The new Hongqi H7, the flagship sedan from China's state-owned luxury brand, went on sale on September 16 with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain replacing the previous petrol-only lineup. The three trim levels - 180 ZhiHun, 240 ZhiHun and 210 AWD ZhiHun - carry Chinese guide prices of 191,800 to 231,800 yuan (about $27,000 to $32,700), before taxes and incentives. A limited-time trade-in offer brings the effective price down to 168,800-208,800 yuan (about $23,800-$29,400), according to NetEase Auto.
Powertrain and range
All versions use a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine paired with a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). The top all-wheel-drive variant adds stronger traction for varied road conditions. The company claims the car set a Guinness record for the longest distance on a single tank and charge, at 2,916.171 km, though no official electric-only range figure was disclosed in the report. For context, if the car's battery-only range were rated under China's CLTC cycle, that figure would typically be 15-20% more optimistic than a WLTP estimate (est.).
Design and features
The H7 retains the brand's classic Chinese luxury styling, with a large, imposing body and a minimalist interior. It comes with a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems, and Hongqi offers a lifetime warranty on the battery, electric motor and control unit, which should lower long-term ownership costs. The sedan targets the mid-to-large executive segment, competing with established joint-venture models at a lower price point.
NetEase Auto notes that the H7's combination of hybrid efficiency, long range, standard equipment and warranty makes it a strong contender in China's domestic mid-to-high-end car market. The model is the latest sign of traditional Chinese brands pivoting to electrified powertrains while keeping prices competitive.
