Chinese cars: all the brands you need to know about
There’s a new wave of Chinese cars coming to the UK, while others are already here. We take a look at the different brands and the models they offer...
It’s already starting to feel as if Chinese cars have become part of the furniture on the UK roads. According to official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), nearly 100,000 new Chinese-made cars were sold in the UK last year – about 5% of the overall market.
However, this is just the beginning, with a whole range of new companies and sub-brands vowing to enter the market in the next 12 months with a wide range of new and, in most cases, affordable models set to compete with alternatives from well-known brands.
Which Chinese brands are on the way, however, and are their cars any good? In this guide, we share the Chinese car companies that are already selling their models in the UK, those that are coming soon, and those which already have a foothold on the car market by owning, or part-owning, European brands. Most of the models you see here are Chinese electric cars, but there are a number of petrol and plug-in hybrid models too.
Are Chinese cars about to get more expensive?
Chinese electric cars have historically been able to undercut their rivals on price, because they've benefitted from subsidies from the Chinese Government. However, a growing number of countries and authorities have recently introduced tariffs on cars being imported from the country.
These include the European Commission, who currently enforce a variable tariff depending on the EU’s estimates of how much of each company is owned by the Chinese Government, with a maximum possible charge of 45.3%. Whilst no company has faced the maximum amount yet, MG owner SAIC is currently hit with the highest rate, at 35.3%. The US and Canada have both introduced even stricter tariffs, with all Chinese electric vehicles subject to a 100% tax in a bid to protect local industry.
Discussions with the Chinese Government are ongoing, which means these tariffs may be reconsidered. However, the UK Government has no confirmed plans to introduce similar measures in order to ensure good relations with export markets.
Chinese car brands coming soon to the UK
Aion
Models Aion UT, Aion V Arriving in the UK 2025
What is it?
A sub-brand of one of China’s largest car manufacturers, GAC, Aion plans to enter the European market with a pair of locally-designed electric cars. These include the UT – a small car that will compete with the electric Mini Cooper and Renault 5, our current Car of the Year. Expected to feature a price in the mid-to-high £20,000s, the Aion UT uses a 134bhp electric motor and a 60kWh (total capacity) lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, resulting in a range of 267 miles according to the Chinese government’s rather generous CLTC test cycle. We suspect the UT’s range figure will be quite a bit lower on the stricter WLTP cycle used in the UK.
The UT will be accompanied by the Aion V – an electric SUV that will to take on the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID 4. Unveiled at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, the V has a 224bhp motor and a 90kWh battery, giving it a range of 324 miles.
Aiways
Models Aiways U5, Aiways U6 Arriving in the UK Summer 2025
What is it?
With a name which apparently stands for ‘AI is on the way’, Aiways has been around since 2017 and specialises in electric cars. Its production facility in China is capable of producing 300,000 cars per year, though it only produces half that amount at the moment. Unlike some of the other brands here, Aiways already sells cars in multiple European markets and the brand has targeted sales in the UK to begin later this year.
The models most likely to make it here are the U5 electric SUV, which was revealed in 2020, and the U6 coupé-SUV which was designed under former Pininfarina design boss Ken Okuyama, whose credits include the Ferrari Enzo supercar.
BYD
Models BYD Atto 2, BYD Atto 3, BYD Dolphin, BYD Dolphin Surf, BYD Seal, BYD Seal U, BYD Sealion 7 Arriving in the UK Now
What is it?
BYD is one of the few Chinese car brands to not just launch here, but to start selling its cars in reasonable numbers from a growing network of more than 60 dealers. In fact, there are currently six of them to choose from – the range starts with the Dolphin, which is the brand’s most affordable electric car and a rival to the GWM Ora 03 and MG4. Then there’s the Atto 3 electric SUV, which we’ve already lived with, the Atto 2 compact crossover, and the Sealion 7 electric SUV, and the Seal, which achieved a real-world range of 255 miles in our most recent winter range test. That was still 28% down on its official figure of 354 miles, but the Seal performed better than some well-established electric car rivals.
What Car? readers have also had a chance to get up close to the BYD Dolphin as part of our reader test team.
