Hongqi G919 Is A Body-on-Frame SUV With 831 HP

Hongqi built its reputation transporting China’s political elite in massive formal limousines, not by climbing mountains or wading through mud. Now the brand is heading into the booming rugged SUV market with the new G919, a huge off-roader that looks determined to outmuscle everything around it, whether you like the styling or not.

The first thing anyone notices is the grille. It’s absolutely massive, even by modern SUV standards, and somehow makes the already boxy body look even bigger. Still, underneath the questionable front-end design, the G919 actually packs some serious hardware.

This thing is huge. The SUV stretches 202.1 inches long with a 114.1-inch wheelbase, and it rides on a proper body-on-frame chassis instead of a softer crossover platform. Hongqi also fitted mechanical locking differentials front and rear along with adjustable air suspension, so at least somebody inside the company understood what an off-roader is supposed to do.

Power comes from a range-extender hybrid setup pairing a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with four electric motors, one at each wheel. Combined output lands at a wild 831 hp and 973 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to launch this giant brick from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds, which feels slightly absurd for something that probably weighs as much as a small apartment.

Hongqi says the G919 can travel up to 174 miles on electric power alone, while the total driving range supposedly reaches 839 miles. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but sales are expected to begin in the coming months. Whether buyers fall in love with the styling is another question entirely.