Key Points
- The BYD M9 Dynamic starts at $61,990 before on-road costs, and the flagship M9 Premium is priced from $72,990.
- The M9 Premium reaches Australian showrooms first, arriving in the coming months, ahead of the M9 Dynamic.
- Both variants use BYD's DM-i 5.0 Super Hybrid powertrain; the M9 Premium is rated at up to 145km of EV range and 850km of combined range on the WLTP cycle.
BYD has confirmed local pricing for its all-new M9 people mover. The eight-seat M9 Dynamic starts at $61,990 before on-road costs, while the flagship seven-seat M9 Premium is priced from $72,990 before on-road costs.
The M9 Premium will be the first to reach Australian showrooms, arriving in the coming months. The M9 takes BYD into the premium people-mover segment for the first time, expanding its range of new energy vehicles to more Australian families and fleets.
BYD M9 Pricing and Variants
The M9 range launches with the seven-seat M9 Premium. The eight-seat M9 Dynamic follows later. Both are front-wheel drive only.
BYD M9 pricing and specifications
Variant | Price (excl. on-road costs) | Seats | Drivetrain | Battery |
M9 Dynamic | $61,990 | 8 | Front-wheel drive | 20.39kWh Blade Battery |
M9 Premium | $72,990 | 7 | Front-wheel drive | 36.60kWh Blade Battery |
Both grades support AC and DC charging, and both include Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, which lets the M9 power external devices.
Powertrain, Range and Charging
Both the M9 Dynamic and M9 Premium use BYD's DM-i 5.0 Super Hybrid powertrain. It combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor.
BYD says the M9 Premium is rated at up to 145km of EV range and up to 850km of combined range, on the WLTP testing procedure. BYD has not confirmed separate EV or combined range figures for the M9 Dynamic, which uses a smaller 20.39kWh battery than the Premium's 36.60kWh unit.
How the BYD M9 Compares to Australia's Top-Selling People Mover
The Kia Carnival dominates Australia's people-mover segment. VFACTS data shows the Carnival held an 82.3 per cent share of the segment in the first half of 2025, with 5,173 sales, more than nine times its nearest rival.
The entry-level Kia Carnival S, an eight-seat 3.5-litre V6 petrol model, is priced from $50,570 before on-road costs, undercutting the entry-level BYD M9 Dynamic by $11,420.
BYD M9 Dynamic vs Kia Carnival S
Spec | BYD M9 Dynamic | Kia Carnival S |
Price (excl. on-road costs) | $61,990 | $50,570 |
Powertrain | DM-i 5.0 Super Hybrid (PHEV) | 3.5-litre V6 petrol |
Seats | 8 | 8 |
Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
EV range | Not yet confirmed by BYD | Not applicable |
The Carnival is not available as a plug-in hybrid or EV in Australia, so it offers no electric-only running.
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Technology and Interior Features
The M9's cabin is built around a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates, and four-zone voice control.
An integrated fridge and hotbox can cool between -6°C and 6°C, or heat between 35°C and 50°C. Available augmented reality projection technology gives intuitive access to the power sliding doors and tailgate.
Exterior Design and Dimensions
The M9 measures 5,145mm long, 1,970mm wide and 1,805mm high, riding on a 3,045mm wheelbase. BYD says the design draws on a traditional Chinese garden, with strong horizontal and vertical lines. A dragon-inspired front and elongated silhouette combine for what BYD describes as an elegant, understated look.
Practicality and Towing
The M9 offers 470 litres of luggage capacity with all seats in place, and a braked towing capacity of 1,500kg. The M9 Premium's front seats are heated and ventilated, and its second-row captain's chairs add heating, ventilation and a near zero-gravity seating position.
Safety
BYD says 73 per cent of the M9's structure is made from high-strength steel. The M9 offers up to nine airbags, a 360-degree camera system, five millimetre-wave radars, eight ultrasonic sensors, and a range of advanced driver assistance systems. Sentry Mode monitors for potential threats or intrusion while the M9 is parked.
How the BYD M9 Compares to Fully Electric People Movers in Australia
The M9 is a plug-in hybrid, not a fully electric vehicle. For buyers considering a fully electric people mover, the closest rivals on sale in Australia are the XPeng X9, Denza D9 and Zeekr 009. All three offer meaningfully more electric range than the M9's petrol-electric system, at a higher price.
People mover pricing: BYD M9 vs fully electric rivals
Model | Price (from, excl. on-road costs) | Powertrain | Battery | Range (WLTP) | Seats |
BYD M9 Dynamic | $61,990 | DM-i 5.0 Super Hybrid (PHEV) | 20.39kWh Blade Battery | Not yet confirmed | 8 |
BYD M9 Premium | $72,990 | DM-i 5.0 Super Hybrid (PHEV) | 36.60kWh Blade Battery | 145km EV / 850km combined | 7 |
XPeng X9 FWD | $89,900 | Fully electric | 94.8kWh LFP | 535km | 7 |
Denza D9 EV FWD | $85,990 | Fully electric | 103.36kWh LFP | 520km | Up to 7 |
Zeekr 009 7-Seat FWD | $115,900 | Fully electric | 116kWh | 604km | 7 |
Higher-grade versions of these EVs cost more. The XPeng X9 AWD is priced from $109,900. The Denza D9 EV AWD is priced from $95,990. The Zeekr 009 is priced from $115,900 for the 7-Seat FWD, $135,900 for the 7-Seat AWD, and $139,900 for the flagship 6-Seat AWD.
BYD's Rapid Model Expansion in Australia
BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said the M9 reflects the brand's commitment to offering class-leading EVs and plug-in Super Hybrids in Australia.
“Our commitment to this market is defined by our actions,” Mr Collins said. “The M9 marks the seventh all-new model BYD has introduced within 12 months, and all of them in new segments. We also added two significant new Shark 6 variants, the Shark 6 Cab Chassis and Shark 6 Premium pick-up, in response to customer needs.”
Mr Collins said BYD's year-to-date deliveries in Australia are more than double last year's total, which was itself a record year.
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About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
