The Chinese automobile industry is no longer synonymous with budget cars. Today the Celestial Empire produces premium SUVs that can compete with European and American brands in terms of equipment, design and - surprisingly - price. In 2026, the most expensive Chinese SUV costs more than the base one Porsche Cayenne or BMW X7, and surpasses them in size and luxury of the interior.
In this material we will look at:
- 🥇 Top 3 most expensive Chinese SUVs on the market (with current prices and configurations)
- 🔧 Technical featuresthat justify the price tag of 10+ million rubles
- 💰 Is it worth overpaying? for Chinese premium or is it better to choose a proven European brand
- 📊 Market analysis: why Chinese brands suddenly became more expensive and who buys them in Russia
Spoiler: the leader of the rating was Hongqi HS9 - flagship SUV with a hybrid powertrain 550 hp, which in its maximum configuration costs 12.8 million rubles (according to official dealers in Moscow). But there are other contenders for the title of “most expensive” - we will also consider them.
1. Hongqi HS9 - the absolute leader in price and luxury
Model Hongqi HS9 (pronounced Hongqi Es-9) is China's answer to Mercedes-Maybach GLS or Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Brand Hongqi (translated as "Red Banner") is historically associated with Chinese government limousines, and now produces production cars for the general market. In Russia HS9 appeared in 2023 and immediately became the most expensive Chinese SUV.
Base price starts from 9.5 million rubles, but in a top-end configuration Presidential with a hybrid powertrain, all-wheel drive and exclusive interior trim, the cost reaches 12.8 million rubles. For comparison: for this money you can buy a new one Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT or Lamborghini Urus in the basic version.
- 🔥 Engine: 2.0-liter turbo engine + electric motor (total power 550 hp, torque 750 Nm)
- ⚡ Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 4.9 seconds (faster than BMW X5 M Competition)
- 🛋️ Salon: 4 individual chairs with massage, ventilation and heating, trimmed with genuine leather Nappa and tree Macassar Ebony
- 🎛️ Technologies: 3 screens (including
12.3-inchfor rear passengers), system Level 2+ autopilot, adaptive air suspension
Feature HS9 - this is unique 4D sound system with 21 speakers from Dynaudio, which analyzes the acoustics of the cabin in real time and adjusts the sound to the position of the passengers' heads. Such a solution is not yet offered by any European manufacturer.
⚠️ Attention: In Russia Hongqi HS9 sold only through official dealers in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. Service costs are 30–40% more expensive than Volvo or Audi, due to the need to import original spare parts from China.
2. Tank 800 - armored giant with V8 from Nissan
If Hongqi HS9 - this is luxury, then Tank 800 from the brand Tank (owned by the company Great Wall Motors) is forceful demonstration. This SUV weighs 3.5 tons, equipped 5.0 liter V8 from Nissan (yes, the Chinese buy engines from the Japanese!) and is positioned as a competitor Mercedes-AMG G63.
Price Tank 800 in Russia starts from 10.2 million rubles, and in the version Armored (with level reservation B6+) reaches 14.5 million rubles. At the same time, the armor is certified according to the standard GA 672-2018 (Chinese equivalent BR6), which allows you to withstand hits from a Kalashnikov assault rifle.
| Characteristics | Tank 800 (base) | Tank 800 Armored | Mercedes-AMG G63 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5.0 V8 (400 hp) | 5.0 V8 (400 hp) | 4.0 V8 Biturbo (585 hp) |
| Acceleration 0–100 km/h | 7.5 s | 8.2 s | 4.5 s |
| Clearance | 250 mm | 250 mm | 241 mm |
| Booking | No | B6+ (7.62×39 bullets) | Optional (B4/B6) |
| Price in Russia (2026) | from 10.2 million ₽ | from 14.5 million ₽ | from 22 million ₽ |
The main trump card Tank 800 - this is non-killable suspension with differential locks and pneumatics, which allows you to ford in depth 800 mm. For comparison: Land Rover Defender this figure is 900 mm, but it costs less.
⚠️ Attention: Armored version Tank 800 weighs 4.2 tons, which requires registration special permission for operation (category N2). You cannot drive such a car without it - a fine of up to 50,000 rubles.
Why Tank 800 uses a motor from Nissan?
Chinese company Great Wall Motors did not develop her own V8, but bought a license for the engine Nissan VK50VD, which was installed on Infiniti Q70 and Nissan Titan>. This engine is known for its reliability (lifetime 400+ thousand km), but Tank 800 it is boosted to 400 hp. (in the original - 390 hp).
3. Zeekr 009 — an electric minivan for the price of a premium SUV
Although Zeekr 009 It is positioned as a minivan, in terms of dimensions (5209 × 2026 × 1856 mm) and price it is comparable to large SUVs. This electric car is from a sub-brand Geely costs from 8.9 million rubles, but in the version WE with larger battery (140 kWh) the price exceeds 10 million rubles.
