As the 250,000 RMB-class extended-range SUV market remains dominated by the Li L6, which has won over families with its “fridge, TV, and sofa” appeal, the AITO M5 Ultra makes a forceful entrance as a “smart driving pioneer.” With its all-aluminum chassis, Huawei ADS high-level autonomous driving system, and HarmonyOS smart cockpit, it seeks to redefine the benchmark for intelligent sporty SUVs in this segment.

In real-world driving, the 1.5T four-cylinder range extender (1,499 mL displacement) in the AITO M5 Ultra delivers a composed confidence that aligns with its sporty positioning. The range extarder produces a maximum output of 112 kW, while the all-wheel-drive version achieves a combined system power of 365 kW (496 hp) and a combined torque of 675 N·m. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds (dual-motor AWD) — figures comparable to many high-performance sports cars — and records a moose test result of 79 km/h. The accelerator tuning is linear and refined: initial response is sharp but not jerky, delivering power with silky smoothness. Stomp the throttle, and the instant peak torque from the electric motors makes overtaking crisp and decisive, with abundant reserves even in the mid-to-high rev range.

By comparison, the Li L6 (2025 Pro Intelligent Refresh) houses a 1.5T four-cylinder range extender (1,496 mL displacement) with a combined system output of 300 kW (408 hp) and 529 N·m of torque, achieving 0–100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. While the two models heavily overlap in positioning, their underlying performance philosophies are poles apart: the AITO M5 Ultra is a “performance coupe SUV driven by Huawei’s intelligent driving DNA,” whereas the Li L6 is a “family-centric range-extender cruiser built for comfort.”

The AITO M5 Ultra Extended Range version comes with a 42 kWh ternary lithium battery, delivering a CLTC pure-electric range of 230 km and a combined range of up to 1,440 km. The Li L6 is equipped with a 36.8 kWh LFP battery, offering a CLTC pure-electric range of 212 km and a combined range of 1,160 km. The AITO’s ternary lithium battery performs better in low temperatures and can be fast-charged to 80% in 30 minutes. It is worth noting that the 2026 mid-cycle facelift of the Li L6 has significantly upgraded its battery from 36.8 kWh to 51 kWh, raising WLTC pure-electric range to 234 km. Still, the Li L6 continues to differ from the AITO M5 Ultra in pure-electric range and chassis hardware, reflecting distinct positioning.

“The AITO M5 Ultra’s pricing is razor‑sharp. At RMB 249,800, it offers a million‑yuan‑class all‑aluminum chassis, Huawei ADS 3.3, and the HarmonyOS cockpit — making it the most compelling choice for tech enthusiasts among 250,000 RMB‑class extended‑range SUVs.”— Su Yan, automotive industry observer

The AITO M5 Ultra’s handling is its strongest differentiator in its class. The chassis features a million‑yuan‑grade front four‑ball joint double wishbone and rear multi‑link independent suspension. The key highlight is the extensive use of all‑aluminum construction, which not only substantially reduces vehicle weight (curb weight approx. 2,335 kg) and improves body rigidity, but also enhances torsional strength and lateral support. The front four‑ball joint double wishbone is more sophisticated than conventional double‑wishbone designs, reducing unsprung mass and enabling quicker steering response. Over rough roads, the robust chassis effectively absorbs vibrations, with minimal residual bounce felt inside the cabin. When cornering briskly, the low unsprung mass afforded by the aluminum construction becomes fully apparent: body roll is well controlled, and rear‑end tracking is excellent.

The newly added “Comfort Braking” feature optimizes stopping smoothness, reducing pitch sensation at halt and providing linear, fluid deceleration that effectively alleviates rear‑seat motion sickness. The standard Huawei DriveONE electric drive platform integrates the motor, battery, and electronic control system, achieving energy efficiency above 90% while leveraging intelligent thermal management and multi‑mode drive technologies to optimize power distribution across various road conditions. Whether weaving through narrow streets or tackling winding mountain roads with precision, the AITO M5 Ultra instils ample confidence in the driver.

The Li L6’s chassis adopts a front double wishbone and rear five‑link independent suspension, supplemented by CDC variable‑damping shock absorbers, tuned for a plush, heavy feel. During urban cruising, it filters road bumps gently, and the body remains well composed over speed bumps. However, in fast corners and on mountain roads, the Li L6’s lateral support and road feedback noticeably lag behind the tautness of the AITO M5 Ultra’s aluminum double‑wishbone setup. Multiple test drive reviews have noted that the Li L6s rear end “feels a bit floaty” when Comfort mode is selected, whereas the AITO M5 Ultra is praised for its “sporty tautness.”

For braking, the AITO M5 Ultra comes with four‑wheel ventilated disc brakes, with red calipers on the AWD version. In measured tests, it stops from 100–0 km/h in 34.5 meters — outperforming the NIO ES6 (35.2 m) and the Li L6 (35.0 m). The electronic stability system intervenes precisely, and thermal fade control during repeated hard braking is excellent.

Stepping into the AITO M5 Ultra’s cabin, a wave of technological ambience greets the driver. A 15.6‑inch 2K floating center display and a 10.25‑inch full‑LCD instrument cluster form the digital cockpit’s core, complemented by a head‑up display (HUD). The vehicle comes standard with the HarmonyOS 4.0 smart cockpit, equipped with 16 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. The application ecosystem is rich, supporting seamless migration of phone apps and multi‑device interconnectivity. The Xiao Yi voice assistant, built on a converged Pangu‑DeepSeek architecture, accurately recognizes complex voice commands and executes multiple instructions in parallel. Standard front seats feature power adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, while the passenger seat includes a four‑way power leg rest and a vanity mirror with adjustable colour temperature.

