Spy photographers on Chinese social media have captured what is believed to be an all-new Hongjie MPV on a Chinese test route, accompanied by a still-unseen rugged SUV variant. Both vehicles are expected to launch within calendar 2026, dramatically widening the Hongjie family lineup beyond the current S9 sedan and S9T shooting brake. The HIMA-aligned brand — a joint Huawei + BAIC project — appears to be moving aggressively to claim the premium full-size MPV space currently dominated by the AITO M9, Denza D9 and the new Maextro V800.
What the Spy Shots Tell Us About the New Hongjie MPV
The leaked images — credited to “MPV Intelligence Bureau” on Xiaohongshu and republished by Autohome — show a heavily camouflaged vehicle with overall proportions broadly comparable to the Luxeed V9. That would place the new Hongjie MPV in the mid-to-large MPV segment, somewhere between 5,200 and 5,400 mm long. The rear features a through-LED tail-light strip, an upper rear-roof spoiler, and what appears to be sophisticated multi-layer bumper sculpting — all consistent with Hongjie’s established premium design language.
Crucially, the test mule is fitted with Huawei’s newest Qiankun intelligent-driving sensor stack, including a roof-mounted LiDAR. That sensor placement matches what we have seen on the upcoming Yijing X9 and the Maextro S800 — suggesting Hongjie’s new MPV will run Huawei’s most advanced ADS 5 driver-assistance suite at launch.
Powertrain: REEV and 800V Pure-Electric Both Likely
Hongjie has not disclosed the powertrain, but the S9T sibling already offers two configurations that the new MPV is likely to inherit:
- REEV variant — Huawei Snowy Owl Intelligent Range Extender system, combining a 1.5T petrol engine with an electric motor
- BEV variant — 800V architecture in either RWD or AWD configurations
For an MPV intended to ferry families on long inter-city trips, the REEV configuration matters most. Chinese MPV buyers consistently rank “no charging anxiety” as the top purchase criterion — a point underscored by the success of the Li Auto MEGA (BEV-only, struggled) versus the Denza D9 PHEV (BEV+PHEV, dominated).
The Rugged Hongjie SUV: A Direct Wei Karwa Challenger?
Less is known about the rugged Hongjie SUV. The spy shots are limited and the brand has only confirmed it will arrive “within the year.” Industry watchers expect a square-jawed body-on-frame-style design aimed at the premium off-road segment carved out by the Wei Karwa, the BYD Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8, and the upcoming Tank 800.
That segment has been one of the surprise growth stories of 2025-26: Chinese buyers in the premium SUV bracket are increasingly attracted to overlanding-style design even if they never leave the highway. A Hongjie entry with Huawei smart-driving and HarmonySpace would slot into this space well.
Hongjie’s 2026 Lineup Expansion in Context
The HIMA portfolio strategy is becoming clearer with each spy photo. Huawei is using a one-brand-per-segment-tier approach: AITO for the family premium space, Luxeed for sport-luxury sedans/SUVs, Maextro for ultra-luxury, Yijing for technology-forward flagships, and Hongjie for executive sedans, MPVs and (now) rugged off-roaders. The BAIC partnership underpinning Hongjie gives Huawei access to BAIC’s BJ-series off-road engineering heritage — a likely source of know-how for the rugged SUV variant.
For the new Hongjie MPV, the closest competitive overlap will be:
- AITO M9 — sister HIMA brand, large SUV instead of MPV format
- Denza D9 — established PHEV MPV leader, due for facelift
- Maextro V800 — new this week, positioned above Hongjie pricing-wise
- Luxeed V9 — already in the HIMA family, only 21 days into its 18,000 pre-order surge
That last comparison — sister-brand cannibalization — is the strategic question Huawei must answer. Different design language and different sales channels are the typical defense. For broader context on how HIMA has built out this lineup, see our Maextro V800 deep-dive.
Export Prospects for the New Hongjie MPV
Hongjie’s parent BAIC has been exporting to the Middle East and Southeast Asia for years, mostly through the BAIC Beijing brand. Hongjie itself has not committed to specific export markets, but the brand’s positioning makes the Gulf states a natural fit — Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among the world’s largest premium MPV markets per capita. A right-hand-drive engineering effort would also open Hong Kong, Macau and (longer-term) Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. For background on Chinese MPV pricing strategies in export markets, see our Xiaomi YU7 overseas-market analysis.
FAQ: New Hongjie MPV and Rugged SUV
When will the new Hongjie MPV launch?
Hongjie has not given an exact date, but the level of test-mule camouflage and the public confirmation of “within 2026” suggest a Q4 2026 reveal, with retail availability either late 2026 or Q1 2027.
What is Hongjie?
Hongjie is a premium electric brand under Huawei’s HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance), manufactured in partnership with BAIC. The current lineup includes the Hongjie S9 executive sedan and S9T shooting brake.
Will the new Hongjie MPV compete with the AITO M9?
Not directly — the M9 is a 6-seat SUV while Hongjie’s new vehicle is an MPV. But both sit in the same RMB 500k–700k buying basket, and both will share Huawei ADS 5 driver assistance. Strong cross-shopping is expected.
Is the rugged Hongjie SUV related to BAIC’s BJ-series off-roaders?
Not confirmed, but the engineering DNA is likely shared. BAIC’s BJ40 and BJ60 platforms provide proven body-on-frame off-road architectures; Huawei would supply electrification, ADAS and cabin OS.
Source: Autohome.com.cn
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