What does Zeekr 009 unique:
- 🔋 Power reserve: up to 820 km by cycle CLTC (actually - 600–650 km)
- ⚡ Charging: from 10% to 80% for 15 minutes at stations with a power of 600 kW
- 🛋️ Salon: 6 seats with capsule seats (as in business class on an airplane), panoramic roof 1.8 m²
- 🤖 Autopilot: system Mobileye SuperVision with 32 sensors (with Tesla — 8 cameras)
The main disadvantage is lack of all-wheel drive in the basic version. The rear-wheel drive layout limits cross-country ability, but for city use this is not critical. A version is expected to be released in 2026 009 AWD with two motors (total power 544 hp).
If you are considering Zeekr 009 for family trips, please note the option "Child Mode". It locks the rear doors and windows, and also turns off the entertainment system until the child is buckled up.
4. Why did Chinese SUVs suddenly become more expensive?
Just 5 years ago, the most expensive Chinese SUV cost no more 3–4 million rubles. Today prices have increased 3-4 times. What is the reason?
Firstly, brand strategy has changed. Companies like Hongqi, Tank or Zeekr no longer want to be a “cheap alternative”. They target the premium segment and invest in:
- 🧠 Development of our own platforms (for example, SEA from Geely, on which it is built Zeekr 009)
- 🎨 Design with European studios (Hongqi cooperates with Pininfarina)
- 🔧 Own engines (for example, Great Wall released
4.0 V8600 hp for future models)
Secondly, growth in demand in China. Local buyers are willing to pay for premium, and manufacturers are transferring this strategy to export. For example, in 2023 Hongqi HS9 became the best-selling SUV in the "10+ million yuan" segment in China, overtaking Porsche Cayenne.
Thirdly, sanctions and logistics. After 2022, Chinese cars in Russia have risen in price by 20–30% due to:
- 📦 Increased delivery costs (routes through Kazakhstan or by sea)
- 💱 Exchange rate fluctuations of the yuan (since 2020 it has strengthened against the ruble by 15%)
- 🔧 The need to localize service centers (spare parts are now stored in warehouses in the Russian Federation)
Chinese premium SUVs are 20–30% cheaper than their European counterparts, but have a higher risk of impairment. After 3 years Hongqi HS9 may lose up to 50% of value (for comparison: Porsche Cayenne — 30–35%).
5. Is it worth buying? Pros and cons of an expensive Chinese SUV
Let's figure it out objective arguments pros and cons of buying a premium Chinese SUV.
✅ Benefits:
- 💰 Price is 20–40% lower compared to European counterparts (for example, Tank 800 vs Mercedes G63)
- 🆕 Latest technologies: the Chinese are actively implementing Level 2+ autopilots, which are still being certified in Europe
- 🛡️ Warranty 5–7 years (y Hongqi — 7 years or 200,000 km, which is rare even for premium brands)
- 🔌 Electric versions with a power reserve of 600+ km (for Zeekr 009 140 kWh battery versus 100 kWh for Audi Q8 e-tron)
❌ Disadvantages:
- 📉 Impairment: in 3 years the price may fall by 50% (for comparison: BMW X5 loses 35–40%)
- 🔧 Service and spare parts: repairs are more expensive due to the need to import parts (for example, a windshield for Tank 800 costs 180,000 ₽)
- 🚗 Low liquidity: in the secondary market demand is limited, it is more difficult to sell such a car
- 🛣️ Unpredictable reliability: no long-term tests (e.g. Hongqi HS9 released only in 2022)
If you are ready to experiment and want maximum options for less money, Chinese premium is an interesting option. But if it's important to you reliability and liquidity, it's better to look at used ones Porsche or BMW.
☑️ What to check before buying a Chinese premium SUV
6. Alternatives: what to choose instead of the Chinese flagship?
If you're concerned about the price or risks, here's 3 alternatives with similar characteristics, but from trusted brands:
| Model | Price (2026) | Engine | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT | from 15 million ₽ | 4.0 V8 (640 hp) | Legendary reliability, sports car dynamics, high status | Expensive maintenance (maintenance - from 100,000 ₽), rigid suspension |
| BMW X7 M60i | from 13 million ₽ | 4.4 V8 (530 hp) | Spacious interior, soft suspension, good sound insulation | High fuel consumption (18–20 l/100 km), complex electronics |
| Lexus LX 600 | from 12 million ₽ | 3.5 V6 Turbo (415 hp) | Legendary reliability, all-wheel drive Torsen, comfort | Weak engine for such weight, outdated multimedia |
If you need armored SUV, please note:
- 🛡️ Mercedes-AMG G63 Guard (armor VR6, price from 30 million ₽)
- 🛡️ Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Invincible (armor B6, price from 18 million ₽)
And if you want electric premium, but don't trust Zeekr, look:
- ⚡ Audi Q8 e-tron (power reserve 491 km, price from 9.5 million rubles)
- ⚡ BMW iX M60 (619 hp, price from 11 million ₽)
7. Where to buy and how to save?
In Russia, there are official dealers of Chinese premium brands only in large cities:
- 📍 Hongqi: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Kazan
- 📍 Tank: Moscow, Krasnodar, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don
- 📍 Zeekr: Moscow, St. Petersburg (expansion planned)
To save money, you might consider:
- Pre-order: some dealers give a 5-7% discount when paying before delivery of the car.
