Chinese luxury automaker Hongqi has officially entered the Australian market with its flagship E-HS9 electric SUV, priced below A$150,000 before on-road costs. The six-seat model will be sold locally under the HQ brand, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin on January 18, 2027.
Established in 1958 and owned by state-controlled FAW Group, Hongqi is traditionally known for producing luxury vehicles for Chinese government officials. The E-HS9 marks its first offering in Australia as the company expands into international electric vehicle markets.
120 kWh Battery and Dual-Motor Performance
Designed under former Rolls-Royce design chief Giles Taylor, the E-HS9 measures 5.2 metres long and weighs 2,636 kg.
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Its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system delivers 411 kW and 606 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from 0–100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. The 120 kWh NMC battery provides a claimed WLTP range of 548 km.
The SUV uses a 400-volt architecture, supporting DC fast charging at up to 140 kW. Charging from 10% to 80% takes a claimed 48 minutes, while AC charging supports up to 11 kW.
Six-Seat Cabin and Australian Warranty
The interior features dual 15.6-inch infotainment displays, a digital instrument cluster, a 16-speaker Bose sound system, four-zone climate control and panoramic sunroof. Front seats include heating, ventilation and massage functions.
Driver assistance features include adaptive cruise control, lane centring, lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot detection. The system remains Level 2, requiring drivers to maintain control.
Australian distribution is managed by Greentech Smart EV, led by former Leapmotor executive Jim (Baojun) Wu. The company is offering a 10-year or one-million-kilometre battery warranty for the first owner, alongside a seven-year or 200,000-kilometre vehicle warranty.
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Launch incentives include A$5,000 cashback for a A$10,000 deposit or A$1,250 cashback for a A$5,000 deposit. Both offers run until January 18, 2027.
More Models Planned for Australia
HQ plans to introduce the smaller E-HS4 electric SUV in December, ahead of deliveries in January. Wu also confirmed that an electric pickup truck is under consideration.
The company has outlined a sales target of 500 to 1,000 vehicles per month, although no timeframe was provided.
With the E-HS9, Hongqi is targeting Australia’s premium EV segment, where it will compete against established luxury brands and other Chinese manufacturers.