Hongqi HS7 and HS9: Chinese premium SUV that challenges Mercedes and BMW

The Chinese auto industry has ceased to be synonymous with budget cars of dubious quality. Today premium segment The Celestial Empire is represented by brands like Hongqi is a brand with a 60-year history that now competes with Mercedes-Benz, BMW X7 and Cadillac Escalade. Flagship SUVs Hongqi HS7 and Hongqi HS9 not just copy European standards, but offer a unique combination of luxury, technology and... guaranteed support in Russia through an official FAW dealer - which cannot be said about many other Chinese brands.

But is it worth overpaying for Chinese premium? Where is the line between real luxury and marketing fireworks? This material contains an honest analysis Hongqi as alternatives to the German giants: from technical nuances to pitfalls when purchasing in 2026.

Spoiler: if you are looking for a car “by status” to surprise others, Hongqi will handle it 100%. But if reliability for 200+ thousand km or the secondary market after 5 years is critical for you, read carefully the section about residual value.

1. Hongqi HS7 vs HS9: what is the difference and which one to choose?

Line of premium SUVs Hongqi presented in two models: HS7 (medium size) and HS9 (full-size flagship). It's easy to confuse them - both have a signature radiator grille with vertical chrome slats and a massive body, but are designed for different tasks.

HS7 (length 4.9 m) is positioned as a competitor BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE. This is a choice for those who want premium, but are not ready to operate a “steamboat”. HS9 (5.2 m) competes with Mercedes GLS and Cadillac Escalade — here the emphasis is on space (7 seats) and a representative image.

• 🔹 HS7: 2.0T (252 hp) or 3.0T V6 (354 hp), rear/all-wheel drive, price from 5.8 million ₽ (2026).
• 🔹 HS9: 3.0T V6 (354 hp) with all-wheel drive only, price from 8.5 million ₽. Add. option - hybrid version (449 hp).
• 🔹 General: 8-speed automatic Aisin, air suspension, adaptive shock absorbers CDC.

Key difference - salon. B HS9 the back row transforms into Business Class with reclining seats, heating/ventilation and separate climate control. B HS7 the second row is less luxurious, but there is an option panoramic sunroof (full roof sunroof), which the older brother does not have.

2. Technical characteristics: engines, transmission, suspension

Under the hood Hongqi there are no revolutionary solutions - the Chinese relied on proven units. Basic 2.0-liter turbo engine (252 hp) sign by Volvo and Audi, and 3.0 V6 twin-turbo (354 hp) was developed jointly with Bosch. Both engines comply with the standard Euro 6d and adapted for Russian fuel (tested for AI-92/95).

Transmission - 8-speed automatic Aisin, which is installed on Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX. This is a guarantee of reliability, but there is a caveat: paired with a 2.0T engine, acceleration to 100 km/h takes 8.9 sec (vs. 6.5 seconds for the 3.0T). For a premium class it's slow.

Suspension - air with adaptive shock absorbers CDC (Continuous Damping Control). In mode Comfort the car "swallows" holes, but in Sport excessive rigidity appears. Owners note that at speeds >120 km/h the body begins to “float” - a typical problem for heavy SUVs with a high center of gravity.

⚠️ Attention: In frosts below –20°C, the air suspension may “sag” by 1–2 cm due to the characteristics of the compressor. This is not a breakdown, but requires warming up before driving.

3. Interior and equipment: luxury or imitation?

Interior Hongqi is a mixture Mercedes S-Class and Chinese aesthetics. Level materials: genuine leather Nappa, tree open-pore, aluminum inserts. But there are details that give away Asian origin:

• 🎛️ Multimedia: 12.3 inch screen with system i-Hongqi (analogue MBUX). Fast, but with Chinese bugs - for example, the voice assistant only understands commands in English.
• 🪑 Seats: Ventilation and massage (18 modes!) are even included in the basic configuration. But the rear row heating is activated only through the menu - there is no separate button.
• 🔊 Audio system: Bowers & Wilkins (16 speakers) in top versions. The sound is excellent, but the equalizer setting is hidden in the 3rd level of the menu.

The main plus is space. B HS9 In the second row you can sit cross-legged even if you are 190+ tall. The trunk is 600 liters (HS7) and 700 liters (HS9), but with the seats folded down, you get a flat floor - convenient for transporting cargo.

