BYD is moving into the people mover class for the first time in Australia. The M9 has been confirmed from $61,990 before on-road costs for the eight-seat Dynamic, with the seven-seat Premium arriving first at $72,990 before on-road costs. Both use BYD's DM-i 5.0 plug-in hybrid system and are due before the end of 2026.
A plug-in hybrid family bus
Each grade pairs a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with an electric motor, with BYD quoting up to 145km of electric-only range and up to 850km combined on the WLTP cycle for the Premium. At 5,145mm long on a 3,045mm wheelbase, the M9 sits at the larger end of the class, with three rows of seating.
Cartell Assessment
This parks BYD directly on top of the Kia Carnival, the default family bus in this country, which runs from about $56,000 to $77,000 depending on trim. A plug-in hybrid rival that can halve the fuel bill on the school run is exactly the maths that has bruised every segment BYD has entered so far.
AU Outlook
Full specification and drive-away pricing are due closer to the Q4 launch. If BYD lands the M9 sharply, the Carnival finally has a genuine plug-in hybrid challenger.
