Hongqi H5: Which Version Should You Buy?
Choosing a Hongqi H5 comes down to four distinct powertrain options. The first-generation 1.8 AT combines 178 hp, 250 Nm and a 6-speed Automatic. In the second generation, the 1.6 MT offers 187 hp with a 6-speed Manual, the 1.5 DCT produces 156 hp and 258 Nm with a 7-speed Robotic gearbox, and the 2.0 AT leads the range with 224 hp and an 8-speed Automatic.
Choosing a Hongqi H5 comes down to four distinct powertrain options. The first-generation 1.8 AT combines 178 hp, 250 Nm and a 6-speed Automatic. In the second generation, the 1.6 MT offers 187 hp with a 6-speed Manual, the 1.5 DCT produces 156 hp and 258 Nm with a 7-speed Robotic gearbox, and the 2.0 AT leads the range with 224 hp and an 8-speed Automatic. Every version is a front-wheel-drive Sedan with a turbocharged inline 4-cylinder Gasoline engine. Based strictly on the available specifications, choose the 1.8 AT when documented acceleration and fuel-consumption figures matter, the 1.5 DCT for the highest listed torque and strongest torque per litre, the 1.6 MT for more power with a Manual gearbox, or the 2.0 AT for maximum horsepower and the greatest number of automatic gears.
Hongqi H5 generations: what changed?
The first-generation Hongqi H5 was produced from April 2017 through March 2022. It was a Sedan offered here in one version, the 1.8 AT. Its 1,796 cc engine develops 178 hp and 250 Nm, while its 6-speed Automatic sends power through FWD. This is also the only H5 version in the supplied data with measured acceleration, fuel consumption and wheel sizes.
The second-generation Hongqi H5 has been in production since April 2022, with no stop date listed. It remains a Sedan but expands the choice to three versions: 1.6 MT, 1.5 DCT and 2.0 AT. Compared with the first generation’s single 178 hp option, the second-generation range stretches from 156 hp to 224 hp and introduces 6-speed Manual, 7-speed Robotic and 8-speed Automatic transmissions.
The generational change therefore brings more choice rather than one uniform mechanical upgrade. The second-generation 1.6 MT has 9 hp more than the first-generation 1.8 AT, despite having 196 cc less displacement. The second-generation 2.0 AT adds 46 hp over the 1.8 AT, while the 1.5 DCT has 22 hp less but supplies 8 Nm more torque.
Hongqi H5 engine specs
| Generation | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation | 1.8 AT | 178 hp | 250 Nm | 1,796 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation | 1.6 MT | 187 hp | 250 Nm | 1,600 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation | 1.5 DCT | 156 hp at 5,500 rpm | 258 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 1,498 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| 2 generation | 2.0 AT | 224 hp at 6,000 rpm | 250 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 1,989 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | FWD |
All four engines use direct injection, have 4 valves per cylinder, sit in a Front, transverse position and specify 95 fuel. The engine architecture and FWD layout are therefore consistent across both generations; output and gearbox choice are the meaningful differences.
Calculated from the listed displacement and power, the 1.5 DCT produces about 104.1 hp per litre, the 1.6 MT about 116.9 hp per litre, the 1.8 AT about 99.1 hp per litre, and the 2.0 AT about 112.6 hp per litre. The 1.6 MT has the highest specific power, leading the 2.0 AT by about 4.3 hp per litre.
Torque per litre tells a different story. The 1.5 DCT delivers about 172.2 Nm per litre, ahead of the 1.6 MT at 156.3 Nm per litre, the 1.8 AT at about 139.2 Nm per litre and the 2.0 AT at about 125.7 Nm per litre. Buyers comparing engine efficiency by displacement should therefore distinguish between total output and specific output: the 2.0 AT has the most horsepower, while the smaller engines produce more power or torque from each litre.
Hongqi H5 performance and fuel economy
Only the first-generation 1.8 AT has measured performance and consumption figures in the supplied data. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds. Its top speed is not measured. Fuel consumption is 10.8 L/100 km in the city, 5.4 L/100 km on the highway and 7.1 L/100 km combined.
For the second-generation 1.6 MT, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured, top speed is not measured, city consumption is not measured, highway consumption is not measured, and combined consumption is not measured.
For the second-generation 1.5 DCT, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured, top speed is not measured, city consumption is not measured, highway consumption is not measured, and combined consumption is not measured.
For the second-generation 2.0 AT, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured, top speed is not measured, city consumption is not measured, highway consumption is not measured, and combined consumption is not measured.
The available figures do not support a claim that any second-generation version is faster or more economical than the first-generation car. Horsepower, torque and gearbox specifications can be compared, but they cannot substitute for missing acceleration or consumption measurements.
Hongqi H5 dimensions, weight and wheel sizes
Dimensions are not measured for the 1.8 AT, 1.6 MT, 1.5 DCT and 2.0 AT in the supplied data. Kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance and fuel-tank capacity are also not measured for every version. Consequently, weight per horsepower cannot be calculated for any Hongqi H5 listed here, and the data cannot establish which version has the best power-to-weight ratio.
Wheel sizes are available only for the first-generation 1.8 AT: 215/55 R17 and 225/45 R19. Wheel sizes for the second-generation 1.6 MT, 1.5 DCT and 2.0 AT are not measured.
Every version has Independent, spring suspension at both the front and rear. Each also uses Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes. The supplied chassis specifications therefore provide no basis for choosing one engine version over another.
Which Hongqi H5 version should you choose?
Choose the first-generation 1.8 AT if your decision depends on the most complete set of measured figures. It is the only version with a recorded 0–100 km/h time and city, highway and combined fuel-consumption values. Its 178 hp output is 9 hp below the 1.6 MT and 46 hp below the 2.0 AT, but 22 hp above the 1.5 DCT. It also gives buyers a conventional 6-speed Automatic rather than a Manual or Robotic gearbox.
Choose the second-generation 1.6 MT if you want a Manual and strong power relative to displacement. It produces 187 hp from 1,600 cc, giving it the highest calculated specific power of the four versions. It matches the 1.8 AT and 2.0 AT at 250 Nm, supplies 9 hp more than the 1.8 AT, and trails the 2.0 AT by 37 hp. Its measured acceleration and fuel economy remain unavailable.
Choose the second-generation 1.5 DCT if torque from the smallest engine is the priority. Its 258 Nm is the highest listed figure: 8 Nm more than each of the other three versions. That torque is listed at 1,500 rpm. The trade-off is total power, because its 156 hp output is 22 hp below the 1.8 AT, 31 hp below the 1.6 MT and 68 hp below the 2.0 AT. Its 7-speed Robotic transmission also makes it mechanically distinct from both Automatic versions.
Choose the second-generation 2.0 AT if maximum output and an Automatic gearbox are the main requirements. Its 224 hp is 46 hp above the 1.8 AT, 37 hp above the 1.6 MT and 68 hp above the 1.5 DCT. It has the same listed 250 Nm as the 1.8 AT and 1.6 MT, while the 1.5 DCT exceeds it by 8 Nm. The 2.0 AT also has an 8-speed Automatic, two more gears than the 1.8 AT and one more than the 1.5 DCT.
No price data is supplied, so it is not possible to calculate what any extra purchase cost buys or identify the best-value version. Reliability, common problems, service requirements, used-car condition and market availability are likewise not measured. On specifications alone, the 2.0 AT is the power choice, the 1.6 MT is the specific-power and Manual choice, the 1.5 DCT is the torque-per-litre choice, and the 1.8 AT is the choice supported by the most complete performance and economy data.