Photo by Zotyefan on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
China's state-limousine brand has arrived on UAE dealer floors. This guide breaks down the Hongqi E-HS9 electric SUV and H9 saloon for UAE luxury buyers - covering AED prices, DEWA charging costs, GCC warranty terms, and honest resale caveats.
Walk into a premium showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road today and you may find a badge you would not have predicted five years ago: a golden phoenix on a deep crimson grille. Hongqi, the Chinese marque that has ferried heads of state since 1958, is now actively marketed in the UAE, and the questions coming from serious buyers are no longer "what is it?" but "how does it stack up against a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and what will it cost me to run?"
In 2026 the brand's UAE lineup centres on two flagships: the E-HS9, a six- or seven-seat electric SUV, and the H9, a rear-wheel-drive full-size petrol saloon positioned squarely against European marques at a noticeably lower entry price. Both carry an outsize amount of symbolism - Hongqi translates as "Red Flag" and the cars have historically appeared in Beijing's Tiananmen Square parades - but symbolism does not pay Salik tolls or survive a Dubai August. This article gives you the concrete numbers you need to decide.
Hongqi was established in 1958 under First Automobile Works (FAW) and spent decades building ultra-long wheelbase limousines exclusively for Chinese government use. The CA770, the marque's signature ceremonial saloon, appeared at state banquets from Beijing to Moscow. The brand's re-launch as a public luxury marque began in 2018, backed by a reported RMB 200 billion (roughly USD 28 billion) investment programme. By 2026 it competes globally in the full-size luxury segment - a move that brings it into direct territory occupied by Mercedes-Benz listings on Carzle and BMW flagship models.
The UAE is a natural target market. Chinese automotive investment in the Gulf has accelerated sharply, and the UAE's zero-tariff trade relationship with China under the CEPA agreement signed in 2022 reduces import friction. Hongqi vehicles imported for the UAE market arrive as GCC-spec units with right-hand-drive-market adaptations reversed for left-hand-drive Gulf roads, and with cooling systems calibrated for ambient temperatures well above the European testing baseline.
The E-HS9 is Hongqi's statement electric SUV and the model most likely to catch attention in the UAE's luxury EV conversation alongside the Tesla listings on Carzle and Zeekr models. The 2026 E-HS9 is offered in long-range and extended-range configurations. The top-spec version produces 551 hp from dual permanent-magnet synchronous motors and reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The battery is a 120 kWh unit in the extended variant, delivering a WLTP-rated range above 500 km - relevant because UAE real-world range under air-conditioning load typically runs 15-20 percent below the rated figure, so plan for 420-430 km between charges in summer.
UAE list prices for the E-HS9 sit in the AED 420,000 to AED 580,000 band depending on configuration and seat count. The six-seat captain-chair layout commands a premium over the seven-seat bench arrangement. Prices accurate as of July 2026.
Interior dimensions are genuinely competitive: the E-HS9 is 5,209 mm long with a 3,110 mm wheelbase. Second-row passengers in the six-seat version get individual reclining thrones with extendable leg rests, massage, and a 12.3-inch entertainment screen per side. The cabin materials specification includes Nappa leather, real walnut veneer, and a panoramic glass roof that uses electrochromic dimming - useful when Dubai summer sun pushes interior parked temperatures toward 80°C.
For Dubai residents, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) EV Green Charger network charges 29 fils per kWh for registered users as of 2026, with a slightly higher rate during peak hours. Filling a depleted 120 kWh E-HS9 battery from near-zero to 80 percent (96 kWh) therefore costs approximately AED 27.84 at the DEWA base tariff - compared to roughly AED 140-160 for a full tank of fuel in a comparable petrol SUV. Over 20,000 km per year, the E-HS9 owner in Dubai typically saves AED 6,000-9,000 in energy costs relative to a petrol flagship.
The E-HS9 supports DC fast charging at up to 120 kW, which adds around 200 km of range in 30 minutes on a compatible charger. AC on-board charging is rated at 11 kW three-phase, suitable for overnight home charging via a wallbox. Abu Dhabi residents on ADDC network tariffs should verify current per-kWh rates directly with their provider, as they differ from DEWA pricing.
The UAE's summer is the harshest real-world test any luxury vehicle faces. Ambient temperatures in July and August regularly hit 48-50°C, and black asphalt surface temperatures exceed 70°C. For the E-HS9, this means the battery thermal management system works hard: Hongqi uses a liquid-cooled battery architecture, which handles sustained heat better than passive or air-cooled alternatives. However, buyers should be aware that repeated DC fast-charging sessions in extreme heat can trigger charge-rate reductions as the battery management system protects cell longevity.
For the H9 petrol saloon, the GCC-spec engine calibration includes an upgraded radiator, a revised coolant mix rated for the region's temperatures, and underbonnet heat shielding beyond what European-spec units receive. Dealers offering GCC-spec Hongqi models should be able to provide documentation confirming this calibration; insist on it before signing.
