In order to promote the speed control dynamic performance and robustness of the PMSM under different disturbances, a novel sliding mode control (NSMC) method considering a new reaching law (NRL) and high-order fast terminal sliding mode observer (HOFTSMO) is proposed in this paper. The system robustness of the conventional sliding mode control method is poor due to the slow convergence rate and large chattering. An NSMC based on a nonlinear function type of new reaching law (NRL) is developed, firstly. The NSMC can effectively reduce the speed fluctuation caused by the general step load disturbance. Moreover, the presented HOFTSMO shows superiorities in fast convergence rate and system disturbances compensation. Simulation results validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed NSMC+HOFTSMO control scheme.