Soueast S09

Design & Quality

This three-row, 7 plus seater SUV has got quite an exciting cabin, both in terms of design and practicality. The first thing you notice is the space, followed by the reasonably better overall quality of materials. It is a well put-together cabin with soft-touch materials and a solid, durable build, almost zero squeaks or rattles, even when driving over rough patches. For the night, the 72-colour ambient lighting really changes the mood, and the new 15.6-inch touchscreen feels sharp and quick, thanks to the Snapdragon 8155 chip. On hot KSA days, the ventilated seats are a great way to keep you cool on long drives. The premium features like SONY audio, a head-up display, and advanced safety tech, and it feel superbly loaded. Considering S09 takes on market leaders, Toyota RAV4 or Hyundai Tucson, the S09 simply offers more, more space, more features, at a lower price.

Front Seat

The driver’s seat is one of those places you immediately settle into and think, yes, this is quite good. You get 8-way power adjustment, memory, and ventilation, which is definitely a must these days for personalised driving position and comfort on hot days when that cooling function makes the cabin instantly bearable. At the driving seat, you get that feeling of a high position with a great view of the road and surroundings, you feel that SUV kick, at the driving position, something that sedans lack, and so boost confidence in busy traffic. The steering wheel feels well-sized and easy to grip, with all the controls nicely accessible. On long drives, the cushioning and support make you appreciate the cabin, and the seat as comfortable as it is practical.

Electronic Parking Brake

This is one of those features you don’t think about until you use it, nowadays quite common. The auto-hold works perfectly in traffic, and on inclines, it stops any rollback. Makes driving in stop-and-go city streets much less stressful.

Rear Seat

Given the mostly family use of the SUV, comfort, space, and convenience are well taken care of, in the back seat. Three adults can sit across without complaint, though two will be most comfortable on long journeys thanks to the width and bolstered sides. The flat floor is a big plus, giving the middle passenger better legroom than usual. Also, the rear AC vents are such that the passenger won’t complain at the back and feel content with the overall comfort. What families will love most is the stain-resistant upholstery, which feels soft yet tough and makes you worry less about kids dropping snacks or spilling drinks during trips.

AC Vents

The dual-zone AC cools is nothing to complain about, it works great, and you won’t feel a lack of coolness even in peak heat. Similarly, the rear vents are quite effective too and handle the dust well, supported by the CN95 filters. I even tried the voice-control for temperature; it’s smooth and means less distraction when driving.

Storage Options

There are smart storage touches everywhere inside the cabin, so families have a lot to carry without feeling the constraint of space. There is a sizable glovebox with light, deep door bins, a cooling armrest box, and hidden space under the boot floor. Perfect for bottles, shopping bags, or electronics, quite practical for family use.

Armrests

Further cabin comfort is ensured by the front and rear armrests with cupholders, especially during long drives.  easier, especially for passengers.

Charging Options

With five USB ports, both Type-A and Type-C, and a 50W wireless charger in the DCT trim, keeping devices charged is no problem. I found it super useful on longer trips, as everyone had their phone or tablet plugged in without fuss.

Boot Space

The first thing I noticed was the boot; it was actually massive, to say the least. At 1130 litres capacity, you can literally throw in a week’s worth of groceries, luggage for a family trip, or even camping gear without breaking a sweat. I think the brands know how families really love more space in their cars, and that is exactly what you get with this SUV. I liked the little touches too, like tie-downs to keep things from sliding around and a retractable cover to hide valuables. Compared to most rivals, this really stands out for family practicality, another focus on usability and giving extra to customers. 

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

• Blind-spot detection
• Forward Collision Warning

• Lane-keep assist

• Lane Departure Warning 

• AEB with pedestrian detection
• Adaptive Cruise Control

• TPMS
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• ISOFIX
• Collision auto-unlock 

The Soueast S09 is the kind of SUV that is very successful in attracting attention the moment you see it. The bold U-shaped grille and sharp LED headlights make it distinctive than its peers. The in-person feel is quite different from images or video, immediately giving you the feel of a large SUV. Although it is less than 5 meters, precisely 4,858 mm long and 1,925 mm wide, and genuine road presence.

Likewise, the 190 mm ground clearance means you are capable of encountering over speed bumps without scraping, and it even handles light sand stretches confidently. The aerodynamic shape really does not just enhance the look for help in efficiency in highway drives, but along the way, makes it refined. The exterior is also defined by the large alloy wheels, and a unique persona from almost all the profiles..

Front

From the front, it looks every bit as bold as you’d expect, and unlike a typical Chinese built SUV, for sure. The grille dominates the front look, and the LED daytime running lights, without being flashy, appear sound help in cutting through dark highways with ease. The sculpted hood gives you that rugged SUV feel and is visible from the driving position. The fog lamps are neatly placed in, and a practical touch; dust wipes off easily, which is a practical convenience. So, it feels like you are driving something far more upscale than its price tag would suggest, and this seems to be the USP of the Chinese brands, basically, to lure customers away from the more established brands that dominate the segment. Soueast has had a lot of success with this approach, at least that's what we feel.

