Honghi E-QM5 - extremely deceptive electric sedan

The Honghi E-QM5 is an electric sedan that, since its inception, has become one of the most ambitious projects of the Chinese state corporation FAW, which owns the Honghi premium sub-brand. The car went on sale in the summer of 2021, but was sold in a limited series and fell into the hands of an extremely narrow circle of customers. Now, any person can get into the E-QM5 electric car on a permanent basis - sales are open to everyone.

Body and dimensions

The sedan, which at a cursory glance can be easily confused with a flattened crossover, was a success in size - as much as 5040 mm in length, 1910 mm in width and 1569 mm in height. The wheelbase of the car was 2990 mm. But these are all trifles, we are much more interested in design. It is unusual here - visually, the sedan is somewhat different from its "colleagues" in the sub-brand, equipped with internal combustion engines. What's more, it looks like a Venom car from a Marvel movie, namely with its front end, which almost completely copies the iconic exterior.



The stern is made in the style typical of FAW cars, the boomerang-shaped rear lights attract special attention. At the front, an unusual design is implemented - instead of the usual headlights, there are winding and thin contours of running lights, while the main headlights are located on the corner parts of the bumper. In the middle of the hood lies a red “scallop” about a third of the length of the lid, which has already become a kind of tradition and hallmark for Honghi cars.

At first glance, the car may seem to be a non-standard representative of the golf class, but with its five-meter length, it does not belong there in any way. The proportions are misleading - the car is 100mm taller than its more expensive competitors in the face of the Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series. The car in the basic configuration is installed on 18-inch wheels, and the volume of the trunk without the seats folded is quite the usual 433 liters for a sedan.

The suspension is also not surprising - the chassis is based on a multi-link mechanism, while the springs are standard, and the shock absorbers are of a passive type. This is another argument in favor of the fact that the car, as conceived by the developers, should not move off the flat roads typical of the city at all.

Power point

The electric car is driven by a single 136 hp electric motor. With. Yes, it’s not the peak of the capabilities of the modern industry, especially for a five-meter sedan, but here we have, apparently, the manufacturer is positioning the car more for urban use. You are especially convinced of this when you find out the speed limit - only 130 km / h. It is not known whether it is set artificially or is the limit of the electric motor used.

The motor is powered by a 56 kWh BYD battery. The battery is produced specifically for Honghi cars, so its parameters are chosen correctly. On a single charge, you can drive up to 431 kilometers using the NEDC method. Also not a record, given that competitors without additional charging can cover 500-700 kilometers, but you have to take into account the price. Moreover, the figure does not impress those who understand that the NEDC cycle has long been outdated. In practice, batteries with such parameters, at best, will last for 250 kilometers before recharging. If you drive around a large city, this is not critical, because the driver will always have a place to stop.

BYD claims that the Honghi E-QM5 battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes. At the same time, the battery has another big advantage - it is removable. If you want to put the discharged car into operation as quickly as possible, the owner will be able to call at the nearest quick-change station and get a new battery in 1,5 minutes. The question here is how far you have to go. For example, in Russia, with such an infrastructure, things are not in the best way today.

What's in the cabin?

The contrast between the front and rear is not the only thing that can surprise you a little. Sharp combinations continue to wait for us in the cabin. For example, a fairly simple design here coexists quite well with excellent functional equipment. The rear sofa is divided into two chairs with a central armrest equipped with two cup holders and a remote control. From it you can control the four-zone climate control and the location of the seats directly.



The right rear passenger will be the luckiest of all - a retractable footrest is provided for him, which will help him sit comfortably on a long trip. The floor in the cabin is almost 100% flat, it is comfortable to “stand” on it. Still, a car with serious manners for the premium.

Interestingly, the front of the cabin looks noticeably "poorer" than the back. It is clear, because the car is positioned as a representative electric car, where the driver sits in front, and the person who needs a comfortable transfer around the city sits in the back. Therefore, we see here a classic dashboard with arrow indicators and simple seats, albeit equipped with an electric drive. There is no projector display, no competent seat ventilation, or even a small hatch through which additional interior lighting could be obtained.



The only thing that somehow relates the Honghi E-QM5 to the present is the 10,1-inch central display with touch controls. The main controls and options are displayed on it, mechanical "krutilok" and buttons in the cabin to a minimum, they are only on the steering wheel and console.

How much does it cost?

Previously, the Honghi E-QM5 electric car was sold on special orders from taxi services, and for them its price was $37. For ordinary people who want to take care of nature or just forget what constant jerking due to a checkpoint is, the manufacturer has greatly reduced the price. The cost of the car is now at around 600 US dollars, excluding miscellaneous fees. This price tag is much more pleasant, given the not the richest equipment of an electric car, but many Internet users are in no hurry to agree with him.

It is currently impossible to buy an electric car directly in Russia. On the other hand, free sales are in full swing, as we already wrote some time ago, and nothing prevents gray dealers from ensuring the importation of cars into the country, albeit at a premium.

Who is it for?
Based on the fact that we have a slow car with a not very long range, a good arrangement of the rear of the cabin and a modest design of the driver's seat, the Honghi E-QM5 electric car becomes a good contender for the "government" role. An excellent option for measured transfers around the city or from the metropolis to the airport or vice versa. Where to rush business people, right? In addition, before entering the open sale, these sedans were actively purchased by the Chinese authorities for precisely such purposes, which confirms the words said.

Conclusion

Honghi E-QM5 turned out to be a very controversial sedan. On the one hand, the premium exterior design gives the impression that we have a rather expensive car with the latest options. It would seem an excellent choice for those who are not used to counting money. On the other hand, inside is quite mediocre stuffing, which is surpassed by many ICE-based cars. There is no fast overclocking, no interesting options that are typical for many competitors. This is explained by the fact that the car costs ridiculous money when compared with other offers on the Chinese and world market.