2027 HQ E-HS9 Review

A new Chinese luxury SUV asking something close to $160,000 drive-away needs more than a long equipment list. The 2027 HQ E-HS9 certainly makes an entrance, but the harder question is whether it makes a convincing purchase.

HQ is the Australian name for Hongqi, meaning “red flag”, the FAW-owned luxury marque founded in 1958. Its flagship electric SUV brings six seats, a huge battery and the sort of upright grille that suggests arriving quietly was never the design brief.

Inside, there is substance behind the theatre: real wood, generous leather, excellent front seats and a notably hushed cabin. Less convincing are the charging specifications and a third row that struggles to justify the enormous footprint.

Our first look took place at the Australian launch in Sydney, inspecting a pre-production Singapore-spec vehicle rather than driving it. Australian equipment and final pricing still matter here, so consider this an assessment of the proposition and the cabin—not a verdict on how it behaves on the road.

The E-HS9 is entering serious luxury-car territory, not simply stretching the budget end of the electric SUV market. Its cabin does enough to deserve consideration, but the indicative price puts it among some very credible alternatives.

HQ has indicated an MSRP below $150,000 before on-road costs, with one six-seat grade offered locally. Final pricing remains to be announced, and the brand intends to set a single drive-away price within each state rather than one national figure. Our estimate is approximately $160,000 drive-away, not an official quote.

The Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance costs $134,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD is $121,000. Both provide seven seats. The five-seat BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport starts at $142,900, placing an established premium badge within the same shopping conversation.

The launch promotion runs from 11 November to 18 January, with a $20,000 deposit attracting $10,000 cashback. Smaller deposits receive reduced cashback or a delivery gift. That could materially change the transaction price, but it should not be confused with a confirmed lower list price.

2027 HQ E-HS9 Pricing

• HQ E-HS9 six-seat AWD below $150,000 before on-road costs, indicative

The E-HS9 has presence before any of its lights switch on. At 5209mm long and 2010mm wide, with a 3110mm wheelbase, it is a genuinely large SUV wearing an appropriately imposing face.

The exterior was led by former Rolls-Royce design chief Giles Taylor, and the upright vertical-bar grille makes that connection easy to understand. Split lighting, matrix LED headlights and the red bonnet detail give it an identity beyond simply being another smooth-sided electric SUV.

The front red LED feature on the display car is particularly distinctive, although it may not appear on Australian-delivered examples because of local lighting requirements. The copper-coloured accents are less successful; there is already plenty happening without another decorative finish.

Down the side, 21-inch two-tone wheels look entirely proportionate, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres. Pop-out handles, soft-closing doors and a C-pillar battery display supply the showroom theatre, while the rear gets a full-width lighting treatment.

We reckon the overall design works better than some of its individual details. The faux exhaust-like rear trim is unnecessary on an EV, but the E-HS9 certainly avoids anonymity.

The front cabin makes the strongest argument for the asking price. Leather covers a generous amount of the interior, the wood is real, and even storage areas receive attention rather than being left as hard plastic boxes.

The seats are excellent on this initial inspection. Powered adjustment, extendable under-thigh support, heating, ventilation and an effective massage function give them the right luxury credentials. The leather steering wheel also feels substantial and pleasant in the hand.

Less impressive is the dashboard presentation. Separate 15.6-inch 2K centre and passenger displays sound suitably expensive, but chunky bezels and the obvious division between the screens make the installation look older than the rest of the cabin. The E-HS9 first appeared in 2021, and this is one place where that age shows.

Touch-capacitive steering-wheel controls are another questionable choice, while the screen-led climate interface deserves a proper usability test. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, although a complete assessment of the software will have to wait for an Australian production car. Dual wireless charging pads have cooling outlets, and the centre console offers generous felt-lined storage plus USB connections.

The 16-speaker Bose system, panoramic roof and four-zone climate control round out a strong equipment package. Double-layer acoustic glass on all four doors also helped shut out the busy launch surroundings. That is encouraging cabin isolation while stationary, rather than proof of motorway refinement.

Two independent captain’s chairs give the second row an immediate sense of occasion. They are electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated, with individual armrests and an aisle between them rather than a conventional centre seat.

