SUVs are made solely for utility and practicality. While many new SUVs, like the Lamborghini Urus and Aston Martin DBX, are far from practical, Kia and Soueast are keeping the tradition alive. Read this Soueast S09 vs. Kia Sportage L comparison till the end to see which one is more practical.
Today, we will compare the performance, interior, safety, and driver assistance technology of the Soueast S09 and the Kia Sportage L. Before we do so, let’s learn a thing or two about Soueast and Kia as manufacturers.
Soueast
Soueast Motor (also known as South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd.) is a Chinese automobile manufacturer founded in 1995. Headquartered in Fuzhou, the company is a joint venture between Fujian Motor Industry Group, Yulon Motor, and Mitsubishi Motors.
Soueast used to make Mitsubishi-based vehicles for the Chinese market but later expanded its lineup to include self-developed vehicles. Known for offering affordable and practical cars, the brand has gained traction in China and select international markets.
With continuous innovation, Soueast aims to strengthen its position in the competitive automotive industry.
Kia
Kia Corporation, founded in 1944, is a South Korean automobile manufacturer known for producing stylish, reliable, and affordable vehicles. Originally a bicycle and steel tubing company, Kia transitioned into automobile manufacturing in the 1970s.
Now a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, Kia has grown into a global brand, selling millions of vehicles annually. The company is renowned for its modern designs, advanced technology, and fuel-efficient cars, including popular models like the Sportage and Sorento.
With a strong focus on electric mobility, Kia is rapidly expanding its EV lineup, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Soueast S09 vs. Kia Sportage L: Editor’s POV
It’s not that we don’t like the new Kia Sportage, but it is genuinely unpleasant in terms of aesthetics. While it may be more practical or fuel-efficient, it doesn’t look half as good as the Soueast S09. Since you’ve been following the Arabwheels blog for a while, you know we don’t gatekeep honest opinions.
While the Soueast S09 wins in terms of aesthetics, it’s still a new player compared to the world-famous Kia. Sometimes, the underdog wins, but that doesn’t change who’s in charge. That’s why we think that Kia will be the winner of this Soueast S09 vs Kia Sportage L battle.
Performance
Let’s compare both of these cars in terms of performance:
| Specs | Soueast S09 | Kia Sportage L |
| Engine | Inline-4 | Inline-4 |
| Forced Induction | Turbocharged | Turbocharged |
| Displacement | 2000cc | 2000cc |
| Transmission | 7-speed DCT | 8-speed AT |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| Power | 250 hp | 233 hp |
| Torque | 390 Nm | 353 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 11 sec | 8.2 sec |
| Fuel Economy | 12.5 km/l | 12 km/l |
| Weight | 1800 kg | 1700 kg |
The Kia Sportage is lighter and less powerful. However, it beats the Souast S09 in terms of acceleration by quite a margin. As for fuel consumption, the Soueast S09 wins by just a minor difference. Despite having a Dual-Clutch transmission, the S09 took 11 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standing start.
Interior
Let’s have a look at the interiors of both vehicles:
| Specs | Soueast S09 | Kia Sportage L |
| No. of seats | 5 | 5 |
| Seat Material | Leather | Premium Leather |
| Paddle Shifters | Yes | N/A |
| Multimedia | 15.6-inch central screen + 10.25-inch instrument cluster | 8-inch touch screen |
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Optional |
| Ambient Lighting | Yes | Optional |
| Sunroof | Electric Panoramic Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Sound System | 8-speaker Sony stereo system | 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system |
| Seat Functions | 6-way powered, heated, and ventilated | 10-way power-adjustable, heated and ventilated |
| Boot Capacity | 1,130 liters | 543 liters |
As we can see, the Kia Sportage L took the hit in this segment. Despite our expectations, the Soueast S09 has a decent and technologically advanced interior. We don’t know about the interior quality yet, but we think the Kia Sportage L would be better in quality despite having fewer options.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Let’s compare both of these cars in terms of safety and driver assistance:
| Specs | Soueast S09 | Kia Sportage L |
| Airbags | 10 | 6 |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard |
| ISOFIX | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Power Steering (EPS) | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | Yes | Yes |
| Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) | Yes | Yes |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist (HSA) | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control (TRC) | Yes | Yes |
| Heads-Up Display (HUD) | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Departure Assist | Yes | Yes |
| Lane Change Assist | Yes | Yes |
| 360 Cameras | Yes | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes |
As we can see, the Soueast S09 and the Kia Sportage L were neck and neck in terms of safety and driver assistance. However, the Soueast S09 won the match because of its 10 airbags. Finally, our Soueast S09 vs Kia Sportage L battle comes to an end.
Thanks for reading till the end. Let us know what you think in the comments below. Keep following arabwheels blog for more content like this.
