The GAC Trumpchi S9 (full name Trumpchi Xiangwang S9) is a full-size plug-in hybrid SUV that packs flagship tech at a mid-size price. Launched in China in September 2025, this five-metre, five- or six-seat SUV pairs a 500 hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive PHEV powertrain with 252 km of electric range and around 1,200 km combined. Its headline feature is technology: every version comes with Huawei's Qiankun ADS 4 Max assisted-driving system — including a roof-mounted 192-line LiDAR and 29 sensors — plus a HarmonyOS 5 cockpit, from just ~$32,000. That makes it one of the cheapest ways into Huawei's full LiDAR self-driving suite, in a spacious, well-equipped family flagship aimed squarely at the Li Auto L7 and L8.
Performance & Specs
The S9 uses GAC's "Julang" series-parallel plug-in hybrid system — not a pure range-extender, since the engine can drive the wheels directly at speed. A 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder making 118 kW (160 hp) works with two electric motors — a 170 kW front and an 80 kW rear — for standard dual-motor all-wheel drive. Total system output is a hefty 368 kW (~500 hp) and 613 Nm, good for 0–100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and a 190 km/h top speed. It's brisk for a 2,365 kg SUV, and the instant electric torque plus AWD traction make it feel effortless. Power flows through a single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT).
| Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid (series-parallel DHT, AWD) |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5T four-cylinder, 118 kW (160 hp) |
| Motors | front 170 kW + rear 80 kW (dual-motor) |
| System output | 368 kW (500 hp), 613 Nm |
| Battery | 44.5 kWh (252 km EV) |
| 0–100 km/h | 6.6 s (190 km/h top) |
| POWERTRAIN | Plug-in hybrid (series-parallel DHT), AWD |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1.5T four-cylinder, 118 kW (160 hp) |
| MOTORS | front 170 kW + rear 80 kW (dual-motor) |
| SYSTEM OUTPUT | 368 kW (500 hp), 613 Nm |
| ACCELERATION | 0–100 km/h 6.6 s |
| BATTERY | 44.5 kWh (CATL) |
| EV / COMBINED RANGE | 252 km / ~1,200 km (CLTC) |
| FUEL USE | 6.98 L/100km (depleted) |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | 5,060 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 1,760 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm |
| Cargo | 960 L (up to ~1,950 L) |
| Tyres | 255/50 R20 |
At 5,060 mm long on a 2,930 mm wheelbase, the S9 is a genuinely large SUV with limousine-like space. Buyers can pick a five-seat layout with a big 960-litre boot (expanding to nearly 1,950 litres with the seats folded) or a six-seat layout with 2+2+2 captain's chairs for a lounge-like second row. There's a panoramic glass roof with a sunshade, and the reviewer likened the airy, high-set seating to a Li Auto L-series. It rides on 20-inch wheels with 255/50 tyres (21-inch optional). This is a family flagship built around space, comfort and long-distance touring.
| LENGTH | 5,060 mm |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 1,950 mm |
| HEIGHT | 1,760 mm |
| WHEELBASE | 2,930 mm |
| CARGO VOLUME | 960 L (5-seat) / ~1,950 L folded |
| SEATING | 5 or 6 seats |
Charging & Battery
The S9 uses a 44.5 kWh CATL battery for up to 252 km of pure-electric CLTC range — enough for most owners to commute on electricity and rarely burn fuel. It's a 400V system with DC fast charging at up to ~133 kW, taking the pack from 30–80% in about 14 minutes, plus home AC charging overnight. For long trips, the 1.5-litre engine and 60-litre tank stretch combined range to roughly 1,200 km at 6.98 L/100km once the battery is depleted. As a plug-in hybrid, it offers the daily running costs of an EV with none of the range anxiety — a formula that has made this class of car hugely popular in China.
| BATTERY | 44.5 kWh (CATL) |
|---|---|
| EV RANGE | 252 km (CLTC) |
| DC FAST CHARGING | ~133 kW (30–80% ~14 min) |
| FUEL TANK | 60 L |
Design & Interior
The S9 has an imposing, upright full-size SUV shape with a full-width connected LED tail-light bar, LED headlights and clean, slab-sided surfacing — classic modern-luxury-SUV styling in the black shown. Inside, it's plush and tech-forward: soft tan leather, real wood-effect trim, a panoramic glass roof and comfortable, supportive seats. The cabin centres on Huawei's HarmonyOS 5 system with a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver display, backed by up to 21 speakers, twin wireless chargers and rear-seat screens on higher trims. Crucially for export buyers, the reviewer confirmed the system can be switched to an English interface. It's a genuinely premium-feeling interior for the money. The second row is a particular highlight — in six-seat form it gets ventilated, heated captain's chairs with their own controls and screens, while the flat floor and long wheelbase free up limousine-grade legroom. Material quality, from the stitched leather to the soft-touch dash, feels a class above the price, which is exactly the impression GAC wants against the Li Auto L-series.
