Huawei and Seres’ joint venture, Aito, just dropped a bombshell on the Chinese auto market with the Aito M8, a full-size range-extended crossover starting at 359,800 yuan (about $48,960). After a sluggish start to 2025, Aito desperately needed a hit, and with over 140,000 pre-orders already in the bag, the M8 looks like the answer. This isn’t just another SUV; it’s a tech-packed statement piece designed to claw back market share and put rivals on notice.
After its flagship M9 SUV drove a massive sales surge last year, Aito’s momentum cooled in the first quarter of 2025, with sales down 51% compared to the same period in 2024. The M8 is the strategic jolt the brand needs, blending size, power, and cutting-edge tech to reignite excitement.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak power | 392 | kW | 526 hp from dual-motor 4WD |
| Powertrain | EREV | — | 1.5L turbo engine as a range extender |
| Battery Capacity | 37 / 53.4 | kWh | LFP or NMC options |
| Electric Range (CLTC) | 201 / 310 | km | Depends on battery pack |
| Mixed Range (CLTC) | 1,405 / 1,526 | km | Combined fuel and electric power |
| Dimensions (L/W/H) | 5190/1999/1795 | mm | Wheelbase: 3105 mm |
| Cargo Volume (5-Seat) | 976 / 2,348 | L | Seats up / seats down |
| Starting Price | 359,800 | CNY | Equivalent to ~48,960 USD |
A Familiar Face with a Tech Twist
The Aito M8 doesn’t stray far from the successful design language of the M9, boasting a commanding presence with its high bonnet and flat roofline. It’s nearly as large as its flagship sibling, measuring a massive 5,190 mm long. But it carves its own identity with unique headlight and taillight designs. The rear is particularly eye-catching, featuring integrated ISD interactive LED panels that can display custom text and images, a feature that’s becoming a signature of high-end electric SUVs in China.
A sleek front end and retractable door handles contribute to an impressive drag coefficient of 0.259 Cd, a figure that bests SUV giants like the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV (0.28 Cd). This aerodynamic efficiency promises a quieter ride and, more importantly, pushes the range further. The M8 rides on 20 or 21-inch wheels and is available in six colors, offering a solid palette for a premium family hauler.
A Cabin That’s Part Office, Part Luxury Lounge
Inside, the M8 caters to different needs with five and six-seat configurations. The dashboard is a tech-lover’s dream, dominated by a triple-screen setup: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch central screen, and a 16-inch monitor for the front passenger. Everything is powered by Huawei’s Harmony OS4, and a 68-inch augmented reality head-up display keeps critical info in the driver’s line of sight.
Opt for the six-seat layout, and the second row transforms into a premium cabin with captain’s chairs that offer 10-point massage, heating, ventilation, and a zero-gravity mode for ultimate relaxation. While the five-seat version is less opulent, it gains a practical 9-liter storage compartment under the rear seats. Both versions can be fitted with a rear-seat projector, turning the cabin into a mobile cinema. A 19-speaker Huawei Sound system and a 7.3-liter fridge round out the list of creature comforts.
From a practical standpoint, the trunk space is enormous. The six-seater offers a respectable 353 liters, expandable to 1,284 liters. But the five-seater is the real cargo king, with a default 976 liters that swells to an incredible 2,348 liters when the rear seats are folded.
EREV Power and Impressive Range
The M8 is a range-extended electric vehicle (EREV), meaning it uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine not to drive the wheels, but to act as a generator for the battery. This setup provides the silent, instant torque of an EV with the go-anywhere convenience of a gas-powered car. A powerful dual-motor 4WD system delivers a combined 392 kW (526 hp), giving this large SUV some serious hustle.
Buyers can choose between a 37 kWh LFP battery or a 53.4 kWh ternary NMC pack. These offer a pure electric CLTC range of 201 km and 310 km, respectively, enough for most daily commutes. When the range extender kicks in, the total mixed range stretches to a massive 1,405 km or 1,526 km. While CLTC figures are often optimistic, this still represents incredible touring capability, a key advantage for EREV models. The advanced driving assistance system is powered by a sensor suite that includes a 192-line LiDAR, six mm-wave radars, and a dozen cameras, putting it at the forefront of autonomous-driving hardware.
Pricing and Market Impact
Aito is offering the M8 across three trims (Max, Max+, and Ultra), each available in five and six-seat versions, giving buyers plenty of choice. This is the same strategy that worked for the all-new Aito M7.
- Aito M8 Max: Starts at 359,800 yuan ($48,960)
- Aito M8 Max+: Starts at 379,800 yuan ($51,680)
- Aito M8 Ultra: Starts at 429,800 yuan ($58,490)
The M8’s aggressive pricing and feature-rich package position it as a major threat in China’s premium SUV segment, challenging established players like Li Auto and even putting pressure on brands like Nio. With 140,000 orders already on the books, it’s clear that Huawei’s blend of tech, performance, and value is a combination that Chinese consumers are enthusiastically embracing.
