Hongqi, a premium carmaker and part of FAW Group, has brought as many as three new soft-roaders to Shanghai this year, including two mid-size ones and a full-size one.
At 4,655 mm long with 2,770 mm separating the axles, the HS3 is the smallest of the three. It is comparable in this aspect to the likes of Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. The interesting thing is that the petrol car is based on another production model, named E-HS3, which is all-electric and has been on sale for a few years now. In its gasoline version, the HS3 uses a 2.0-liter turbo engine rated at 252 PS (249 hp / 185 kW) and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
On the outside, the model rocks a monumental radiator grille and a Red Banner hood ornament stretching to the middle of the hood cover. The headlights are boomerang-shaped, and Hongqi promises to introduce a new version later on with a 48V starter-generator.
Next up the line is the HS5, which the manufacturer calls “next-gen” despite it technically being a simple facelift. The bodywork is old, although the front and the rear have both been redesigned in line with the company’s latest brand identity. The interior also received a mild refresh. Size-wise, the SUV is 4,784 mm long and has 2,870 mm between axles. The drivetrain is the same as the HS3 above, representing a significant upgrade over the pre-facelift 224 PS (221 hp / 165 kW).
Rounding off the trio is the HS7, an SUV nearly five meters long. It is styled in the same vein as its junior siblings and can be obtained with five, six or seven seats inside. The drivetrain is the same.