4. Safety: crash tests and real accidents

Official crash tests Hongqi HS7/HS9 according to the method Euro NCAP or IIHS no. However, Chinese C-NCAP (analogous to Euro NCAP) assigned HS9 5 stars in 2021. In tests, the car showed high results in protecting passengers, but there are nuances:

• 🛡️ Body: 70% high-strength steel, but thinner spars than Mercedes GLE (3 mm vs 4 mm).
• 🚨 Help systems: ADAS includes adaptive cruise, lane keeping and automatic braking. But cameras sometimes go blind on wet roads.
• 🔧 Maintainability: The bumper costs ~150 thousand rubles, the headlight costs ~200 thousand rubles. Parts are ordered from China (delivery time 2-4 weeks).

Several accidents involving Hongqi. For example, in 2023 HS9 at a speed of 90 km/h I crashed into a bump stop - the body withstood the impact, but the airbags responded with a delay (~0.3 sec). Experts attribute this to settings ECU to Chinese standards.

⚠️ Attention: When purchasing, check the firmware version ADAS. In cars produced before 2023, the pedestrian recognition system only worked during the day. After updating (free from the dealer), the problem was fixed.

5. Prices in Russia 2026: where to buy and how much does it cost?

Official importer Hongqi in Russia - company FAW Motor Russia. Cars are sold through a dealer network in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Kazan. Prices start from:

• 💰 HS7 2.0T RWD — 5.8 million ₽.
• 💰 HS7 3.0T AWD — 7.2 million ₽.
• 💰 HS9 3.0T AWD — 8.5 million ₽ (hybrid +1.5 million ₽).

For comparison: Mercedes GLE 450 in a similar configuration costs ~9 million rubles, and BMW X7 xDrive40i — ~10 million rubles. Hongqi 20–30% cheaper, but with reservations:

• 📉 Discounts: Dealers give up to 5% when paying in cash or trade-in.
• 📄 Warranty: 5 years or 150 thousand km (whichever comes first). But it only covers manufacturing defects—wear and tear of brake pads or tires are not included in the warranty.
• 💳 Credit: Rate from 12% per annum (with a down payment of 30%). For comparison: Mercedes — 9,9%.

Where else can you buy:

• 🌍 Parallel import: Prices are 10–15% lower, but there is no official guarantee. The risk of running into “gray” used cars.
• 🔄 Secondary market: HS7/HS9 2021–2022 are sold with a mileage of 20–30 thousand km at a price 4.5–6 million ₽. Check history via Autocode or CarVertical!

6. Pros and cons: an honest analysis for the buyer

In order not to be unfounded, we will collect reviews from owners (based on forums Drive2, Drom.ru and test drives Behind the Wheel).

Main argument for Hongqi - price/luxury ratio. For 6–8 million rubles you get a car that is not inferior in appearance and equipment Mercedes for 10 million rubles. But there is critical minus: in 3-5 years it will be difficult to sell it.

7. Residual value: how much will you lose on resale?

There's bad news here. According to Autostat, after 3 years Hongqi HS9 loses 50–60% of cost (versus 30–40% for Mercedes GLS). Reasons:

1. 📉 Low demand: On the secondary market Hongqi searched 5 times less often than BMW X7.
2. 🔧 Expensive repairs: Spare parts are cheaper than the Germans, but they are difficult to find.
3. 🚗 Distrust of the brand: Buyers are afraid of Chinese electronics and reliability.

Example: HS9 2020 bought for 7.5 million rubles, and after 3 years sold for 3–3.5 million rubles. For comparison, Mercedes GLS 450 of the same year goes for 5–5.5 million rubles.

How to minimize losses?

Choose a top-end package (it holds the price better)|Keep track of the mileage (optimally up to 50 thousand km)|Regularly update the firmware at the dealer|Keep all receipts for maintenance and repairs

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8. Alternatives: what to choose instead of Hongqi?

If Hongqi If you like it but have doubts, consider these options:

• 🚙 Wey VV7 (from 4.5 million ₽): Younger brother Hongqi from the same concern FAW. Less luxurious, but more reliable.
• 🚙 Tank 500 (from 6.5 million ₽): More passable, but the interior is simpler.
• 🚙 Mercedes GLE (from 7.5 million ₽): More expensive, but with better residual value.
• 🚙 BMW X7 (from 9 million ₽): Leader in comfort, but expensive to maintain.

If the main thing is status, take it Hongqi. If needed reliability — Mercedes or Lexus. If you want save money without loss of quality - Wey VV7.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Hongqi HS7 and HS9

VIN through the CarVertical service (look for accident or repaint records).
Air suspension condition - when you turn on the ignition, the car should “sit down” and return to its normal position.
The operation of the turbine - is there any oil deposits on the intercooler?