BYD M9 vs GAC M8
Two electric People Movers go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
BYD M9
Price TBC
People Mover
Plug-in Hybrid
Electric Motor
200kW
5.6 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
570L
GAC M8
From $76,590
People Mover
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol Turbo
274kW
—
ANCAP: no data
800L
BYD M9: not on sale yet, so BYD hasn't published price, transmission, warranty, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 3 others.
GAC M8: we're still completing fuel consumption, battery capacity and energy consumption.
Blank cells below mean we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
20.4kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The GAC M8 counters with Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate, GAC Premium audio and ambient lighting that the BYD M9 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BYD M9 runs a pure electric powertrain producing 200kW and 315Nm of torque, sent through its transmission to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.
The GAC M8 responds with a Petrol Turbo making 274kW and 630Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The GAC M8 has the clear power advantage at 274kW vs 200kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD M9 is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BYD M9 measures 5,145mm long on a 3,045mm wheelbase, 67mm shorter than the GAC M8 at 5,212mm (3,070mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the GAC M8 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 570L in the BYD M9 and 800L in the GAC M8, giving the GAC M8 a 230L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.8m diameter
Large
Based on 12.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 11.3 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD M9 if: You or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the GAC M8 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer GAC's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The BYD M9 and GAC M8 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. If boot space matters, the GAC M8 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD M9 and GAC M8?
The GAC M8 is the cheapest at $76,590 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD M9 uses the least fuel at 5.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BYD M9 and GAC M8 carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The GAC M8 has the largest boot at 800L.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD M9 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The GAC M8 makes the most power at 274kW. The BYD M9 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.1s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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