Hongqi E-HS9 2026 UAE Review: 553 HP Luxury Electric SUV

Hongqi E-HS9 2026 UAE Review: 553 HP Luxury Electric SUV

The Hongqi E-HS9 is the flagship luxury electric SUV of China's most prestigious automotive brand in the UAE for 2026, priced from 250,000 AED with dual motors producing a staggering 553 hp. With air suspension, Nappa leather, a 440-510 km electric range and limousine-grade rear-seat luxury, it targets buyers who want maximum electric performance and presence. This review examines whether the E-HS9 genuinely rivals the Tesla Model X and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, and whether its flagship billing is justified.

Updated August 2026. Data verified against manufacturer specifications, third-party market research, and Cartea market data for UAE.

Hongqi E-HS9

Starting Price: 250,000 AED

Body Style: SUV

Hongqi's flagship luxury electric SUV with dual motors producing 553 hp and a 440-510 km range. The E-HS9 pairs limousine luxury with electric performance and air suspension.

Key Highlights

• Dual motors with 553 hp
• 440-510 km electric range
• Flagship luxury electric SUV
• Air suspension and Nappa leather
• 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty

Best for: Buyers who want flagship electric luxury with maximum presence.

Performance & Powertrain

The E-HS9 uses a dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric powertrain producing 553 hp and 750 Nm of torque, delivering supercar-slaying performance with 0-100 km/h in around 4.9 seconds. The instant electric torque makes the E-HS9 effortlessly fast in any situation, from city traffic to highway overtaking, and the AWD system gives confident traction in all conditions. The 99 kWh battery delivers a WLTP-certified range of 440-510 km depending on trim and driving style, with real-world range in UAE summer conditions of roughly 360-420 km with air conditioning. DC fast charging supports 100 kW, topping up 30-80% in around 45 minutes. The air suspension is the standout dynamic feature, delivering a magic-carpet ride that absorbs UAE roads with complete composure, while the adaptive damping firms up when needed for sharper driving. One-pedal driving is supported, and regenerative braking is smoothly calibrated.

Interior & Technology

The cabin is genuinely flagship-grade and is the E-HS9's strongest asset. A 16.2-inch central touchscreen dominates the dashboard, running Hongqi's infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and rear-seat entertainment screens. Materials are exceptional, with full Nappa leather upholstery, real open-pore wood trim, soft-touch surfaces throughout, and configurable ambient lighting. The front seats are heated, ventilated and massaging, with multi-way power adjustment. The rear seats are the E-HS9's party piece, with recline, heating, ventilation and massage functions on the executive 4-seat configuration, plus four-zone climate control with rear controls. A 16-speaker audio system, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and a refrigerated centre console round out a cabin that genuinely rivals the Tesla Model X and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV for luxury, if not for software polish.

Safety & Driver Assistance

Safety is comprehensive and befits a flagship. The E-HS9 comes with eight airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, and a tyre-pressure monitoring system as standard. The active safety suite includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centring, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and front and rear parking sensors. The body uses a high proportion of high-strength steel, and the low centre of gravity from the floor-mounted battery enhances stability. For a flagship electric luxury SUV, the safety suite is competitive with the established premium brands.

Practicality & Boot Space

The 470-litre boot is modest for a large electric SUV, constrained by the battery and the rear-seat luxury hardware, expanding to around 1,200 litres with the rear seats folded. There are ISOFIX anchors on the rear outer seats, four cupholders, large door bins, and a deep centre console. The E-HS9 is available in 6-seat or 7-seat configurations, with the 6-seat executive layout offering the most rear-seat luxury. Rear legroom is genuinely limousine-like, and the reclining and massaging rear seats make the E-HS9 ideal for chauffeur-driven executive use. There is no frunk, as the front houses the electric motor and HVAC hardware. The door openings are wide, and the powered tailgate adds convenience.

Ownership Costs

Hongqi backs the E-HS9 with an 8-year or 160,000 km battery warranty and a 4-year or 100,000 km vehicle warranty, which is strong for the battery but consistent with luxury-brand norms for the vehicle. Service intervals are every 15,000 km or 12 months for the electric drivetrain, with minor services around 400-500 AED (reflecting the lower maintenance needs of an EV) and major services around 800-1,000 AED. Comprehensive insurance for an executive driver typically runs 8,000-10,000 AED per year reflecting the flagship value. Hongqi's UAE dealer network is smaller than mainstream brands, concentrated in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and charging infrastructure is expanding across the emirates. The E-HS9's flagship positioning and limited volume should support reasonable resale values, though long-term EV residuals remain unproven.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 553 hp dual-motor AWD with supercar-slaying performance
• Air suspension delivers a magic-carpet ride
• Nappa leather cabin with rear-seat massage functions
• 440-510 km electric range for daily luxury use
• 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty

Cons

• Premium 250,000 AED price for a Chinese EV
• 470 L boot is modest for a large SUV
• 100 kW DC charging is slower than some EV rivals
• Smaller dealer network and unproven long-term EV residuals

Hongqi E-HS9 Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Hongqi E-HS9 cost in the UAE?

The Hongqi E-HS9 starts at 250,000 AED in the UAE for the 2026 model year, positioning it as the flagship electric luxury SUV of the Hongqi brand.

What is the range of the Hongqi E-HS9?

The E-HS9 delivers a WLTP-certified range of 440-510 km depending on trim, with real-world range in UAE summer conditions of roughly 360-420 km with air conditioning.

How powerful is the Hongqi E-HS9?

The E-HS9 uses a dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric powertrain producing 553 hp and 750 Nm, delivering 0-100 km/h in around 4.9 seconds.

Does the Hongqi E-HS9 have air suspension?

Yes, the E-HS9 features air suspension with adaptive damping, delivering a magic-carpet ride that absorbs UAE roads with complete composure.

What is the warranty on the Hongqi E-HS9?

Hongqi offers an 8-year or 160,000 km battery warranty and a 4-year or 100,000 km vehicle warranty on the E-HS9.

Verdict

The Hongqi E-HS9 is a genuine flagship electric luxury SUV for the UAE in 2026. For 250,000 AED it delivers 553 hp of dual-motor performance, air suspension, a Nappa leather cabin with rear-seat massage functions and a 440-510 km range, a package that rivals the Tesla Model X and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV for luxury and presence. Executive buyers who want maximum electric performance and limousine-grade comfort will find the E-HS9 a compelling flagship, provided they accept the modest boot and slower DC charging.