The new Hongqi H5 sedan has been launched on the Chinese car market. The H5 is a compact executive car with lots of bling on board. The H5 is Hongqi’s mainstream sedan, set to compete against cars like the Beijing EU7, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry. But with a grille like that, the H5 has more presence on the road than all of those cars combined. The Hongqi hood ornament extends from the middle of the hood over the center the grille.
This is the current Hongqi H5 sedan, and guess what: it won’t be cancelled yet. It is in fact renamed to Hongqi H5 Classic Edition, and will be sold alongside the new Hongqi H5. This is very common in China where carmakers just can’t say goodbye to any car. In most cases, the older car will stay on for 2-3 years before it finally goes away.
The H5 debuted back in 2017 and has been updated several times over the years. It is based on the same platform as the third generation Mazda 6, which was made in China by the FAW-Mazda joint venture. FAW, or First Auto Works, is also the owner of the Hongqi brand. The H5 Classic Edition is available with two engines: a 170 hp 1.5 turbo and a 197 hp 1.8 turbo. Price range remains unchanged, starting at 145.800 yuan and ending at 190.800 yuan ($23.100 – 30.230).
Back now to the new Hongqi H5. Let’s start with size: 4988/1875/1470, with a 2920 millimeter wheelbase. The Hongqi H5 is front-wheel drive only, Hongqi doesn’t offer a four-wheel drive variant.
Another Hongqi ornament on the front doors. ‘Hongqi’ (红旗) means Red Flag in Chinese.
There are three power trains available:
- A 1.5 turbo with 169 hp and 258 Nm, mated to a 7-speed DCT. Top speed is 215 km/h, 0-100 takes 9.5 seconds, and fuel consumption is 6.2 liter per 100 km.
- A 1.5 turbo HEV with a combined output of 190 hp and 280 Nm, mated to a CVT. Top speed is 180 km/h, 0-100 takes 8 seconds, and fuel consumption is 5.1 liter per 100 km.
- A 2.0 turbo with 224 hp and 340 Nm, mated to an 8-speed automated manual. Top speed is 230 km/h, 0-100 takes 7.8 seconds, and fuel consumption is 6.4 liters per 100 km.
Pricing: the 1.5 turbo starts at 159.800 yuan ($23.628), the 1.5 turbo HEV at 199.800 yuan ($29.542), and the 2.0 turbo starts at 179.800 yuan ($29.542). The black car on the photos is a 2.0 turbo.
The H5 looks great from the rear, with a short trunk, an integrated spoiler, a light bar, and two shiny exhaust pipe tips. Note the combined camera-antenna unit on the roof.
Hongqi’s interiors are always quite nice. I really like how they ‘extended’ the hood ornament over ht armrest. The red leather seats are perfectly over-the-top. The main screen has a diameter of 12.6 inch and the instrument panel a diameter of 12.3 inch.
High-end versions, like the car on the photos, feature a 12-speaker Dynaudio audio system. All versions have permanent 4G internet connection and that is a bit of a surprise as many competitors, especially among the startup EV crowd, use 5G connections.
Long wheelbase + front-wheel drive = lots of legroom in the back.
The 2.0 turbocharged engine in the engine bay, without much of an engine cover.
The Hongqi H5 is equipped with an L2 driver-assist package, including active cruise control, a 360 degree camera system, and automatic parking.
The new Hongqi H5 is a huge step-up compared to the current-continuing H5, but the power train options aren’t really that modern. The 1.5T is an oldie, the HEV is not a PHEV, but the 2.0T is at least a new engine. For most buyers, however, it is the brand and the grille that matters most.
