China's oldest auto brand locks in range of electric luxury SUVs for Australia, sedan set to follow

Chinese luxury brand HQ has confirmed its first three models for Australia and alluded to a fourth ahead of its planned local launch in November 2026, when it plans to become a rival to established brands including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Lexus.

Having already announced plans to introduce the large HQ E-HS9 electric SUV in Australia, the CEO and chairman of its local operations, Jim Wu, has confirmed the smaller EHS4 and EHS5 SUVs will follow within six months.

First customer deliveries are expected in January 2027, with the brand targeting around 1000 sales per month once all three electric SUVs are in local showrooms by the middle of next year. It also has a longer-term goal of 30,000 annual sales in Australia.

The E-HS9, a rival to the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and Cadillac Vistiq, may be shown at the Melbourne EV Show next month ahead of the brand’s official launch in November, when the Australian-specification EHS4 is also scheduled to be unveiled.

The EHS4 will battle the Audi Q4 e-tron and upcoming electric Mercedes-Benz GLA, while the EHS5 – expected in April 2027 – will compete with the Tesla Model Y, Zeekr 7X and BMW iX3.

The three electric SUVs will be followed by a sedan similar in size to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6.

This suggests it could be the EH7 electric sedan, which is offered overseas with rear- or all-wheel drive and up to 655km of WLTP range.

Mr Wu told CarExpert the brand would price its vehicles below their key German rivals, in a similar manner to how Chinese brand Zeekr narrowly undercuts rival automaker Tesla.

For reference, the Zeekr 7X was introduced in Australia in late 2025 from $57,900 before on-road costs, $1000 less than the starting price of its close rival, the Tesla Model Y.

The HQ brand name is an abbreviation of Hongqi, which is owned by China FAW Group, formerly First Automobile Works, which was established in 1953 as a truck manufacturer. Hongqi was subsequently established in 1958 as China’s first passenger vehicle brand.

The brand continues to offer ultra-exclusive models such as the V8-powered Golden Sunflower Guoli, priced from ¥7.18 million (A$1.50 million).

While Australian equipment details are yet to be confirmed, the five-seat, five-door HQ EHS4 sold overseas measures 4520mm long, 1873mm wide and 1647mm high on a 2750mm wheelbase.

Its 400V electrical system supplies a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 160kW and 240Nm, fed by a 67.1kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that provides up to 420km of WLTP range.

DC fast-charging can replenish the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in around 20 minutes, while the EHS4 also offers 3.3kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.

The EHS4 uses MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link independent rear setup, and rides on 18-inch alloy wheels. LED headlights and a panoramic glass roof are also available.

The cabin includes ‘bio-material’ seat upholstery, a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, along with wireless phone charging and climate control.

A power tailgate opens to reveal 393 litres of luggage capacity, expanding to 1300L when the second-row seats are folded.

Already on sale in Nepal, the EHS4 is priced at 59.99 lakh – around A$55,700 at the exchange rate when it launched – for the entry-level model, slightly more than the MG S5 EV at 55.99 lakh (A$51,310).

Next up in size, the HQ EHS5 measures 4750mm long, 1900mm wide and 1640mm high on a 2900mm wheelbase.

It uses a 400V electrical system, double-wishbone front suspension and an independent multi-link rear setup, and rides on 20-inch alloy wheels.

The EHS5 is offered overseas in single-motor, rear-wheel drive form, producing 210kW and 317Nm. Its 85kWh LFP battery provides a claimed 550km of WLTP range.

An all-wheel drive version adds a second motor, lifting combined outputs to 412kW and 623Nm while reducing WLTP range to 522km.

The battery supports DC fast-charging at up to 265kW, allowing a 10-to-80 per cent recharge in around 20 minutes.

All-wheel drive also cuts the EHS5’s claimed 0-100km/h time from 7.3 seconds to 4.0 seconds.

Equipment available overseas includes an augmented-reality head-up display, acoustic glass and a panoramic glass roof, along with synthetic-leather upholstery, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, and heated outboard rear seats.

In Norway, where only the all-wheel drive model is offered, the EHS5 is priced from 439,900kr (A$65,700). The Tesla Model Y Long Range rear-wheel drive costs 477,500kr (A$71,300).

The three-row E-HS9 was the first model confirmed for HQ Australia. It will be shown locally in November before arriving in dealerships in 2027.

The E-HS9 measures 5209mm long, 2010mm wide and 1713mm high on a 3110mm wheelbase.

Overseas models use a 400V electrical system and combine a 160kW/300Nm front electric motor with a 245kW/450Nm rear motor for all-wheel drive.

This combination delivers a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds, while the range-topping 120kWh battery provides up to 515km of WLTP range.

Depending on the variant, the E-HS9 is available with 22-inch alloy wheels and air suspension. It can be configured with six seats, including two second-row captain’s chairs, or seven seats with a second-row bench.

The interior is available with leather upholstery, multiple 16.2-inch displays and an electric panoramic glass roof.

The EHS5 and E-HS9 have each received five-star safety ratings from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), which works with the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

HQ won't be the first premium auto brand out of China to launch in Australia. Besides Geely's Zeekr brand, BYD has its premium Denza arm, while Avatr – which sits under the umbrella of automotive giant Changan – is planning a local launch.

MORE: China’s oldest car brand is coming to Australia