GAC M8 vs BYD M9
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.
Data checked: specs 1 Oct 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
GAC M8
From $76,590
People Mover
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol Turbo
274kW
—
ANCAP: no data
800L
BYD M9
From $72,990
People Mover
Plug-in Hybrid
Electric Motor
218kW
—
5★ ANCAP
470L
GAC M8: we're still completing fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, battery capacity and energy consumption.
BYD M9: we're still completing height, turning circle and fuel 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.
Track the GAC M8 & BYD M9
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Price Breakdown
The GAC M8 starts from $76,590 before on-road costs, while the BYD M9 opens at $72,990. That makes the BYD M9 the more affordable entry point by $3,600.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $84,249 and $80,289 respectively.
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
36.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 73kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 73kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The GAC M8 stands out with Apple CarPlay and GAC Premium audio — features our data doesn't list for the BYD M9. The BYD M9 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, panoramic roof, ventilated seats and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the GAC M8 gets nappa leather upholstery while the BYD M9 offers genuine leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the GAC M8 and 3-zone in the BYD M9.
Drivetrain
The GAC M8 uses a Petrol Turbo producing 274kW and 630Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.5 seconds.
The BYD M9 counters with its electric setup making 218kW and 315Nm, paired to a 1 spd auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The GAC M8 has the clear power advantage at 274kW vs 218kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD M9 is 1.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The GAC M8 measures 5,212mm long on a 3,070mm wheelbase, 67mm longer than the BYD M9 at 5,145mm (3,045mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the GAC M8 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 800L in the GAC M8 and 470L in the BYD M9, giving the GAC M8 a 330L 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.
Warranty: 8 years / 150,000km (GAC M8) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD M9). The GAC M8 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the GAC M8 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer GAC's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD M9 if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD M9 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (66 vs 59), taking 7 of 10 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (BYD M9 ahead by 21), safety (BYD M9 ahead by 17), performance (GAC M8 ahead by 10). If boot space matters, the GAC M8 has a clear edge. The GAC M8 adds peace of mind with a longer 8-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, GAC M8 and BYD M9?
The BYD M9 is the cheapest at $72,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the GAC M8 by $3,600.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD M9 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for GAC M8, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The GAC M8 has the largest boot at 800L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD M9 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The GAC M8 has the longest warranty at 8 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The GAC M8 makes the most power at 274kW. The BYD M9 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
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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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