The Hongqi H9 is a Chinese luxury model that costs under £35,000 in its home country (Image: Hongqi)
There is no doubt about it. The is coming for the European market, with most companies able to sell solid family models for less than the traditional Western alternatives.
However, whilst will sell motorists a four-seater electric hatchback for £16,000 or , a rugged family-sized crossover for under £22,000, several are focusing on providing luxury models to compete with the likes of Bentley and Rolls Royce.
One such brand set to launch in the UK is , one of , which plans to begin selling models like the flagship H9 luxury saloon by 2026.
A sturdy-looking saloon that spans 5.1 metres in length and weighs 2.1 tons, the Hongqi H9 is designed to compete with familiar luxury models, including the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and .
However, the most significant difference is that the Western luxury models cost from £100,000 to £150,000, whereas the Hongqi H9 currently costs 309,800RMB (£34,255).
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The H9 offers similar styling to most luxury cars, including a large chrome grille (Image: Hongqi)
The Hongqi H9’s styling is particularly reminiscent of traditional luxury cars from the West, with a large chrome grille dominating the front end alongside a set of sleek front headlights.
One of the Chinese car’s most distinctive features is the red pinstripe logo, which spans the entire length of the bonnet, dropping onto the grille.
Unlike most other luxury models, the Hongqi is also available in a wide range of two-tone colour schemes, with the Chinese Government owning a fleet in silver and red.
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Inside, the Hongqi H9 offers plenty of features, including a dashboard-wide screen and rear controls (Image: Hongqi)
While the Hongqi H9 retails at a fraction of the price of European rivals, the Chinese luxury model certainly does not skimp on high-end features.
The H9 features electromagnetic doors, which the company claims cannot be slammed shut, whilst a screen in place of the rear view mirror supposedly offers a broader field of view behind the vehicle.
For passengers being chauffered, the Hongqi also offers a wide range of controls on a panel inside the rear armrest, allowing them to recline their seat, adjust the temperature, or change radio stations.
Hongqi plans to launch a range of different luxury models that undercut Western rivals in the UK from 2026 as part of their introduction to Europe.
Already, the Chinese brand is selling models in a range of European countries, including Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands, particularly focusing on electric vehicles.
Other models that are due to go on sale include the E-HS9, a large SUV with a similar appearance to the Rolls Royce Cullinan, and the Tesla-like EH7.