The Lynk & Co 09 is an E-segment luxury smart flagship SUV under Lynk & Co, serving as the brand's maiden model underpinned by Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) modular platform. First launched on 20 October 2021 during the brand's fifth-anniversary celebrations, the SUV embodies Lynk & Co's ethos of "challenging the norm" to elevate its brand positioning, earning it the moniker of the "half-priced Volvo XC90".
Positioned as an E-segment luxury smart SUV, the Lynk & Co 09 primarily targets family buyers seeking expansive cabin space, premium mechanical engineering, and uncompromised safety. At launch, it was offered in both MHEV and PHEV powertrain options, with the MHEV variants priced between RM265,900 and RM320,900, while the PHEV variants retailed from RM315,900 to RM370,900. The 2026 model year introduces the AWD Exploration Edition, which drops the three-row seven-seat configuration in favour of a dedicated, spacious five-seat layout. With an official price of RM238,800 to RM248,800 and limited-time promotional pricing dropping to RM198,800 to RM208,800, it delivers an aggressive, market-disrupting pricing strategy by offering an E-segment SUV at a C-segment price point.
In terms of exterior styling, the Lynk & Co 09 carries over the brand's signature "Mega-city Contrast" design philosophy, giving it an imposing road presence. The front fascia features an expansive vertical waterfall grille flanked by distinctive vertical split-type LED headlights, resulting in the brand's unmistakable "frog-eye" front face. For the 2026 model year, two new exterior colours—"Midnight Purple" and "Wilderness Green"—have been added. Paired with a matte black grille and 20-inch alloy rims, the SUV exudes a sportier and more youthful aesthetic than most rivals in its class. Dimension-wise, it measures 5,042 mm in length, 1,977 mm in width, and 1,780 mm in height, with a 2,984 mm wheelbase, placing it squarely in the standard large SUV category.
Inside, the Lynk & Co 09 adopts a clean, horizontal dashboard layout. Higher-spec variants come trimmed in a light "Daylight Beige" colourway, complemented by Nappa leather upholstery and open-pore wood trim to create an airy, premium ambience. The 2026 update substantially refines the centre stack by replacing the previous dual-screen setup with a standalone 15.4-inch 2.5K ultra-clear floating infotainment touchscreen. The removal of the older 6-inch lower display yields a cleaner, more minimalist layout aligned with contemporary automotive trends.
The petrol-powered Lynk & Co 09 is driven by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (coded JLH-4G20TDC) paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system, mated to an Aisin 8-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. The powertrain delivers 187 kW (254 PS) and 350 Nm of peak torque, propelling the SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds toward a top speed of 215 km/h. This setup offers effortless off-the-line acceleration, smooth power delivery, ample mid-to-high-end reserves, and seamless gearshifts without noticeable shift shock.
The plug-in hybrid variants have seen substantial technical advancements. The initial PHEV iteration featured the Drive-E 2.0T T8 Dual-M plug-in hybrid system, returning a full-battery WLTC fuel consumption of 2.8 L/100 km. Introduced in late 2022, the 09 EM-P Voyage Edition marked a comprehensive powertrain revamp: it pairs a Drive-E 2.0TD T5 engine with a P1+P2+P4 tri-motor setup, churning out a combined system output of 382 kW (around 519 PS) and 844 Nm of torque via a 3-speed DHT Pro dedicated hybrid transmission, slashing the century sprint to just 4.9 seconds. Powering the electric drive is a 40.1 kWh battery pack delivering an electric-only range of 180 km on the WLTC cycle (190 km CLTC); combined with a large 70-litre fuel tank, the total CLTC range extends up to 1,430 km.
The chassis remains one of the standout engineering highlights of the Lynk & Co 09. Underpinned by Volvo's SPA native luxury platform, it adopts a front double wishbone and rear integrated multi-link independent suspension setup. Aluminium components make up approximately 48% of the suspension assembly, shedding roughly 20% of unsprung weight compared to conventional steel assemblies to sharpen steering agility. The rear axle retains the SPA platform's signature composite transverse leaf spring, which cuts weight by half compared to traditional coil springs while naturally countering body roll. The 2026 model comes standard with the FYRA full-time AWD system featuring a BorgWarner Haldex Generation 6 coupling, capable of dynamically varying front-to-rear torque distribution from 95:5 to 50:50 across four on-road drive modes (Comfort, Eco, Sport, Individual) and four intelligent off-road terrain modes (Snow, Sand, Rock, Mud).
On the road, the chassis strikes a commendable balance between driving dynamics and ride pliancy: it absorbs speed bumps cleanly, checks body roll effectively through switchbacks, and maintains composure at high speeds. However, the damping leans firm over broken, unpaved tarmac, transferring noticeable vibrations into the rear cabin. Overall, the chassis setup prioritises communicative road feel and high cornering limits, clearly reflecting its European pedigree.
