Hongqi launches in Australia as HQ with sub-$150,000 electric SUV

Key takeaways

• E-HS9 is indicatively priced under $150,000 before on-road costs, not yet final
• Up to $10,000 cashback on a $20,000 deposit before 18 January
• Deliveries start 18 January 2027, with the smaller E-HS4 launching in December

Hongqi, the Chinese luxury brand, has launched in Australia under the HQ name with the E-HS9, a six-seat electric SUV priced at an indicative under $150,000 before on-road costs. Importer Greentech Smart EV is taking orders now, and first customer deliveries start on 18 January 2027. Final pricing has not been confirmed.

HQ is targeting buyers who would otherwise shop BMW, Lexus and Land Rover. Every HQ model sold here will be fully electric, because the importer is not bringing in the brand’s plug-in hybrids. Hongqi means “red flag” and was founded in 1958 by state-owned FAW. Its exterior design is led by former Rolls-Royce design chief Giles Taylor.

HQ E-HS9 specifications and pricing

The E-HS9 is an updated version of a model first sold in China around 2020. It measures 5209mm long on a 3110mm wheelbase and weighs 2636kg. Australian cars have six seats, with two second-row captain’s chairs and a 16cm aisle to the third row.

Two motors drive all four wheels, making over 400kW and 606Nm for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds. A 120kWh battery gives a claimed 548km of WLTP range. The 400-volt system caps DC fast charging at 140kW. Equipment includes adaptive air suspension, four-zone climate control, a 16-speaker Bose audio system and heated, ventilated and massaging front seats.

CarSauce says the E-HS9 holds a five-star 2025 Euro NCAP rating. Neither report mentions an ANCAP rating. It prices above the Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD at $121,000 and the Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance at $134,990, both before on-road costs.

Deposit rewards run from 11 November to 18 January:

• $20,000 deposit: $10,000 cashback
• $10,000 deposit: $5000 cashback
• $5000 deposit: $1250 cashback

First owners also get a 10-year, one-million-kilometre battery warranty and a year of free charging at HQ dealerships. The rest of the car has a seven-year warranty. HQ plans one drive-away price per state.

HQ E-HS4 and E-HS5

The smaller E-HS4 electric SUV will launch at a December event with pricing announced then. It is rear-wheel drive, with a 68.7kWh battery and a claimed 470km of WLTP range. EV Central says it will also start deliveries on 18 January. The mid-size E-HS5, with all-wheel drive and a claimed 522km of range, is due around April 2027.

HQ will start with five dealerships in mainland capital cities, with about 15 planned, and is targeting at least 1000 sales a month. HQ will reveal E-HS4 pricing at its December launch and has not said when final E-HS9 pricing will be confirmed.