IM LS8 2026 Review: A Rational Choice Among 250,000-Yuan Large 5-Seat Extended-Range SUVs

Design: Balancing Presence and Refined Aesthetics

The first impression upon seeing the car in person is ‘stability’—not flashy sportiness, but the substantial presence expected of a mid-to-large SUV. At 5,085 mm long, 2,000 mm wide, with a 3,060 mm wheelbase and 1,807 mm height, the IM LS8 feels robust yet never bulky among its peers. Its front end features an active grille shutter for optimal cooling efficiency and low drag, while the matrix LED headlamps support adaptive high/low beams—delivering reliable nighttime illumination.

The side profile flows smoothly, with flush door handles and 20-inch wheels reinforcing clean, minimalist surfaces. The rear end exudes calm confidence: a liftgate design with electric soft-close and position memory makes loading luggage—or closing the tailgate one-handed in rain—effortless. It doesn’t chase youth appeal; instead, it adopts a pragmatic, trustworthy stance that directly answers families’ fundamental need for a dependable daily driver.

Space: True ‘Large 5-Seat’ Spaciousness & Breathability

A 180 cm tall tester found ample room: ~1.5 fists of headroom up front in a typical driving position; over two-and-a-half fists of legroom and still ~1 fist of headroom in the rear. Thanks to a flat floor and generously sized seat cushions, the middle passenger enjoys excellent foot space. Wide recline angles and adjustable leg rests let passengers of all sizes find comfort.

The trunk offers 938 L of standard capacity—easily fitting a stroller, camping gear, and three 28-inch suitcases side-by-side. Folding the 40:60 split rear seats expands volume to 2,576 L, effortlessly accommodating long items. Rear privacy glass plus multi-layer acoustic glazing significantly enhances cabin quietness. Even small touches—like the second-row fold-down table—address real family pain points: kids can do homework or snack on a stable surface.

Powertrain: Efficient Extended-Range Performance

Powered by a 1.5T range extender (43% thermal efficiency, runs on 92-octane fuel) and a rear-mounted single motor (230 kW / 430 N·m), the LS8 delivers a CLTC pure-electric range of 355 km and a WLTC fuel consumption of just 5.9 L/100 km in hybrid mode. Its equivalent energy consumption is as low as 2.31 L/100 km. Total CLTC range reaches 1,573 km; WLTC stands at 1,376 km—ideal for Spring Festival trips or cross-province road trips without constant charging stops.

Thanks to its full 800V architecture, DC fast charging from 10% to 80% takes only 19 minutes. Combined with a 60L fuel tank and intelligent power-generation logic, the LS8 enables a practical ‘electric for commuting, fuel for long-haul’ lifestyle. Its 7.3-second 0–100 km/h sprint is more than adequate for a 2.5-ton mid-to-large SUV—offering confident overtaking in city traffic and seamless highway lane changes—without the cost or energy penalty of redundant dual-motor setups.

Intelligence: Hardware Headroom, Seamless Experience

The cockpit features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295 chip, paired with a 27.1-inch central touchscreen (4884 × 1002 resolution) and a 15.6-inch front passenger display—forming a dual-primary-screen ecosystem. Multi-finger gesture control, ‘see-it-say-it’ voice commands, and four-zone wake-up-free voice recognition are all supported. IM AIOS runs smoothly, and full compatibility with Apple CarPlay, HUAWEI HiCar, and Carlink ensures zero-friction smartphone integration.

For ADAS, the LS8 comes standard with IM AD Level 2: 11 cameras, 1 millimeter-wave radar, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 1 optional 520-line LiDAR. Features include full-speed ACC, lane-centering assist, automated lane changes, trace-based reverse parking, and APA automatic parking. Upgrading to the Thor chip boosts compute power to 700 TOPS—future-proofing for urban NOA upgrades. Safety coverage includes DOW door-open warning, frontal cross-traffic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a six-directional airbag system (front, side, curtain, and center airbags).

Pricing & Verdict: A Pragmatic Answer for Long-Term Thinkers

The 2026 52 Max+ Tech Flagship variant starts at ¥249,800, with up to ¥12,000 off MSRP at dealerships. It avoids gimmicks like ‘fridge, big screen, and sofa’ marketing—and instead delivers tangible value via its full 800V architecture, steer-by-wire four-wheel steering, air suspension, and hardware-rich 8295 + optional LiDAR setup—the true ‘New Big Three’ built for a 3–5 year ownership horizon.

For budget-conscious buyers who prioritize interior practicality and reject short-term hype, the IM LS8 isn’t the flashiest SUV—but it may well be the most enduring, drivable, and time-tested choice in the ¥250,000 segment. It brings advanced tech down to earth honestly—and thinks through family needs thoroughly.