Soueast S08 DM

The 2026 SOUEAST S08 DM is a seven-seat PHEV SUV listed at AED 113,500 through Elite Group Holding. A 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with an electric motor produces a combined 265 kW (355 hp) and 530 Nm through a dedicated hybrid transmission driving the front wheels. The 18.4 kWh CATL battery is rated at up to 80 km of WLTC electric range, with a combined range above 800 km. AC charging takes approximately 2.6 hours and DC charging takes the battery from 30% to 80% in about 30 minutes. For villa-based families who need occasional third-row seating, the S08 DM offers strong value. Those carrying adults in the third row every day, needing AWD or wanting proven long-term brand reliability in the UAE should consider more established alternatives. Best suited: villa residents with a home wall box; families of five with occasional extra passengers; budget-conscious PHEV buyers; high-mileage inter-emirate commuters Not suited: apartment residents without private charging; adults using the third row regularly; buyers needing AWD or off-road clearance; those prioritizing established brand residuals The SOUEAST S08 DM debuted in the UAE at Dubai Fashion Week in February 2026 and is distributed exclusively through Elite Group Holding. Positioned as a "7-Seat Urban Comfort SUV", it targets families looking to reduce fuel costs without committing to a pure-electric vehicle. SOUEAST Motor, founded in 1995, sits within Chery Holding, and the S08 shares its base with the Jetour X70L sold in China. Few plug-in hybrid seven-seaters are sold below AED 120,000 in the UAE, with the Chevrolet Captiva PHEV the most direct rival on price. A petrol-only S08 Luxury has since joined the range from AED 99,900. The SOUEAST S08 DM delivers exceptional space and equipment for the money, with 355 hp, a massage-equipped cabin and a second row that outclasses its price bracket. Villa residents who charge overnight will find it genuinely compelling at this price. A cramped third row with just 94 litres of luggage space behind it is the main trade-off. Those comfortable with an emerging brand backed by Elite Group Holding should confirm the warranty terms in writing and book a test drive at the nearest SOUEAST showroom to assess real-world suitability.

The S08 DM carries an 18.4 kWh CATL lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery paired with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine rated at 141 hp and 215 Nm, and a main electric motor rated at 201 hp and 310 Nm. SOUEAST UAE quotes combined output of 265 kW (355 hp) and 530 Nm through a 1DHT dedicated hybrid transmission. WLTC-rated electric-only range is up to 80 km, and the NEDC figure is 107 km. Combined range with the 70-litre fuel tank exceeds 800 km on a single fill and charge.

In UAE summer conditions with full AC load across three rows, electric-only range is estimated at 70–80 km in cooler months and 55–65 km during peak summer. An independent road test recently recorded 89–99 km at 18.5–20.5 kWh/100 km, in far milder conditions than a UAE summer. Highway driving at 120–140 km/h reduces electric range further due to aerodynamic losses and sustained motor load. The car stays in electric mode down to about 12% charge before switching to hybrid, and the petrol engine makes range anxiety largely irrelevant for this PHEV.

The S08 DM charges via Type 2 AC, with a full charge taking approximately 2.6 hours on a villa wall box. SOUEAST has not published the maximum AC charging rate. At DEWA's residential rate of AED 0.23/kWh, a full charge costs approximately AED 4.23. In Abu Dhabi at the expatriate rate of AED 0.27/kWh, the cost is approximately AED 4.97. On a portable 3.3 kW charger, the same charge takes roughly six hours overnight.

Unlike the S06 DM, the S08 DM supports DC fast charging, taking the battery from 30% to 80% in about 30 minutes. That implies an average of roughly 18 kW, so it is useful for a top-up rather than a quick stop. AC top-ups are available at DEWA Green Charger, E2GO, UAEV and GreenParking networks. For villa residents who charge overnight, public charging is rarely needed; apartment dwellers without dedicated parking may struggle to get the running-cost benefit that justifies a PHEV.

The S08 DM cabin uses soft-touch leather upholstery with wood-grain trim and a wraparound dashboard. The second row is the highlight, with 1,006 mm of legroom, 1,451 mm of shoulder room and a large folding table rated to 30 kg. Road testers found room for three adults there, helped by a flat floor, but timed the electric backrest fold at 34 seconds. The third row suits children or short trips: testers found headroom too tight for adults above 1.80 m, and that car had no USB ports back there. The material quality is highly rated for the price.

The front seats offer heating, ventilation, memory and a 10-point massage system, and a BOSS button lets rear passengers move the front passenger seat. The driving position is high, and road testers found the driver's seat tall even at its lowest setting, with a slightly short cushion. The digital instrument cluster and 15.6-inch central touchscreen are positioned within easy reach. Steering column adjusts for both rake and reach, though the lights are controlled through a screen menu rather than a physical switch.

