The reigning king of China’s 500,000-yuan SUV segment is back with its biggest update yet. According to a comprehensive launch preview from Autohome, the all-new AITO M9 packs more than 140 innovative technology upgrades and officially launches on May 27, 2026, alongside the spectacular M9 Ultimate Extended Edition. Pre-orders have already eclipsed 60,000 units in just one month, with over 40% of customers selecting the long-wheelbase Ultimate variant.
Why the M9 Refresh Matters
The outgoing AITO M9 was a phenomenon. From a 499,800-yuan starting price, it racked up 10,000 firm orders in two hours and over 280,000 deliveries since its 2024 launch. With Li Auto’s L9 Livis, NIO ES9, and the Maextro SUV all gunning for the M9’s crown, this refresh isn’t merely cosmetic — it is a strategic defense of HUAWEI HIMA’s most important product.
New AITO M9 Standard: Reimagined From Lights to Chassis
The standard M9 introduces a brand-new front-end design with megapixel full-color smart projection headlights that include cornering light-carpet illumination and following-distance hints. A new dual-mesh grille reshapes the face entirely, while a connected blue light bar at the front evokes the brand’s signature.
Side and rear updates include redesigned tail-lights, additional chrome trim on the sills and rear bumper, three new color options (Desert Gold Brown, Sairimu Cyan, Cangshu Silver Blue), and fresh “big-cake” alloy wheels with two-tone exteriors.
Dimensions
| Spec | Standard M9 | Ultimate Extended |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,285 mm | 5,402 mm |
| Width | 2,026 mm | 2,026 mm |
| Height | 1,845 mm | 1,845 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 3,236 mm |
That makes the Ultimate Extended longer than a Rolls-Royce Cullinan in both overall length and width, though slightly shorter in wheelbase.
Interior: HarmonyOS 4.0 Cockpit Meets HUAWEI SOUND 39
The cabin centers on HarmonyOS 4.0, anchored by:
- 10.25-inch all-digital instrument cluster
- Dual 17.2-inch 3.4K central displays
- AR-HUD head-up display
- 32-inch retractable rear projection screen
- HUAWEI SOUND 39-speaker audio
The new Xiaoyi AI assistant supports continuous conversation, multi-turn commands, and scenario-based control. Cross-device coordination spans phones, tablets, and wearables. For those who want to read more about the upcoming launch, see our previous report on the new AITO M9’s May 27 launch from the brand-orders perspective.
Seating Configurations
The M9 offers 5-seat and 6-seat configurations. The 5-seater with the optional zero-gravity package converts into a true 4-seat luxury lounge. Six-seat versions feature aircraft-style separated headrests in the second row, 4-zone climate, ventilated/heated/massaging seats, and a third row that folds completely flat. Trunk space spans 650L (3rd row up) to 1,800L (3rd row folded).
Smart Driving: 6 LiDAR + HUAWEI ADS 5
Active safety is where the M9 truly leaps ahead. The new model packs:
- 6 high-precision solid-state LiDAR units (including an 896-line forward-facing rooftop unit with cleaning port, plus interior, grille, side and rear LiDAR)
- 5 4D millimeter-wave radars
- 12 cameras + 16 ultrasonic radars
- HUAWEI ADS 5 for full-scenario navigation on autopilot (highway + city + parking)
For passive safety, the new M9 uses the Xuanwu Body Architecture 2.0 with 91% aluminum/high-strength-steel content, including 10 areas of 2,200 MPa hot-formed steel and 13 airbags with AI-adaptive deployment. More on Huawei’s automotive smart-driving stack can be found on the company’s official site.
Powertrain: 1,474 km EREV or 650 km Pure EV
| Spec | EREV (Standard) | Pure EV (Standard) | Ultimate EREV | Ultimate Pure EV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5T (118 kW) | — | 2.0T (133 kW) | — |
| Front Motor | 220 kW | 220 kW | 220 kW | 220 kW |
| Rear Motors | 277 kW (1) | 277 kW (1) | 222 kW × 2 | 222 kW × 2 |
| Battery | 60 / 75 kWh | 120 kWh | 75 kWh | 120 kWh |
| Combined Range | 1,474 km | 650+ km CLTC | — | — |
The Standard M9 also adds 800V tech for 300 km of range in 10 minutes and 10-80% fast charge in 25 minutes. V2L/V2H bidirectional power is standard.
Pre-Order Pricing
| Trim | Pre-Order Price | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Max+ | 499,800 CNY | $68,970 |
| Standard Ultra | 559,800 CNY (est.) | ~$77,250 |
| Ultimate Extended | 669,800 CNY | $92,430 |
| Ultimate “Forerunner” | 800,000+ CNY (est.) | $110,000+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new AITO M9 launch?
The official launch event is scheduled for May 27, 2026 at 14:30 Beijing time, with pre-orders already exceeding 60,000 units.
What is the M9 Ultimate Extended Edition?
It is a long-wheelbase ultra-premium variant featuring exclusive Yardan Gold Black paint, illuminated logos, three motors per drivetrain, HUAWEI SOUND 43-speaker audio, and either 4- or 6-seat layouts with all-zero-gravity seating.
How many LiDARs does the new M9 have?
Six solid-state LiDARs covering forward, lateral, rear, interior, and grille positions — paired with 12 cameras, 5 4D radars, and 16 ultrasonic sensors.
What’s the M9’s combined range?
Up to 1,474 km combined with the EREV powertrain, and 650+ km CLTC pure EV range with the 120 kWh battery.
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