Hongqi H9 2021 Review – International

Although virtually unheard of in our region, Hongqi is China’s oldest passenger car marque, having been founded in 1958.

The name literally translates to ‘Red Flag’ – a Communist Chinese symbol – as in the early days Hongqi’s vehicles were used primarily to cart government officials around.

The Hongqi brand folded in 1981 but was resurrected in the mid-1990s and is now under the umbrella of FAW (First Automobile Works) Group – one of China’s big four car-makers, alongside Changan Automotive, Dongfeng Motor Corporation and SAIC Motor.

Arguably the brand’s best-known car is the Hongqi L5, a retro-styled limo that’s the most expensive Chinese-made vehicle offered for sale, with a sticker price of five million renminbi ($A1.1m). It’s the official vehicle that ferries around the General Secretary of the Communist Party, Xi Jinping.

However, the latest – and by far most interesting – addition to range is the overtly ostentatious 2021 Hongqi H9 limo, which is similar in size to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series.

It might size up against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 and the Lexus LS, but the 2021 Hongqi H9 comes with far more affordable pricing.

In the United Arab Emirates, where we tested the car, the entry-level 2.0T Deluxe model costs the equivalent of $87,880.

Further up the range is the 3.0T Deluxe, priced at the equivalent of $103,000, and the 3.0T Flagship, pegged at $118,450.

As you’d expect, the 2.0T Deluxe has loads of equipment thrown at it, starting with Matrix LED headlights (with adaptive driving beam and ‘Wings of Hongqi’ greeting lights), a panoramic glass roof, automatic parking system and built-in event data recorder.

There’s also a full complement of airbags, 360-degree camera, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, driver fatigue monitoring, and plenty more in the way of driver assist and general safety tech.

Cabin highlights include a head-up display, 12.3-inch infotainment system, wireless phone charging, Nappa leather upholstery, 14-way driver’s seat adjustment (with position memory), seat heating, ventilation and massaging function for front and rear outboard positions, four-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting and a 12-speaker Bose stereo.

Well, of course you can’t buy the 2021 Hongqi H9 in Australia. But would you want to?

One may question the exterior aesthetics, as the H9 comes across as a mishmash of design elements from the likes of Rolls-Royce, Lincoln, Mercedes-Maybach and BMW.

There’s no shortage of bling, as pressing the unlock button on the key fob triggers a light show (via red and white LEDs on the grille and front fenders) that puts KITT – of Knight Rider fame – to shame.

Fortunately, the cabin is much better executed, as the leather seats are nicely sculpted, the aluminium bezels on the twist knobs have a pleasing heft and feel, and the virtual instrument cluster has a distinctly Mercedes-Benz S-Class look.

That said, the instruments are virtually unreadable on bright sunny days as the digitised dash panel reflects a lot of glare.

Hongqi’s designers have made liberal use of glossy piano-black trim on the dash and centre console, but the faux brushed aluminium strip that’s positioned alongside looks distinctly naff.

Rear seat space is vast, with acres of legroom and shoulder-room, and adequate headroom for anyone under 1.83m tall (6ft in the old scale).

There’s a control panel on the centre-rear arm rest, allowing rear-seat dwellers to adjust the positioning of their seat, and even slide forward the front passenger seat to give themselves more legroom.

The real surprise is the composure and competence with which the H9 drives.

We tested the entry-level 2.0T Deluxe, and this model is propelled by a Volkswagen/Audi-sourced 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that puts out 180kW and 380Nm. Drive is relayed to the rear wheels by a seven-speed Aisin dual-clutch automatic transmission.

A four-cylinder engine might seem small for a limo of this size and weight (1800kg), but there’s adequate reserves of smooth, tractable pulling power, and the seven-speed auto also shifts through the ratios seamlessly.

Most importantly, the transmission has the knack of being in the right gear at the right time.

The H9 rides with an impressive level of compliance, but more surprising still is the crispness with which it steers and how flat and composed it remains – for a vehicle of its girth – even if you vigorously fling it into corners.

The brakes are a bit spongy and lacking in bite, but that’s really the only criticism of the H9’s overall dynamics.

The Hongqi effortlessly eats up highway miles, with only a modicum of wind noise from around the windscreen pillars intruding on the serene cabin ambience.

It’s difficult for even established Asian brands to make a business case for selling a top-shelf luxury sedan in Australia, let alone an unknown Chinese brand, as we’ve seen with Hyundai’s decision not to import the Genesis G90 – which looks to be an accomplished vehicle in its just-revealed second generation.

That says a lot about Australian buying patterns and the dominance of German luxury brands in this market, but Toyota Motor Corporation has long offered the excellent Lexus LS.

Taking a longer-term view, the rise of premium electric cars from unknown brands – including those with close links to car-makers and/or manufacturing bases in China – could see a raft of new entrants enter the luxury market during the course of this decade.

In its current form, the 2021 Hongqi H9 isn’t on the radar for the Aussie market and there are no current right-hand drive production programs in place.

However, it’s worth pointing out that Hongqi has since recruited ex-Rolls-Royce design boss Giles Taylor to head up its styling department, so upcoming models from the brand are likely to be much better resolved visually.

Even today, the H9 is a compelling offering as it offers by far the most bang for your buck and metal for your money in the limo class (in markets where it’s sold), substantially undercutting not only the Euro brigade but also fellow Asian rivals such as the Genesis G90 and Lexus LS.

At the very least, this ostentatious limo is symbolic of the new wave of homegrown vehicles from China, and proof that car-making standards in the world’s most populous country are on the up.

How much does the 2021 Hongqi H9 2.0T Deluxe cost?
Price: From $90,000 estimated (plus on-road costs)
Available: TBD
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 180kW/380Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.8L/100km
CO2: 181g/km
Safety rating: Not tested