Dongfeng M-hero launched its flagship large off-roader, the M-hero M817, with two trim levels priced at 319,900 yuan (44,500 USD) and 349,900 yuan (48,600 USD). The M817 integrated Huawei’s full-stack intelligent solutions, including the Qiankun Huawei ADS 4 driver assistance, HarmonyOS (Harmony Cockpit) 5 and the Tianyuan vehicle architecture.

The M817 follows a bold, family‑styled silhouette and adopts a popular dual‑face front-end design, offered with either a split off‑road bumper or a body‑colour urban bumper. The front lights are integrated into the hood lines, and two LED spotlights sit on the roof edges to improve illumination in off‑road scenarios. Side profile details retain M-hero’s muscular character, featuring a two‑stage waistline texture and an A‑pillar angle optimised for drag reduction. The vehicle supports aftermarket/off‑road fittings such as side window racks and side access ladders.

Dimensions and utility

• Body dimensions (L × W × H): 5100 mm × 1998 mm × 1919 mm (air‑spring version) / 1899 mm (coil‑spring version).
• Wheelbase: 3005 mm.
  Interior layout is a 2+3 five-seat arrangement. With the front seats moved fully forward and headrests removed, the folded front‑to‑rear configuration creates an in‑vehicle sleeping surface of 1.7 m; folding the rear seats flat with the cargo floor yields a larger sleeping platform of 2.1 m for camping use. The cabin claims 91.2% soft‑touch coverage with a total covered area of 32 m².

The cockpit emphasises straight, horizontal and vertical lines with metal trim and a symmetric central axis. A 15.6‑inch central screen runs HarmonyOS Cockpit 5; smartphone and in‑car app ecosystems can mirror HarmonyOS apps for seamless continuity. Below the screen are nine physical function keys.

The roof console houses six flight‑style physical switches integrated with the dome light; these six AUX top switches correspond to reserved power ports to simplify aftermarket customisation. Seats are trimmed in Nappa leather; the front seats offer massage, heating and ventilation. A dedicated 5.05 L cooled/warmed box with its own compressor sits under the front centre armrest.

The M817 uses a plug‑in hybrid system centred on a 1.5T internal combustion engine and two electric motors. The engine’s reported maximum net output is 137 kW (184 hp), while the drive motors peak at 200 kW (268 hp) and 205 kW (275 hp), respectively.

The car also supports 6 kW external power output for vehicle‑to‑load use. Two suspension setups are available: an air‑spring version and a coil‑spring version. The air‑spring model includes rear‑wheel steering and a 150 mm adjustable air suspension with CDC; in garage mode, the chassis can be lowered by 45 mm to reduce overall height to 1874 mm for easier access to tight underground parking.