Hongqi HS5

I am very satisfied with the Hongqi HS5's stylish and imposing appearance, which is why I bought it. However, the 2025 model's flag logo light only illuminates when unlocking and locking, not continuously, so I paid extra to modify it. The seating space is spacious, though the rear floor isn't flat, and the trunk is small. Front storage space is insufficient for items like phones and cups, with room for improvement in space utilization compared to the Fit. The interior is simple. Huawei phones can connect to the car but cannot play movies, which is not really useful. It lacks a streaming rearview mirror and built-in dashcam; the 360-degree panoramic image is accurate but can't replace a dashcam. The doors are heavy and not self-closing, requiring a bit of force to shut. The power is strong, but fuel consumption is high compared to similar-priced Volkswagen and Japanese models. My HS5 has nearly 1,000 km, with a combined fuel consumption of 9.6L/100km and around 11L for my 6km one-way commute. The handling isn't very smooth yet with a lagging feeling, likely due to being a new car that needs breaking in. Sound insulation isn't as good as expected; wind and tire noise are only slightly better than my 9-year-old old car. But I bought Hongqi for the情怀 (qinghuai - a deep feeling/sentiment), for that "red" in my heart.

I am satisfied with the Hongqi HS5's sleek exterior, spacious interior, and the 2025 model's added smart driving features, though the seat material is simplified; the 4WD version still uses good Continental tires. However, the infotainment system lags behind competitors with issues like lag, slow startup, unupdatable maps, no HUD projection for maps despite HiCar support. Keyless entry sometimes fails, requiring taking out the key. The expensive in-car IoT card with weak-signal China Unicom and no card replacement option is a forced捆绑. The throttle has a 1-2 second delay in comfort mode. Lane keeping is too sensitive, once causing risky forced steering. Fuel consumption is high: over 9 L/100km on expressways, over 11 L in city without traffic, and over 15 L in congestion. The price was negotiable with trade-in补贴, being a good deal.

The main issue with my Hongqi HS5 is the small trunk, which can't fit my clothes suitcase unless I remove the crossbar. Also, the seats have been downgraded from leather to faux leather, and there's no spare tire, just a tire repair fluid. Fuel consumption is acceptable for me as I drive little—over 7L/100km at highway speeds above 120km/h, around 6L at 60km/h, but can exceed 20L with aggressive acceleration. The automatic cruise control exits in heavy rain due to detection issues. I like its aggressive exterior, especially the unique headlights. Power is sufficient for comfort; highway overtaking is easy with a noticeable push, though power modes feel similar.