Huawei Maextro S800 Review: Brilliant Luxury Meets Flawed Reality
In 2026, Huawei has done something few expected — it stepped confidently into the luxury automobile space. The Huawei Maextro S800 isn’t just a car; it’s a statement of technological ambition. Co-developed with JAC Motors, this electric sedan blends Huawei’s mastery of software and connectivity with premium automotive craftsmanship.
But with its price rivaling German powerhouses like BMW’s i7 and Mercedes EQS, the big question remains: Does the Huawei Maextro S800 truly stand apart, or is it just another flashy entrant in the luxury EV race?
In this deep-dive Huawei Maextro S800 review, we’ll explore what makes this sedan unique, its pros and cons, performance insights, and how it compares to established brands in the ultra-luxury electric space.
The Rise of Huawei in the EV Market
For years, Huawei has been synonymous with high-end smartphones and network technology. Yet, after U.S. sanctions limited its global phone dominance, the company turned to another frontier — smart electric vehicles.
The Huawei Maextro S800 represents the brand’s evolution. It’s not just a car with Huawei tech; it’s a Huawei-driven experience from the ground up. Every aspect, from its infotainment system to the intelligent driving suite, carries Huawei’s software-first DNA.
And this isn’t Huawei’s first automotive experiment — the company previously partnered on the AITO M9 SUV. However, the Maextro S800 takes things a step further, directly targeting the luxury segment.
“Huawei isn’t building cars to compete — it’s building cars to redefine the experience,” said Yu Chengdong, CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group.
Design and Exterior: Where Minimalism Meets Power
The Huawei Maextro S800 stuns at first glance. Its sweeping silhouette, flush door handles, and continuous LED light bar scream futuristic sophistication. Unlike most luxury sedans that rely on aggressive styling, Huawei opts for understated elegance — clean lines and aerodynamics that whisper wealth rather than shout it.
Key Design Highlights:
- Length: 5,200 mm (longer than the Porsche Taycan)
- Drag Coefficient: 0.21 Cd — one of the lowest in its class
- Materials: Aerospace-grade aluminum alloy frame for lightness and rigidity
- Lighting: Adaptive matrix headlamps with “SmartBeam” tech that adjusts to oncoming traffic
The Huawei Maextro S800 doesn’t try to mimic Tesla or Mercedes; it forges its own identity — sleek, reserved, and efficient.
Its design philosophy follows what Huawei calls “Digital Purity” — the merging of aesthetics and function. Every curve has a purpose, from improved aerodynamics to better cabin acoustics.
More from Blogs: 2026 BMW iX Review: Stunning Electric SUV With Futuristic Tech
Interior and Comfort: A Symphony of Technology
Step inside the Huawei Maextro S800, and you’re greeted by an environment that feels more like a digital lounge than a car cabin.
Interior Highlights:
- Display: 18-inch 4K OLED floating center screen with HarmonyOS integration
- Driver Display: Full-width augmented reality heads-up projection
- Sound System: 28-speaker Huawei Sound Pro 3D audio system
- Seats: Nappa leather with 14-way adjustment and built-in massagers
- Voice Control: Natural voice assistant powered by HarmonyOS AI
Every detail in the Maextro S800’s cabin showcases Huawei’s software strength. The infotainment system integrates seamlessly with other Huawei devices — meaning your smartphone, watch, or tablet syncs effortlessly for calls, navigation, or music.
Huawei’s HarmonyOS feels intuitive, responsive, and visually stunning. Unlike Tesla’s more functional layout, Huawei leans into luxurious interactivity — ambient lighting, gesture controls, and AI-assisted personalization.
However, not everything is perfect. Some users report early glitches with the voice assistant and delayed over-the-air updates. For a car that leans heavily on smart features, these bugs can be frustrating.
Performance: Where the S800 Truly Shines
The Huawei Maextro S800 doesn’t just look good — it performs with authority. Built on Huawei’s “DriveONE” electric architecture, this sedan packs both raw speed and refined control.
Powertrain and Specs:
- Motor Output: 635 kW (852 hp) (Triple-motor AWD)
- Torque: 718 Nm (Triple Motor) and 673 Nm (Dual Motor)
- 0–100 km/h: 4.3 seconds
- Battery Pack: 97 kWh Huawei UltraVolt battery
- Range: 700-750 km (WLTP estimate)
- Charging: 800V ultra-fast charging (10–80% in 12 minutes)
That means this car doesn’t just compete with the Porsche Taycan Turbo — it surpasses it in range and matches its acceleration.