- Trade-in: y Hongqi There is a program for exchanging old cars with an additional payment of 3 million rubles.
- Purchase in Kazakhstan: prices there are 10–15% lower, but you will have to pay customs clearance (about 20% of the cost).
⚠️ Attention: When purchasing through “gray” schemes (for example, through Kazakhstan or the UAE), you lose the official guarantee. Dealers Hongqi and Tank they refuse to service such cars, even if they are new.
Another way to save money is expect model update. For example, a new one will be released in 2026 Hongqi HS9 with engine V8 4.0 (600 hp), and the current version can be purchased with a 10–15% discount.
8. Owner reviews: what do first buyers say?
On Russian forums (for example, drive2.ru or club-tank.ru) reviews have already appeared about Chinese premium SUVs. Here are the key observations:
✅ Positive points:
- 🎉 "Hongqi HS9 looks like a 20 million car - people confuse it with Maybach or Bentley" (owner from Moscow)
- 🎧 "Sound in Zeekr 009 better than in Mercedes S-Class — tested on the same music." (audiophile from St. Petersburg)
- 🛡️ "Tank 800 walked off-road and got stuck Land Cruiser 200 — the suspension is really unkillable." (owner from Siberia)
❌ Negative points:
- 😡 "Changing the oil in Hongqi HS9 cost 45,000 ₽ - this is more expensive than Porsche!" (owner from Yekaterinburg)
- 🔌 "In Zeekr 009 there is no heat pump - in winter the range drops to 350 km." (owner from Novosibirsk)
- 📱 "Multimedia in Tank 800 It glitches once a week - you have to reboot." (owner from Krasnodar)
General trend: owners praise appearance, equipment and dynamics, but they scold service, electronics and impairment. If you're willing to put up with these shortcomings, Chinese Premium could be an interesting experiment.
According to the portal survey Autostat, 68% of Chinese premium SUV owners would not buy such a car again. The main reasons: difficulties with service (42%) and low liquidity (38%).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about expensive Chinese SUVs
🔹 Is it possible to get a loan for Hongqi HS9 or Tank 800?
Yes, but the conditions are worse than for European cars. For example, Sberbank gives a loan for Hongqi HS9 at 12–14% per annum (for comparison: at BMW X5 - 8–10%). Down payment - minimum 30%. Some dealers offer their credit programs with a rate of 9–11%, but require CASCO insurance from partners.
🔹 How are things going with spare parts? How long will it take for repairs?
The timing depends on the model:
- Hongqi HS9: parts arrive from China in 2–4 weeks (only consumables are available in warehouses in the Russian Federation).
- Tank 800: engine spare parts (from Nissan) is in stock, but body parts will take 3-5 weeks.
- Zeekr 009: batteries and electric motors come to order (lead time: 1–2 months).
For comparison: spare parts for Porsche Cayenne Usually in stock or arrive from Germany in 5-7 days.
🔹 How much does CASCO insurance cost for such a car?
The cost of CASCO depends on the region and the driver’s experience, but on average:
- Hongqi HS9: 200,000–250,000 ₽/year
- Tank 800: 250,000–300,000 ₽/year (due to armor and high repair costs)
- Zeekr 009: 180,000–220,000 ₽/year (cheaper, since there is no risk of theft)
For comparison: CASCO for Porsche Cayenne costs 150,000–180,000 ₽/year.
🔹 Is it possible to resell such a car after 3 years without big losses?
Unfortunately, no. According to Autostat, Chinese premium SUVs lose value like this:
- 1 year: –30%
- 3 years: –50–55%
- 5 years: –65–70%
For comparison: Porsche Cayenne after 3 years it loses 30–35%, and Lexus LX - 25–30%. The reason is low demand in the secondary market and doubts about reliability.
🔹 Does it make sense to lease a Chinese premium SUV?
Leasing companies are wary of such cars. For example, Europlan and VTB Leasing refuse to work with Hongqi and Tank due to the risk of impairment. Alternatives:
- Leasing through a dealer (interest rate 10-12%, but requires a large down payment - 40-50%).
- Leasing with purchase after 1–2 years (to minimize impairment losses).
- Purchase on credit with subsequent sale after 1–2 years (if you plan to change the car).