Hongqi unveils its EHS5 compact SUV for the European market in Germany

The Chinese luxury brand Hongqi, part of the state-owned FAW group, has taken advantage of the IAA Mobility show taking place this week in the German city of Munich to present its new compact electric SUV, the EHS5. According to the manufacturer itself, this model is designed to meet the daily and long-distance needs of European families, combining space, safety and cutting-edge technology.

Founded in 1958, Hongqi is known in China for manufacturing official combustion-engine vehicles for the country’s government authorities. However, since 2022, the brand has bet on the European market, introducing electric models such as its flagship within the electric SUV segment, the EHS9. The company began selling this model in Norway and the Netherlands, later extending its availability to Germany as well. In October 2024, Hongqi showed the EH7 luxury saloon and the EHS7 luxury SUV at the Paris Motor Show, to begin deliveries of both models in Europe at the end of that same year.

The EHS5 presented now in Munich stands out for its spacious interior, as well as for offering a high level of first-class comfort and strong connectivity, according to the brand itself. Although not all technical specifications have been revealed, such as engine power, price or delivery date, it is known that the vehicle has a wheelbase of 2.90 metres. Although its overall length is not specified, it appears to be based on the combustion-engine HS5, which measures 4.76 metres, thus sitting within the Chinese manufacturer’s range one step below the EHS7 SUV, which measures 4.93 metres. Considering that the EHS7 has an official starting price in Europe of around 70 thousand euros, we can expect the EHS5 to be somewhat more affordable.

European model specifications

The EHS5 will be available in Europe with a single electric motor on the rear axle, presumably paired with an 85 kWh LFP battery pack, which will allow it to travel around 550 km on a single charge under the WLTP homologation cycle. Although the manufacturer has not yet announced the maximum power supported at an ultra-fast DC charging point, what we do know is that it is possible to increase the state of charge from 10 to 80 percent in around 20 minutes.

In terms of safety, the EHS5 stands out for using ultra-high-strength steel in the chassis construction for optimal protection in the event of an accident. It also includes advanced technologies such as automatic emergency braking (AEB) with detection in multiple scenarios, 360-degree monitoring and cross-traffic alerts with braking system intervention.

The interior of the EHS5 offers great room thanks to its generous wheelbase. The front seats, which the manufacturer calls Queen’s Seat – the Queen’s Chair -, are electrically adjustable in 18 positions, with ventilation, heating and massage functions, as well as a relaxation mode. The rear seats, reclinable up to 6 degrees, enhance passenger comfort on long journeys.

With the latest technology

The technology experience offered by this compact electric SUV also includes a 15.6-inch central display with 2.5K resolution, a 65-inch Augmented Reality head-up display, compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, apps such as Spotify and YouTube, voice control in four zones of the vehicle and a 14-speaker Dynaudio sound system. It also offers wireless smartphone charging and bidirectional charging with support for the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function, which allows any electrical device to be plugged in and powered.