Hongqi H9

Step inside the Hongqi H9, and the cabin greets you with its finely laid-out elements, tech-laden features and tight fit and finish levels. Hongqi offers a couple of leather upholstery options to choose from, including unique combinations of grey and blue and beige and purple. The dashboard is also layered with a fine marble-like texture in the middle and extends towards the door panels.

The driver’s cockpit of the Hongqi H9 has a Y-themed multi-functional steering wheel and a rectangular full-TFT instrument console with configurable displays. This S-Class-inspired driver’s cockpit is accompanied by a large 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the upper centre console and a unique TFT screen on the co-passenger side which displays unique motifs and digital graphics.

The lower centre console also looks inspired by the Mercedes-Benz cars, with elements like trapezoidal AC vents with rounded edges and a wide gloss black panel for the transmission lever, rounded dials for four-zone automatic climate control, electronic parking brake, drive mode controller and wireless charging pad.

The Hongqi H9 is heavily equipped with additional features like a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel with memory function, Nappa leather seats, 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, heated and ventilated front and rear seats with massage function and lying down button for rear seats. More features in the cabin include a panoramic sunroof, dual 10.1-inch screens for rear entertainment, 253-colour ambient lighting, air purifier, rear seat control panel for various systems on board and concealed compartments for champagne glasses, refrigerator and more storage spaces on offer.

A distant look at the Hongqi H9 might make you feel like it is heavily inspired by the cars of Rolls-Royce and Bentley. However, a closer look reveals the individualistic personality of this full-size luxury car from Hongqi. There are a few distinctive design elements which make the Hongqi H9 look unique and give its personality.

Like the smaller H5, the Hongqi H9 also gets a large trapezoidal grille with vertical chrome slats, which also has a contrast red strip that flows from the middle of the grille towards the bonnet. The side garnish of the grille wraps around the eyebrow-shaped “Wings of Dream” daytime running LEDs, while the front bumper here has vertically aligned trapezoidal headlamps with dual Matrix LED projectors. The entire lower part of the bumper is characterized by wide-stretched U-shaped chrome garnish, which also surrounds the headlamps.

Hongqi has given a couple of smooth-flowing curves and chrome garnish for the window surrounds and lower part of door panels to the H9. These design elements, along with the large 20-inch multi-spoke machined alloy wheels, make the Hongqi H9 look graceful. The rear look of the Hongqi H9 also looks very unique with vertically aligned and curvaceous LED tail lamps, the upper ends of which are connected with a thick “Wings of Beidou” LED light bar. More chrome garnish can be seen on the extreme corners of the bumper and exhaust port surrounds.

The Hongqi H9 has a soft-tuned independent air suspension setup for the Macpherson struts at the front and multi-link at the rear. The adaptive air suspension, along with drive modes like economy, sport, rain, comfort and snow, give the Hongqi H9 specific ride responses and comfort levels while driving. However, the light steering feedback can feel a bit unnerving to some at higher triple-digit speeds.

There are two powertrains in the Hongqi H9 lineup. The first three variants of the Hongqi H9 come with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which claims 245 PS of power and 380 Nm of torque, while the higher-spec variants are powered by a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine which claims 272 PS of power and 400 Nm of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission is available as the standard gearbox across the range.

The Hongqi H9 is loaded with top-class safety features, the long list of which comprises high-tech features like automatic parking, a multi-information head-up display, a built-in event data recorder, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with media streaming functionality, eight airbags, a reversing visual display and bird’s eye-view park assist. Additional advanced features like front collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, intelligent speed limit reminder, driver monitor system and adaptive cruise control are also available in the Hongqi H9.

The Hongqi H9 lacks the snob value of its European rivals, but it rides high on technology, premium appeal and a luxurious and well-appointed cabin which makes it a worthy alternative to similarly-priced, relatively-smaller luxury cars.