What We Like
What We Dislike
Expectations could not be set any higher.
The Hongqi brand has long been known as the car of choice of Chinese dignitaries and its launch here in Singapore marks its first venture into a right-hand-drive market globally. Is the E-HS9 capable of showcasing Chinese manufacturing expertise in the luxury vehicle segment?
All-new
Some introductions are in order. At 5,209mm long and 2,010mm wide, the Hongqi E-HS9 is marginally larger than some of the biggest SUVs available here, including the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV or the BMW X7.
And the E-HS9 has the presence to match these extra-large SUVs as well. This comes courtesy of a domineering grille comprising of vertical chrome elements, of course. But there are some much appreciated stately touches as well. These include the chrome 'blade' that cuts through the car's bonnet, the subtle contrasting roof colour, and the red accent pieces that appear throughout.
All luxurious
Step within and the Hongqi E-HS9 continues to impress. There are all the features that you'd expect from a luxury vehicle here, including the soft and fluffy pillows on the headrests, ventilated seats for all in the first two rows, and the two seated at the front can even get a massage while they are on the move.
A four-zone climate control system further adds to comfort levels for all seated within, although air-conditioning vents are absent in the third row. Speaking of which, access into this last row is also easy thanks to the car's 2+2+2 seating layout, but you'll want to set the second row of seats quite far forward if you don't want complaints from those relegated to the extreme rear.
But really, the front is where the action is at in this Hongqi. The two seated here get to play with the dual 15.6-inch infotainment and front passenger screens, which stand out like an afterthought in an otherwise elegantly designed cabin, but they do at least offer some appealing oriental-themed backgrounds.
Those with any familiarity with Chinese cars really shouldn't have any trouble navigating through the screens of this Hongqi.
Our test car came with an excruciatingly slow pre-production version of Android Auto installed, but we understand from Hongqi Singapore that customer cars will be updated with a full user-ready version by the time you're reading this. A black or white/grey interior is also available if you find this car's Danxia Brown cabin a bit too much.
All capable
But thankfully there's nothing half-baked when it comes to the drivetrain of this Hongqi E-HS9.
The car comes with a massive 120kWh battery for starters, so you've got nothing to fear even if your destination is quite a distance away. And with a total of 367kW of power to deploy, this SUV also never feels lethargic.
You'll need to dig deep into the accelerator pedal to get an urgent turn of speed, but the upside of this setup, of course, is that smooth and gentle getaways are always effortless. And chauffeur-like stops aren't too difficult to pull off either, thanks to the car's nifty comfort stop feature.
Which is just as well, because that means you'll be able to fully soak in the sheer ride comfort that this E-HS9 offers. Road imperfections are simply ironed over in this SUV thanks to its air suspension system. And if you find yourself in need of more body control, switching over to the car's 'Sport' driving mode still strikes a good balance between body control and passenger comfort.
All yours?
So, is this E-HS9 the car to take the Hongqi brand onto the global stage? It's really not difficult to imagine this car (and the brand) doing well. The E-HS9 has not only exhibited a wide sweep of ability, but at a price that just touches half a million (price as of 15 September 2026, inclusive of COE), it undercuts a host of full-sized premium SUVs from more established brands as well.
Continue to expect greater things from the Chinese.
Shopping for a luxurious all-electric SUV? Be sure to also catch these reviews:
The Zeekr 7X is feature-packed and delivers plenty of performance to boot
There's also the AVATR 11 to think about if you're in the market for a premium Chinese SUV
But perhaps the new all-electric Porsche Cayenne is more what you're after?
