both front and rear armrests have cupholders, which sounds small but makes a difference on long drives. It gives passengers a place to rest their arms and adds a touch of comfort overall.

Charging Options

With five USB ports across the cabin and a wireless charging pad that supports fast charging, everyone in the car can keep their devices well powered. For families or even just a couple with gadgets, this avoids the usual fight over who gets the charger. It is one of those features you start to rely on very quickly.

Boot Space

A compact SUV means the boot has to be within the usual capacity, and here the brand is offering you 600 litres of capacity. Ideally, for daily needs and even occasional shopping or extra items to carry. It is expandable, and the Tie-downs and a retractable cover organise cargo, ideal for groceries or weekend gear. For us, the boot was spacious enough, and should suffice for families

• 6-8 airbags
• ABS, EBD, ESC
• Hill assist, descent control
• High Beam Assist 

• Blind-spot detection
• Lane-keep assist

• AEB with pedestrian detection
• Adaptive Cruise Control with accident mitigation 

• TPMS
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• ISOFIX
• High-strength body

The S07 is not hard to stand out when you see it in the flesh. First things first, and the grille, which comes with a chrome finish, looks attractive. This is coupled with sharp LED headlights, further elevating its premium appeal. At just over 4.7 meters long, it comes across as big enough for a family’s needs and easy to navigate city roads.

As an SUV, the high ground clearance is good enough to take on speed bumps or struggle on light sand patches. The design appears to be smooth and aerodynamic, good for highway drives. The exterior is also defined by the stylish tires, overall front and back design nicely integrating into a complete persona of the S07, and so making it feel more upmarket than the price suggests.

Front

The front is really a lot better than what we see in this segment, different too. The starry grille is the first point of strong impression. The LED DRLs and headlights are designed well and positioned perfectly, and are so bright and clear on unlit roads, for safe and confident driving at night. The hood has a curved, muscular look, most visible when sitting behind the wheel. Even the fog lamps are neatly integrated, and the whole face handles dust well, which is a real plus in KSA. It is one of those front ends that makes the car feel more premium and expensive than it really is.

Side

Look at it from the side, and you see a nice mix of practicality and sportiness, my personal favourite part of the design. The flowing shoulder line and slightly flared arches are some design elements that give the SUV a straightforward stance. The wheelbase at 2,720 mm does its job, giving the car stability on open stretches. I also noticed how the paint catches light around dusk, and it actually got a few compliments while parked near my office. Entry height is just right, too, not a big problem for either elders or kids. Another underrated but vital aspect is the roof rails, which come in handy with that extra space to carry gear.

Alloy Wheels

The alloys are a highlight for me; the 20-inch wheels on higher trims fill the arches beautifully, while the base 19-inch set still looks good. They are wrapped in 255-section tires, which give solid grip whether you are on clean roads or rough stretches..

Rear

At the back, the full-width LED taillights make the S07 quite different and so easy to recognise, especially in the light. The small spoiler gives sportiness without being too extravagant, and the skid plate provides a bit of protection when you run into gravel or loose surfaces. One feature I really appreciated was the 540-degree camera system, of course on the top-end variant. It gives a bird’s eye view and makes reversing into tight spaces an easy job, especially in packed markets or apartments, and offices.

Colors

The S07 has several exterior colours, but I would personally say the White is the most popular here because of heat reflection. The Grey option hides dust very well, while Ocean Blue looks stunning in direct sunlight. However, this is a very personal choice.

City Performance

Driving the S07 around busy KSA streets feels surprisingly easy, and it clearly ticks the box of being a city SUV. And, this starts with the 1.5L turbo having enough punch for quick merges, and the 1.6L really boosts your confidence with that extra power.  Then comes the gearbox, which nicely complements the driving experience with smooth shifts most of the time, but I did notice a slight hesitation in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The steering, though, is light, which makes driving through tight roads or parking a lot effortless. The mileage figures came around 12 km/l in regular city use, a bit better with Eco mode on. The 540-degree camera is a real lifesaver, especially when you are going through narrow lanes, and the blind-spot alerts work well in crowded junctions. The cabin feels quiet, and overall the S07 feels agile, though the gearbox can be a touch fussy in stop-and-go traffic, but not a deal breaker for an otherwise well-thought-out SUV.

Highway Performance

Out on the highway, the S07 feels stable, in control, as well confident. I comfortably cruised at around 160 km/h, and the 1.6L version had no trouble pulling ahead for quick overtakes. With the 1.5L, you just need to plan your moves a little more, especially if the car is fully loaded. Wind noise is minimal, so you can actually enjoy music or conversations without raising your voice. I averaged about 13 km/l when cruising steadily, which I think is pretty good. The adaptive cruise control really helped on long stretches, and the panoramic sunroof gave the drive a relaxed, airy feel. It’s a proper companion for inter-city runs.

Ride and Handling

Comfort is clearly a priority with this, and what factors into that basically are the targeted customers, city users and families. The suspension handled most bumps and uneven patches without any issue, though sharp potholes did come through a little firm. On regular mixed roads, it felt settled and smooth, and body roll was less than I expected for an SUV this size. Other aspects like steering, seating, comfort, safety and NVHG are good. The ground clearance is enough to handle everyday road conditions without worrying about scraping the bottom, which occurs with Sedans. During our test, the S07 strikes a good balance between family comfort and daily usability.

• 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

• 12.3-inch digital cluster

• Leatherette seats
• Dual-zone AC

• SONY 8-speaker audio

• Keyless entry
• 540-degree camera
• Panoramic sunroof

• Head-up display
• Active Voice Command and Assistant

• Wireless charger

1.5T DCT

The starting variant is value for money where you save a lot of cost but then compromise on features. Yet, what you’re not missing is LED lights, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, cruise control, and a lot better safety features. It’s capable, efficient and spacious enough for everyday commutes.

The 1.6T AT 

This variant comes with a higher power 1.6 cc turbocharged engine, with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which is something very promising for city use. This variant promises a superior balance between performance and comfort. The list includes driver memory seats, blind-spot warning, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning systems for greater safety.

1.6T DCT

In this variant, you get extra premium features including ventilated seats, SONY audio, the sunroof, and the 540-degree camera. It feels more luxurious with most of the features families want, with added comfort and features.

Sayarabay Recommendation

If you can afford to spend a little extra, our recommendation is the 1.6T AT. The automatic transmission is a great deal in the city, and helps in ease of driving during daily commute. There are a fair number of features and tech that you hardly miss anything. It ticks all the boxes for style, space, and peace of mind, especially for family use in KSA.

After spending time with the S07, I’d say it has what it takes to offer you a unique ownership experience.  Starting from the exterior design, which certainly is premium, the cabin feels refined, and the feature list rivals more expensive SUVs. The engines are lively, the ride is family-friendly, and ADAS tech adds confidence. Yes, the gearbox can be a bit hesitant at crawling speeds, but that’s not a big deal; you can’t get around.

And so anyone in the market right now, looking for a value deal, without spending a lot, can go for the S07, which mixes comfort and style in a way that will appeal to both families and professionals. It genuinely feels like you’re getting more cars for less money compared to big-name rivals.

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