The H9 is Hongqi's rear-wheel-drive full-size saloon, developed on a bespoke longitudinal platform with optional all-wheel drive on higher trims. The 2026 H9 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 producing 283 hp and 400 Nm of torque in the standard variant, with a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 408 hp and 600 Nm available on the top-spec H9+. Both engines pair with a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.
UAE list pricing for the H9 starts at AED 285,000 for the 3.0T entry trim and climbs to AED 420,000 for the V8-powered H9+ in full specification. At those figures, the H9 undercuts a comparably equipped Mercedes-Benz S-Class by a meaningful margin, and sits well below a comparable BMW 7 Series in long-wheelbase form. The H9 offers a 3,100 mm wheelbase standard - there is no short-wheelbase option - so rear passengers always get the full stretch. Prices accurate as of July 2026.
The interior is the H9's strongest argument. Hongqi has sourced components from well-known European suppliers: Bose audio, Continental electronics, and Bosch braking systems. The cabin layout for rear passengers mimics the business-class philosophy with reclining rear seats, a rear-seat entertainment system running a 12.3-inch display, and ambient lighting with over 256 colour options. The woodwork and leather specification is comparable to German segment leaders at this price, though panel-gap consistency can vary unit to unit - inspect the specific car carefully before accepting delivery.
RTA vehicle registration (Mulkiya) in Dubai is calculated on engine displacement for petrol cars. For the H9 3.0T, expect an annual registration fee of AED 1,020 based on the standard fee schedule for vehicles above 3,000 cc (fees confirmed on the RTA fee schedule at rta.ae). The V8 H9+ at 4,000 cc falls into a higher band at AED 1,320 per year. Salik tolls are charged at AED 4 per gate for all vehicle types, so a daily commute that crosses two gates adds AED 8 per day - identical to any other passenger car.
For the E-HS9, EV owners in Dubai currently benefit from free RTA registration for battery-electric vehicles as part of the emirate's green vehicle incentive programme - confirm current eligibility with the RTA directly as policies update. Insurance for either Hongqi model is classified by UAE insurers under the broader "Chinese luxury" or "other" category, and premiums currently run higher than equivalent European models due to limited actuarial history and parts pricing uncertainty. Budget AED 8,000-14,000 per year for comprehensive cover on the E-HS9 depending on driver profile, and AED 5,500-10,000 on the H9.
Hongqi UAE's authorised network currently offers a 5-year / 150,000 km vehicle warranty on new units, with an 8-year / 160,000 km high-voltage battery warranty on the E-HS9. These figures are competitive with European luxury rivals and exceed many of them on the battery side. Roadside assistance is included for the warranty period.
The practical question is parts availability. As of 2026, the UAE authorised dealer network is still maturing, meaning parts for non-routine repairs may require ordering from FAW's regional distribution hub. Buyers should ask their dealer specifically about parts lead times for wear items such as brake components, suspension bushings, and body panels before committing. This is a fair concern raised equally about any newly arrived brand - even established names like Lexus or Cadillac faced similar early-market parts challenges when they entered the UAE.
This is where honesty matters most. Hongqi has no meaningful resale history in the UAE because the brand's retail presence here only became substantial from 2023 onward. The three-year data needed to establish depreciation curves simply does not exist in a locally statistically significant sample. What the available evidence from other markets suggests is that new Chinese luxury entrants typically depreciate faster in their first 1-3 years than established European rivals, as buyer familiarity grows and competition from newer variants intensifies.
A buyer who plans to keep an E-HS9 or H9 for five or more years and runs the maths on total cost of ownership - factoring in the lower purchase price, significantly reduced fuel costs on the EV, and the competitive warranty - may find the proposition genuinely attractive. A buyer who rotates cars every two years and expects 60-70 percent residual value should approach with caution and no assumptions. Compare this risk profile to a Hongqi listing on Carzle against the known resale curves of European alternatives before deciding.
The case for the E-HS9 is strongest if you are a Dubai resident with a home charger, plan to keep the car for at least four years, and want maximum interior space and technology at a price AED 100,000-200,000 below a comparable European electric SUV. The DEWA charging economics are compelling, the warranty is genuinely competitive, and the cabin quality will surprise anyone arriving with low expectations.
The case for the H9 is strongest if you want European-grade rear-seat luxury for a first-time buyer exploring outside the traditional German triumvirate. The V8 H9+ at AED 420,000 delivers a specification that would cost AED 600,000 or more from Munich or Stuttgart. The trade-off is unproven residual value and a parts network still finding its depth in the UAE. If those unknowns are acceptable - and for many buyers in a rapid-depreciation market they already are - the H9 is a genuinely interesting proposition. Browse current Hongqi models available on Carzle to see live dealer inventory.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal, financial, tax or insurance advice. Prices, specifications and availability are indicative, vary by trim and GCC specification, and change without notice - confirm current figures with the selling dealer. Government fees, registration, import, customs and traffic regulations are subject to change; always verify current requirements directly with the relevant UAE authority (RTA, MOEI, Customs, your emirate's traffic department) or your insurer before acting. Carzle is a marketplace: vehicles are listed and sold by independent licensed dealers, and Carzle is not a party to any sale.
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