Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radars have attracted considerable attention for their ability to transmit multiple waveforms. These waveforms affect the range, Doppler and spatial performance. Recently, the concept of ambiguity function, which is an important mathematical tool for analysing and designing radar signals, has been extended to the MIMO radar case. In this study, the authors investigate the range and spatial properties of colocated MIMO radar based on range-spatial ambiguity function. Owing to spatial dependence of the matched filter output of MIMO radar, the spatial detection region is divided into multiple sections by spatial resolution. A new algorithm for designing orthogonal frequency-hopping waveforms according to the spatial section where the target may appear is proposed. This algorithm improves the peak sidelobe level of the matched filter output.