Best Chinese cars...plus the worst models named

The MG HS is quite simply the best plug-in hybrid car on the market, having taken that award at both our main Car of the Year Awards in January, and the same title at our Electric Car Awards in the summer.

What makes it so good? Well, for one thing, it undercuts most rivals by a considerable margin – value that's made all the better when you consider its breadth of abilities. With an electric range of 75 miles, you might find yourself using predominantly electric power for most of your weekday duties. Indeed, that's further than rivals such as the Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage can manage.

When you do need to go further afield, the HS' 1.5-litre petrol engine is both gutsy and frugal, so your running costs should take a tumble compared with running a combustion-engined car. Of course, if you're not ready to use a plug-in car, then there is also a regular petrol-engined version of the HS too.

The HS feels like a quality product inside, with materials which are at least a match for what you'll find in a Citroen C5 Aircross, though the Mazda CX-5 is better still. Elsewhere, even taller adults will find that they have plenty of room to stretch out in the rear of the HS, while your holiday luggage shouldn't trouble the boot. 

“I was impressed with how close the MG HS plug-in hybrid got to its official electric-only range in our real-world testing, managing 74 miles on electric power alone.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth MG HS review

Based on the same underpinnings as the Smart #1 – another electric car which we really like – the #3 takes much of what makes its smaller sibling great and transposes it into a larger, more family friendly package. Indeed, space in the 3 is good all-round, and even a six-foot passenger sitting on the rear bench won't be brushing their head against the roof lining. Having an almost-flat floor in the rear means that anyone sitting in the middle seat won't feel like they've gotten the raw end of the deal, either. The boot is rather small, though – both the Skoda Elroq and Volvo EC40 can carry more luggage.

Most versions of the 3 have a single 268bhp eelctric motor which sends its power to the rear wheels. With a 0-62mph time of 5.8sec, you'll get up to motorway speeds faster than base versions of the Tesla Model Y, though if you want to get there even faster, the range-topping Brabus model adds a second motor for a total of 422bhp.

Pro+ versions of the Smart get an official range of 270 miles, while Premium models up that figure to 283 miles, which is decent if not outstanding by the standards of the class. The ride is smooth over most lumps and bumps, but the Skoda Enyaq provides an even more serene experience.

“I think it's a shame that the 3's coupé-like roofline hampers its rear visibility, but at least you get front and rear parking sensors as standard, plus a reversing camera.” – Doug Revolta, Head of Video

Read our in-depth Smart #3 review

Like the #3 above, most versions of the #1 get a single 268bhp electric motor which feels pleasantly punchy for everyday driving, so much so that we'd suggest that you should only consider the Brabus model if you're looking for bonkers perfiormance. Put it this way – base versions of the #1 will out-sprint a BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia EV3 to motorway speeds.

The EV3 can go further on a charge, though, with an official range of up to 375 miles. Even the longest-legged versions of the #1 can't match that, with a 273-mile range. At least the Smart can charge quickly, with a 10-80% top-up taking as little as 27 minutes if you can find a charging point capable of delivering its peak rate of 150kW.

We like the #1's driving position, which might not place you as high up as in some rivals but which gives you good visibility, and that the 12.8in infotainment touchscreen both looks flash and response quickly to your inputs. We managed to fit just three carry-on suitcases into the boot, though, which is less than some rivals. At least there's a dedicated storage area under the bonnet for your cables.

“My dog was delighed with the #1, because its infotainment system includes a pet mode which regulates the interior temperature to stop it getting too hot.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our in-depth Smart #1 review

Now don't get confused, because the Dolphin Surf is actually not at all related to the BYD Dolphin. Instead, it's one of the cheapest electric cars you can buy, costing less than not only its Chinese car rivals, but just about everything else too.

That bargain price does mean some compromises inside, where you'll find plenty of hard plastics and a few swathes of artificial fabrics. Still, it's easy to get comfortable in the driver's seat, and there's still a good amount of technology to enjoy, including a 10.0in touchscreen infotainment system that's intuitive to use and quick to respond to your inputs.

Entry-level models get a 30kWh (usable capacity) battery that's good for an official range of 137 miles, but we'd opt for the Boost version, which increases that figure to a more usable 200 miles thanks to its 43.2kWh battery. Don't be expecting quick performance, though – the Dolphin Surf takes a leasurely 12.1sec to reach 62mph in Boost form.

“It's not anywhere near as good as the Renault 5 to drive, but I think the Dolphin Surf has an ace up its sleeve, because you can fit more into its boot.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Read our in-depth BYD Dolphin Surf review

It might not say MG on the bonnet, but the IM6 does indeed come from the same stable as the MG HS which leads this list of the best Chinese cars. And looking past the badge alone, there's plenty to like about this electric SUV.

Even entry-level versions of the IM6 have some pretty impressive statistics, whether you're talking about range (388 miles officially, which is more than a Tesla Model Y can manage), or acceleration (0-62mph takes 5.4sec). We reckon you should bwe able to see around 299 miles of range in real-world conditions, and that should suit the majority of buyers just fine. And when you do need to charge up, the IM6 can do so faster than most other electric cars, thanks to a class-leading charging rate of 396kW. That means a 10-80% top-up is possible if you can find a powerful enough charger.

While its acceleration time might have you wanting to head for the hills and try it out, the IM6 is no performance car. It's a big and heavy SUV and, frankly, feels it in some respects. It's certainly not as sharp to drive as the Model Y or Kia EV6. The steering is less precise than in those cars, for example, and while the ride is soft, it can leave your head swaying around more than you would in, say, a Skoda Enyaq.

