On an overcast morning at the Dmitrovsky proving ground, the faces of Ronaldo and Silva stared out at us particularly mournfully from the vinyl-wrapped flanks of the Changan Uni-S — Portugal had just been knocked out of the FIFA World Cup after losing to Spain. But the car itself had a match of its own to play: waiting behind the test-track barrier was its direct rival and class competitor, the Soueast S06.
Both are compact turbocharged crossovers with 1.5-litre engines, dual-clutch automated gearboxes. Place your bets.
Why the Football Wrap?
Changan became an official partner of the Portuguese national football team and, to mark the occasion, had their press-fleet Uni-S covered head to toe in a bold multicolour vinyl wrap. It delighted the kids in the car park. It did not delight our photographer.
Meet the Contenders
Changan Uni-S
- 11,500 units sold in the first half of the year
- Sales dropped 15% year-on-year despite a major facelift and the addition of all-wheel drive
- Now being assembled at the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad, with the updated model expected at dealers by late summer
- Our test car was the Chinese-built, pre-facelift Techno top-trim version with AWD
Soueast S06
- Assembled at Avtotor in Kaliningrad
- Rare on the road — we tracked one down exclusively through Major Auto, who kindly provided it for this test
- Our test car was the base front-wheel-drive trim — priced almost identically to the all-wheel-drive Uni-S
Exterior & Practicality Improvements
The Soueast S06 addresses several real-world gripes that owners of the Jetour Dashing had raised:
- Roof rails added — the Dashing had none
- Conventional door handles replace the Dashing’s flush pop-out units, which were fiddly in cold weather
- Higher-mounted headlights stay cleaner in wet, muddy conditions
- The musical unlock/lock jingle that used to announce the Dashing’s presence across a car park has been removed
One quirk remains, however: the car still emits six loud beeps across the entire neighbourhood if you walk away with the key in your pocket without switching off the engine first.
Interior: Comfort & Ergonomics
Soueast S06 — Cabin Shortcomings
The interior hasn’t received the same level of attention as the exterior updates. Key issues include:
- Very high driving position — at 186 cm, our tester’s head touched the headliner with no further seat height adjustment available, forcing a reclined backrest angle
- Poor seat profile — a hollow in the lumbar area and a pronounced ridge between the shoulder blades
- Limited steering column adjustment — the only usable position was full extension and maximum height
- Slippery, flattened steering wheel rim — takes some getting used to
- Sun-blinded climate buttons — the backlit indicators on the centre console are completely unreadable in bright sunlight
On the plus side, even the base S06 includes:
- Heated front and rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Ventilated front seats — a genuine surprise at this trim level
Changan Uni-S — A More Comfortable Place to Be
The Uni-S cabin is noticeably more refined:
- More headroom — no contact with the headliner for tall drivers
- Better seat profile with a proper lumbar support adjustment (fore-aft only, but effective)
- Rounder, more natural steering wheel with sensible reach and rake ranges and better friction on the rim
- Softer, less rubbery faux leather upholstery compared to the S06
- Dual-zone climate control — maintains a comfortable 22°C and manages airflow automatically, though it does switch into recirculation mode a little too enthusiastically, even on rural roads. A dedicated button with clear labelling lets you override it manually.
Technology & Infotainment
Changan Uni-S — Clearly Ahead
- Larger, sharper displays with better graphics and more readable fonts
- More logical menu structure
- Built-in navigation powered by Yandex Maps with live traffic data
- Built-in telematics
- Infotainment boots in 3–4 seconds after ignition
The audio system carries no brand badge, but delivers rich, full sound with a 9-band equaliser that’s genuinely fun to explore.
