Hongqi E-HS9

I ordered the car during the Double 12 promotion last year and picked it up in less than a month. I've been driving it for a week, and it's not registered yet. Let me share some of my thoughts.

Regarding the appearance, opinions vary. Wherever I park the car, people will point at it, some even secretly take photos, and some use it as a background (fortunately, it's not registered yet).

¡¾Driving Experience¡¿
This is the first SUV I've ever seen that can wheelie when starting. The driving quality is excellent, even better than some luxury brands in the same price range. But if you insist that only V6 or V8 engines can define luxury, then just ignore what I said.
The steering wheel is small but very light, with accurate steering. It doesn't feel like driving a boat, but it's not as flexible as the A6L I've been driving. Maybe because I'm relatively short (173cm), the center armrest gets in the way when I turn the steering wheel while making a U-turn. The multi-functional steering wheel uses a touch-and-press mechanism, similar to a laptop touchpad. If you don't press on the function button precisely, your finger won't trigger any response.
The ACC and SACC functions are quite useful and convenient. Both the recognition of the vehicle ahead and the lane are accurate. However, I haven't dared to try the automatic braking and restart function. I've heard online that it has this feature, so fellow Hongqi owners can give it a try. The lane departure correction function is very powerful. I guess it's linked with the facial recognition camera: when you're looking ahead and the steering wheel drifts slightly, it mainly gives acoustic and visual warnings; but if you're looking elsewhere, like turning your head to check for a lane change, the system usually takes over the steering wheel and guides the car back into the lane. Experienced drivers might not get used to it.
The energy recovery has five adjustable levels. In the comfort mode, the default setting feels just like driving a gasoline car. When you step on the brake pedal, the braking force is generated by a combination of the motor and the brakes. I saw on the dashboard that the maximum energy recovery can reach 75kW? In the long-range mode, it basically feels like a "single-pedal" mode, but you still need to step on the brake when parking.
The AutoHold function is hidden and needs to be enabled in the system settings.

¡¾Range¡¿¡¾Charging Time¡¿
I've been driving for a week. When I picked up the car, the battery was 98% charged, with a range of 620km shown on the display. When the battery dropped to 19%, I had driven for a total of 15 hours (note: it should be a combined description of driving distance and time). I used both the air conditioning and the massage function. The weather in Guangzhou has been changeable these days, so I used both cooling and heating. I usually had a full load of six people, and the trunk was also full. I drove a total of 340km, and there was still about 100km of range left. It can travel over 400km, which I think is quite good. I randomly found a fast-charging station on the roadside and charged 83 kWh of electricity in one hour. The maximum power reached 88kW. However, the charging power decreased after reaching 80%, fluctuating around 60kW. I guess the charging station is rated at 90kW. A station with a higher power should charge faster.
I haven't received the free slow-charging station yet, so I haven't had the chance to experience it. There's also no situation where I need to use the charging cable that comes with the car, so I haven't tried it either.

¡¾Intelligence¡¿
I received a big gift package and an umbrella when I picked up the car. It was quite ceremonial.
The in-car system has good content, but the smoothness is average. There are too many options, and it takes some effort to operate, but the logic is relatively clear. The instruction manual is too brief, and I have to figure out a lot of things on my own.

¡¾Most Dissatisfied¡¿
Sometimes, the Hongqi Connect app acts up and can't connect. When this happens, even the voice control becomes very slow.
I only used the in-car Wi-Fi at the beginning, and then I couldn't turn it on. I need to upgrade the software. The wireless charging can charge the iPhone 11 but not the iPhone 13. I don't know why and need to check it out.

¡¾Space Performance¡¿
I have to say that the space is very large. The third row can seat four kids, or two kids and an adult. It has enough space and comfort, making it suitable for family use.

The Hongqi E-HS9 is my first electric car. I've only driven the Model X before. At present, the range anxiety of pure electric vehicles does exist. But when the low-battery warning appears, it can usually still travel about 100km. As long as you're not in an uninhabited area, you can definitely find a charging station. Even with slow charging, an hour of charging is enough to reach a city. In fact, it's easier to recharge a pure electric vehicle in remote areas as long as there's a power outlet. It's more likely that there's no gas station in places without a power outlet.

Hongqi's technological strength is obvious. It's already equipped with features like AI driving and wireless charging, which are not yet available. I hope the manufacturer will enable these functions in the future so that the car can automatically park in the parking space and start charging after I get out of the car when I get home.

¡¾Driving and Riding Experience¡¿The model with a 510-kilometer range comes with air suspension compared to the one with a 460-kilometer range, which can adjust the height of the chassis. However, I don't think it has much impact on the driving experience. Nevertheless, the ventilation function of the first and second-row seats is really user-friendly in summer.

¡¾Range and Charging¡¿I drive quite frequently. The car with a 460-kilometer range can travel about 360 - 370 kilometers in spring and autumn, and the one with a 510-kilometer range can reach around 390 kilometers. I use these two cars at two different houses, and each house is equipped with a charging pile. It can fully charge from 20% to 90% overnight. Moreover, in Shandong, we have time-of-use electricity pricing. The off-peak hours are from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., and the electricity costs only about three jiao per kilowatt-hour. It's almost like driving for free...