“I think the IM6 would be well suited to those who like the quiet life, because it's one of the quietest electric cars around. There's barely any wind or road noise, even at motorway speeds.” – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

Read our in-depth MG IM6 review

While the MG IM6 is designed to rival electric SUVs like the Tesla Model Y, the smaller IM5 has arguably a harder job, because its chief task is to sway your head away from the big-selling Tesla Model 3. 

To do that, it has quite an arsenal, including the ability to recharge at speeds of up to 396kW, meaning a 10-80% top-up could take a little as 17 minutes if you can find a charger capable of delivering enough juice. Going for our recommended Long Range versions of the IM5 gives you just that, with that model's 96.5kWh battery granting an official range of 441 miles between charges. That's further than any version of the Model 3, and also further than almost any other electric car.

Standard and Long Range versions of the IM5 get a single electric motor which sends its power to the rear wheels, allowing Long Range versions to hit 62mph in 4.9sec.

We've only driven the most powerful Performance version of the IM5 so far, and we found it to be acceptable if not entertaining like the Model 3 is. The steering is a bit too eager to self-centre, for example, and while the ride is mostly good, poorly surfaced country roads can send some noise from the suspension back into the interior.

“I would recommend taking an extended test drive in the IM5 to check that you can see all of its digital driver's display. For some drivers, the rim of the wheel itself may block your view.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

Read our in-depth MG IM5 review

A former winner at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards, the MG4 has almost all of the ingredients that buyers in the market for a family-sized electric car are looking for.

For one thing, it has long legs. Even the cheapest models have a longer official range – 218 miles – than the equivalent Citroën ë-C3 (201 miles), BYD Dolphin (211 miles) or GWM Ora 03 (193 miles), while Long Range models up that figure to an official 281 miles. Long Range models also receive a more powerful 201bhp electric motor, but it's the Standard Range cars we recommend, and these have enough performance for everyday needs.

All MG4s handle lumps and bumps better than the e-C3 or Dolphin, and come to a stop more easily too. Indeed, the MG4's brakes are some of the most well judged you'll find, without much of the grabbyness you'll find in some other electric cars. 

We reckon you're best off sticking with SE trim. This may be the entry-level choice, but still has most of your kit needs covered, with adaptive cruise control and rear parking sensors among the kit list.

“I'm a keen camper, so the MG4's vehicle-to-load function can come in very handy. It allows you to use the car's electrics to power external items, for example the kettle for my morning brew.” – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our in-depth MG4 review

Like plenty of other Chinese-made cars on this list, the BYD Seal has its sights firmly set on the Tesla Model 3. And to help it with that considerable challenge, it has an impressive arsenal to call on – even the cheapest version, for example, has an official range of more than 350 miles, and some versions can sprint to 62mph in less than four seconds.

No matter which Seal you go for, you'll find that it's noisier in terms of road noise than in the Model 3 or Volkswagen ID 7. And while the handling is sure-footed enough, it's not especially involing. The steering, for example, feels quite numb and slow around the centre point, though this does improve in Sport mode.

While the driving position of the Seal is fundamentally sound, visibility could be better, though you do get a reversing camera which can display a 360-degree image of what's going on around you on the car's infotainment screen. Speaking of the screen, this can be rotated between portrait and landscape orientations to allow you to watch films while you charge.

“I found that my charging cables could easily fit back into the Seal's under-boot storage area, which freed up the 53-litre front boot for some extra bits of shopping.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

Read our in-depth BYD Seal review

The MG S5 EV is actually the replacement for a real gem, the MG ZS EV, which we liked for its low price and pratical nature. The S5 EV picks up the baton and runs with it, offering even tall passengers plenty of head and leg room on its rear bench, and a boot which we managed to squeeze seven carry-on suitcases into – one less than a Skoda Elroq, but still enough for the needs of most families.

Likewise, the Elroq can travel further on a charge, but the Standard Range S5 EV should still have enough juice for everyday driving. And if you do need more, then Long Range models not only get a larger battery, promising 298 miles of range, but also more power, helping it to reach motorway speeds in 6.1sec.

The interior of the S5 EV is a real upgrade over the old ZS EV, with more tactile materials in the areas you're likely to touch regularly. That said, it's a shame that adjustable lumbar support isn't standard across the range, and that the infotainment system isn't as quick to respond to your inputs as in some rivals.

“I could easily imagine that it would have been cheaper for MG to put every control onto the touchscreen, so the fact that the S5 EV has proper, physical controls for its climate settings is a real bonus.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Read our in-depth MG S5 EV review

Best thought of as a slightly taller take on the BYD Seal which features further up this list, the Sealion 7 does not, as its name might have you thinking, offer seven seats. Still, the five seats that it does offer are all spacious enough, with room for a couple of six-footers to stretch out. And should your family be averse to packing light, then you'll be pleased to know that you can fit more into the boot of the Sealion 7 than you can into the rival Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6.

All versions of the Sealion 7 come with a 15.6in infotainment screen which has the same party trick as the Seal – it can be rotated from portrait to landscape orientation at the touch of a button, giving you a better view to watch films or other content while you charge. Speaking of charging, Comfort and Design versions of the Sealion 7 have a maximum charging rate of 150kW, meaning a 1o-80% top-up will take around 32 minutes. Go for a range-topping Excellence model, and that time is cut to as little as 24 minutes thanks to a higher charging rate.

While most versions of the Sealion 7 feel peppy enough on most roads, we'd stop short of calling any model a performance SUV. There's more body lean through corners than in the Ioniq 5 or EV6, and the steering doesn't weight up consistently.

"I'd be tempted to stick with an entry-level Comfort model of the Sealion 7, since this still gets you a 308bhp motor, a 0-62mph sprint time of a respectable 6.7sec, and an official range of 300 miles” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor

Read our in-depth BYD Sealion 7 review