The all-new Li Auto L9 comes in two flavours, and the L9 Ultra is the more accessible one — the entry point into Li Auto's big six-seat range-extender flagship. It shares almost everything that matters with the pricier Livis: the same large 72.7 kWh battery, up to 420 km of electric-only range (CLTC), a colossal 1,650 km combined, a 563 hp dual-motor system, four LiDAR units and a sumptuous six-seat cabin. The key differences are the suspension, the braking and the compute: the Ultra rides on Li Auto's excellent dual-chamber air suspension (rather than the Livis's 800V fully active suspension), leaves electro-mechanical braking to the Livis, and uses a single Mach M100 chip with 1,280 TOPS instead of two. Priced at ¥459,800 (about $68,600), it's around ¥50,000 (about $7,500) cheaper than the Livis — and for many buyers, it'll be all the L9 they need.
Performance & Specs
Mechanically, the L9 Ultra is identical to the Livis. It's a range-extender (REV): a Li Auto in-house third-generation 1.5-litre turbo engine acts as a generator (roughly 115 kW / 154 hp), while electric motors drive all four wheels. Combined system output is 420 kW (563 hp) and 710 Nm, good for a 0–100 km/h of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of about 200 km/h — brisk for a near-2.8-tonne, six-seat luxury SUV. The 72.7 kWh battery delivers up to 420 km of electric range (CLTC; about 350 km on the WLTC cycle quoted in export markets), and the generator extends total range to roughly 1,650 km CLTC, with fuel use of about 6.3 L/100 km (WLTC) once the battery is depleted. The Ultra's chassis uses third-generation dual-chamber, dual-valve air suspension with continuous damping — Li Auto's familiar "Magic Carpet" setup — and, like the Livis, steer-by-wire with rear-wheel steering. It's plush and comfortable, just without the Livis's active-suspension party tricks.
| Powertrain | Range-extender (REV), AWD |
|---|---|
| System power | 420 kW (563 hp) |
| Torque | 710 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.9 s |
| Battery | 72.7 kWh (5C) |
| Range | 420 km EV / 1,650 km |
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | Range-extender (REV/EREV), AWD |
|---|---|
| RANGE EXTENDER | 1.5L turbo, ~115 kW (~154 hp) generator |
| SYSTEM POWER | 420 kW (563 hp), 710 Nm |
| ACCELERATION | 0–100 km/h 4.9 s |
| TOP SPEED | 200 km/h |
| BATTERY | 72.7 kWh (5C) |
| ELECTRIC RANGE | 420 km CLTC (about 350 km WLTC) |
| COMBINED RANGE | 1,650 km CLTC (about 1,370 km WLTC) |
| SUSPENSION | Dual-chamber air (Magic Carpet) |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | 5,255 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,000 mm |
| Height | 1,810 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm |
| Seating | 6 (2+2+2) |
The L9 Ultra is identical in size to the Livis — a big, imposing luxury SUV at 5,255 mm long on a 3,125 mm wheelbase, with a six-seat 2+2+2 layout designed so all three rows can carry adults in comfort. The second-row captain's chairs get quilted leather, powered adjustment and leg rests, while the cabin is awash with cream leather and a high, lounge-like centre console with its own rear climate panel and a refrigerator. Curb weight is around 2,755–2,835 kg. As a family flagship, the Ultra gives away nothing to the Livis on space, comfort or practicality — it's mainly the suspension, braking and compute that change.
| LENGTH | 5,255 mm |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 2,000 mm |
| HEIGHT | 1,810 mm |
| WHEELBASE | 3,125 mm |
| CURB WEIGHT | 2,755–2,835 kg |
| SEATING | 6 (2+2+2) |
Charging & Battery
Like the Livis, the L9 Ultra uses a 72.7 kWh ternary (NMC) battery from CATL — a big step up from the previous-generation L9's pack — and supports 5C supercharging, adding 10–80% in around 10 minutes at a peak of up to ~420 kW on a compatible charger. That delivers up to 420 km of electric range, enough for most daily driving on electricity alone. And because it's a range-extender, longer journeys are effortless: the 1.5-litre engine runs as a generator, and a quick splash of fuel takes total range to about 1,650 km. It's the same no-range-anxiety setup that has made Li Auto's SUVs so popular — EV running for the commute, no charging stops on a road trip.
| BATTERY | 72.7 kWh ternary (NMC, CATL) |
|---|---|
| ELECTRIC RANGE | 420 km CLTC |
| FAST CHARGING | 5C, 10-80% in ~10 min (peak ~420 kW) |
| RANGE EXTENDER | 1.5L turbo generator + fuel tank |
Design & Interior
The L9 Ultra looks nearly identical to the Livis from the outside: a clean, upright luxury-SUV silhouette with flush door handles, a full-width front light bar and a connected rear light strip, in elegant single-tone finishes (the two-tone schemes are reserved for the Livis). Inside, it's classic Li Auto: soft cream leather, a high flowing centre console, ambient lighting and that lounge-like feel. The six-seat layout gives middle-row passengers business-class captain's chairs with massage, ventilation and leg rests, plus their own climate touchpad and a refrigerator in the console. The Ultra misses out on a few Livis-exclusive flourishes — the four powered doors, "Pods" headrest speakers and two-tone paint — but the core cabin experience is just as plush.
