The Soueast S09 is a flagship D-segment SUV launched in 2024 by Soueast Motor (rebranded as "Soueast") following its acquisition by Chery Automobile Group. Serving as the strategic core model for Soueast's brand revival and global expansion, the SUV is primarily aimed at overseas markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, having established a sales network across more than 30 countries and regions under the "Soueast" marque. Its domestic counterpart in China is the Jetour X90 Pro, born out of Chery Group's platform-sharing strategy.
The S09 moniker is derived from "Soul Knight", symbolising all-round knightly elegance and drive. Positioned above the S07 and S06 within the brand's line-up, the S09 stands as the flagship offering with the largest dimensions and most premium equipment, emphasising cabin roominess and advanced tech. In terms of pricing, as an export-oriented model, it starts from approximately AED 109,000 in the Gulf region.
The exterior styling of the Soueast S09 blends bold American presence with refined Chinese detailing. Up front, it features a hexagonal dot-matrix grille embedded with 222 individual LED elements, complemented by full-width LED headlights that illuminate in a distinctive "smiling face" motif at night, delivering both high-tech appeal and strong visual identity. Down the sides, flowing body lines and muscular wheel arches are paired with large alloy wheels, creating a commanding and athletic stance.
Inside, the S09 embraces a "luxury and technology" design philosophy. The cabin is extensively trimmed in soft-touch materials, Nappa leather upholstery, and brushed metallic trim, noticeably elevating perceived quality. The standout highlight is the large dual-screen setup comprising a 15.6-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch central infotainment touchscreen.
In terms of dimensions, the S09 measures 4,858 mm long, 1,925 mm wide, and 1,780 mm tall, with a 2,850 mm wheelbase, available in both 5-seater and 7-seater configurations. Its generous proportions ensure ample interior room, offering up to 1 metre of headroom for front occupants and 1 metre of legroom for second-row passengers, alongside a boot capacity of up to 1,634 litres in 5-seater mode. Six exterior colour options are offered from the factory.
The Soueast S09 is offered with multiple petrol powertrain options that vary depending on the destination market, mainly revolving around 1.6T and 2.0T units. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant, the S09 DM, is also available, featuring a dedicated hybrid engine with a thermal efficiency of up to 44.5% mated to a dual-motor electric drive system, delivering a total system output of 199 kW and 395 Nm of peak torque.
Key specifications for the mainstream petrol variants are as follows:
| Powertrain Variant | Engine Displacement | Max Power | Max Torque | Transmission | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6T+7DCT | 1.6-litre TGDi | Approx. 197 PS | 285–290 Nm | 7-speed wet DCT | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| 2.0T+8AT | 2.0-litre TGDi | Approx. 250–254 PS | 375–390 Nm | 8-speed automatic (8AT) | FWD / AWD |
In several overseas markets, the 2.0T variant puts out around 250 bhp and 390 Nm of torque, completing the 0–100 km/h sprint in 8 seconds. Top speed across all S09 variants is rated at around 185 km/h, with WLTC combined fuel consumption figures ranging between 7.5 L/100 km and 8.0 L/100 km.
Built on the proven platform of the Jetour X90 Pro, the Soueast S09 utilises a monocoque chassis structure. The suspension setup consists of front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent setup, providing a solid foundation that balances ride comfort with handling stability. The steering utilizes an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system with speed-sensitive assist. Braking is handled by ventilated discs front and rear, with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) standard across the range.
In terms of drivetrains, front-wheel drive serves as standard, with all-wheel drive offered in selected markets. For rolling stock, higher-spec variants ride on 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 255/45 R20 tyres. The suspension is tuned with a comfort bias to absorb road imperfections effectively, which, together with a 190 mm ground clearance and an 8-second century sprint time, proves well-equipped for everyday road conditions.
The smart cockpit of the Soueast S09 is driven by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, ensuring slick multitasking performance. Primary interaction is handled via the 15.6-inch + 10.25-inch dual-screen setup, with the infotainment supporting GPS navigation, smart voice command, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. High-spec models further gain rear entertainment displays exceeding 12 inches and multi-zone automatic climate control.
For comfort and convenience, the S09 comes comprehensively appointed: the front seats feature 8-way power adjustment with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, alongside an electronic gear shifter, a panoramic sunroof, and tri-zone automatic climate control. Higher variants add premium touches such as a wireless smartphone charger, a powered tailgate with hands-free access, ambient lighting, and a front passenger "Boss" switch. On the NVH front, extensive acoustic insulation measures allow the cabin to achieve an officially claimed quietness level of 36 dB.
In export markets, the Soueast S09 is fitted with 6 or 8 airbags as standard, with top-tier variants offering all-round surround protection. A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), ISOFIX child seat anchor points, and a high-strength cage body structure are standard across the line-up.
On the active safety front, the S09 is equipped with an ADAS suite powered by a 77 GHz millimetre-wave radar and high-definition cameras. Key features include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Door Opening Warning (DOW), and a 360-degree surround-view camera. This suite significantly reduces driver fatigue on long journeys while enhancing overall safety in challenging driving conditions.
As the flagship model of the revitalised Soueast brand, the S09 holds vital strategic significance for reviving the brand and growing its overseas footprint. Following its official debut in Uzbekistan in 2024, the vehicle quickly rolled out to markets including Russia, Egypt, and Kazakhstan.
In terms of market reception, the S09's core strengths lie in its spacious interior, comprehensive tech features, and strong value proposition. Sharing its underpinnings with the Jetour X90 Pro, the S09 benefits from a mature platform and relatively economical running costs.
Nevertheless, the S09 faces notable challenges: in overseas markets where brand awareness is still developing, its brand pricing power remains relatively limited. Furthermore, with the model tailored primarily for export, its sales presence in mainland China is virtually negligible, leaving its local vehicle population and spare parts availability well behind established mainstream competitors.
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