Technology & ADAS
Technology is the S9's headline act. Every trim comes with Huawei Qiankun ADS 4 Max as standard — the same generation of hardware found in far pricier cars — built around a roof-mounted 192-line LiDAR, a front 4D radar, rear corner radars, ultrasonic sensors and 11 cameras, for 29 sensing units in total. That enables Huawei's advanced city and highway navigation-assisted driving and automated parking. Pairing Huawei's ADS with its HarmonyOS cockpit gives the S9 one of the most complete smart-driving-and-infotainment packages in its class — and offering it from around $32,000 is genuinely disruptive.
| ADAS SYSTEM | Huawei Qiankun ADS 4 Max (standard) |
|---|---|
| SENSORS | 192-line LiDAR, 4D radars, 11 cameras (29 total) |
Available Versions
| VERSION | SEATS | POWER | EV RANGE | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qiankun Max | 5 | 368 kW (500 hp) | 252 km | ~$32,100 (¥229,900) |
| Qiankun Max | 6 | 368 kW (500 hp) | 252 km | ~$33,500 (¥239,900) |
| Qiankun Ultra | 5 | 368 kW (500 hp) | 252 km | ~$34,900 (¥249,900) |
| Qiankun Ultra | 6 | 368 kW (500 hp) | 252 km | ~$36,300 (¥259,900) |
| Qiankun Flagship (2026) | 6 | 368 kW (500 hp) | 252 km | ~$43,000+ (top trim) |
Pricing & Availability
The Trumpchi S9 went on sale in China on 19 September 2025, with the four launch trims priced from ¥229,900 to ¥259,900 (about $32,100 to $36,300) — five- and six-seat versions of the Qiankun Max and Qiankun Ultra. A more lavish 2026 Qiankun Flagship six-seater sits above them at around $43,000. It's a China-market car, but the reviewer notes it's ready to export with English-language software, so it could reach overseas buyers — though no official European or North American launch has been confirmed. For the money, the standard Huawei LiDAR ADAS makes it stand out sharply against rivals.
How It Compares
The S9 lands in a fiercely competitive class of large Chinese plug-in SUVs. The BYD Tang L matches it on size and price but can't match its standard Huawei LiDAR ADAS; the Li Auto L8 is GAC's explicit benchmark and a superb six-seater, but it's an EREV and costs roughly $10,000 more; and the Voyah Free is a close price rival. The S9's trump cards are its 500 hp dual-motor AWD, standard Huawei ADS 4 Max and HarmonyOS cabin at a sub-$33,000 entry point — genuinely a lot of flagship technology for the money.
- Huawei ADS 4 Max + 192-line LiDAR standard on every trim
- 500 hp dual-motor AWD; 0–100 km/h in 6.6 s
- 252 km EV range and ~1,200 km combined; big 960 L boot
- Premium HarmonyOS cabin and space for under $33,000
- Heavy at 2,365 kg; 400V charging, not 800V
- China-only for now (export "ready" but unconfirmed)
- Lesser-known brand with limited overseas service
- Top Flagship trim pushes past $43,000
The GAC Trumpchi S9 is a compelling flagship-tech-for-the-money play. For around $32,000 it delivers a five-metre, five- or six-seat luxury SUV with a 500 hp dual-motor AWD plug-in hybrid powertrain, 252 km of electric range and roughly 1,200 km combined — and, crucially, Huawei's Qiankun ADS 4 Max with a 192-line LiDAR as standard on every version. That last point is the story: getting Huawei's full LiDAR self-driving suite and HarmonyOS cockpit at this price undercuts almost everything, including GAC's stated target, the pricier Li Auto L8. It isn't perfect — it's heavy, sticks with 400V charging, and remains a China-market car for now — but as a spacious, powerful, tech-loaded family flagship, the S9 offers remarkable value. If it reaches export markets, rivals should take note.
