► We go for a ride up the Hill in the Hongqi EHS7
► Coming to the UK soon
► 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, sub £40k price
Look, it’s another electric SUV – and it’s from China! Hongqi is the latest brand to nod in the direction of the UK, but it isn’t a faceless start-up by any means: often described as the Rolls-Royce of China, it’s one of the oldest car brands in the Far East – and provides the presidential limousine for Jingping. There’s pedigree not just in the badge, but in the design office too: all new cars (like the EHS7 here) are penned by ex-Rolls Royce designer Giles Taylor.
There’s no confirmed release date as yet – there often isn’t with newcomers – but eventually the EHS7 (pictured here) and the EH7 saloon will end up for sale in the UK. They’re already available to purchase in selected European territories.
Before a long-term test or a first drive, we were able to get proper look and passenger ride in a prototype EHS7 – the one we think will sell more. Here’s our impressions after a long wait traffic and quick ride up the Goodwood Hill…
What is it?
Well, first it’s pronounced Hong-chi and means ‘Red Flag – we should’ve probably got that out the way much sooner. And although it may represent the Chinese Rolls-Royce in some ways – that’s because of its tradition and heritage rather than the sectors of the market it plays in. It was created in 1958 but has been relatively dormant since 2018, but is now back with an entirely refreshed line-up. In China Hongqi sells an expanded range of cars including the regal H9, but that’s not coming to the UK any time soon. Instead, the EHS7 sits in the sweet spot of electric crossover SUVs, with an estimated asking price of between £30,000 and £40,000.
Proportions aside, the EHS7 does its best to look different to the hordes of other brands with the UK in their sights – and it succeeds overall. Put the lavender to one side and the ESH7 is relatively memorable – there’s no grille here but enough character to make it work. The chrome strip on the bonnet adds a particular bit of zing too.
Less good is the module at the top of the windscreen that houses the sensors. It’s the same solution used by Polestar and others in the past, and it makes the car look a little London cab-like. At the rear there’s an unusual-looking light arrangement – it’s not the nicest looking to our eyes, but importantly it doesn’t look like a remix of every other EV out there.
What are the specs?
The EHS7 comes in five trims, with two batteries to choose from. There’s an entry-level 85kWh battery with available in a two wheel and four-wheel drive. Move up the range and there’s three further trims that use a larger 111kWh battery. One is two-wheel drive and the rest are four-wheel drive. All models use a 253kW motor at the rear, with the all-wheel-drive cars pairing it with a 202Kw motor on the front axle.
0-62mph sprint times range from an adequate 6.5 seconds for the base 85kWh model, to a silly 3.9 second dash for the all-wheel-drive models with the bigger battery. That’s the one we’re in, of course.
What’s the interior like?
Not so bad. The interior feels premium enough and is as spacious and airy as you’d hope in an EV this size. Everything is where you’d expect, only here it’s sculpted in a rather interesting way: an infotainment screen snakes from the centre-console before becoming the driver’s cockpit dials, and a row of buttons sit underneath it. They’re capacitive, but we’ll only know if they work once we’ve had a proper go of the car.
The fit and finish seems relatively good too, and everywhere you’re likely to touch feels solid. Like all EV’s in this competitive price range the Hongqi has been built to a price, but it feels as though the correct decisions have been made re: materials and touch points.
One more thing; there’s a Genesis-style orb between the driver and the passenger, and we didn’t really have time to have a prod at it.
What’s it like to ride in?
Off from the start line at Goodwood, and the EHS7 feels like the 3.9 seconds it’s rated at on paper. It’s fast, made all the more unnerving by the elevated driving position and generally luxurious interior.
The air suspension does well to hide its heft. Our driver doesn’t really hacksaw at the EHS7’s odd-shaped wheel either, which suggest it offers good feedback and precision. And at the first real kink, careful use of the brakes means he manages to deftly flick the weight to where its most useful. You can feel the car is heavy, but between a stiff but pliable suspension and our driver’s smooth inputs – it doesn’t feel like a juggernaut.
The air suspension was noticeable on the level-headed launch and particularly around the corners. where it didn’t fall over itself. All in all, we had a ride which – albeit on the smooth Goodwood tarmac – felt relatively refined. It’s fair to say the EHS7 has better handling chops that it really needs in this sector – and far more performance.
Before you buy
We’re in a prototype of the top-of the-range Pro model, but it’ll be interesting to sample some of the cheaper models in the range and especially those with the 85kWh battery. We’re also keen to try the experience in a car without the mod cons that this flagship has.
If you’re not after an SUV right now – which would put you firmly in the minority of car buyers – there’s also a saloon version of the EHS7 called the EH7. The styling is relatively similar, and it uses the same powertrain as the SUV, for a 0-62mph of just 3.5 seconds in the top model.
Early verdict
It’s too early to give a thorough final verdict on the Hongqi but things are looking good. Like the Xpeng G6, the Hongqi offers more than you’d expect for the money on the spec sheet – but unlike the G6 it seems to add a touch more premium feel, and a more thoughtful, less generic design. Of course, we’ll know a lot more when we actually get a proper go in the car, along with time to thoroughly prod and poke all the switchgear.