You might not be familiar with the Dongfeng M-Hero M817, but this rugged and futuristic off-road SUV is rapidly gaining traction in China. With bold, distinctive styling and powerful performance figures, it’s already capturing attention among Chinese consumers. If any electric 4×4 from China had the potential to succeed in international markets like the United States, the M817 could be a prime candidate. Unfortunately, despite its appeal, it’s highly unlikely that this vehicle will ever be officially sold in North America.
Unveiled just a few months ago, the M-Hero M817 is the result of a collaboration between Dongfeng and tech giant Huawei. It’s slightly smaller than its sibling, the M-Hero 917, and appears to strike a balance between advanced technology and serious off-road capabilities. Dongfeng recently began accepting orders, and in under 24 hours, the vehicle racked up 9,713 refundable deposits—an impressive feat that reflects its growing popularity.
While it’s true that refundable deposits don’t always translate to finalized sales, the surge of early interest signals that there is significant enthusiasm for electric off-roaders in the Chinese market. One of the M817’s biggest selling points is its competitive pricing. The vehicle starts at $46,000 and tops out at around $50,000, making it relatively affordable compared to other high-performance electric SUVs.
Under the hood—or rather, within its hybrid powertrain setup—the M817 features a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine used as a range extender, combined with two powerful electric motors. Together, they generate a staggering 912 horsepower and 1,280 Nm of torque. These specs enable the M817 to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds—numbers that rival many sports cars. The vehicle is also equipped with a large battery pack that supports up to 200 km of pure electric driving range, which adds to its daily usability.
In terms of design, the M-Hero M817 clearly stands out from the crowd. In a world filled with look-alike SUVs, this vehicle’s bold and aggressive styling breaks away from the norm. Its futuristic and commanding presence ensures it doesn’t get lost in a parking lot of similar-looking vehicles, a major selling point for drivers who want something unique.
Although there are currently no plans to bring the M817 to the U.S., reports suggest that it may be manufactured in both left-hand and right-hand drive versions. This opens the door for potential sales in other global markets, particularly in regions where demand for eye-catching and capable off-road vehicles is growing. Whether it reaches those markets remains to be seen, but for now, the M817 is shaping up to be a standout success in its home country.