Stelato G9 Launches at $63,800: Huawei's Overlanding SUV With a Factory Roof Tent and Tailgate Kitchen

Stelato G9

Brand: Stelato · China MSRP: ¥429,800–549,800 · Powertrain: EREV / EV · Drivetrain: AWD · 0–100 km/h: 4.6 s

Dimensions L×W×H: 5377 × 2050 × 1897 mm

The Stelato G9, the first hardcore SUV from Huawei's HIMA alliance, is now on sale in three trims ranging from RMB 429,800 to 549,800 ($63,800 to $81,600), with early buyers eligible for up to $15,800 in launch incentives.

Pre-orders topped 15,000 in the first 72 hours, with 90% of buyers picking the two higher trims and 70% choosing the range-extended version. Notably, a large share of orders came from current BMW, Land Rover and Porsche owners.

The talking point is the factory camping gear. A power roof tent rises from the roof and connects to the cabin through the sunroof, so occupants can pass items between the two.

The side-hinged tailgate hides an integrated kitchen with an induction cooktop and a washing station. Add a side awning, a roof platform, a power tow hook and a 4,400-pound (2,000 kg) tow rating, and the aftermarket overlanding shop is basically out of a job.

At 205 inches long (5,206 mm, or 211.7 with the rear storage box) on a 124.4-inch (3,160 mm) wheelbase, the boxy silhouette is pure Land Rover Defender cosplay. Every version runs an 800V platform with dual-motor all-wheel drive making 586 hp, good for 0-62 mph in around four seconds.

The range extender pairs a 1.5-liter generator with up to a 75.4 kWh battery for 252 miles (405 km) of electric range and 849 miles (1,366 km) total, while the full EV carries 120 kWh for 452 miles (728 km).

Off-road hardware includes an active disconnecting sway bar, an adaptive locking differential, 12 degrees of rear steering and 35.4 inches (900 mm) of wading depth. Driver assistance is Huawei's ADS 5 with an 896-line lidar, and the G9 already holds a Beijing L3 road-test license at up to 75 mph.

Some perspective is warranted. The starting price puts it squarely against the Tank 700 and the Land Rover Defender in China, while Stelato's first model, the S9 sedan, posted only middling sales, meaning buyers are trusting Huawei, not the badge. And most owners will use that roof tent twice a year.

Still, American overlanders once paid thousands extra for Rivian's camp kitchen accessory, and Huawei just made it standard. When it comes to stuffing the outdoors into a car, Chinese brands are simply thinking bigger.