The new HS9 is a daring rival to the luxury automobile market: it has landed as an elegant EV that offers the extravagance of a Rolls Royce at a fraction of the price. Ford’s MyKey Ford MyKey sounds too good, especially for the price—and if you’re hunting less expensive luxury cars, it’s a high-end to the Y series, at least what’s knocking around the front facade of the Huanghe HS9.
A Bold Design Statement
The front profile gives the HS9 an air of luxury quite similar to a certain high-end Rolls-Royce. The exterior impresses with angrily animated lines, lots and lots of chrome, and beautifully intricate split LED headlamps and projector units. As for the designer touches, there are more to be found here: the DRL (daytime running lights) is neatly integrated, and there are classy black piano finishes as well as brown and silver accents on the side panels to complete a look that’s modern yet elegant.
While at first glance you might confuse it for a traditional Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the HS9’s electric roots become more apparent as you look at its many distinct features. Its flab that covers up the front underside in a closed position among the other interesting yet crucial aspects certainly highlights its electric nature, providing the car with added aero efficiency that results in reduced drag as seen on petrol or diesel motors.
On the Prowl Electric Performance
Two battery pack options are offered with the HS9. An 83 kWh pack offers a commendable 496 kilometres of range, while a 120 kWh pack draws the range closer to 700 kilometres. 108 kWh with two electric motors, each providing 160 kW, resulting in a powerful and seamless all-wheel drive experience for both variants.
Charging is quick too, with a 110 kW DC charger which can recharge from 0–100% in 62 minutes. And AC is charging for home installs taking roughly 7 to 8 hours from empty to full—striking a balance between aspirational and pragmatic in many everyday use cases.
Luxury and Technology on the Inside
Jump inside the HS9, and you’re greeted with a luxurious, techy interior. This cabin is bedecked in high-quality leather, though some say that while the level of finish is high, the quality is B-grade at best, and A-grade at worst. Nevertheless, the general design has a certain elegance, with features like:
Digital Instrumentation The data from different systems is consolidated and presented on a fully digital instrument cluster, which also carries information about car performance, battery status and safety notifications.
Next-Gen Infotainment A trio of displays amps up the driving experience — one for the driver’s digital display, a centre infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay, and another passenger screen.
Comfort and convenience From cruise control and voice commands to four-zone auto climate control, and electrochromic IRVM, everything is aimed at maximising comfort. Massaging seats and clever cubbyholes, just add to the appeal.
While it is engineered as a four-seater (rather than the traditional five), the HS9 promises a stylishly relaxing ride on every trip.
Price Comparison Luxury Within Reach
Pricing is likely the most interesting thing about the HS9. In the luxury SUV segment, even the likes of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan can start around the Rs. 5 crore mark and go exponentially up with desirable badges and touches, but the HS9 comes with a trailer load of Rs. 66 lakhs. This stark contrast in price creates a compelling case for consideration of the HS9 if a pristine imported luxury vehicle has that sweet vehicle smell but not the sweet vehicle payment.
Excited enthusiasts welcomed a hint of levity too with one quipping, “Yes, now Rolls-Royce is also within budget!” a sentiment that rings true for those seeking premium styling and features without the eye-watering price tag.
As a modern statement of both automotive design and electric mobility, the HS9 is more than just an affordable alternative to the pricier end of the luxury SUV market. It serves up an attractive blend of looks, technology, and performance, all in an electric package that is good for the environment and good for the wallet.
For those who want the Rolls-Royce experience without the bank-worthy sticker price tag, the HS9 is likely to fit the bill. The new all-electric SUV is redefining luxury on the road, whether it’s the stunning exterior design, the bifunctional electric performance or the tech-savvy interior.