Technology & Features
The dashboard is dominated by a 29-inch 6K panoramic display, backed by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8797 cockpit chip and an available 9.3.6 surround-sound system rated up to 5,440W. For driver assistance, the Ultra runs a single in-house Mach M100 chip with 1,280 TOPS (half the Livis's dual-chip 2,560 TOPS), but it still gets the same four-LiDAR sensor suite and Li Auto's VLA-based navigation-assisted driving across highway, urban, parking and summon scenarios — with the software included free for life. In practice, the Ultra's assisted-driving capability is hugely capable; the extra compute in the Livis is about future-proofing more than day-one ability.
Safety & ADAS
The L9 Ultra carries the same formidable sensor suite as the Livis: four LiDAR units (one long-range forward plus three solid-state side units for 360-degree coverage), multiple cameras and the Mach M100 chip delivering 1,280 TOPS for VLA navigation-assisted driving. Combined with the air suspension and rear-wheel steering, it's a stable, secure and well-equipped family SUV. The main thing the Livis adds on the safety front is electro-mechanical braking (EMB) for sharper stops.
| ADAS LEVEL | L2+ (VLA, 1,280 TOPS) |
|---|---|
| ADAS FEATURES | Highway & urban NOA, parking, summon, 4 LiDAR |
Available Versions
| VERSION | POWER | TORQUE | 0-100 | TOP SPEED | DRIVETRAIN | BATTERY | EV RANGE | COMBINED RANGE | PRICE | KEY DIFFERENCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L9 Ultra | 563 hp | 710 Nm | 4.9 s | 200 km/h | AWD | 72.7 kWh | 420 km | 1,650 km | ~$68,600 (¥459,800) | The value flagship — same space, range and power |
| L9 Livis | 563 hp | 710 Nm | 4.9 s | 200 km/h | AWD | 72.7 kWh | 420 km | 1,650 km | ~$76,100 (¥509,800) | 800V active suspension, EMB, dual M100 chips, powered doors, Pods speakers |
Pricing & Availability
The all-new Li Auto L9 launched in China on May 15, 2026, with the Ultra priced at ¥459,800 (about $68,600) and the flagship Livis at ¥509,800 (about $76,100) — a ¥50,000 (about $7,500) gap. Deliveries began on May 17. Li Auto says about 90% of early orders were for the Livis, drawn by its active suspension and by-wire chassis — but for buyers who care more about the L9's space, range and comfort than its halo tech, the Ultra delivers the same core experience for meaningfully less money. Launch incentives such as the ¥20,000 cash reduction on orders placed by June 30 have ended, and the official guide prices are unchanged since launch.
The L9 is no longer China-only. Li Auto put the new L9 on sale in Kazakhstan in July 2026 (Ultra at 43.99 million tenge, with local assembly planned at Allur's Kostanay plant), launched it in Uzbekistan on July 30, and held its UAE launch in Dubai on September 3, 2026. In the UAE the Ultra costs AED 319,900 (about $87,100), roughly 27% above its China price, and the Livis AED 359,900 (about $98,000). UAE cars get an Arabic interface and hot-climate and dust tuning, and export cars quote WLTC ratings of about 350 km electric and 1,370 km combined. A European launch of the L9 has not been announced.
How It Compares
The most relevant comparison is with the L9's own Livis trim: for about $7,500 less, the Ultra gives up the 800V active suspension, EMB braking, the second compute chip and a handful of luxury extras — but keeps the identical body, battery, range, power and four-LiDAR ADAS. Against external rivals, the Huawei-backed AITO M9 (from about $71,600 in its 2026 form, up to 890 hp) is the one the L9 most directly targets, while the ZEEKR 9X is far more powerful in tri-motor form (up to 1,381 hp). At list price the Ultra undercuts the AITO M9 and sits roughly level with the ZEEKR 9X. Its pitch is simple: Li Auto's class-leading family comfort and longest combined range, in its most affordable form.
- Same space, range and 563 hp as the Livis for about $7,500 less
- Up to 420 km EV range and 1,650 km combined
- Four LiDAR and VLA assisted driving included
- Plush air-suspension ride and six-seat comfort
- Misses the Livis's 800V active suspension and EMB braking
- Half the compute (1,280 vs 2,560 TOPS)
- Sold outside China in only a few markets so far; heavy at ~2.8 tonnes
The Li Auto L9 Ultra is the sensible way into the new L9. It keeps everything that makes the L9 special — the spacious six-seat cabin, the 72.7 kWh battery with up to 420 km of EV range and 1,650 km combined, the 563 hp powertrain and the four-LiDAR VLA driver assistance — and pairs it with Li Auto's excellent air suspension, all for about $68,600. You miss the Livis's headline 800V active suspension, EMB braking and second compute chip, and by Li Auto's account most early buyers paid up for those. But if you want the L9's comfort, space and range without the flagship price, the Ultra is a smart, more affordable choice that gives away nothing where it counts most.
