BYD launches M9 people mover
BYD continues its local model expansion, launching the M9 people mover.
BYD M8 people mover at a glance
- Price: $61,990-$72,990 (MRLP)
- Seating: Seven or eight seats
- Powertrain: DM-i 5.0 Super Hybrid
- EV range: Up to 145km
- Combined range: Up to 850km
- Towing capacity: 1,500kg braked
- Key rivals: Kia Carnival, Hyundai Staria, Ford Tourneo and Volkswagen Multivan.
Chinese car makers are injecting fresh life into the people mover segment with BYD the latest brand to announce a competitor via its all-new M9.
The BYD M9 will join the likes of the recent arrivals from China including the Denza D9, GAC M8 and Zeekr 009, as well as the German-made Volkswagen ID.Buzz, injecting fresh competition to a segment long dominated by established players including the Hyundai Staria, Kia Carnival, Volkswagen Multivan, and more recent arrival the Ford Tourneo.
The Kia Carnival remains the segment leader but is facing growing competition thanks to this surge in new players, including BYD’s new M9.
Positioned in the premium people-mover segment the M9 is the latest in a wave of new models from BYD and brings the brand’s tally of new models launched in the last 12 months to seven, all of them in segments the car maker wasn’t previously represented in.
It’s this proliferation of new models that has helped drive a surge in sales with the brand’s year-to-date deliveries more than double that of 2025, which was itself a record year.
Pricing and powertrain
Pricing for the BYD M9 kicks off at $61,990 (MRLP) for the eight-seat M9 Dynamic, rising to $72,990 (MRLP) for the flagship seven-seat M9 Premium, which will be the first to arrive in showrooms.
Both the seven-seat M9 Premium and the eight-seat M9 Dynamic are offered in front-wheel drive configuration only, and both are powered by BYD's DM-i 5.0 Super Hybrid powertrain which combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, an electric motor and a different battery size for each model.
The M9 Premium makes use of a 36.60kWh BYD Blade Battery, while the Dynamic uses a 20.39kWh Blade Battery. Both grades support AC and DC charging, as well as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality.
In the case of the top-spec M9 Premium with the larger battery the combination delivers up to 145km of EV range and up to 850km of combined range on the WLTP test standard.
Technology and features
Standard technology and convenience features on both models include a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates (OTA) and four-zone voice control.
Other features designed to make life on the road that bit more luxurious include an integrated refrigerator and hotbox capable of cooling and heating.
The M9 Premium adds heated and ventilated front seats, plus second-row captain's chairs with heating and ventilation.
Space and practicality
Measuring 5,145mm long, 1,970mm wide and 1,805mm high, and riding on a 3,045mm wheelbase, the M9 is slightly shorter (-10mm), narrower (-25mm) and taller (+30mm) than the Carnival and rides on a shorter wheelbase (-45mm).
The vehicle’s packaging is claimed to deliver generous accommodation across all three rows, with the interior designed to deliver a premium cabin experience for every occupant.
Other practical considerations include 470 litres of luggage capacity with all seats in place, and a 1,500kg braked towing capacity.
Safety and security
On the safety front the M9 features up to nine airbags, a 360-degree camera system, five millimetre-wave radars, eight ultrasonic sensors and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technologies.
There’s also a Sentry Mode for enhanced security while the M9 is parked.
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