Future models from the brand will include the BYD Dolphin Surf – a rival to the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 that currently sells in China for around £8000. However, with tariffs, shipping fees, and adjustments required to sell the model in the UK, the Dolphin Surf is set to cost around £15,000.
Deepal
Models Deepal G318, Deepal S05, Deepal S07 Arriving in the UK 2025
What is it?
Owned by Chinese brand Changan, Deepal is the marque’s off-roader sub-brand, and is aiming to bring its Deepal G318 SUV to the UK before the end of the year.
While technical details are scarce, officials have confirmed that it will stretch to around five metres in length. It’s expected to be powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine which acts as a generator for a battery, which in turn provides electrical energy for the car’s motors. That means the G318 will be a range-extender, much like ePower versions of the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail.
The G318 will be joined by the Deepal S05 and S07 SUVs, which were both designed in Italy and engineered in the UK. The S07 is expected to undercut the similarly-sized Tesla Model Y, but will offer a worse range of 295 miles.
Denza
Models Denza D9, Denza Z9 GT Arriving in the UK 2026
What is it?
The premium arm of BYD, Denza has shared plans to introduce two high-end models in the UK next year. The flagship of these will be the Z9 GT – a five-door shooting brake that was styled by former Audi designer Wolfgang Egger. Buyers will be able to choose from a plug-in hybrid or fully-electric setup (which will sprint from 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds); however, no specific figures for Europe have been revealed.
The Z9 GT will be accompanied by the D9 luxury seven-seater, which offers styling similar to a number of Japanese MPVs like the Toyota Alphard and Lexus LM.
Exeed
Models Exeed Exlantix E03, Exeed Exlantix E0Y Arriving in the UK 2026
What is it?
Like a number of brands you’ll see on this list, Exeed is part of a wider group that’s owned by Chinese giant Chery, but while Chery is a big name in China, it’s chosen to create new brands for other markets – and Exeed is its premium car arm.
Exeed already sells cars in Chile, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia, where its line-up consists of combustion-engined SUVs, which will soon be offered as plug-in hybrids. However, for its UK launch, Exeed is likely to begin with its BMW i5-rivalling Exlantix E03 saloon, and the Audi Q8-sized Exlantix E0Y SUV. A third, as-yet unnamed electric model is currently in development.
In time, Exeed’s UK models will include plug-in hybrid and petrol options, and the brand is targeting customers who would usually choose Audi, BMW or Mercedes cars.
Firefly
Models TBC Arriving in the UK 2025
Who are they?
The sister brand to Nio, Firefly will take on the budget electric car market, where its sibling will focus on premium offerings. While details on Firefly’s model line-up are scarce, it’s expected to produce a small electric hatchback to take on the Renault 5 and Volkswagen ID 2.
Like Nio, Firefly owners will be able to take advantage of battery swapping technology, meaning they can replace their depleted batteries with new, fully-charged ones at dedicated facilities. Given that infrastructure will take time to build, though, both Firefly and Nio models will also feature sockets for traditional charging.
GWM
Models GWM Ora 03, GWM Ora 07, GWM Jolion Pro Arriving in the UK Now
What is it?
Ora is another example of a Chinese sub-brand which is owned by an automotive giant in its home market. In this case, that’s GWM, and its first model, the 03, was originally called the Ora Funky Cat when it launched in the UK last year.
Facing key small electric car rivals including the Cupra Born and MG4, the 03 draws power from a 45.4kWh (usable capacity) battery, which gives the car an official range of 193 miles between charges. We like that it comes with lots of safety kit, and decent space for your rear passengers, but a tiny boot and sub-par ride and handling means the 03 only scored two stars out of five in our in-depth review.
Ora’s second UK-bound car, the 07, will arrive later this year, offering an official range of 354 miles, and an expected starting price of around £35,000. Beyond that, the brand is planning a small SUV based on the 03.
GWM is also set to introduce a second brand to the UK market, Haval, by the end of the year. Its first European-bound model is a hybrid SUV called the Jolion Pro, which rivals the Nissan X-Trail in size but starts at a very reasonable £23,995.
HiPhi
Models HiPhi X, HiPhi Z Arriving in the UK Summer 2025
What is it?
HiPhi is the electric car division of one of China’s largest technology groups, and launched in 2019. The brand has just launched its X coupé-SUV and Z luxury cars in Germany and Norway, and the pair are tipped to come to the UK soon.
