2026 AITO M9 interior, design and features review

The recipe for a high-end luxury SUV used to be written exclusively in German or British English for what probably feels like forever. If you wanted the pinnacle of comfort and status, you bought a Range Rover, a Bentley, or a top-shelf BMW. But the automotive world is shifting east, and the new AITO M9 is a clear signal that the rules are changing. Built by SERES - a Chinese manufacturing powerhouse - in collaboration with tech giant Huawei, the M9 is definitely not a copycat. It is a technological tour de force that offers Bentley-level appointments for a fraction of the price - though don't mistake it for an affordable SUV.

AITO, the luxury subsidiary of SERES, has been watching the market carefully. SERES designs its own electric motors and hybrid powertrains for everything from small cars to trucks, but AITO is its "white glove" division. The M9 is a hyper-luxury flagship, a vehicle designed specifically to lure buyers away from the BMW X7 and the Range Rover Autobiography or SV. Can it take customers away from Bentley? Those who want all the luxury but don't care about the brand - yes, absolutely.

Design

Visually, the M9 commands attention. It features a fully aluminum body, ensuring structural rigidity and weight savings despite measuring in at 205.9 inches long and 78.7 inches wide - giving it the physical presence required to compete in the full-size luxury segment. At 70.9 inches tall, and with a wheelbase of 122.4 inches, this SUV promises bags of interior space. And yet, despite its size, the M9 has a drag coefficient as low as 0.264 Cd, a figure that rivals many sports sedans.

But the real magic happens when you look closer. The "Dual Million-Pixel" intelligent headlights are great for keeping the darkest night bright as daylight, but they can also project videos, lyrics, or safety warnings onto walls or the road surface - a neat party trick that hints at the technology packed inside.

Approaching the M9 makes you realize how large this SUV actually is - the pictures don't really give it the justice it deserves. The clever design makes it look nimble, but in reality, it is imposing. It's tall and long, with multi-layer paintwork gleaming with sparkly details. As far as first impressions go, the M9 has nailed the brief.

Interior

Stepping inside makes you realize the collaboration with Huawei has transformed the M9's cabin into a digital sanctuary. The dashboard is dominated by a massive triple-screen setup: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch central control screen, and a 16-inch entertainment display for the passenger. It is a seamless wall of glass that rivals the "Hyperscreen" found in the latest Mercedes models. The whole setup runs smoothly courtesy of the latest Harmony OS 4.0, courtesy of Huawei.

Below the surface, the M9 gets Huawei's latest ADS 2.0. This system uses a 192-line LiDAR sensor, mmWave radars, and high-definition cameras to scan the environment around the vehicle. It allows it to navigate complex urban traffic without relying on high-definition maps, a major leap forward in autonomous tech.

But luxury is about so much more than just screens. The fit and finish inside the M9 are exceptionally high - soft Nappa leather and Alcantara are absolutely everywhere. The steering wheel is surprisingly small but thick and soft, wrapped in the highest grade leather. Every passenger gets a sumptuous massaging seat, and the cabin is isolated from the outside world by double-glazed windows and active soundproofing. For audiophiles, a 25-speaker premium sound system delivers concert-hall audio quality.

AITO has paid special attention to rear-seat passengers - this vehicle was designed specifically for people who spend most of their travelling time in the second row. A projector screen descends from the ceiling, turning the back row into a private cinema. This screen also serves a dual purpose as a privacy divider, separating the driver from the VIPs in the back.

The seating configurations are versatile and genuinely innovative. The second-row seats recline and feature extending footrests, while the front passenger seat can fold completely forward to create a business-class "bed" setup for the person behind them. It offers one of the largest footrests seen in any production vehicle.

For those who need to transport more people, the third row seats offer as comfortable a spot as any other seat in the vehicle. On top of that, the trunk can have two optional folding "event seats," a feature reminiscent of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. To top it off, a large refrigerator is integrated into the centre console, spacious enough to hold two bottles of Champagne.

Features

The AITO M9 is available as a pure EV or a Range Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV). The battery version is impressive, with a range of up to 390 miles, courtesy of the 100 kWh battery pack. The 530-horsepower powertrain can launch this giant SUV from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.2 seconds.

The REEV model is a true long-distance option. It uses SERES's 5th-generation "Super Range Extender" technology - a highly efficient 1.5-liter generator that charges the battery on the fly. Paired with either a 42 kWh or 52 kWh battery, the M9 achieves a total range of 932 miles on a full charge and a full tank of gas. That is effectively the distance from London to Vienna without stopping.

The system is incredibly efficient, generating 3.65 kWh of electricity per liter of fuel with a thermal efficiency of 44.8%. It is also quiet, with a 90% reduction in noise compared to older generators. The drivetrain allows for independent wheel drive, meaning the car can vector torque instantly to keep the vehicle stable even on split-surfaces like ice and dry tarmac.

As expected, the ride is kept distinctively smooth by an intelligent chassis system featuring air suspension and CDC (Continuous Damping Control), which adjusts the shock absorbers in real-time. Despite its size, the M9 has a turning radius of just 5.8 meters, but that's because its rear wheels can turn, making it surprisingly agile in city streets.

The overall impression is quite shocking - positively shocking. This might be a brand that has been around for about two years, but the quality of the M9 shows clearly the expertise of SERES and Huawei. Honestly - take the badges away, and you would struggle to choose between the AITO and Mercedes, BMW, or Range Rover. Does it have enough clout to take on Bentley or Rolls-Royce? No, not yet. But this is the first generation of luxury SUV from this automaker. The second generation might upset the world's most prestigious brands.

Probably the most shocking specification is the price. In China, the AITO M9 retails between 470,000 and 570,000 Chinese Yuan. Converted to US currency, that is approximately $65,000 to $80,000. When you consider that a similarly equipped Range Rover can cost two to three times that amount, the value proposition is undeniable.

The M9 is already outselling legacy luxury brands in China, and expansion into the Middle East is imminent. With the current political situation, there is no confirmed date for a US launch yet, but the AITO M9 will eventually make its way to Europe. The unnerving truth is that the gap between established Western luxury and Chinese innovation hasn't just been closed - it's started to slowly move in the opposite direction.