Huawei’s new Active DriveSense uses lidar, radar, and neural processing for real-time driving adaptation. It anticipates curves, adjusts suspension stiffness, and automatically balances torque between axles.
Driving the Maextro S800 feels effortless — confident on highways, precise in corners, and whisper-quiet in the city.
Autonomous Driving and Smart Features
Autonomy is where the Huawei Maextro S800 flexes its technological muscles. The car comes with Huawei’s latest ADS 4.0 system, capable of Level 4 autonomous driving under controlled conditions.
Key smart driving features include:
- 360° Sensor Fusion: 11 cameras, 5 radars, and 2 lidars
- Auto-Lane Switching on multi-lane highways
- Traffic Jam Pilot for stop-and-go situations
- Memory Parking that learns your frequent parking spots
Huawei’s ADS feels smoother than Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta — particularly in handling merges and turns. However, it’s currently restricted to select markets in China due to regulations.
Price and Variants
The Huawei Maextro S800 is positioned as a premium EV with pricing starting around ¥750,000 (approx. $103,000 / ₹85 lakh).
Trims and Pricing (Expected):
- S800 Standard: ¥750,000
- S800 Pro: ¥880,000
- S800 Ultra AWD: ¥1,020,000
Even at its base price, Huawei competes directly with luxury titans like:
- Mercedes EQS (₹1.6 crore)
- BMW i7 (₹1.9 crore)
- Lucid Air (₹1.1 crore)
Huawei undercuts these rivals significantly while offering comparable — or in some cases superior — features.
Comparison: Huawei Maextro S800 vs. Competitors
| Feature | Huawei Maextro S800 | Mercedes EQS | BMW i7 | Lucid Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range | 750 km | 640 km | 625 km | 720 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.2 sec | 4.3 sec | 4.7 sec | 3.5 sec |
| Battery | 97 kWh | 108 kWh | 101.7 kWh | 118 kWh |
| Fast Charging | 800V (12 min) | 400V (31 min) | 400V (28 min) | 900V (16 min) |
| OS | HarmonyOS Auto | MBUX | iDrive 8.5 | Lucid UX |
| Price | ₹85 lakh | ₹1.6 crore | ₹1.9 crore | ₹1.1 crore |
Clearly, Huawei’s Maextro S800 punches far above its price tag.
The Downside — Where Huawei Needs to Improve
No product is perfect, and the Huawei Maextro S800 isn’t immune.
- Software Glitches: HarmonyOS occasionally lags during system updates.
- Availability: Currently limited to the Chinese market, with no clear global release date.
- Brand Perception: Many still associate Huawei with phones, not premium vehicles.
- Resale Value: As a first-generation EV from a new automaker, long-term depreciation remains uncertain.
These challenges are natural for a newcomer in the automotive space, but Huawei’s commitment to updates and after-sales support could offset early skepticism.
The Verdict: What Sets the Huawei Maextro S800 Apart
So what truly separates the Huawei Maextro S800 from other electric sedans? It’s not just the specs — it’s the experience.
Huawei brings something few carmakers can: deep software expertise. The way its HarmonyOS, AI, and sensors integrate feels futuristic, cohesive, and refreshingly different. Combine that with luxurious interiors, long range, and ultra-fast charging, and you get a car that can rival Europe’s finest.
In short, the Maextro S800 isn’t just Huawei’s entry into cars — it’s a warning shot to Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes that the EV battlefield has a powerful new contender.
FAQs: Huawei Maextro S800
1. What is the price of the Huawei Maextro S800?
It starts around ¥750,000 (₹85 lakh), undercutting European rivals by nearly half.
2. What’s the range of the Maextro S800?
It delivers an estimated 750 km range on a single charge, making it one of the most efficient EVs in its class.
3. Does Huawei Maextro S800 support fast charging?
Yes. The 800V system charges from 10% to 80% in just 12 minutes using Huawei’s UltraVolt network.
4. Is the Huawei Maextro S800 available globally?
Currently, it’s available in China with future global expansion expected by 2026.
5. Which OS does the Maextro S800 use?
It runs on HarmonyOS Auto, fully integrated with Huawei’s AI ecosystem.
6. Is Huawei Maextro S800 a fully autonomous car?
It supports Level 4 autonomy in certain regions, capable of advanced self-driving under specific conditions.
7. How does the S800 compare to Tesla Model S?
It offers more range, faster charging, and a richer infotainment experience at a lower price point.