Soft-touch finishes continue through the rear cabin, including leather-lined door storage and substantial seatback pockets. Four-zone climate control, multiple air outlets, USB-C ports and a 12V socket cover the practical basics.

Seat comfort is not quite as convincing as it is up front. The second-row cushions offer less under-thigh support, which is noticeable when settling into a relaxed seating position. This is the row that should feel especially indulgent in a six-seat luxury SUV.

The display car also lacked rear privacy glass and sunshades. Its Singapore specification means those details should not automatically be treated as final Australian omissions, but they are worth checking before ordering—particularly with a panoramic roof overhead.

Compared with the seven-seat Volvo EX90 and Kia EV9, this layout prioritises separation between passengers over maximum seating capacity. That can be a worthwhile trade, provided six seats genuinely suit the household.

The third row is where the E-HS9’s proportions start writing cheques its packaging cannot cash. A vehicle this large creates expectations of generous accommodation, yet adult knee room is restricted with the second-row chairs fully rearward.

Moving those chairs forward improves the situation, but that turns the exercise into a negotiation between rows. It is not the effortless adult accommodation the exterior dimensions might suggest.

Access through the 16cm aisle between the captain’s chairs is useful, and the third-row seat upholstery still feels appropriately plush. There are USB-A ports back here, too, although the change from USB-C in the second row feels inconsistent.

More concerning is the absence of third-row air vents on the car inspected. That is difficult to reconcile with the luxury positioning, especially for Australian family use. We would treat these seats as occasional accommodation until the intended passengers have tried them for themselves.

With all six seats in place, the E-HS9 offers 255 litres of cargo capacity. There is usable luggage space behind the third row and additional underfloor storage, rather than the near-total loss of boot room that can accompany an extra pair of seats.

Maximum quoted cargo capacity is 1747 litres. Folding the third-row backrests opens up a much larger load area, making the car considerably more useful when only four people are travelling.

The operation is suitably hands-off: a power tailgate handles access, and boot-mounted buttons fold the third-row backrests electrically. The mechanism takes its time, but it saves reaching awkwardly across the load bay.

A separate set of controls lowers the air suspension to help with loading. A 12V outlet and a small retaining hook add everyday usefulness without trying to turn the boot into a gadget demonstration.

The broader trade-off is size. At more than 5.2 metres long, the E-HS9 needs substantial parking space, and its six-seat configuration sacrifices the extra passenger position offered by the EX90 and EV9.

The E-HS9 has the hardware expected of a large luxury SUV: adaptive air suspension, Continuous Damping Control and variable ride height. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres are another promising ingredient.

Seven drive modes include Range, Comfort, Sport and Off-Road. Those settings provide scope to alter the car’s behaviour, but a menu of modes is not evidence of a well-resolved chassis.

Our launch inspection was static, so there is no basis yet to judge ride quality, steering, brake feel or body control. The quiet cabin and comfortable front seats are encouraging starting points, not substitutes for driving it over Australian roads.

That distinction is particularly important against the Volvo EX90 and BMW iX, both praised for refinement and comfort. The HQ will need to deliver more than soft upholstery to compete with them. This category remains unscored until a road test.

The E-HS9 achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2025. It does not yet have an ANCAP rating, so its Australian safety status remains unrated rather than automatically inheriting the European result.

The announced assistance package includes adaptive cruise control with lane centring, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot detection and speed-sign recognition. With one Australian grade, there is no higher trim to chase for those listed features.

A 360-degree camera is particularly relevant in a vehicle this large, and rear cross-traffic alert adds another useful layer when reversing out of a parking space. Neither feature removes the need to account for its considerable width and length.

The quality of the assistance calibration remains an open question. Lane positioning, intervention strength and the usefulness of speed-sign recognition need assessment on the road, not in a stationary launch car.

Two electric motors deliver all-wheel drive, 411kW and 606Nm. HQ claims 0–100km/h in 5.5 seconds and a 200km/h top speed, which is more than enough performance for the E-HS9’s luxury-family role.

Those motors also have 2636kg to move. The acceleration claim is respectable for that mass, but there was no opportunity at the launch to test response, traction or how smoothly the power arrives.

Against the Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD’s 283kW and 700Nm, the HQ has considerably more peak power but less torque. Neither figure alone establishes which car feels more effortless in everyday use.