Side

From the side, you won’t miss the flowing lines and flared arches that serve the purpose of offering a strong and muscular look. Followed by the chrome window trims, and the roof rails, both usable and also add to the look and feel. The 2,850 mm wheelbase is good enough for better stability, especially when crosswinds pick up. The SUV also seems to focus on the ease of use aspects, which is visible through how effortless the entry and exit, for kids, women and the elderly.

Alloy Wheels

The 20-inch alloys (19-inch on the AT) fill the arches well and look sharp without being flashy. They’re paired with 255/45R20 tires, which are good enough to handle our roads with ease, whether it’s smooth city or light sand.

Rear

At the back, the Soueast S09 carries the brand's familiar bold persona as the front. The wide LED taillights stretch across, something as common for most SUVs, but give it a clean and modern look that really stands out at night. The integrated spoiler improves a sporty edge, while the skid plate gives the vehicle a tough and actually proves useful when taking on gravel or uneven village roads. Soueast takes a lead against its rivals in offering the 540-degree camera available in the DCT trim. It provides wide-angle visibility for easier parking or reversing in tight KSA parking lots, all those tough situations you encounter in the city or town, as congestion becomes a new norm.

Colors

You get to choose between Mountain Green, White, Black, Silver, Grey, and Blue, not a bad selection.

City Performance

For your use in the city, the 09 feels more nimble than you might expect it. The 2.0L turbo with 250 hp is a good performer, letting you zip through traffic or join faster lanes with ease. The AT gearbox is smooth and almost seamless, while the DCT gives a sportier edge but can hesitate slightly in bumper-to-bumper traffic, a small quirk you only notice in crawl situations. The steering is light, visibility is nothing to complain about, and the compact turning radius makes city parking and U-turns simple and easy. Fuel efficiency stays around 12 km/l in mixed conditions, with Eco mode squeezing out a bit more. The 540-degree camera is a great feature to have for blind-spot alerts. The cabin is quiet, has good NVH, and you’re assured of a relaxing drive in noisy city traffic

Highway Performance

On the open road, the S09 is promising too; don’t feel handicapped by anything at all. The robust powertrain, especially the turbo, pulls strongly, making cruising at high speed feel steady and controlled, with adequate reserve for quick overtakes. The stability at speed is awesome, and the cabin remains quiet. The adaptive cruise control works smoothly, responding to the traffic flow, which takes the fatigue out of long drives. I averaged about 13 km/l while holding steady highway speeds, not a bad number, and most buyers will like it for sure. Between the AT and DCT, the AT feels more polished here, but both are good for power and performance. The Sport mode sharpens responses for anyone looking for that extra punch, while the panoramic sunroof brings in light and openness, making long highway journeys more enjoyable.

Ride and Handling

I have always had some hesitation when it comes to China-made cars, for many years now, and that is for reasons known to everyone. However, I must admit, the cars are getting better and better, and the brands are learning more and getting better in their design and manufacturing. This is something I started feeling, and the Soueast S09 is one example of that same experience. Overall, ride and handling a quite exceptional. The suspension does a good job overall, takes on potholes without issue, though sharper bumps can still feel a bit firm. On mixed roads, the S09 stayed settled with less body roll than I expected from a tall SUV. The steering is light in the city but firms up nicely at speed, so you don’t feel floaty on curves. The 190 mm ground clearance came in handy on sandy stretches, no scraping at all. For families, the comfort level is strong, making this a good companion for both short errands and long road trips.

• 15.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

• 10.25-inch digital cluster

• Leatherette seats

• Dual-zone AC

• SONY 8-speaker audio
• Keyless entry
• 540-degree camera
• Panoramic sunroof

• Head-up display
• Handfree Boot Opener

• Wireless charger

2.0T AT

This is the entry option, but it’s far from basic. The features you get include LED lights, a big 15.6-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise, and well-equipped safety features. full safety suite.

2.0T DCT

This one gets fun stuff: ambient lighting, the 540-degree camera, SONY audio, and a panoramic sunroof. It feels like the sweet spot, comfortable, stylish, and well-equipped, without costing much more than the base.

Sayarabay Recommendation

Actually, given two variants with unique positions, recommending one isn’t that simple. And we won’t either. You can pick the 2.0T DCT for the right balance between power, features, and value. The 250 hp engine keeps it lively, while the DCT, despite a slight hesitation at crawling speeds, feels responsive once you are on the move. But if you want a lower price, an Automatic Transmission with power and performance, think of the 2.0T AT as well. Both variants are well-equipped with features, and the price difference indicates their overall package. 

With a considerable amount of across all types of terrains and driving conditions, we concluded that the Soueast S09 has matured into a serious contender in the mid-size SUV space, where the marquee rules the roost. This three-row SUV scores well when it comes to imposing road presence, a comfy and modern cabin, and importantly, for the new Gen-tech savvy buyers, it feels a few notches above the popular Japanese and Korean rivals, the real target of this Chinese brand. The pricing certainly is icing on the cake, with so much on offer. For KSA buyers, most prefer a stylish, capable, well-built SUV at the right price; the S09 makes complete sense.

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