Both cars feature top-end technology, including a 17-speaker stereo, a 19.9in infotainment touchscreen and a series of 8.0in screens elsewhere in both cars. Another feature is a robotic arm which adjusts the viewing angle of the infotainment screen for tall or short drivers. All of that gadgetry doesn’t come cheap, though, with prices for the X starting from around £93,000, and the Z from around £90,000.
Further away, HiPhi has shown plans for a range-topping electric sports car, the HiPhi A, which gets a staggering 1287bhp from its three motors – allowing it to hit 60mph from a standing start in just 2.0sec, and accelerate to a top speed of 187mph.
iCaur
Models iCaur V23 Arriving in the UK 2026
What is it?
No, not another new product from Apple. iCaur is yet another Chery sub-brand that hopes to take a leaf out of Renault’s book with a retro-themed model called the V23. The iCaur V23 is a small off-roader which takes inspiration from the Beijing BJ212 of the 1960s and features electric power.
Already on sale in China, the V23 is available with two or four-wheel drive, with high-end models offering 208bhp and a 311-mile range. A small SUV that will likely rival the Jeep Avenger called the V21 is also set to be launched in 2027.
Jaecoo
Models Jaecoo 7 Arriving in the UK Now
What is it?
Like Exeed and Omoda, which you’ll see later on this list, Jaecoo is owned by the Chinese car giant Chery, and its first model, the Jaecoo 7, is an electric family SUV that is already proving popular among UK buyers, with nearly 4,300 sold in the first quarter of the year.
Counting big-selling family SUVs such as the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai among its rivals, the 7 is offered with either a 1.6-litre petrol engine or as a 1.5-litre ‘SHS’ plug-in hybrid. Prices range from £30,115 to around £35,000 for the SHS.
Inside, buyers can expect to find a 14.8in infotainment screen, a head-up display, wireless phone charging and the latest driver assistance systems.
To sell its cars in the UK, Jaecoo hopes to have 130 dealerships by the end of 2025, working with existing dealer groups across the country.
Lepas
Models Lepas 4 Pro Arriving in the UK 2025
What is it?
The latest sub-brand to be launched by the ever-expanding Chery family, Lepas’ main rival will be Dacia when it launches its first UK-bound model later this year: the 4 Pro. A small SUV the company hopes will appeal to younger buyers, the Lepas 4 Pro is powered by a 1.5 petrol engine, with high-spec examples getting a turbocharger.
The 4 Pro is already sold in Australia with a starting price of around £13,000. Prices are set to be somewhat higher in the UK, however. Other models in the Lepas range include the 2 Pro, a small SUV similar in size to the Ford Puma, and the 8 Pro, which will compete against the Kia Sorento and Volvo XC60.
Leapmotor
Models Leapmotor C01, T03, B01 Arriving in the UK Now
What is it?
Founded in 2015 and specialising in electric cars, Leapmotor is a partner of European giant Stellantis (which owns the Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Fiat, Jeep, Peugeot and Vauxhall brands, among others). According to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, Leapmotor models “compete [on price] with other Chinese brands that are leveraging the cost competitiveness of manufacturing in China, making EVs affordable for the middle classes of Europe”.
Its models currently include the T03 small car, rivalling the Dacia Spring with a starting price of £15,995, and the Skoda Enyaq-rivalling Leapmotor C10 at £36,500. Both models feature a single trim level that is packed with standard equipment, although Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not available on either car.
Future models from Leapmotor include the B01, which was unveiled at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show. A model that would most likely rival the Citroën e-C4 in Europe, the B01 is a four-door saloon with better aerodynamics than a Porsche Taycan. This helped the model to cover a range of over 400 miles according to the Chinese Government’s CLTC test cycle.
Nio
Models Nio ET5, Nio EL8 Arriving in the UK 2025
What is it?
Nio drivers won’t have to do anything as old-fashioned as plug their electric cars in to recharge. No, instead they’ll use a network of battery swapping stations to replace the battery pack in their car entirely. A full swap takes about five minutes, and you can even swap your regular battery for a larger one if you’re going on a long journey.
