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ByTom White
UpdatedOctober 29 2026 – 5:57pm, first published11:55am
ByTom White
UpdatedOctober 29 2026 – 5:57pm, first published11:55am
Chinese G-Wagen could come to Oz
HongQi – China’s oldest car brand and most historic luxury marque – has priced its upcoming G919 off-roader, a new rival to the Mercedes-Benz G Wagen and Land Rover Defender.
The model debuts a rugged new direction for the HongQi brand, which is traditionally known for its luxury SUVs, sedans and limousines, as well as being the brand of choice for Chinese government officials and dignitaries.
The pricing, starting from the equivalent of $75,000 makes the G919 a high-end offering in the Chinese market, with pricing stretching to $91,500 for the top-spec limited edition. If it were to come to Australia, with the usual premium added for Chinese cars, expect a starting price close to, or more than, $100,000.
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The G919 is only available as a range-extender plug-in hybrid, pairing a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrolengine with quad electric motors for total system outputs of 620kW/1320Nm
It is also equipped with an enormous 82.9kWh battery pack, for a CLTC range of 280km. Its 800-volt architecture even allows it to fast charge in as low as 12 minutes from a compatible DC pylon.
The axle-mounted quad motor system allows it to have more fine torque vectoring control of each wheel, for theoretically a high level of off-road ability. Unlike some hardcore boxy off-roaders in this class, the G919 has independent suspension all-round instead of solid axles, although it remains equipped with front, rear and a simulated centre differential lock as well as air suspension.
The G919 is big, measuring 5135mm long, 2050mm wide, and 1950mm tall, with a 2900mm wheelbase.
Off-road figures grant it a 220mm minimum and 290mm maximum ground clearance, with a 30 degree approach angle, 32 degree departure angle, and 20 degree breakover angle. Its wading depth is 900mm.
The SUV has massive 20-inch wheels, clad in Continental CrossContact all-terrain tyres.
Because of its sheer size and five-seat internal layout, the G919 also has a huge boot capacity of 950-litres with all seats up, or 2120L with the second row folded flat.
Living up to its boxy shape, it even has a full-size spare wheel on the swing-open tailgate.
Inside is reminiscent of most of its rivals, with generous soft-touch and leather-clad trims, as well as a 17.3-inch central multimedia touchscreen, a matching rear entertainment screen, large digital instrument cluster, as well as a 7.3 litre fridge.
The centre console features physical switchgear for the differential locks, an aircraft-look shift lever, and some physical toggles for various controls under the touchscreen.
G919 plays in trendy but extremely competitive Chinese 4WD market
HongQi’s first hardcore off-roader will need to face-off against some experienced competition in this size and price category.
Some of its main potential rivals include the GWM Tank 700, Geely Battleship 700, GAC Yue 7 and Freelander 8, all of which are earmarked for an Australian launch.
On the topic of launching in Australia, HongQi is yet another brand to announce it will hit Australian shores imminently, although its first product will be its more traditional e-HS9 plug-in hybrid large SUV.
The e-HS9 currently serves as the flagship of HongQi’s SUV range, and is even more enormous than this G919 at over 5.2 meters in length.
Elsewhere, the brand’s portfolio ranges from the HS3 small SUV through to a small bus, as well as ultra-high end limousines used by Chinese state officials.
Stay tuned for more on HongQi’s roll-out plans for the Australian market imminently, as the launch of the e-HS9 is due before the end of 2026.
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