Hongqi E-HS3 Review: Generations, Specs and Which Version to Buy
Overview of the Hongqi E-HS3, a five-door electric SUV built since 2018 with 156 to 310 hp. Covers the first generation and the version worth buying.
The Hongqi E-HS3 is a five-door SUV produced from 2018 to the present, with outputs ranging from 156 to 310 hp depending on the version. As an electric SUV with automatic transmission and a choice of front-wheel drive or 4x4, it suits drivers who want a compact premium-badged EV for city and suburban use, with the 310 hp 4x4 version adding genuine performance.
Hongqi E-HS3 generations
1 generation (2018–present)
The first and so far only generation of the Hongqi E-HS3 has been in production since 2018. It is offered exclusively as a five-door SUV with an automatic transmission, in two modifications spanning 156 to 310 hp. Both front-wheel-drive and 4x4 layouts are available, and all versions run on electric power. The range-topping Hongqi E-HS3 AT (310 hp) pairs its 4x4 drivetrain with a 0–100 km/h sprint of 6.0 seconds, which puts the electric SUV firmly into hot-hatch acceleration territory despite its crossover body.
The spread between the two modifications is substantial: the base version delivers 156 hp through the front wheels, while the dual-motor 310 hp variant nearly doubles the output and adds all-wheel drive. That makes the choice within the generation less about trim and more about how much performance and traction the buyer actually needs.
Which Hongqi E-HS3 to buy
- AT (310 hp) (1 generation): the most popular version, with 310 hp, 4x4 drive and 0–100 km/h in 6.0 seconds — the strongest combination of traction and acceleration in the E-HS3 lineup.
On the used market the picture is simple: every Hongqi E-HS3 belongs to the same generation running from 2018 to the present, so there are no generational changeovers to navigate. A newer car mainly means less battery age and mileage rather than a different design, so buying by year and condition is straightforward.
Which Hongqi E-HS3 to avoid
No version of the Hongqi E-HS3 is dominated on the numbers. The 156 hp front-wheel-drive version and the 310 hp 4x4 version serve different purposes — one prioritizes simplicity, the other performance — so the data gives no reason to strike either off the list. Choose the Hongqi E-HS3 AT (310 hp) if the 6.0-second acceleration and all-wheel drive matter; otherwise the base 156 hp version covers everyday driving without the extra motor.