Is Hongqi H9 – China’s Rolls Royce – better than the real deal? [Video]

While cars like Rolls Royce Phantom, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series are preferred for their heritage and brand statement, there is a Chinese carmaker who is trying to offer the same level of opulence as these cars. Enters the Hongqi H9, a new full-size luxury sedan from China which is taking on the mighty premium sedans from Europe with a focus on luxury and technology.

By the looks of it, the Hongqi H9 looks like a combination of the design cues of the top-spec luxury sedans like Rolls Royce Ghost and BMW 7-Series it competes with. The front grille with vertical slats is very much inspired by the Rolls Royce offerings, while the slim two-part LED headlamps look eerily similar to those of the all-new generation of the 7-Series. The sedan comes with abundant use of chrome for the front grille, front and rear bumper inserts and lower part of door panels. While the dual-tone paint scheme of the H9 reminds you of those of the Maybach offerings, the design of the tail lamps looks similar to those of the Cadillac CT5 sedan.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

Feels premium from inside

On the inside, the Hongqi H9 feels like a proper luxury sedan, with most of the cabin draped in exquisite leather. Apart from satin chrome and piano black inserts, the H9 also gets a unique trim which is a combination of wood, marble and peppermint stick. The cabin looks properly modern too, with separate full-TFT screens for the instrument console and the touchscreen infotainment system in the middle. The overall cabin layout, with the waterfall-like centre console and rounded theme for AC vents and dials for various functions, reminds you of the cabin of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Apart from the features mentioned above, the Hongqi H9 also gets elusive features usually seen in top-of-the-line luxury saloons, such as a refrigerator, massaging seats and rear entertainment screens. The rear seats come with a centre armrest, which is integrated with controls for both front and rear seat adjustments. The panel between the front seats facing the rear passengers have rear AC vents and a separate touch-sensitive panel for climate control.

Available with a rear-wheel-drive configuration as standard, the HOngqi H9 is offered with two engine options, both of which are paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The smaller 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine makes 255.5 PS of power and 380 Nm of torque, while the larger 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine churns out 284 PS of power and 400 Nm of torque.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered