Hongqi E-HS9 Electric Luxury UAE 2026 — 553 hp & Air Suspension Test

Hongqi E-HS9 Electric Luxury UAE 2026 — 553 hp & Air Suspension Test

The Hongqi E-HS9 is the brand's electric flagship — a luxury SUV with dual motors producing 553 hp, air suspension, Nappa leather and a 440-510 km range, priced from 250,000 AED. This 2026 review tests the E-HS9 as an electric luxury flagship, examining its 553 hp performance, air suspension ride quality, real-world electric range in luxury mode and value against the Mercedes EQE SUV. Rather than reciting the spec sheet, we focus on whether the E-HS9 delivers a luxury EV experience that justifies its flagship positioning. If you are considering electric luxury with maximum presence, this is the deep dive that matters.

Updated August 2026.

Model Overview

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.

553 hp Performance Test

The E-HS9's dual-motor 553 hp delivers the instant, silent surge that defines a fast EV, with 0-100 km/h in well under 5 seconds despite the SUV's substantial weight. The power delivery is linear and progressive in comfort mode and genuinely urgent in sport, giving the E-HS9 overtaking authority that few ICE luxury SUVs can match.

What distinguishes the 553 hp in a luxury context is not outright pace but refinement — the power arrives without engine noise or gearshift interruption, so the performance feels effortless and limousine-appropriate rather than aggressive. Passengers experience smooth, surge-free acceleration rather than being pushed into their seats.

For a flagship luxury EV, the performance is more than sufficient and is delivered with the composure the segment demands. Buyers who want EV pace plus a chauffeur-grade ride will find the E-HS9's calibration hits the luxury-EV brief rather than the hot-SUV brief.

Air Suspension & Ride Quality

The E-HS9's air suspension is central to its luxury character. It isolates the cabin from broken roads with a wafting composure, adapts ride height to speed and load, and keeps the large SUV settled whether carrying one occupant or a full load. The calibration is comfort-biased, exactly right for a flagship EV.

Because the heavy battery sits low in the chassis, the E-HS9 has a low centre of gravity that complements the air suspension, keeping body roll in check through corners without needing a firmer, less comfortable setup. The result is a ride that is both plush and controlled — a combination steel-spring SUVs struggle to match.

Acoustic insulation adds to the air suspension's effect — with no engine noise and well-suppressed road and wind noise, the cabin is exceptionally quiet, reinforcing the limousine feel. For buyers who judge a luxury EV by how quietly and smoothly it covers poor roads, the E-HS9 delivers.

Electric Range in Luxury Mode

The E-HS9's 440-510 km range is calibrated for a luxury driving profile rather than maximum efficiency. In real UAE conditions with air-con running and a comfort-biased driving style, expect a usable range of around 380-450 km, sufficient for a week of mixed driving between charges for most owners.

Range is affected by driving mode — sport mode and higher speeds on the highway drain the battery faster, while eco mode and urban speeds extend it. DC fast charging restores a meaningful charge in around 30-40 minutes on compatible chargers, and home AC charging overnight suits the luxury-EV ownership pattern of charging at home and starting each day full.

For a flagship EV used primarily around town with occasional longer trips, the range is adequate rather than class-leading. Buyers who regularly do long intercity journeys may want a longer-range rival, but for the typical luxury-EV use case the E-HS9's range is fit for purpose.

EV Luxury Value vs Mercedes EQE SUV

Against the Mercedes EQE SUV — the established benchmark for electric luxury SUVs — the E-HS9 makes a sharp value case. A comparably equipped EQE SUV typically costs well over 320,000 AED in the UAE, so the E-HS9 at 250,000 AED undercuts it by 70,000+ AED while matching it on dual-motor power, air suspension and a luxury cabin.

The EQE SUV still leads on the depth and polish of its infotainment and driver-assistance technology, the Mercedes brand prestige and the maturity of its service ecosystem — all meaningful in the luxury EV segment. The E-HS9 counters with more presence, a longer 8-year battery warranty and comparable core luxury hardware for dramatically less.

For value-led buyers, the E-HS9 delivers the electric luxury flagship experience — 553 hp, air suspension, Nappa leather — at a price that makes the Mercedes badge premium hard to justify. Buyers who need the Mercedes name and tech depth will pay for it; those who want the experience will find the E-HS9 the smarter spend.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 553 hp dual-motor performance delivered with limousine refinement
• Air suspension gives wafting, composed flagship ride quality
• Exceptionally quiet cabin with Nappa leather and premium materials
• 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty reassures EV buyers
• Undercuts the Mercedes EQE SUV by 70,000+ AED

Cons

• Real-world range of 380-450 km adequate but not class-leading
• Infotainment and ADAS depth trail the Mercedes benchmark
• Brand prestige in EV luxury segment still building

Key Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the E-HS9 fast?

Yes. The dual-motor 553 hp delivers 0-100 km/h in well under 5 seconds despite the SUV's weight, with instant, silent, surge-free acceleration that feels effortless and limousine-appropriate rather than aggressive. In sport mode the overtaking authority is genuinely urgent.

How does the air suspension feel?

Plush and composed. The air suspension isolates the cabin from broken roads, adapts ride height to speed and load, and combines with the low-slung battery's centre of gravity to keep body roll in check without a firmer setup. Combined with the silent cabin, the ride is exceptionally refined.

What is the real-world electric range?

In real UAE conditions with air-con and a comfort-biased driving style, expect a usable range of around 380-450 km from the 440-510 km rated figure, sufficient for a week of mixed driving between charges for most owners. DC fast charging restores a meaningful charge in around 30-40 minutes.

The Verdict

As an electric luxury flagship, the Hongqi E-HS9 delivers the presence and refinement the segment demands — 553 hp with limousine composure, air-suspended ride and a whisper-quiet Nappa cabin. It trails the Mercedes EQE SUV on infotainment depth, range and brand prestige, but at 250,000 AED it offers the core electric luxury experience for 70,000+ AED less. For value-led buyers who want electric luxury with maximum presence, the E-HS9 is a genuinely compelling flagship rather than a compromise.