Bestune M9

Model Overview

The Bestune M9 is FAW Bestune's first mid-to-large MPV, making its official debut at Auto Shanghai on 18 April 2023. Pitched as a "new-generation all-round MPV", it is tailored for both corporate executive transport and family mobility. Serving as a crucial strategic model for FAW Bestune’s brand elevation, the M9 is engineered on FAW Group's proven architecture, sharing platform underpinnings with the Hongqi HQ9 while commanding a more accessible price tag. The MPV initially rolled out in two variants—the Exclusive and Supreme—with official guide prices pegged at RM229,800 and RM249,800 respectively. In the second half of 2023, the lineup expanded to three variants with the introduction of the Exclusive 70th Anniversary Edition. Measuring 5,280 mm long, 2,005 mm wide, and 1,945 mm tall, with a generous 3,200 mm wheelbase, the Bestune M9 commands a distinct size advantage in its segment, locking horns directly with rivals such as the Trumpchi M8 and Roewe iMAX8.

Design Language

Up front, the Bestune M9 sports FAW Bestune's signature family design identity, characterised by an imposing borderless front grille laced with horizontal chrome inserts for a poised, upmarket aesthetic. A full-width LED light bar integrates seamlessly with the matrix LED headlamp clusters, delivering distinctive illumination and high road presence. Along the sides, sleek and straight character lines define the silhouette, complemented by dual sliding doors for effortless ingress and egress; the Exclusive variant gets a manual left and powered right sliding door, whereas the Supreme variant benefits from fully powered dual sliding doors. At the rear, full-width LED taillights and a clean rear bumper profile complete a modern, understated look. Buyers can choose from five exterior paint finishes: Quantum Silver Grey, Gentian Purple, Charming Night Black, Second-Generation Alpine Crystal White, and Platinum Gold.

Inside, the Bestune M9 adopts a wraparound cockpit layout geared towards practicality and ride comfort. The dashboard houses a 7-inch full LCD instrument cluster alongside a 12.3-inch floating infotainment touchscreen, complemented by a leather-wrapped three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustments. The cabin is trimmed predominantly in soft-touch slush-moulded plastics and synthetic leather, accented by wood grain trim inserts in select areas to deliver a premium feel commensurate with its price bracket. Configured in a 2+2+3 seven-seater layout, the interior is available in two colourways: Black and Brown.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the bonnet, the Bestune M9 is driven by FAW's in-house developed CA4GC20TD-52 2.0-litre high-output turbocharged petrol engine, paired with an Aisin 8-speed automatic transmission (8AT) and a standard 48V mild hybrid (MHEV) system across the range. This setup puts out 185 kW (252 PS) and a peak torque of 380 Nm, propelling the MPV from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds onto a top speed of 200 km/h. The 48V mild hybrid system assists during off-the-line acceleration and low-speed crawling, smoothing out the automatic engine start-stop operation while curbing fuel usage during initial take-off. It returns a WLTC combined fuel consumption of 8.8 L/100 km and requires a minimum of RON 95 petrol. Output figures remain competitive in the mid-to-large MPV class, with powertrain calibration prioritising smooth, linear power delivery in line with the vehicle's relaxed cruiser persona.

Chassis and Handling

The Bestune M9 utilises a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout built on a monocoque chassis. Suspension duties are handled by front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent setup, with electric power steering (EPS) fitted as standard across the range. Compared to the torsion beam rear setup found in some segment rivals, the multi-link independent rear suspension offers superior bump absorption and heightened rear passenger comfort. Braking is handled by ventilated discs at all four corners, complemented by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold. It rides on 225/60 R17 tyres and comes with a full-size spare tyre. The chassis is tuned squarely for comfort, soaking up minor tarmac imperfections effortlessly, though noticeable body roll surfaces during spirited cornering—a standard trait for mid-to-large MPVs of this stature. Kerb weight is rated at approximately 2,200 kg.

Cabin and Equipment

Spaciousness and passenger comfort serve as the core selling points of the Bestune M9's cabin. Benefiting from its 5,280 mm overall length and 3,200 mm wheelbase, interior roominess is exceptional—second-row legroom extends up to roughly 1.3 metres, while third-row occupants measuring 1.78 metres tall still enjoy a fist and four fingers worth of knee clearance. Boot capacity stands at 620 litres in its standard configuration, expanding up to 1,675 litres with the third-row seats folded. The second row features two individual captain seats (optional on the Exclusive variant, standard on the Supreme variant), complete with electric adjustment, leg rests, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Up front, the front seats feature powered adjustment with lumbar support for the driver, while the 60:40 split-folding third row is equipped with dedicated air conditioning vents and cup holders.

In terms of in-car tech, the infotainment system runs on FAW Bestune's proprietary software, offering satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, telematics services, Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, and voice control. Entertainment is piped through a standard 6-speaker audio setup. On the creature comforts front, the flagship Supreme variant adds powered dual sliding doors, a powered tailgate, a panoramic glass roof, a wireless smartphone charger, automatic climate control, independent rear air conditioning, and a cabin PM2.5 air filtration system. The entry-level Exclusive variant features a leaner equipment list, with several premium amenities either relegated to the options list or reserved exclusively for the top-spec variant.

Safety and Advanced Driver Assistance

On the passive safety front, the Bestune M9 comes standard with 4 airbags across all variants, covering dual front airbags, front side airbags, and front-to-rear curtain airbags. Its high-strength cage body structure provides robust passenger cell integrity in a collision. Active safety features fitted as standard include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS), and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). Driver assistance features remain rudimentary, comprising rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, and standard cruise control across the range. Notably, the Bestune M9 lacks Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)—omitting essentials like Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)—which leaves it trailing behind modern segment rivals in active driver tech. Additionally, some owners have cited glitches such as touchscreen lag, system freezes, and false SOS warning light triggers.

Market Performance and Reception

The Bestune M9 has struggled to gain significant market traction since its debut. In 2024, full-year sales reached just 481 units, averaging around 40 units per month. Deliveries slipped further in 2025, with February registrations bottoming out at just 4 units—a steep month-on-month plunge of 94.59%. Against established heavyweights like the Trumpchi M8 (which averages 5,000 to 8,000 units monthly), the Bestune M9 maintains a negligible market footprint. Market observers attribute its lacklustre performance to ambiguous product positioning, weak brand equity, outdated driver assistance tech, and limited showroom and service network reach.

Owner feedback remains largely positive regarding cabin space, with the expansive seating room afforded by its 5.2-metre-plus length and 3.2-metre wheelbase earning widespread praise. Some buyers also view it as a high-value alternative to conventional MPVs like the Buick GL8. Conversely, key owner grievances centre on sparse baseline equipment (notably the manual left sliding door on the Exclusive trim and absence of Level 2 ADAS), strong new-car cabin odour, a sluggish and freeze-prone infotainment system, and higher-than-expected real-world fuel consumption (tested at 11 to 12.5 L/100 km). While the Bestune M9 possesses no fatal mechanical flaws as FAW Bestune's maiden foray into the MPV segment, it still lags behind segment front-runners in brand prestige, smart cabin tech, and market visibility. Reversing its current sales slump will require targeted product updates and stronger customer engagement strategies.