Key Points
- Geely M9 seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV confirmed for Australia in 2027
- Offers up to 230km electric range and 1300km+ combined range (CLTC)
- Larger than key rivals, measuring around 5.2 metres in length
- Will compete with Toyota Kluger and BYD Sealion 8 in the family SUV segment
- Signals growing momentum for long-range PHEVs in Australia’s evolving EV market
Geely has confirmed plans to bring its largest plug-in hybrid SUV yet to Australia, with the upcoming Geely M9 locked in for local arrival in 2027 as part of a broader expansion into the large family SUV segment.
The model, already on sale in China, will form a key pillar of the brand’s electrified push in Australia, targeting buyers looking for three-row practicality combined with long-range hybrid efficiency.
▶️MORE: Every Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) in Australia (2026 Guide)
A new seven-seat contender for Australian families
While the M9 is currently offered as a six-seater overseas with second-row captain’s chairs, Geely has confirmed the Australian version will adopt a more conventional seven-seat layout, replacing the middle-row chairs with a three-seat bench.
This change is designed to better align with local buyer preferences and position the M9 directly against popular large SUVs such as the Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Palisade.
Geely Australia managing director and vice president Alex Gu confirmed the model is already in development for this market.
“Yes. I think this model, we’ll bring it next year. It’s already under process,” he said.
The M9 will sit within a broader SUV rollout strategy, with Gu outlining plans to expand beyond the brand’s existing medium SUV offerings.
“SUV-C… we already have,” he said. “SUV D, we are bringing two. Seven seats, and in the box style. Like Denza B5, or even like Range Rover.”
Powertrain, range and what’s under the skin
Internationally, the M9 is positioned as a large, tech-focused plug-in hybrid, measuring around 5.2 metres in length, making it larger than many mainstream rivals in Australia.
It currently features a plug-in hybrid system built around a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a substantial 41.5kWh battery pack. Depending on the variant, the SUV can be configured with either a single electric motor or a more powerful tri-motor setup.
Key performance and range figures (based on Chinese CLTC testing) include:
Electric-only range between 210km and 230km
Combined hybrid driving range between 1300km and 1505km
While these figures will likely be lower under WLTP testing, they still point to one of the longest-range electrified SUVs expected in the Australian market.
Geely is also considering multiple electrified powertrain options for local models, including traditional hybrids and future iterations of its new ‘i-HEV’ closed-loop hybrid system.
“We know the Australian market is an emissions-sensitive market,” Gu said, referencing tightening regulations such as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will penalise high-emission vehicle imports.
▶️MORE: Why Plug-In-Hybrids Are Surging In Australia?
How it stacks up against the BYD Sealion 8
The Geely M9 is larger, has more electric and tital range than the BYD Sealion 8.
| Category | Geely M9 | BYD Sealion 8 |
| Vehicle type | Large plug-in hybrid SUV | Large plug-in hybrid SUV |
| Seating layout | 7 seats (AU spec) | 7 seats |
| Length | ~5200 mm | 5040 mm |
| Powertrain | 1.5L turbo PHEV | 1.5L turbo PHEV (DM system) |
| Battery | 41.5 kWh | 19 kWh (FWD) / 35.6 kWh (AWD) |
| Electric range | 210–230 km (CLTC) | 103–152 km (NEDC) |
| Combined range | 1300–1505 km (CLTC) | Not officially stated |
| Drive options | Single or tri-motor setups | FWD and AWD |
| Performance | Multi-motor high-output variants | Up to 0–100 km/h in 4.9 sec (AWD) |
| Platform focus | Premium, long-range touring | Value-focused family SUV |
| Pricing (Australia) | Not yet announced | $56,990–$70,990 (before on-roads) |
| Market positioning | Premium large SUV | Affordable large family SUV |
| Key advantage | Longer EV + total range | Lower price, proven local rollout |
| Launch timing (AU) | Expected 2027 | Launching early 2026 |
What this means for Australia’s EV and hybrid market
Geely’s decision to bring the M9 to Australia highlights how quickly the large SUV segment is evolving, particularly as plug-in hybrids gain traction as a transitional technology.
With stricter emissions standards on the horizon and infrastructure still developing in parts of the country, PHEVs offer a practical middle ground for many buyers who want electric driving capability without full reliance on charging networks.
The M9 also signals Geely’s intent to compete across multiple segments, not just entry-level EVs but also larger, more premium family vehicles.
If priced competitively, it could:
Challenge established hybrid SUVs from Japanese and Korean brands
Increase pressure on rivals to offer longer electric-only range
Accelerate adoption of electrified seven-seat SUVs in Australia
Combined with Geely’s broader rollout of electrified models, including SUVs, sedans and future utes, the M9 could play a key role in reshaping expectations around what large family vehicles can deliver in the electrified era.
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