Li Auto has launched its new i9, a battery-electric six-seat SUV, in mid-September with a single 'Home' trim priced at 369,800 yuan (about $52,100) as a Chinese guide price before taxes and incentives. The model is notable for its focus on interior space and family-oriented features, according to Chinese outlet 电动邦 (EV Partner).
The i9 is built on a dedicated EV platform, which allows for a more efficient layout. Its front electric drive is mounted longitudinally, and the compressor and heater are integrated, freeing up space for a front trunk. The rear compartment has been optimized by moving controllers and the battery to the side, and integrating an air tank into the crash beam, making the under-floor storage area more usable. As a result, the i9 achieves a cabin space efficiency of 69.6%, with an X-dimension (lengthwise) space of 3,639 mm. Despite a body length of 5,225 mm, it offers more interior space than some larger models.
Space and comfort for all three rows
Li Auto has paid particular attention to the third row, which is often cramped in six-seat SUVs. The i9's third row offers 782 mm of legroom, a seat cushion over 500 mm long, a backrest that reclines up to 55 degrees, and electric fore-aft slide. The second row has 799 mm of legroom. The car has 7.5 square meters of glass, with each third-row side window covering 0.403 square meters, reducing the feeling of claustrophobia. A micro-stepped seating layout ensures rear passengers have a clear view forward, enhancing communication among all occupants.
The first two rows feature full-size zero-gravity seats with electric adjustment for backrest, leg rest, and lumbar support, plus ventilation, heating, and 18-point massage. The second-row seats can rotate infinitely, allowing for various configurations. In 'lounge mode', the second row can face the third row, creating a space for conversation with a folding table and a refrigerator. In 'cinema mode', the second-row seats recline to form a chaise lounge with a 21.4-inch 4K screen. A 'suite mode' allows one second-row seat to recline to nearly flat (up to 170 degrees) for sleeping, while the other remains upright for work.
The i9 also addresses the practicality of large SUVs. Its width is a restrained 1,970 mm, 50 mm narrower than many rivals, making it easier to navigate narrow lanes and parking garages. It comes standard with steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering, giving a minimum turning radius of 5.3 meters (a turning circle of 10.6 meters), close to that of a compact sedan. The steering response delay is as low as 10 milliseconds, and the torque fluctuation is less than 0.1 Nm. The rear-wheel steering is managed by a self-developed algorithm to minimize any sensation of yaw for rear passengers.
Performance, range, and tech
The i9's drag coefficient is 0.215, low for a three-row SUV. It has a CLTC energy consumption of 15.1 kWh per 100 km and a claimed range of 705 km from its 101 kWh battery. (For reference, a WLTP estimate would be around 590-600 km, as CLTC is typically 15-20% more optimistic.) The low drag is achieved without compromising space, thanks to a sleek silhouette with a short front overhang and long rear overhang.
The i9 is powered by dual electric motors with a combined output of 400 kW (about 536 hp) and 660 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. It supports 5C fast charging, adding 500 km of range in 10 minutes, and has 3.5 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.
For driver assistance, the i9 uses Li Auto's self-developed Mach M100 chip with 1,280 TOPS of computing power, along with a forward lidar, millimeter-wave radar, and 11 cameras. The Mach VLA large model uses the LLaDa architecture, with 10 times more parameters than the previous generation and 40% faster inference, reducing key decision latency from 420 ms to 280 ms. In October, an over-the-air update will bring VLA 2.5, which uses a 3D ViT architecture to better understand road conditions, including recognizing emergency vehicles. The company says the intelligent features are free with no subscription fees.
The cabin features a Qualcomm 8797 chip, a 29-inch 6K panoramic screen at the front, and a 21.4-inch 4K movable screen in the rear. The infotainment system supports both app-based and card-style interfaces, and integrates with CarPlay, HiCar, and Carlink. The car also has a 7.5-square-meter glass area, 11 airbags, and a side curtain airbag that is 3,112 mm long, covering all three rows.
Li Auto's i9 represents a shift in the six-seat SUV segment, moving beyond simple size and screen count to address how families actually use the space. With a starting price that undercuts many rivals and a focus on comfort and practicality, it aims to redefine what a family flagship can be.
