Hongqi has launched in Australia under the HQ name, revealing its 2027 E-HS9 electric SUV with an indicative price below $150,000 before on-road costs and pre-order cashback of up to $10,000.

The six-seat flagship appeared at the brand's Australian launch on 11 November 2026, attended by CarSauce and presented by Jim Wu, managing director and CEO of importer Greentech Smart EV and a co-founder and former CEO of Leapmotor. The proposed price is a manufacturer's suggested retail price, not a drive-away figure, with final pricing still to be announced.

HQ plans to offer one drive-away price per state, meaning the amount payable will vary across Australia.

Launch deposit rewards run from 11 November 2026 to 18 January 2027. A $20,000 deposit attracts $10,000 cashback, while smaller deposits qualify for reduced cashback amounts or a delivery gift.

Additional benefits include a battery warranty of one million kilometres or 10 years for the vehicle's first owner, plus one year of complimentary charging at the dealership.

The E-HS9 begins a staged Australian rollout for Hongqi, which is owned by Chinese carmaker FAW. It is on sale now, with customer deliveries due to start on 18 January 2027.

The smaller EHS4 electric SUV, a rear-wheel-drive model with a 68.7kWh battery and a claimed 470km WLTP range, will launch at an event in Brisbane in December 2026, with its pricing yet to be announced. It will be followed in April 2027 by the EHS5, an all-wheel-drive model with an 85kWh battery and a claimed 522km WLTP range.

E-HS9 power, range and equipment

The E-HS9 uses dual-motor all-wheel drive producing 411kW and 606Nm, with a claimed 0 - 100km/h time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 200km/h.

A 120kWh ternary lithium battery provides a claimed 548km WLTP driving range. Its 400V electrical architecture supports 11kW three-phase AC charging and peak DC charging of 140kW through Type 2 and CCS2 connections.

Adaptive air suspension with Continuous Damping Control and variable ride height is fitted, alongside 21-inch alloy wheels. Seven drive modes include Range, Comfort, Sport and Off-Road.

At 5209mm long and 2010mm wide, the E-HS9 has a 3110mm wheelbase, a kerb weight of 2636kg and 175mm of ground clearance. Cargo capacity ranges from 255 to 1747 litres.

The cabin uses a 2+2+2 seating layout, with independent second-row seats and a 16cm aisle leading to the third row. The first two rows have powered, heated and ventilated seats, while the front seats add massage functions and the third-row backrests fold electrically.

Equipment includes a panoramic roof, four-zone climate control, 16-speaker Bose audio and double-layer glass on all four doors. Separate 15.6-inch 2K centre and front-passenger displays are fitted, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Former Rolls-Royce design chief Giles Taylor led the exterior design, which incorporates a vertical-bar grille, matrix LED headlights and a C-pillar battery display.

The E-HS9 carries a five-star 2025 Euro NCAP rating. Driver-assistance equipment includes adaptive cruise control with lane centring, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot detection, speed-sign recognition, a 360-degree camera and rear cross-traffic alert.

Against the E-HS9's indicative price of under $150,000 before on-road costs, the 2027 Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance costs $134,990 before on-road costs. The Volvo's price is below HQ's proposed ceiling, though the final price difference cannot yet be established. It offers seven seats and dual-motor all-wheel drive, with a smaller 111kWh battery but a longer claimed WLTP range of 570km.

The 2027 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD costs $121,000 before on-road costs, also below the E-HS9's proposed $150,000 ceiling rather than a confirmed final HQ price. Its 99.8kWh battery delivers a claimed 505km WLTP range, 43km less than the E-HS9, while its dual-motor drivetrain produces less power at 283kW but more torque at 700Nm.

HQ's arrival follows an October in which battery-electric vehicles accounted for 23.1 per cent of Australian new-car sales.

Greentech plans around 15 dealerships nationally and is targeting 30,000 annual sales, with the E-HS9, EHS4 and EHS5 forming its initial Australian rollout. Speaking at the launch, Mr Wu said he expects HQ buyers to come from Lexus, BMW and Land Rover.

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