Soueast S06 — Functional but Limited
- Voice control — as does the Uni-S
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay — as does the Uni-S
- Sony-badged speakers that, in practice, require the treble boosted via the 3-band equaliser to sound acceptable — the preset modes make things worse
- Infotainment takes significantly longer to boot after switching on the ignition
Visibility & Cameras
Both crossovers offer comparable outward visibility:
- Large side mirrors
- Reasonably slim A-pillars
- Heated windscreen for winter use
- 360° surround-view camera systems with good image quality
However, the Changan’s camera system is better thought through:
- More appropriate focal lengths across all cameras
- Side cameras can display the front wheel in frame, which is very useful when parking against a kerb
- The Soueast’s side camera view just shows the pavement — no wheel reference
Rear Seats & Boot
Rear Passenger Space
Both cars have heated rear seats without adjustment. Key differences:
- Soueast S06 offers slightly more legroom and shoulder room, and has a fully flat floor in the rear
- Changan Uni-S has a small but noticeable transmission tunnel, though the rear bench itself has a more comfortable seating geometry and includes a folding centre armrest
Boot
The Soueast S06 has the better boot by a clear margin:
- Two-level adjustable boot floor
- Soft fabric lining throughout
- Completely flat, level loading surface when rear seats are folded
Engine & Performance
Soueast S06 — 1.5T, 147 hp / 210 Nm, 6-speed wet DCT
This powertrain is shared with multiple Chery Group models and carries the same characteristic traits:
- Relaxed, unhurried character with noticeable throttle lag
- Only two driving modes: Eco and Sport — neither delivers genuine urgency
- In Sport mode the gearbox holds lower ratios more readily but still rushes back up the rev range at the first opportunity, accompanied by a noticeable jolt on lift-off
- Smooth, gentle launches from rest — even with a two-pedal standing start, the clutch engages so softly and engine speed caps at 1,800 rpm that the best 0–100 km/h we recorded was 11.6 seconds — actually 0.1 seconds better than the official figure
Changan Uni-S — 1.5T, 181 hp / 280 Nm, 7-speed wet DCT
A significantly more energetic package:
- 0–100 km/h in 9.9 seconds — achieved with a conventional rolling-foot launch
- Two-pedal standing starts were paradoxically slower: the engine revved to 2,400 rpm but then stumbled as the clutch engaged, losing crucial fractions of a second
- Three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport
- In urban traffic, Eco mode actually felt best: throttle response is more measured and progressive, making smooth progress easier
- Normal and Sport modes sharpen the throttle to the point of being twitchy in traffic — a light shoe means aggressive surges
The Uni-S is considerably quicker in real-world overtaking and motorway flexibility, and returns better fuel economy: at 100 km/h, the Changan’s tacho shows 1,800 rpm versus 2,000 rpm for the Soueast, thanks to the extra 7th gear.
Driving Dynamics
The Changan Uni-S carries forward the engaging chassis character of the pre-facelift model:
- Willing, responsive handling with natural, well-weighted steering
- Three power steering modes varying in both weight and centre-point precision
- Normal mode was our preference — firm enough to feel connected, light enough for daily use
- Reactions are quick and predictable, and there is real feedback through the wheel
The Soueast S06 was not assessed in detail for dynamics in this test, but its heavier character, softer throttle response, and front-wheel-drive setup set clear expectations.
Verdict: Which One Wins?
Changan Uni-S wins:
- Powertrain and performance
- Driving dynamics and chassis feel
- Interior comfort and ergonomics
- Infotainment, screens, and navigation
- Camera and parking system quality
Soueast S06 wins:
- Boot space and cargo flexibility
- Rear legroom and flat floor (marginal advantage)
- Ventilated front seats in base trim (genuinely impressive at this price)
Too close to call:
- Overall value — especially once the brand transition to Votour is factored in
The Changan Uni-S is the stronger all-round package: quicker, better equipped, more comfortable to drive, and more polished in almost every area that matters day to day. Its main drawback is the overly sensitive throttle in Normal and Sport modes around town.
The Soueast S06 has a better boot, a flatter rear floor, and — uniquely at this price — ventilated front seats even in base trim. But it is hard to recommend at its current price point, especially since the brand itself is being phased out in favour of Votour. If you can still find one, it’s a curiosity worth a test drive. If you need a car today, the Uni-S is the obvious choice.
Photo: Igor Vladimirsky
This is a translation. You can read the original article here: Матч-реванш после чемпионата: Changan Uni-S и Soueast S06 на полигоне
Published September 04, 2026 • 9m to read
