On February 9, DEEPAL officially unveiled its latest luxury SUV—the DEEPAL S09. Set to hit the market in March, the S09 may also expand into Middle Eastern markets. This six-seater SUV comes equipped with a 1.5T range-extended powertrain and Huawei’s ADS 3.0 intelligent driving system, positioning it as a serious competitor in the luxury SUV segment.
In this article, we’ll explore the S09’s design, interior features, powertrain, intelligent driving technology, and key competitors, along with a price forecast. If you’re interested in high-tech SUVs, keep reading!
Exterior: A Minimalist Yet Futuristic Look
The DEEPAL S09 embraces a clean and modern design with smooth, flowing lines. Its split headlight setup includes a full-width LED daytime running light on top and LED headlights integrated into the lower bumper, creating a futuristic front-end appearance.
The side profile is sleek and streamlined, featuring flush door handles and a rear-facing side camera mounted on the front fender. The D-pillar proudly displays the “DEEPAL” branding, adding a distinctive touch.
With dimensions close to the Li Auto L9, the S09 measures:
Length: 5,205 mm
Width: 1,996 mm
Height: 1,800 mm
Wheelbase: 3,105 mm
These proportions place it firmly in the full-size SUV category.
The high-gloss wheels enhance its premium feel, with options for low-drag or multi-spoke designs. At the rear, the S09 maintains its clean aesthetic with a full-width LED taillight, capable of illuminating in segments, complemented by a black rear bumper for a stylish contrast.
Interior: Luxury Inspired by the Li Auto L9
Inside, the DEEPAL S09 delivers a blend of simplicity and practicality, reminiscent of the Li Auto L9.
The dashboard features a dual-screen setup—a central control display paired with a passenger entertainment screen, both powered by the HarmonySpace system. Instead of a traditional instrument cluster, the S09 uses a 43-inch AR-HUD (Augmented Reality Head-Up Display) for a futuristic driving experience.
The center console is adjustable and includes a wireless charging pad and cup holders, with additional storage space underneath. The armrest houses a 10-liter onboard refrigerator, capable of both cooling (-6°C) and heating (up to 50°C). Rear passengers also enjoy added convenience with cup holders and a touch control screen.
The S09 adopts a 2-2-2 seating layout, ensuring comfort for all passengers.
Front and second-row seats feature memory, ventilation, heating, and massage functions.
The second-row captain’s chairs have controls embedded in the inner armrests.
Like the Li Auto L9, only the right second-row seat includes a small foldable table, making it ideal for in-car work.
For entertainment, rear passengers can enjoy a 21.4-inch 3K ceiling-mounted screen, perfect for watching movies—an attractive feature for families.
Powertrain: Range-Extended Power Comparable to a V8
The DEEPAL S09 is powered by a range-extended system, featuring a 1.5T engine paired with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup. This combination delivers 362 kW (approximately 485 horsepower), offering performance comparable to a V8 gasoline engine.
For buyers preferring rear-wheel drive, a single-motor variant is available, producing 231 kW from a rear-mounted motor
Battery-wise, leaked information suggests the S09 will feature a 40.18 kWh CATL lithium iron phosphate battery, providing an estimated pure electric range of 180 km.
To enhance ride quality, the S09’s chassis is equipped with:
Front double-wishbone and rear H-arm multi-link independent suspension
CDC (Continuous Damping Control)
Air springs for a smoother and more comfortable drive
Intelligent Driving: Huawei ADS 3.0 for Advanced Autonomy
The DEEPAL S09 comes equipped with Huawei’s ADS 3.0 intelligent driving system, already seen in models like the AITO M9 and Avatr 11.
This advanced system goes beyond standard Level 2 driver assistance, offering autonomous driving from start to finish, including automatic parking.
Additionally, the S09 will be among the first models to receive an upgrade to the next-generation Huawei ADS intelligent driving system, ensuring cutting-edge performance.
Competitors
Li Auto L9
AITO M9
Price Prediction: Starting Around 300,000 RMB
Although the S09 shares many features with the Li Auto L9 and AITO M9, DEEPAL is positioned slightly lower in the market. As a result, the starting price is expected to be around 300,000 RMB.
This competitive pricing, combined with its premium features and advanced technology, makes the S09 a serious contender against both the L9 and M9.
Conclusion
With its futuristic design, powerful range-extended powertrain, high-end intelligent driving system, and competitive pricing, the DEEPAL S09 stands out as one of the most exciting luxury SUVs of 2025.
Can it truly rival the Li Auto L9? Time will tell, but the S09 is certainly shaping up to be a game-changer in the premium SUV market.
Stay tuned for more updates as the DEEPAL S09 officially hits the market!
Senior Writer The quest for automotive knowledge began as soon as the earliest memories. Various sources information, even questionable ones, have been explored including video games, television, magazines, or even internet forums. Still stuck in that rabbit hole.