Nio already sells cars in Germany, The Netherlands and some other European countries, and its first model to arrive in the UK will be the Nio ET5, a Tesla Model 3 rival. If sales of that model go well, then Nio’s larger cars, the ET7 saloon and EL7 and EL8 SUVs, might also come here.
Nio already has a team in place in the UK tuning its cars for European roads and providing them with bespoke steering and suspension setups. The brand says this is because while customers in its home market of China prefer good shock absorption and will tolerate larger body movements in a car to achieve that, European drivers want better body control, even at the expense of a firmer ride.
Omoda
Models Omoda 3, Omoda 5, Omoda 7, Omoda 9 Arriving in the UK Now
What is it?
You guessed it, another of Chery’s sub-brands, Omoda’s name is a combination of the chemical symbol for oxygen and ‘moda’, the Italian word for fashion.
Omoda’s first model to be sold in the UK is a family SUV called the Omoda 5, which is offered in 1.6-litre petrol and fully electric forms – the latter offers an official range of around 280 miles, and counts the Kia Niro EV and Nissan Ariya among its key rivals. Sharing the same network as Jaecoo, the brand already has more than 70 dealerships across the UK.
Omoda has also shared plans to launch a range of new models encompassing petrol, plug-in hybrid and electric power. These include the 3, which will take on the Kia EV3 and MG4 with an expected starting price of less than £30,000 when it launches here in October 2026. At the other end of the range, the Omoda 9 is a rather stately Volvo XC60 rival that sports the same ‘SHS’ plug-in hybrid system as the Jaecoo 7, giving it a 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds and an official electric range of 93 miles.
Onvo
Models Onvo L60 Arriving in the UK 2025
What is it?
Launched in China last year, Onvo to Nio is a bit like Skoda to Volkswagen: the products are very similar under the bodywork but sold at a more attractive price. The Chinese EV tariff imposed by the EU means that Nio’s first European market will be the UK, with the L60 being its first model.
A Tesla Model Y-esque electric SUV that sells in China for about £24,000, the Onvo L60 is likely to retail for around £40,000 when it launches in the UK later this year. One of the L60’s key selling points will be its 900V electric architecture and choice of three BYD-sourced batteries that offer as much as 620 miles of range according to the generous CLTC test cycle.
XPeng
Models XPeng G6, XPeng G9, XPeng P7, XPeng P9 Arriving in the UK Now
What is it?
Think of XPeng as being the Chinese Tesla – this electric car brand was founded in 2014 and has backing from some of China’s biggest technology firms. The first XPeng model to arrive in the UK is the G6 – an electric SUV rival to the Tesla Model Y. It’s offered in three guises – RWD Standard Range, RWD Long Range and AWD Performance.
There are plenty of other UK-bound XPengs in the pipeline, too. The brand hopes to have a range of five fast-charging EVs on sale in the UK by 2028, including the flagship X9 – a large MPV that will take on the Kia EV9 and Volkswagen ID Buzz. The G9, a Polestar 3-esque SUV with 543bhp and 300kWh charger compatibility, will also likely come to the UK.
Zeekr
Models Zeekr 001, Zeekr X, Zeeker 7X, Zeeker 007GT Arriving in the UK 2026
What is it?
Owned by Chinese conglomerate Geely, which is also the parent company of Volvo, Zeekr is set to bring its 001 estate to the UK in 2026. That model will count the BMW i5 Touring among its rivals, and gets 536bhp thanks to its dual electric motors. The official range is quoted as a healthy 377 miles.
Soon after the 001 goes on sale, the Zeekr X SUV will join it. That model uses the same underpinnings as the Smart #1 and Volvo EX30, and gets 269bhp alongside a range of 277 miles. Drivers needing more space will also be able to choose the 7X, based on the Smart #5 and rivalling the likes of the Kia Sorento.
Later down the road, the UK market may also see the particularly sleek Zeekr 007GT. This shooting brake, which has no connections to any secret agents, is available in China with a 637bhp dual-motor setup that helps it to accelerate from 0-62mph in less than three seconds.
The European car brands already under Chinese ownership
While Chinese car brands will soon be flocking to the UK, some are already here because they own other brands. Below we reveal the owners behind some of the brands you may already know.
