CarSauce has spotted the Hongqi EHS5 testing in Euroa, Victoria, ahead of the Chinese luxury brand's Australian launch, with the electric SUV expected to reach showrooms in April 2027.

Photographed without camouflage at an RACV charging station, the blue EHS5 wears Queensland limited-use registration plates, providing an early look at another incoming rival to the Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X.

Hongqi will operate locally under the shortened HQ name, with the EHS5 forming part of a planned three-SUV electric line-up alongside the smaller EHS4 and flagship E-HS9.
Australian pricing and specifications for the EHS5 remain unconfirmed.

While HQ will be a new name for Australian buyers, Hongqi has a history stretching back to 1958.
Owned by China's FAW Group, the brand is best known for producing prestigious limousines for senior Chinese government officials.

Its Australian arrival will bring another Chinese contender to the luxury market, with HQ positioning itself against established premium brands.
The EHS5 will give it an entrant in the popular medium electric SUV segment, competing with both established models and newer Chinese rivals.

The local operation is handled by Greentech Smart EV, led by managing director and CEO Jim Wu.

HQ's Australian launch is planned for November 2026, with the flagship E-HS9 set to lead the rollout and first customer deliveries expected in January 2027.

The EHS5 takes a more contemporary approach than the brand's traditional limousines, with slim headlights, a closed-off nose and a central strip running down the bonnet and front fascia.

The example photographed by CarSauce also features flush-fitting door handles, black wheel-arch cladding and aerodynamically styled alloy wheels.
Its exact variant has not been confirmed.

At 4750mm long, 1900mm wide and 1640mm tall, with a 2900mm wheelbase, the five-seat EHS5 sits in the competitive medium electric SUV segment.
Overseas specifications list a 462-litre boot, expanding to 1601 litres with the rear seats folded, plus a 48-litre front storage compartment.

Overseas, the EHS5 is available with rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive.

The rear-wheel-drive version produces 210kW and 317Nm, with an 85kWh lithium iron phosphate battery delivering a claimed 550km of WLTP range.
Its claimed 0 - 100km/h time is 7.3 seconds.

The dual-motor version increases outputs to 412kW and 623Nm, reducing the claimed sprint to 4.0 seconds, while its WLTP range falls to 522km.
These figures relate to overseas models, with the Australian drivetrain line-up still to be announced.

Hongqi's Norwegian specifications confirm a 400V electrical architecture, DC charging at up to 265kW and a claimed 10 - 80 per cent recharge in approximately 20 minutes for the 85kWh AWD model.

AC charging is rated at 11kW, while vehicle-to-load capability is also listed, allowing the battery to supply external electrical devices.

Inside, available overseas equipment includes a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, head-up display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Dynaudio sound system.

The Norwegian version also features heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, synthetic-leather upholstery, a panoramic glass roof and an electric tailgate.
Australian equipment levels have yet to be detailed.

The EHS5 received a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2025, although an Australian ANCAP rating has yet to be confirmed.

The EHS5 will face the updated 2027 Zeekr 7X, priced from $57,900 before on-road costs, with 335kW, 520Nm and 482km of WLTP range in entry-level RWD form.
The $63,900 Long Range RWD extends range to 627km, while the $72,900 Performance AWD delivers 500kW, 790Nm and 544km.

The Tesla Model Y Premium RWD starts at $58,900 before on-road costs and order/delivery fees, offering 466km of WLTP range.
Tesla does not publish official Australian power and torque figures for the model.

Against those entry-level rivals, the overseas EHS5 RWD's 550km claimed range is 68km greater than the Zeekr's and 84km greater than the Tesla's, though its 210kW and 317Nm fall below the Zeekr's outputs.
The EHS5 AWD's 412kW, 623Nm and 522km also trail the 7X Performance, leaving Australian pricing a key unanswered question.

HQ has yet to announce local EHS5 warranty coverage, servicing details or a final variant range ahead of its expected April 2027 arrival.

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