Hongqi goes square: meet the G919, the brand's first hardcore off-roader

© A. Krivonosov

Hongqi has officially revealed the name of its first hardcore off-road SUV — the G919. It's a meaningful step for a brand usually tied to executive sedans and status models: Hongqi is now entering the world of big, square-cut SUVs.

The company spelled out the name almost like a manifesto. The letter G points to the idea of a "national car" and long-distance journeys, the first nine highlights the model's flagship status, the one signals top-tier product quality, and the second nine refers to long-term service and customer support. The vehicle itself had already been shown at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show.

The G919 follows today's popular "box-on-wheels" styling: straight lines, an upright body, rectangular headlights and a deliberately muscular stance. That kind of design isn't just about looks. Buyers in this segment want a sense of protection, a roomy cabin and the ability to handle bad roads. The off-road character is reinforced by a heavy-duty bumper, recovery hooks, rope guides, a modular roof platform, auxiliary lights, an external storage box on the tailgate and all-terrain tires.

There's also a lidar mounted on the roof, which means the G919 should come with an advanced driver assistance system. In China, that's now almost mandatory for a premium SUV: raw capability isn't enough anymore, the car has to be smart too.

Hongqi hasn't disclosed the powertrain, dimensions or launch date yet. But by positioning alone, the G919 is clearly aimed above the mainstream off-road crowd, closer to status-level SUVs — for buyers who want more than a family crossover, but a car with presence, durability and a generous kit list.

The G919 shows that Hongqi no longer wants to be just a brand for rear-seat sedans. It's now heading into territory where buyers pay for character, ride height and a serious silhouette.