Who the SOUEAST S08 DM is for
Most plug-in hybrids sold in the country have five seats. The S08 DM targets a profile that has had few alternatives so far: the household that needs three rows of seats and, at the same time, wants to cover everyday journeys in electric mode.
- Families of five or more, or those who often carry grandparents, cousins or schoolmates: the 2+3+2 layout avoids having to take two cars.
- Anyone able to charge at home or at work. A plug-in hybrid only delivers what it promises if it is plugged in regularly; without that routine it behaves like a heavy hybrid.
- Anyone who travels often to the interior. The petrol engine extends the range once the battery runs out, so the route does not depend on charging points.
By contrast, anyone who only needs five seats and gives priority to the boot may find a two-row SUV more logical. The full picture of the category is in the guide to seven-seat SUVs in Panama.
SOUEAST S08 DM specifications
| Feature | SOUEAST S08 DM |
|---|---|
| Type | Plug-in hybrid SUV (PHEV) |
| Seats | 7, in a 2+3+2 layout |
| Length / width / height | 4,810 / 1,930 / 1,705 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm |
| Petrol engine | 1.5 turbo, 105 kW (141 metric hp) and 215 Nm |
| Electric motor | 150 kW (201 metric hp) and 310 Nm |
| Combined power and torque | 265 metric hp and 530 Nm |
| Battery | 18.4 kWh, lithium iron phosphate (LFP), made by CATL |
| Electric range | 107 km (NEDC) / 85 km (WLTP) |
| Declared combined range | More than 1,000 km (NEDC) |
These figures come from the specification sheets of other markets and may vary by country. It is worth confirming with Petromotors the exact specification of the unit sold in Panama.
What 107 electric kilometres mean in daily use
The 107 km figure corresponds to the NEDC cycle, an old and optimistic homologation protocol. The WLTP figure, closer to real driving, is 85 km, and with air conditioning and city traffic it is reasonable to expect somewhat less. Even so, it is enough to cover the home, school and work run of most drivers in the capital without using petrol, provided the battery is recharged every night.
That balance explains the interest in this technology: pure electric cars are around 1% of the Panamanian market, according to ADAP, and the plug-in hybrid works as an intermediate step. There is a tax nuance worth knowing: Law 295 of 2022 sets a 0% import tariff for 100% electric vehicles, whereas plug-in hybrids do pay tariff. The brands offering this technology in the country are reviewed in plug-in hybrids in Panama.
SOUEAST S08 DM versus the BYD Song Plus DM-i
The BYD Song Plus DM-i is the usual benchmark among plug-in hybrid SUVs. The comparison makes clear that the two share an electric approach and differ in size and in the number of seats.
| Item | SOUEAST S08 DM | BYD Song Plus DM-i |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Length | 4,810 mm | 4,775 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,765 mm |
| Battery | 18.4 kWh (LFP, CATL) | 18.3 kWh (Blade) |
| Electric range (NEDC) | 107 km | 105 km |
| Electric motor | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| Petrol engine | 1.5 turbo, 105 kW | 1.5, 96 kW |
The S08 DM is 35 mm longer, 40 mm wider and has 55 mm more wheelbase, space that goes to the third row. The Song Plus DM-i, with its five seats, declares a 552-litre boot. In battery and electric range the difference is minimal, so the choice depends above all on how many seats are needed and on the backing of each workshop network.
What to check before deciding
- The third row, in person. It is worth seating the people who will actually use it and checking access and legroom.
- The boot with all seven seats in use. The sources consulted do not publish that capacity; it is worth measuring it against the usual luggage.
- The warranty in writing. Petromotors publishes 7 years or 200,000 km for the vehicle and 8 years or 150,000 km for the battery on JETOUR hybrids; it is worth confirming whether the S08 DM has the same cover.
- Home charging. Which charger is included in the purchase, how long a full recharge takes and what electrical installation it requires.
- Workshop and parts. Which is the nearest Petromotors branch and how much the first services cost.
- The current price. It is published by the distributor; anyone comparing it with other models should do so with quotations from the same date.
Where to see it and who backs it
The premiere of the SOUEAST S08 plug-in hybrid at the Panama Motor Show 2026 was confirmed by Deagencia with the brand’s representatives. The fair opens from 2 to 4 and 7 to 11 October at the Panama Convention Center in Amador, and the model shares space with the range of its sister brand, described in JETOUR at the Panama Motor Show 2026.
SOUEAST belongs to the Chery group, China’s leading car exporter for 23 consecutive years. The S08 DM was launched in Mexico on 27 May 2026 and is also sold in Uruguay and Saudi Arabia; according to the brand, before reaching Mexico it had already been introduced in five Latin American countries, among them Panama, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. The Petromotors catalogue also lists two other SUVs from the brand, the SOUEAST S07 and the SOUEAST S09.
Frequently asked questions
How much electric range does the SOUEAST S08 DM have?
Up to 107 km on the NEDC cycle and 85 km on the more demanding WLTP cycle. The brand declares more than 1,000 km of combined range (NEDC) with a charged battery and a full tank.
How does the SOUEAST S08 DM differ from the BYD Song Plus DM-i?
The S08 DM has seven seats and is 35 mm longer, 40 mm wider and 55 mm longer in wheelbase; the Song Plus DM-i has five seats. The battery (18.4 versus 18.3 kWh) and NEDC electric range (107 versus 105 km) are very similar.
How much does the SOUEAST S08 DM cost in Panama?
The current price is published by Petromotors, the official SOUEAST distributor in Panama. It is worth requesting a quotation directly at its branches or at its Panama Motor Show stand.
Where can the SOUEAST S08 DM be seen in Panama?
At the Panama Motor Show 2026, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 11 October at the Panama Convention Center in Amador, and afterwards at Petromotors branches.
What warranty does the SOUEAST S08 DM have?
Petromotors publishes 7 years or 200,000 km for the vehicle and 8 years or 150,000 km for the battery on JETOUR hybrids. For the S08 DM it is worth confirming the cover in writing with the distributor.
Related articles
- Plug-in hybrids and EVs at the Panama Motor Show 2026
- Seven-seat SUVs in Panama
- Plug-in hybrids in Panama
- JETOUR at the Panama Motor Show 2026
- Guide to buying a Chinese car in Panama
Sources
- SOUEAST Saudi Arabia, S08 specification sheet.
- Autoblog Uruguay, launch of the SOUEAST S08 with powertrain and range (21 May 2026).
- SOUEAST on GlobeNewswire, launch of the S08 DM in Mexico and Latin American markets (4 June 2026).
- Deagencia, launches confirmed by brand for the Panama Motor Show 2026.
- Deagencia, list of hybrid cars in Panama (11 June 2026).
- CarNewsChina, Chery as China’s leading exporter for 23 years (2 January 2026).
- Petromotors, official distributor of SOUEAST and JETOUR in Panama: branches and warranty.
- BYD Panamá, official Song Plus DM-i sheet (dimensions, battery and boot of the compared model).
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