Hongqi HS5: High Flying Flag of Luxury

In the world of fashion, image is everything. Being seen by the right people, in the right clothes, coming out of the right car is a statement all on its own. Brand consciousness is so prevalent in society that oftentimes a great brand is overlooked because it is unknown.

Hongqi, the luxury brand from Chinese manufacturer First Automobile Works, or FAW, is arguably one of China’s most prestigious marques. So much so that the very name Hongqi translates to “Red Flag,” the symbol of the People’s Republic.

Given the tension in the West Philippine Sea, many would equate such a symbol to a belligerent nation that has trampled on our sovereignty on multiple occasions, and it’s no lie that many view Chinese cars through the disdain we as a nation feel towards the Chinese Communist Party.

But despite this, the team at EvoXTerra have a singular goal in mind with their distribution of Hongqi – to bring high quality, luxurious, and prestigious products to the Filipino people, with surprising affordability to boot.

I had the opportunity to witness this in person at their showroom and service center in Taguig, where I was able to get a closer look at their operations and their products, particularly the Hongqi HS5 Crossover SUV.

On the surface, the HS5 felt much larger than most Compact crossover SUVs, and at 4,760 millimeters long with a 2,888 millimeter wheelbase, it’s just slightly larger than what would be its main rival, the Mercedes Benz GLC. It’s also quite a handsome vehicle, with quite stout haunches in the rear, giving it an air of a vehicle that is larger than it actually is.

As EvoXTerra is currently only selling the pre-facelift model, the HS5 doesn’t follow the same design language as the e-HS9 electric SUV, or the sleek H5 sedan, though personal tastes will define whether or not this is beneficial or detrimental to the HS5. The overall looks of the HS5, with its LED headlights, and tastefully placed red accents, felt dignified and stately – like something that wouldn’t be out of place in front of the Grandhotel Pupp.

Inside, the HS5 continues this air of dignity and elegance with noticeable yet refined touches all throughout. As you unlock the car, you are greeted by a flurry of soft ambient lighting, from the door handles to the illuminated door sills, emulating an experience that could only be defined as elegant.

As you climb into the cabin, the alcantara seats offer passengers a different experience from the typical leather, and the seats themselves are so comfortable, it would almost slip your mind that the cabin is so quiet that you could hear your own breathing.

The noise isolation in the cabin is so well-done that even the engine idling is imperceptible. Quite surprisingly, the HS5 came equipped with a feature that many cars did away with in the early 2000’s – a cigarette lighter, though I suppose Hongqi’s intended use for it is as a cigar lighter, instead.

The infotainment and safety systems in the HS5 simultaneously exceeded and failed to meet expectations, which I realize requires explaining.

Like many modern premium SUVs, the HS5 came with all the typical accoutrements you expect - 360° cameras, Wireless charging, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure. Where it exceeded expectations is in the inclusion of more premium features like a Head up display, and automatic parking, as well as automatic car following.

Where the car failed to meet expectations is in one missing feature that even the cheapest cars already have: Android Auto.

For many, lacking this connectivity feature is a dealbreaker, and although there are modules buyers can add to have Android Auto, the fact it isn’t included in what is supposed to be a premium SUV is disappointing. But as far as disappointments go, if this is the only one the HS5 has, it’s a manageable flaw that can be solved if one is determined enough.

Under the hood is a 2.0L turbocharged inline 4 engine making a healthy 221 horsepower and 340 Newton-meters of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Though FAW claims they designed the engine themselves, it shares similar levels of power, torque, bore, and stroke to a FAW-Volkswagen engine commonly found in cars like the Audi A6 and the Audi Q5.While not immediately apparent, Hongqi couldn’t have picked a better engine to base their design on from their existing joint venture, as these engines are not only powerful but reliable as well.

Driving the Hongqi HS5, however, it becomes quite obvious that it was designed to go toe to toe with those cars, as the punchy engine comes to life even with the lightest prod on the throttle.

Speed and acceleration felt effortless, and the brakes are perfectly suited to stopping this SUV from any speed. And surprisingly, if you aren’t harsh with your throttle input, you would be hard-pressed to even tell it has an engine, with only the lightest vibration coming through the seat letting you know there is an engine in this car.

And that underscores the whole experience of driving the Hongqi HS5 – unexpected refinement.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I came in expecting everything to fall apart the moment we unlocked the doors – even the cheapest Chinese cars have come a long way from that. I expected to compare the refinement of the HS5 to something like the Mazda CX-5, or the Honda CR-V, since many Chinese cars now have fit and finish to rival that of the Korean and even Japanese cars today. Instead, the HS5 felt more like a rival for European SUVs like the Mercedes Benz GLC, with the well styled interior and masculine exterior. And even then, the HS5 doesn’t even come close to the price the GLC holds, which is on brand for Chinese manufacturers – bringing high quality cars to middle income prices, and that alone is deserving of respect, at least.

If the GAC Empow we tested a few weeks ago was impressive, this only drove home the point that Chinese cars are far away from where they were in the early 2000’s. And it once again begs the question: Why would anyone buy anything else?

Truth be told, though every review must be taken with several grains of salt, companies like EvoXTerra make the decision easier because they are upfront and transparent with their business practice. And knowing the distributor can be trusted to take care of their customers, even buying a relatively young brand in the Philippines is an acceptable risk.

The last question that needs answering is: Are you ready to take that risk?