Efficiency is a bigger question. Dividing the 120kWh battery capacity by the claimed 548km range gives roughly 22kWh/100km, but that is only a rough capacity-to-range calculation—not an official consumption figure or a real-world test result. The distinction matters because usable capacity and charging losses affect the actual ownership picture.

The E-HS9 carries a 120kWh CATL NMC battery and claims 548km of WLTP range. The battery is enormous; the resulting range is useful rather than exceptional at this price.

For context, the Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance claims 570km from a 111kWh pack. The BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport claims 602km, while the Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD offers a shorter 505km claim from its smaller 99.8kWh battery. These are laboratory figures, but they show why battery size alone should not be the headline.

The HQ’s more obvious weakness is its 140kW peak DC charging rate. Combined with a battery this large, that is a modest specification for an expensive touring SUV. Its 400V electrical architecture also looks dated beside the EV9’s 800V system and fast-charging capability, although voltage alone does not determine a charging curve.

AC charging tops out at 11kW on three-phase power, with Type 2 and CCS2 connections. Home charging should make daily use straightforward for appropriately equipped households, but frequent long-distance travellers need to consider the comparatively modest DC capability.

We would not quote a charging-stop duration without a verified charging curve. The peak figure is only one part of the story, but even that headline number does little to justify the E-HS9’s premium positioning.

The launch battery warranty is unusually eye-catching: 10 years or 1,000,000km for the first owner. For most private buyers, the time limit will matter far more than the distance allowance.

The first-owner condition deserves attention. Buyers should check the full terms and what protection applies after resale, rather than assuming the headline kilometre figure follows the vehicle indefinitely. A battery warranty also should not be confused with whole-vehicle cover.

One year of complimentary charging at the dealership is included in the launch offer. Its practical value depends on how conveniently that dealership fits into everyday life; it is not the same as unrestricted free public charging.

Running costs will depend heavily on where the car is charged. A 120kWh battery represents a substantial amount of electricity when replenished, and the roughly 22kWh/100km capacity-to-range estimate is not evidence of class-leading efficiency.

HQ is entering Australia through importer Greentech Smart EV. At this price, we would want the servicing arrangements, nearby support and complete warranty conditions clearly understood before placing a deposit. The large battery promise is reassuring, but it cannot answer every ownership question.

E-HS9 six-seat AWD

• Dual-motor all-wheel drive with 411kW and 606Nm
• 120kWh CATL NMC battery with a claimed 548km WLTP range
• 140kW peak DC charging and 11kW three-phase AC charging
• Adaptive air suspension with Continuous Damping Control and variable ride height
• Seven drive modes, including Range, Comfort, Sport and Off-Road
• 21-inch two-tone alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres
• Matrix LED headlights and C-pillar battery display
• Six-seat layout with independent second-row captain’s chairs
• Powered, heated and ventilated seats in the first two rows
• Front-seat massage function
• Panoramic roof and four-zone climate control
• Acoustic glass on all four doors
• Separate 15.6-inch 2K centre and front-passenger displays
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Dual wireless phone chargers
• 16-speaker Bose audio
• Power tailgate and electrically folding third-row backrests
• Adaptive cruise control with lane centring
• Lane-keeping assist, blind-spot detection and speed-sign recognition
• 360-degree camera and rear cross-traffic alert

Australian-delivered cars may differ in detail from the pre-production Singapore-spec vehicle inspected, particularly its front red lighting treatment.

The HQ E-HS9 is not simply an ordinary SUV dressed up with a big screen and a premium price. The leather, real wood, front-seat comfort and stationary cabin isolation give it genuine luxury substance. Its styling also has enough confidence to attract buyers who want something different.

But the compromises are difficult to dismiss at this money. A 120kWh battery paired with 140kW peak DC charging is an unbalanced specification, the screen presentation shows its age, and the third row is disappointing for such a large vehicle.

The challenge is not merely persuading buyers to spend heavily on a Chinese badge. It is persuading them to choose this car over a Volvo EX90, Kia EV9 or BMW iX, each with a credible reason to be on the same shortlist.

We would keep the E-HS9 on the list for buyers attracted to its design and six-seat layout, but would not recommend committing on the strength of the launch inspection alone. Final pricing, Australian specification and a proper road test need to close the gap between an intriguing luxury proposition and a convincing purchase.