Words: Andrew Sluys
Published 30 January 2026
SAIC Motor’s luxury brand IM has revealed the LS9 SUV, which looks to take the fight to the likes of the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Styling wise, the LS9 leans more towards those big American SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade, whilst the lighting is distinctly Chinese.
Measuring at nearly five-and-a-half metres long, this LS9 this Chinese SUV is a fair shot bigger than both the aforementioned rivals, yet makes use of a far smaller engine.
As a plug-in hybrid SUV, the LS9 pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with three electric motors to form a range extender system.
Once a novelty on vehicles such as the BMW i3, these range extender systems are becoming more popular, as the petrol engine only serves as a power source for the motors, which directly drive the wheels.
Despite the small engine, the power figures of the LS9 are hefty, with the front motor producing 165kW, whilst the two rear motors each make 195kW. The engine also chips in with 114kW to charge the battery.
The battery in question is a 65.9kWh Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) unit, which provides up to 308km of electric driving range, according to CLTC testing.
The LS9 also gets quite an impressive-sounding regenerative braking system where it is reportedly able to recover 100 per cent of its energy.
To assist with maneuvering the large SUV, it gets four-wheel steering, which reduces its turning circle to just 4.95-metres — significantly shorter than the vehicle itself.
It also rides on dual-chamber air suspension, which features 150mm of travel, and will likely offer various ride modes for different surfaces.
On the inside the LS9 features a pair of screens for the driver, and a passenger display on the dash.
It also looks to be quite a minimalistic layout, and is offered with three rows of seating. Interestingly in China, the LS9 will be offered as a six-seater instead of seven.
Currently, the IM6 is the only IM vehicle offered in New Zealand, this was introduced at the end of 2025, and starts from $66,990.