Geely – owns Lotus, Polestar, Volvo, and part-owns Smart
Geely is one of China’s largest car makers, and as well as being the driving force behind some of the brands further up this list, it also owns or part-owns some of the brands you might already know.
In 2010 Ford sold its controlling stake in Volvo to Geely, reportedly at a loss. Alongside Volvo, Geely also owns Polestar. Volvo currently makes the EX30, EX40 and EC40 electric SUVs, alongside the XC40, XC60 and XC90 SUVs. Polestar, meanwhile, has the Polestar 2 electric car, but has a raft of new models, including the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 SUVs on the way.
Lotus is also under Geely ownership, having been acquired by the Chinese giant in 2017. The brand’s first electric car, the Lotus Eletre, received three stars out of five on our road test, while its Lotus Emira sports car counts the Alpine A110 and the What Car? Award-winning Porsche 718 Cayman among its key rivals.
Geely is also a part-owner in Smart, with a 50% stake in the business, alongside Mercedes. While Smart had produced electric cars before, the brand’s Smart #1 electric SUV was the first to become a big hit. In a similar vein, we gave the larger Smart #3 a very fair four stars out of five when we tested it last year. A more rugged SUV, the Smart #5, is due to launch at the end of the year.
SAIC – owns MG
MG is currently owned by SAIC, but even prior to that was under Chinese ownership, because it was bought by Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC) following the collapse of MG Rover Group in 2005. That deal came to an end in 2007, when NAC was itself absorbed into the automotive giant of SAIC. Today, MG is SAIC’s main international brand, and counts the MG3 small car, the MG5 electric estate, the MG HS, MG ZS and MG ZS EV SUVs, and the What Car? Award-winning MG4 among its stable.
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FAQs
Chinese cars are unlikely to be as cheap in the UK as they are in China for two reasons. Firstly, Chinese cars, particularly those at the cheaper end of the market, often require enhancements to their safety offering in order to meet European standards. Secondly Chinese cars, like other “third country” imports, are subject to 10% import duties.
Our road testers say that the MG4 is currently the best car from a Chinese car maker, and was named Small Electric Car of the Year at the 2024 What Car? Car of the Year Awards.
There are a number of Chinese brands already selling cars in the UK. These include BYD, GWM Ora and MG – but new Chinese car brands will continue to launch on these shores.
Many Chinese cars are worth considering. The MG4 is a hugely impressive electric car that’s priced well below competitors. And as cars like the BYD Seal prove, the design, technology and driving experience provided is very good indeed. In fact, that car is a credible rival to the Tesla Model 3.
MG is the best Chinese car brand, because it’s the only one to count a What Car? Award winner among its ranks. That’s right, the MG HS is our favourite plug-in hybrid car, and currently holds a four stars out of five rating on Whatcar.com. And if you’re reading this and wondering whether MG can truly be considered as a Chinese car brand, given its storied history as a British car maker, just remember this – since 2005 it has been owned by Chinese companies, and since 2007 has been part of Chinese automotive giant SAIC.
There are more than 200 car and van brands in China, but some of the largest include BYD, Chery, Geely, GWM, SAIC and Nio. If you’re wondering why a single country needs so many car makers, then remember that as of 2024, China is the world’s largest car market, both in terms of sales and ownership.
While plenty of European car brands have a presence in China, some, such as Jaguar Land Rover, have chosen to create local partnerships to help scale up production of their cars locally.
Lotus and MG are two historic British car makers who are currently owned by Chinese brands. Lotus was bought by Geely in 2017, while MG was originally bought by Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC) following the collapse of MG Rover Group in 2005, and was then transferred into SAIC ownership from 2007.
The best-selling new car in China is the Changan CS75, a small SUV which isn’t sold in the UK. Of the cars made by Chinese-owned brands and which are sold in the UK, we’d pick the MG4 as the most successful option – that’s because it’s the only such car to be a What Car? Award winner. Indeed, at our 2024 New Car Awards, we named the MG4 as the best Small Electric Car.
There are many factors that enable Chinese car makers to produce their models so cheaply. The Chinese Government has invested heavily in car battery production, and has made it a key part of its industrial strategy. China also has access to huge reserves of raw materials and cheap labour. According to a report by Swiss investment bank UBS, these advantages could slash 25% off the cost of production compared with other global car makers.