The Lynk & Co 09's smart cabin is developed around the principle of blending luxury with modern tech. Hardware-wise, it is powered by an automotive-grade Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor with RAM bumped to 16 GB for seamless responsiveness. It runs the LYNK OS N operating system, featuring an intuitive UI, full-screen "what you see is what you can say" voice capability, and quad-zone voice recognition to control major vehicle functions hands-free. The infotainment system comes preloaded with dual AutoNavi and Baidu navigation apps, alongside rich third-party apps such as QQ Music, NetEase Cloud Music, Kugou Music, and in-car WeChat, with support for multi-brand smartphone mirroring including HUAWEI HiCar and Flyme Link. The digital cockpit consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.4-inch 2.5K central touchscreen, and a 12.8-inch full-colour W-HUD head-up display.
Creature comforts punch well above its price bracket. The 2026 model features full Nappa leather upholstery, with heated, ventilated, and 8-point massaging seats for both front and rear occupants. The second row adds a multi-function centre armrest and an integrated seatback tray table rated for up to 18 kg. The front passenger seat gains a 280 mm one-piece 4-way powered ottoman with a one-touch "Boss Mode" recline. Other standard equipment includes quad-zone climate control, an active cabin fragrance system, acoustic privacy double glazing, rear window sunshades, an onboard cooler box, and a 14-speaker BOSE premium surround sound system.
Safety is central to the Lynk & Co identity. Derived from Volvo's SPA architecture, the Lynk & Co 09 adopts a high-strength safety cage structure, with hot-formed ultra-high-strength steel making up over 35% of the body-in-white—a class-leading figure. Standard across the range is an all-scenario rollover protection system alongside segment-exclusive active and passive underride crash protection, having passed rigorous extreme underride crash tests.
For active safety, the 2026 Lynk & Co 09 features the Lynk Co-Pilot ADAS suite, utilising 22 perception sensors to support over 20 Level 2 driver assistance features. Key functions include Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (0–150 km/h), Lane Centring Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB with pedestrian detection), Auto Lane Change Assist (ALCA), Automated Parking Assist (APA), Truck Avoidance Assist (TAA), and Emergency Manoeuvre Assist (EMA). Mid-to-high variants add facial recognition and a Driver Monitoring System (DMS), while the 540° panoramic camera with a transparent chassis view helps eliminate low-speed blind spots.
Notably, the 09 EM-P Voyage Edition introduced the Navigation-on-Autopilot (NOA) system, enabling automated highway driving assist, signal-activated lane changing, automated on/off-ramp navigation, and active speed-adaptive overtaking. Available via an annual subscription (RM1,500/year), it provides the hardware foundation for future advanced autonomous driving functions.
The Lynk & Co 09 has experienced fluctuating market performance since its debut. Thanks to its SPA platform and Volvo engineering pedigree, it initially drew significant market attention, peaking at 2,025 monthly units in November 2024. However, facing stiff competition from established continental luxury marques and a feature gap against aggressive new-energy vehicle (NEV) start-ups in smart connectivity, the model struggled to sustain high-volume deliveries in the E-segment SUV market. Total retail deliveries in 2025 stood at around 10,905 units, averaging roughly 900 units per month. Heading into 2026, as brand resources shifted toward newer flagships such as the Lynk & Co 900, monthly sales for the 09 tapered off to under 700 units.
In terms of owner feedback, the Lynk & Co 09 earns high marks for its mechanical refinement. Owners widely praise its planted chassis feel, the well-sorted calibration of the Aisin 8AT gearbox, the clarity of the BOSE sound system, and generous amenities like front and rear ventilated, heated, and massaging seats, ranking its ride and handling among the best for petrol-powered SUVs under RM300,000. Conversely, criticisms are equally clear: the previous third row was panned for its cramped dimensions, often derided as unusable for adults; real-world fuel consumption averaging around 9.0 L/100 km (WLTC) proved higher than some expected; and despite its extensive Level 2 ADAS suite, the lack of urban navigation pilot features leaves its smart driving suite trailing behind same-priced pure EV start-ups.
On the used car market, the Lynk & Co 09 has held its value remarkably well. Industry data indicates a three-year residual value of 62.40%, ranking first among Chinese-brand mid-to-large SUVs and surpassing several Japanese rivals in the segment—a testament to market confidence in its robust mechanical foundation. With the 2026 model lowering the barrier to entry with a competitive RM198,800 starting price, its repositioning—delivering continental driving refinement alongside tech-forward cabin features—puts it in a strong position to regain traction in the RM300,000 SUV space.
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