The Li L6’s interior focuses on a “minimalist, family‑friendly” theme, featuring dual 15.7‑inch 3K linked screens, a HUD, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip — sufficient for daily needs. Its system responsiveness is decent, but the mobile app adaptation ecosystem is more closed compared to HarmonyOS. The front seats include heating, ventilation, and massage; the rear seats have adjustable backrests and heating functions. With a 546 L trunk, the Li L6 edges ahead in practical cabin space.

The AITO M5 Ultra comes standard with the HUAWEI ADS 3.3 high‑level intelligent driving system, incorporating one 192‑line LiDAR, three 4D millimeter‑wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 11 high‑definition cameras. With a maximum sensing range of 250 meters, it supports seamless “parking space to parking space” autonomous driving, covering urban NCA, highway NOA, remote parking, valet parking, VPD (Valet Parking Driver), and automated parking in mechanical garages. A new eAES (enhanced Automatic Emergency Steering) function further improves active safety. In contrast, the Li L6 Pro only offers the AD Pro system (without LiDAR), with self‑driving capabilities limited to highway NOA — a generational gap from the AITO’s full‑scenario urban autonomous driving.

“Inside the AITO M5 Ultra, you experience the fluid, tech‑forward feel of the HarmonyOS ecosystem; inside the Li L6, you feel the cozy reassurance of a family‑friendly home.”— Li Yan, Editor‑in‑Chief, Driving Control

The AITO M5 Ultra adopts a “compact sporty” footprint among 250,000 RMB‑class extended‑range SUVs. Its dimensions are 4,785 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,625 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,880 mm. Rear legroom for a 180 cm male is a fist of spare space, while headroom is slightly compromised by the fastback roofline. The trunk offers 369 L of standard capacity, and the pure‑electric version adds an 80 L front trunk, providing good loading flexibility.

The Li L6 is positioned as a mid‑large SUV, measuring 4,925 mm × 1,960 mm × 1,735 mm with a 2,920 mm wheelbase. It is longer and taller, offering superior rear legroom and headroom compared to the AITO M5 Ultra. Its standard trunk capacity is 751 L, and when the rear seats are folded down, it expands into a very large flat area — making it more appealing to multi‑child families in terms of absolute cargo capacity and ride comfort.

In space practicality, one chooses “compact agility” while the other opts for “wide‑open family comfort” — a clear reflection of fundamentally different product logics. Their competition is a direct dialogue between the “intelligent driving & handling” camp and the “spacious & comfortable family” camp. Choosing the AITO M5 Ultra means you are willing to pay a premium for Huawei’s full‑stack intelligent driving and a million‑yuan chassis. Opting for the Li L6 means you prioritise generous family space and comfort features.

1. What kind of vehicle is the AITO M5 Ultra?

The AITO M5 Ultra is an extended‑range intelligent electric SUV co‑developed by Seres and Huawei. Positioned in the 250,000 RMB sporty‑tech segment, its core selling points are the all‑aluminum chassis, Huawei ADS 3.3, and the HarmonyOS smart cockpit, targeting young families who seek tech experiences and driving pleasure.

2. What are the core competitive advantages of the AITO M5 Ultra?

The key strengths lie in the combination of a million‑yuan‑class chassis + Huawei’s full‑stack intelligent driving + the HarmonyOS ecosystem:

① Front four‑ball joint double wishbone + rear multi‑link all‑aluminum chassis for precise, taut handling;

② Standard Huawei ADS 3.3 with 192‑line LiDAR and urban NCA (map‑free autonomous driving);

③ HarmonyOS cockpit 4.0 + 15.6‑inch 2K display for seamless multi‑device interactions;

④ 4.3‑second 0–100 km/h acceleration + 34.5‑meter braking, leading the segment in performance;

⑤ Starting at RMB 249,800, offering a fully‑loaded intelligent driving package with exceptional value.

3. What are the main differences between the AITO M5 Ultra and the Li L6, and how should one choose? 

Chassis & Handling: AITO M5 Ultra’s all‑aluminum chassis + double wishbone delivers taut, sporty handling; Li L6’s chassis is comfort‑biased with weaker lateral support.

Autonomous Driving: AITO M5 Ultra comes standard with Huawei ADS 3.3, supporting urban NCA and all‑scenario parking — industry‑leading. Li L6 Pro offers only highway NOA; the Max version adds LiDAR but its urban self‑driving capability is still underdeveloped.

Space: Li L6 is longer and has a larger wheelbase, offering superior rear legroom and trunk capacity.

Performance: AITO M5 Ultra accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds — more potent; Li L6’s 5.4‑second sprint is adequate but tuned for smoother delivery.

Smart Cockpit: Both feature ≈15.6‑inch screens + instrument cluster + HUD. HarmonyOS provides a more open multi‑device ecosystem; Li L6’s closed system focuses on in‑car experience.

Pricing: At the same 249,800 RMB price point, the AITO M5 Ultra comes fully loaded with core intelligent features, while the Li L6 offers greater sincerity in comfort amenities and space.

Recommendation:

Choose the AITO M5 Ultra if you prioritise full‑scenario intelligent driving, precise handling, and outright performance, and have modest rear‑space requirements.

Choose the Li L6 if you value generous family space, long‑distance ride comfort, and features like the refrigerator and screen, with autonomous driving needs mainly on highways.

User Comments

JE9: “I can’t wait any longer — I’m buying one this year.”

Zhuan: “Huawei is truly impressive; this self‑driving capability is unbeatable.”