First Drive: 2024 Seres 7 in the UAE

Seres entered the UAE market last year. Seres means the “Country of Silk,” a reference to the ancient Silk Road. Recently, they introduced the Seres 7, their midsize SUV offering. What makes the Seres 7 different from other offerings? It gets the Intelligent Range-Extender System technology they created, which helps extend the range and eliminate range anxiety.

The Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) combines a 40 kWh battery with a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. In the Seres 7, the engine generates power from the electric motor instead of vice versa, like in a regular hybrid.

This technology helps the Seres 7 achieve a WLTP combined range of up to 1,150 km in rear-wheel drive trim and up to 1,050 km in the all-wheel drive model.

The combined output of the engine and electric motor of the Seres 7 is 263 hp and 354 Nm for the RWD model, which accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 7.8 seconds.

The AWD model has a total output of 433 hp and 654 Nm of torque and hits 100 kph from a standstill in 4.8 seconds.

We had a chance to do a brief test drive in the Seres 7. This model features a clean design for the front fascia with sleek LED  headlights flanking the radiator, while the bumper has a big front grille with air vertical air vents at the corners. The rear design has LED taillamps running across the tailgate and a bumper featuring horizontal reflectors. We had the AWD model which gets the 21-inch alloy wheels.

Inside is where Seres 7 shines and shows its luxury characteristics. The upholstery gets the Nappa leather treatment. The dashboard and complete doors get soft-touch materials which even established luxury brands have stopped doing.

The instrument cluster has a 10.25 LCD screen, while the infotainment system has a huge 15.6-inch touchscreen with 2K resolution and an 11-speaker sound system. The touch screen is quite responsive, but there is a bit of a learning curve as you figure out all the different menus.

The tri-zone climate control has no physical buttons. The air purification system, which detects the quality of the cabin air, is nice. It has ventilated front and second-row seats, massage functions, and a dual wireless charger we don’t see often.

Our test car had the 6-seat configuration, so the second row gets the captain’s chairs. The seat behind the front passenger, called the “Zero Gravity Seat,” can recline enough to bring the knees and hips to the same level.

Other standard features include soft-close doors, soundproof glass, a hands-free electric tailgate and an openable panoramic sunroof.

Regarding performance, the AWD accelerates at any speed, with the electric motor’s instant torque propelling the SUV forward when stepping on the accelerator pedal.

The suspension is also tuned towards comfort, soaking up bumps nicely. Our test drive had a gravel section to test the “FSD” dampers in action it comes equipped with. The dampers automatically soften when it detects bumpy road conditions to make the ride more smoother.

The Seres 7’s starting price is AED 210,000, which is very competitive considering all its features. It is certainly worth a look for anyone considering a luxury electric SUV.

Keep track of the latest prices and updates in the Seres buyer guide.