The Hongqi Guoyao is a full-size ultra-luxury SUV under the Golden Sunflower series from the Hongqi brand, a subsidiary of China FAW Group Co., Ltd., positioned as the marque's flagship petrol-powered SUV. Originally known as the Hongqi LS7, the vehicle was repositioned into the range-topping "Golden Sunflower" luxury series and renamed "Guoyao" following brand restructuring. On 11 October 2025, the 2026 Hongqi Guoyao officially went on sale in two variants: the Elegant Flagship Edition (6-seater) and the Noble Flagship Edition (4-seater), priced at RM1,560,000 and RM1,660,000, respectively. Powered by a newly developed in-house 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, it stands as a technical benchmark for the Chinese automotive industry in the ultra-luxury ICE vehicle segment.
Positioned as a full-size ultra-luxury SUV, the Hongqi Guoyao is anchored by four key pillars: "Oriental Aesthetics", "State-Level Protection", "Commanding Performance", and "Executive Comfort". As the flagship of the Hongqi Golden Sunflower lineup, it primarily rivals fully imported full-size luxury SUVs such as the Range Rover, Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade, and Maybach GLS. In terms of dimensions, the 2026 Guoyao measures 5,695 mm in length, 2,095 mm in width, and 2,010 mm in height, with a 3,309 mm wheelbase and a kerb weight of approximately 3,180 kg, making it one of the largest mass-produced SUVs in the Chinese market. Built on a rugged body-on-frame (ladder-frame) chassis, it possesses genuine off-road mechanical foundations.
The exterior styling of the Hongqi Guoyao retains the brand’s signature family design DNA, dominated by an imposing and stately presence. Up front, a massive "waterfall-style" radiator grille is filled with vertical chrome slats to create a commanding look. Hongqi's iconic red flag crest extends seamlessly from the bonnet down through the centre of the grille, flanked by vertical light strips that complement the "Dragon Eye" LED headlamps for high night-time recognisability.
Along the sides, the upright and squared-off profile is accentuated by extensive chrome trim. Classic Hongqi badging adorns the front fenders, alongside retractable powered side steps that provide effortless ingress and egress with a touch of occasion. 22-inch multi-spoke chrome alloy wheels come standard across the range, capped with the Golden Sunflower emblem as a defining hallmark of the Guoyao's status. At the rear, a slender full-width light bar is paired with split-unit taillight clusters featuring wing-like and matrix LED elements for an intricate lighting signature. Exterior paint finishes include Cinnabar Black, Polar Pegasus, and White Magnolia, with dual-tone body options available on select variants.
Inside, the cabin adopts the Golden Sunflower family's central-axis symmetrical design philosophy. The dashboard, door cards, and central console are trimmed in genuine Bird's Eye Walnut wood veneers and upholstered in premium high-grade leather, complemented by bronze-gold accents to exude an authentic Chinese luxury ambience. The steering wheel features a prominent Golden Sunflower emblem, alongside an analogue quartz clock integrated between the air-conditioning vents. The cockpit houses a dual-screen setup comprising a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (with some reports citing a 15.6-inch unit), running the Hongqi Smart Connection system with 5G connectivity and voice command capabilities.
The headline update for the 2026 Hongqi Guoyao lies under the bonnet. The SUV is powered by a new CA8GV40TD-03 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine developed entirely in-house by FAW Hongqi. The unit delivers a rated output of 400 kW (approx. 544 PS) and peak torque of 725 Nm—a power increase of more than 40% over the 2022 model's 265 kW / 500 Nm. Power is transferred via a longitudinally mounted 8-speed automatic transmission (8AT). The official 0-100 km/h sprint is completed in 6.1 seconds, shaving a full 3 seconds off the predecessor's 9.1-second time, on the way to a top speed of 200 km/h.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the combined fuel consumption on the WLTC test cycle is rated at 13.9 L/100 km. With a massive 113-litre fuel tank, the vehicle delivers a theoretical driving range of over 800 km. The recommended fuel requirement has also been updated to RON 95, up from RON 92 on the 2022 iteration.