SOUEAST specifies full-cabin climate control with separate side vents for each row, and physical climate buttons are reported on the dash. Ventilated seats assist in stop-start traffic, and the armrest box both cools and heats. CN95-grade filtration and remote pre-cooling have not been confirmed for the UAE-spec model. Third-row cooling in peak summer is the point to check on a test drive.

Boot capacity is 94 litres with all seven seats in use, 450 litres with five seats and up to 1,780 litres with the rear rows folded, according to SOUEAST UAE. That leaves almost no luggage space on a full-family trip, and roof rails are the practical workaround. V2L power export at 3.3 kW is available for external devices through an adapter. No frunk is available — the front houses the petrol engine and hybrid drivetrain.

The 15.6-inch central touchscreen swivels 10 degrees and runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Voice control and four audio zones are included. Arabic language support has not been explicitly confirmed by SOUEAST UAE at the time of writing — buyers should verify at the showroom. A 12-speaker surround sound system and a 50 W wireless charging pad are standard. Over-the-air update capability has not been confirmed.

The ADAS suite includes AEB, lane centring control, forward collision warning, rear collision warning, blind-spot detection and door-open warning. SOUEAST UAE lists eight airbags as standard across the range. The body uses 85% high-strength steel, including 20% hot-formed steel, with 25,000 Nm/deg of torsional rigidity. An electronic child lock and a steel protector in the rear seat backs are also fitted. No Euro NCAP result for the S08 DM could be found at the time of publication.

The car prioritizes electric drive in town, with strong, linear delivery from standstill. The single-speed DHT is comparable to a CVT for smoothness, without the engine flare under acceleration. Rear three-quarter visibility is limited, so the surround-view camera matters in tight spaces.

Listings in the UAE quote 0–100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, while an independent test measured 9.35 seconds and 80–110 km/h in 3.78 seconds. Either way, that is brisk for a seven-seat family SUV, but it is not sporty. Top speed is 180 km/h. Roof-rail and wind noise were the main intrusions at cruising speed.

Regenerative braking offers three levels set through the screen, with no one-pedal mode, B mode or steering-wheel paddles. The brakes show good initial bite.

Adaptive cruise control and lane centring provide Level 2 assistance intended for motorways, including routes such as the E11 and Sheikh Zayed Road. Lane centring adjusts the steering to hold the car in its lane and reduce fatigue on long trips. No Level 3 autonomous capability is offered.

Front-wheel drive and a comfort-first set-up make this a family cruiser rather than an enthusiast's car. Testers found it stable on fast straights and predictable in corners, with marked body roll and its mass showing in sudden direction changes. The 11.8-metre turning circle is wide, and the 4,810 mm length will feel large in tight multi-storey car parks. Ground clearance of 140 mm and no AWD option rule out serious desert use.

The suspension uses MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear, tuned clearly for comfort. Testers felt that it filters speed bumps, potholes and rough surfaces very well. The 235/50 R20 tyres leave reasonable sidewall for a 20-inch wheel, and second-row passengers get the best of the ride.

Elite Group Holding promotes a 10-year or 1,000,000 km warranty across the SOUEAST range, with an eight-year or 200,000 km battery warranty on DM models. Five years of roadside assistance is often included in price offers. Elite Group Holding operates showrooms in Dubai (Sheikh Zayed Road and Deira), Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ajman and Fujairah. As a new entrant, parts availability and high-voltage technician depth are still being established — a consideration for buyers outside major emirates.

Grey import S08 DM units may lack UAE-specific software calibration and summer thermal management routines. Insurance loading is typically 15–25% above standard for grey-imported Chinese brands; some insurers decline coverage entirely for vehicles without official UAE distribution. Government incentives — free Salik tag, green parking bays, reduced registration fees — apply to official agency vehicles only. The S08 DM's hybrid high-voltage system requires manufacturer-certified tooling inaccessible outside Elite Group Holding's network.

At AED 113,500, the S08 DM is one of the most affordable seven-seat PHEVs available in the UAE. For a buyer covering 20,000 km per year with a home wall box, electricity would cost an estimated AED 900–1,100 if every kilometre were electric, at about 20 kWh/100 km. A comparable petrol SUV using 10 L/100 km would cost about AED 8,500 at October 2026's Special 95 price of AED 4.28 per litre. Petrol consumption in hybrid mode ranged from 4.6 to 5.9 L/100 km. Insurance estimates through official UAE channels range from AED 5,500 to AED 8,000 annually. PHEV servicing is approximately AED 1,500–2,500 per year, covering both the petrol engine and electric drivetrain. Depreciation risk is elevated. SOUEAST is a new brand in the UAE with no resale track record, and the S08 DM only arrived in 2026. First-generation models from emerging Chinese manufacturers typically face steep depreciation of 40–50% over three years. The warranty provides some reassurance, but buyers should factor in limited brand recognition when assessing long-term value. LFP battery chemistry is more thermally resilient than the NMC chemistry used in the S06 DM, which suits sustained UAE heat.