Chinese Premium Sedan Hongqi H5 Torn Down to the Last Bolt: What’s Really Hiding Beneath the Shiny Exterior

Experts have completely disassembled the Chinese sedan Hongqi H5 to find out what this self-proclaimed premium model is really made of. What they discovered inside turned out to be quite surprising. Despite its bold looks and luxury ambitions, the car’s engineering reveals a mix of parts and technologies from several automakers—including FAW, Mazda, and even Volkswagen.

The first stop was the engine bay. There sits a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing about 220 horsepower. Its design and specifications are strikingly similar to Volkswagen’s well-known EA888 engine series. Both the block and cylinder head are made of aluminum alloy, though the engine can’t be sleeved for future repairs. A pleasant surprise for old-school drivers: a traditional dipstick for checking oil level—a simple and reliable feature in the age of finicky electronic sensors.

According to the manufacturer, the power unit is designed to last roughly 155,000 miles. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, likely based on Aisin technology, although no identifying marks were found on the housing. The car is front-wheel drive, but the underbody layout suggests that an all-wheel-drive version could be possible in the future.

An analysis of the car’s body structure revealed many similarities to Mazda models—unsurprising given FAW’s joint venture with Mazda in China. Engineers used reinforced sills and steel door beams to enhance crash safety. However, there were also signs of cost-cutting: seat belts are mounted with relatively small bolts, some welds remain visible and unrefined, and the trunk lid wiring is exposed—something rarely seen in true premium vehicles.

The suspension system turned out to be a patchwork as well. The rear features a multi-link setup with custom modifications. Some components appear borrowed from Volkswagen, while others have been adapted for Chinese production standards. The front subframe, made of lightweight alloy about 7 mm thick, raised concerns—some bolts attach directly to the body rather than to the subframe itself. The rear brakes use an electric parking brake, yet the discs are non-ventilated. The verdict from the teardown team: perfectly adequate for a city taxi, but far from premium engineering.

Where Hongqi didn’t cut corners is sound insulation. The floor is thoroughly sealed, and beneath the carpet lies a full foam mat contoured precisely to the shape of the cabin. According to the experts, interior noise levels are on par with what you’d expect for a car priced around $35,000. Door panels are trimmed with budget materials and synthetic padding, and the audio system is a no-name unit fixed with standard screws. The clips and fasteners for the interior plastics closely resemble those used in Mazda and Volkswagen cars.

In the end, the experts concluded that the Hongqi H5 is more of an image car than a true luxury sedan. It’s aimed at buyers who want a large, impressive-looking car without spending luxury money. In essence, it’s a comfortable and quiet business-class sedan, ideal for chauffeured service, but lacking the fine engineering sophistication found in European models.

Still, with its striking design and imposing dimensions, the Hongqi H5 offers an interesting alternative in a market where traditional business sedans have largely disappeared.