The Hongqi Guoyao features a body-on-frame (ladder-chassis) construction, a hallmark of traditional hardcore 4x4s that delivers immense torsional rigidity. The suspension setup comprises a front double-wishbone independent suspension paired with a rear solid (rigid) axle non-independent suspension—a configuration renowned for robust load-carrying capacity and durability, albeit with a slight compromise on secondary rear ride plushness. Drivetrain duties are handled by a front-engine, on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD) system featuring a multi-plate clutch centre differential. Adaptive air suspension with continuous damping control is standard across the range, automatically altering ride height to suit selected driving modes including Sport, Standard/Comfort, Off-road, and Snow. With an approach angle of 24°, a departure angle of 23°, and an unladen ground clearance of 220 mm, it delivers competent off-tarmac capability.
The Hongqi Guoyao is available in two seating configurations: 4-seater and 6-seater. The range-topping Noble Flagship Edition (4-seater) features twin individual executive airline-style captain seats in the second row trimmed in supple Nappa leather, offering 18-way power adjustment, heating, ventilation, massage, extendable leg rests, and generous backrest recline. The rear centre armrest incorporates an integrated touchscreen control panel, while select builds also feature dual rear entertainment screens (front seatback-embedded displays plus 12.8-inch headrest monitors) and a built-in champagne chiller, crafting a bespoke private lounge. The Elegant Flagship Edition (6-seater) adopts a practical 2+2+2 layout, with heated and ventilated second-row captain seats alongside generous third-row legroom.
On the equipment front, standard features across the range include a 360-degree surround-view camera, soft-close doors, retractable powered side steps, keyless entry on all doors, a panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass with powered sunblinds, multi-zone automatic climate control, 253-colour ambient lighting, and an active in-cabin fragrance dispenser. Audio is handled by a 14-speaker sound system featuring speaker grilles stamped with stylized mountain ridge motifs, highlighting bespoke Chinese artisanal details.
The 2026 Hongqi Guoyao receives comprehensive upgrades to its active safety and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), achieving Level 2 automated driving capabilities (with some reports claiming Level 3, though Level 2+ is the mainstream industry consensus). Upgraded hardware includes a front monocular camera, forming part of a comprehensive sensor array comprising 6 cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 3 millimetre-wave radars. The ADAS suite features Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Driver Monitoring System (DMS), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Front and Rear Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring / Lane Change Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Automated Lane Change Assist, and Lane Centring Assist (LCA).
Passive safety is bolstered by high-rigidity structural reinforcement throughout the body cell. The cabin is equipped with dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, and full-length curtain airbags (6 or more airbags in total). Additionally, the vehicle introduces Roll Stability Control (RSC) and an automated emergency roadside call (e-Call) function for the first time. On the cybersecurity front, the infotainment system incorporates an onboard hardware encryption chip alongside dual-layer network and control firewalls to safeguard data integrity.
The Hongqi Guoyao has recorded monthly sales consistently in the double digits over the past six months, a direct consequence of its ultra-luxury executive positioning and seven-figure price bracket. Its predecessor, the Hongqi LS7, debuted in 2022 with prices ranging between RM1,365,800 and RM1,465,800. Following the substantial V8 powertrain upgrade and expanded equipment roster, the 2026 Guoyao's starting price was elevated to RM1,560,000, rising to RM1,660,000 for the 4-seater flagship, further reinforcing its ultra-luxury credentials.
In the market, the Hongqi Guoyao goes up against imported heavyweights such as the Range Rover, BMW X7, Lincoln Navigator, and Maybach GLS. Against these rivals, the Guoyao commands several distinct USPs: firstly, it houses China's only in-house developed and mass-produced twin-turbo V8, serving as a symbolic engineering milestone; secondly, its ladder-frame construction is exceptionally rare among ultra-luxury SUVs, offering superior chassis durability under demanding terrain; and thirdly, its massive 5,695 mm footprint and 3,309 mm wheelbase deliver class-leading presence and cavernous rear legroom, particularly in the 4-seater executive guise.
Industry commentators and owners largely agree that the Hongqi Guoyao represents the benchmark for Chinese domestic ICE manufacturing in terms of build quality, material lavishness, and oriental luxury execution. Nevertheless, with an entry price north of RM1,560,000, it competes directly with tier-one legacy marques, where brand prestige, badge appeal, and long-term resale value remain decisive challenges. As the halo model of the Hongqi Golden Sunflower series, the Guoyao's symbolic mission—showcasing the Chinese automotive industry's ability to conquer high-end, large-displacement ICE engineering—carries a significance that extends far beyond sheer sales volumes alone.
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