¡¾Infotainment System Evaluation¡¿It's not an overstatement to use the phrase "You can't ask me to evaluate something that doesn't exist" to describe its infotainment system. As a smart luxury SUV, since it's related to intelligence, the performance of the infotainment system should at least be okay. However, Hongqi's design in this regard is really lacking. Fortunately, it's said that the new 3.0 Plus system is coming soon. I participated in the internal testing, and the result is quite good. Finally, it has the feel of a modern infotainment system.

¡¾Interior Space¡¿Is it necessary to evaluate the space of a 5.2-meter SUV? Both the second and third rows can comfortably seat adults, and the trunk capacity is also quite impressive. My family of four plus my parents often travel in this car. Even on long trips, there's hardly any pressure. Anyway, the kids don't sit still the whole time and are often held in our arms.

¡¾Interior Craftsmanship¡¿I think the biggest advantage of this car is its beautiful exterior and luxurious interior. Whether it's the craftsmanship or the materials used, they all reflect the qualities that a Hongqi flagship SUV should have.

¡¾New Car Odor¡¿There's no odor at all. Even when you get into a brand-new car straight from the production line, there's basically no smell. Moreover, this car is equipped with a plasma or PM2.5 purification function, which can effectively purify the air inside the car and provide good protection for you.

¡¾Acceleration and Braking¡¿It's a bit redundant to talk about acceleration for a new energy vehicle. Although the car is 5.2 meters long and has a curb weight of nearly three tons, even in the comfort mode, a gentle press on the accelerator can give you a strong sense of acceleration. It comes with Michelin PS4 tires as standard, and the braking performance is also reliable, so there's no need to worry at all.

¡¾Driving Experience¡¿Let me start by stating my conclusion: Driving this Hongqi E-HS9 doesn't feel cumbersome, and it basically meets expectations! Due to its positioning, it can't be extremely nimble, but driving it won't be overly tiring. Moreover, the suspension's vibration filtering effect and the in - car quietness also perform well, worthy of its status as a luxury large - sized SUV. Now, let's delve into the power. The test drive vehicle is the high - power version, with a front motor of 160kW and a rear motor of 245kW. When you see these figures, you'll know it's a beast - indeed, this large SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds! Meanwhile, it has up to 7 driving modes, including Economy, Comfort, Sport, Extreme, Snow, Off - Road, and Custom modes. I won't elaborate on the special modes separately. Instead, I'll focus on the Comfort and Sport modes. The Comfort mode gives a just - right feeling. Stepping on the accelerator makes the car move smoothly without an obvious sense of being pushed back. Older friends will appreciate this kind of comfortable and relaxing feeling. However, if you switch to the Sport mode, the vehicle's acceleration becomes much more aggressive. During rapid acceleration, the front of the car will lift significantly, and along with the sense of being pushed back, it really has the feel of a performance SUV. Keep in mind that this vehicle weighs over 2.6 tons. But don't misunderstand; it's not an extremely wild vehicle. It releases its power in a consistently forceful way, so most young people will like this state. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the E - HS9 has up to 5 levels of kinetic energy recovery strength, namely Low, Lower, Standard, Higher, and High. To be honest, I can't tell much difference between Low and Lower, or High and Higher. In the Low setting, there's no sense of braking at all, while in the High and Higher settings, the braking feeling is quite strong. Comparatively, I prefer to use the Standard setting in the city and the Low setting in the suburbs and on the highway. In fact, I think there's no need for so many levels, as it increases the operational difficulty. Especially, your dad probably won't want to adjust the kinetic energy recovery repeatedly. On the other hand, there's a beneficial feature for them - an air suspension with adjustable height and stiffness. In fact, regardless of the suspension mode, the vehicle offers high - level comfort. Minor bumps on the road will be effectively filtered out. Coupled with the soft and wide seats, the in - car passengers' riding comfort can be summed up in two words: comfortable.
¡¾Riding Experience¡¿My vehicle is a six - seat version. One pleasant surprise is that the vehicle's ground clearance isn't high, making it very convenient to sit in the second row. At the same time, the second - row seats are soft and comfortable, with a large range of front - to - back adjustment. Everyone can easily find their most comfortable sitting position. There's also a small detail worth noting - the second - row floor is completely flat, which provides great convenience whether it's used for business reception or family use. As for the third - row seat arrangement, I personally think it basically meets the needs. Firstly, the aisle in the middle of the second row is wide enough, allowing for smooth access to the third row. However, don't have high expectations for the legroom in the third row. If the second - row seats are adjusted backward, a passenger about 1.75 meters tall can barely fit. Fortunately, the seat cushion in the third row is higher than in many seven - seat vehicles, so the sitting posture won't be too uncomfortable. Additionally, there are air vents, cup holders, and USB ports, so the third row can serve as an emergency option without any problem.