Almost fifty Chinese brands entered the UAE market in the past couple of years, and one can describe the entry of Soueast as fashionably late. But that doesn’t mean these models are strangers to our market. There is an element of familiarity in that many of them are rebadged Jetour models. Soueast S08 DM (dual mode) is a hybrid 7-seater SUV that offers premium value through touches of comfort and functions designed for ease.

The Design and Interiors

Soueast S08 has a functional rather than fashionable presence, with an honest warmth emanating from the large, plain radiator grille. Other than the 20” alloy wheels and the colourful ‘barcode’ rear lights, the design doesn’t try too hard to impress, but sometimes one wishes it did. The interior in beige has a hand-picked kind of feel which is admirable for synthetic leather and fake wood to achieve.

Cabin tech

A central touchscreen of 15.6” sits next to a much smaller driver info screen. The functions and layout of the screens are borrowed from Tesla. So, we have different levels of charging resistance, minimum protective battery setting etc. The central screen does a curious, thoughtful thing: It turns a wee bit towards the driver when the camera or some other functions are activated.

Cabin and comforts

Another thoughtful addition is the refrigerator that the armrest hides, with heating and cooling option. The wide console bridge is split for two mobiles with one wireless charging bed. The music system offers Surround Sound and an individualistic listening mode. While the intention is noble, the wind and road noise come in the way of rapture.

Family space

A 4.8m body and a 2.8 m wheel base ensure the best space you can expect in a midsize family SUV for seven. It is only natural for the third row to squeeze the legroom or the boot space to be meagre behind the last row. The second and third row seats are moved by the mere touch of a button. The command even adjusts the front seat a bit to make enough space in the rear to climb in easily!

Automatic seat folding in both rear rows

The Drive

The powertrain is a 1.5L engine producing 154 hp and 220 Nm of torque with the motor adding 201 hp and 310 Nm to it. The resultant combined power is 265 hp and 530 Nm. (Curious trivia: Notice the torque figures are exactly double that of the horsepower?)

Many of the hybrid electric cars from China tend to have a rather loose and easy way of steering. Soueast feels comparatively more drive-worthy.

Combined power: 265 hp and 530 Nm torque

Charging and energy use

Soueast S08 is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle and plugging into a mall charger was pretty simple. But as I had to download the charging app to my space-starved phone and as charging wasn’t mandatory for the S08 PHEV anyway, I decided to run with what the 70L tank offered and what little the brake energy recuperation and on-the-drive charging added to the battery. I had started my test drive with a promise of 707km from the 70L petrol tank and 85 km from the 18.4 kWh Li Fe P battery (lithium iron phosphate).

At the end of each trip, the fuel economy showed up on the driver info screen – figures like 4.7L per 100 km which is over 21km per litre. The window sticker from authorities said 26 kmpl. However, the official communication put the total range at approx. 800 km for a single filling of the tank and a single charge of the battery. But that really doesn’t add up!

Think of it, 800 km is rather dismal as it works out to less than 11 and a half kmpl! Plus, the gap is too big with the 26 on the sticker. So, I sat down with my own math of miles clocked. By the time I had used up 114 km worth of combined energy, I had covered 266 on the odometer. Which means, by the time the full tank is vaporized, I would actually get 1866 km from the projected 800 km. Well, theoretically. Moreover, this adds up to 26.6 km per litre, a closer number to that on the sticker – bang!

Driving safety

6 airbags – Driver and front passenger, side airbags in front and rear, curtain airbags • Adaptive Cruise Control • Automatic Emergency Braking • Forward and Rear Collision Warning • Lane Keep Assist • Lane Change Assist and Blind Spot Detection • Rear Cross Traffic Alert • Traffic Jam Assist • 360º camera + chassis view • Front and rear parking radar

• Auto unlock during a collision
• 360º camera and ADAS

The camera graphics seem somewhat messy at first but the guidelines and a 360 view tend to be precise and helpful. Turning the steering is enough to bring up a square box on screen showing what is ahead, though keeping eyes on the road is a better idea. Talking about good road view, the mid-headrest in the last row blocks some rear view.

The price: AED 113,500 + VAT

The essential SOUEAST 08 DM

Soueast 08 Hybrid comes in one feature-packed trim priced at AED 113,500, while segment benchmark BYD Song Plus begins at AED 119,000. Working backwards from a surprising value pricing, it becomes obvious why synthetic leather, a modest battery and unassuming design find a place in this model. Just as it is commendable that versatile seat adjustment, an armrest refrigerator and a host of driving safety are all right there. It could be a Jetour model settling for a premium make-do, but under the skin, it has way more than what you’re paying for.