Chinese automotive and technology stalwarts are combining to give the off-road camping industry a new twist. It’s for the first time that a flagship SUV is gearing up to hit the Chinese market with a rooftop tent pre-installed. The tent would deploy into a fully-fledged habitat on top of the off-road vehicle at the push of a button from its cockpit.
So, when the Stelato G9, built in a joint effort by Huawei and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), goes on preorder starting August 5, according to Chinese sources, the luxury SUV will include an optional tent built into its roof and sunroof assembly. This would be completely different from aftermarket rooftop tents that have to be bolted on the roof of the vehicle.
Designer: HIMA
Rooftop tents are common in North America. So, they are in China as well. But this is the first time that a vehicle is entering the market pre-fitted with a rooftop tent from the factory. At the time of writing, not much is available in the public domain about the Stelato G9, except for the fact that it will come with the optional choice of a camping solution on its roof.
Other than that, from information collected through Chinese regulatory filings, we can confirm that the vehicle will be available in a fully electric option and an extended-range electric model comprising a gas engine to generate charge for the battery. The G9 measures 5.2 m (17 ft) long and has a wheelbase of 3.16 m (10.4 ft). Its interior will come in either a 5- or 6-seater layout and would be certified to tow 2,000 kg. For its off-road capability, the vehicle will offer a wading depth of 900 mm. It will feature a side-opening tailgate, an external storage box, roof rack, and tow hook.
Stelato, according to the information shared on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo, will begin accepting preorders for the G9 starting at 2:30 pm Beijing Time on August 5. The SUV – with an optional rooftop camping tent – is expected to officially launch in the third quarter of 2026. Stelato G9, in addition to being the first with an integrated push-button rooftop tent, is also the brand’s first foray into the rugged off-road segment.
Stelato, an electric vehicle brand, operates under Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), a collaboration between BAIC and Huawei. The latter provides a HarmonyOS-assisted autonomous driving system and LiDAR tech to manage the technology within the vehicle. The tent, which is also activated through the Huawei system onboard, is part of the sunroof assembly. When it’s not in use, the tent appears sitting flush against the roofline of the G9.
When the tent is deployed, the roof lifts from one side and extends into a two-part tent. The main triangular portion has a low front and tall back. A built-in lighting pole separates it from the smaller auxiliary tent that extends from the other side of the main structure. Reportedly, the roof tent also unlocks a side awning. It is also deployed using the same single button press as the tent itself. We do not have the exact pricing details at the moment, but reports suggest the Stelato G9 could start somewhere around $74,000. It is currently planned for the Chinese market only.
