Best Chinese cars in the UK
High-quality Chinese cars from rated and reviewed dealers
The best cars from Chinese brands you can buy in the UK in 2026
The best Chinese cars have come a long way from the country’s first entrants into the UK. They still champion value for money, but now offer efficient hybrid engine options (think Omoda 7), solid-feeling interiors (Xpeng G6) and some of them are even fun to drive, such as the MG3 and MG4.
Some, like the BYD Seal and MG IM6 are properly head-turning cars you might consider against premium European alternatives. The Chery Tiggo 8, meanwhile, is a practical, easy-to-drive SUV at a great price - and it won the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year Awards as a result.
Every Chinese car on sale in the UK has been extensively tested by our expert reviews team in real-world scenarios. Here are our ten favourites:
2026
Car of the Year Award
Best for: bang-for-your-buck ability
Big, spacious SUVs are in high demand at the moment, but you’ll pay a small fortune to get one on your driveway if you want generous equipment levels, premium styling and a solid cabin. That’s unless you choose a Chery Tiggo 8, as it offers all of the aforementioned qualities at a fair price. While it’s not that good to drive, it makes for an excellent family car.
It’s so good, in fact, that it took top honours in the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year Awards, beating out far more expensive cars from better-known brands.
You may not have heard much about Chery, but the Tiggo 8’s road presence comes from its big proportions, big grille and aggressive headlights, more than it does its badge. There’s no denying it looks a bit generic from some angles - the back especially - but it’s not an ugly car by any means.
The cabin really impresses in the Chery, because it offers a huge amount of practicality and space inside. It’s a seven-seater, for starters, with enough room across all three rows for adults to sit in comfort - but those in the very back will tire on long road trips.
You’ll find enormous door bins up front, easily swallowing large water bottles, a multitude of centre console storage and a pair of phone pads, one of which features wireless charging. The 700-litre boot (with the last row folded away) is large, though lags behind other seven-seaters, and it’s positively tiny with all the seats in place.
Material quality is very high for a car of this price, with loads of soft-touch plastics and leatherette. Annoyingly though, the lack of physical controls and fiddly menus can be frustrating on the move.
You have a choice of a petrol engine (which you should avoid) and an excellent plug-in hybrid (which you should definitely opt for). The petrol is rough and unrefined, but the PHEV is smooth with a generous 56 miles of electric range and efficient running when the engine kicks in.
It’s a shame the Tiggo 8 loses marks for the way it drives, because alternatives are more comfortable and composed around town and on the motorway. It feels out of place on a twisty road, too.
Big, spacious SUVs are in high demand at the moment, but you’ll pay a small fortune to get one on your driveway if you want generous equipment levels, premium styling and a solid cabin. That’s unless you choose a Chery Tiggo 8, as it offers all of the aforementioned qualities at a fair price. While it’s not that good to drive, it makes for an excellent family car.
It’s so good, in fact, that it took top honours in the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year Awards, beating out far more expensive cars from better-known brands.
You may not have heard much about Chery, but the Tiggo 8’s road presence comes from its big proportions, big grille and aggressive headlights, more than it does its badge. There’s no denying it looks a bit generic from some angles - the back especially - but it’s not an ugly car by any means.
The cabin really impresses in the Chery, because it offers a huge amount of practicality and space inside. It’s a seven-seater, for starters, with enough room across all three rows for adults to sit in comfort - but those in the very back will tire on long road trips.
You’ll find enormous door bins up front, easily swallowing large water bottles, a multitude of centre console storage and a pair of phone pads, one of which features wireless charging. The 700-litre boot (with the last row folded away) is large, though lags behind other seven-seaters, and it’s positively tiny with all the seats in place.
Material quality is very high for a car of this price, with loads of soft-touch plastics and leatherette. Annoyingly though, the lack of physical controls and fiddly menus can be frustrating on the move.
You have a choice of a petrol engine (which you should avoid) and an excellent plug-in hybrid (which you should definitely opt for). The petrol is rough and unrefined, but the PHEV is smooth with a generous 56 miles of electric range and efficient running when the engine kicks in.
It’s a shame the Tiggo 8 loses marks for the way it drives, because alternatives are more comfortable and composed around town and on the motorway. It feels out of place on a twisty road, too.
Best for: Being excellent value
Where the MG3 really scores well is in just how cheap it is. It’s a compact five door hatchback, with a fairly powerful hybrid petrol engine, and therefore it competes with the likes of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid and the Renault Clio E-Tech.
In fact, the MG3 competes with a lightly used Toyota Yaris Hybrid or Renault Clio E-Tech, as in spite of having considerably more power than either - 191hp easily has the beating of both - the MG3 costs massive chunks of cash less than either. In terms of tech for your money, it’s like finding a brand new Apple MacBook for sale for the price of a Chromebook.
Of course, you can see where MG has cut costs. Have a poke around the cabin and you won’t find the same levels of quality nor of comfort that you get in the Toyota or the Renault, but that’s not to say the MG is disgraced. It’s fine, if occasionally rough around the edges. It is quite practical, though. The back seats are much roomier than those of the Yaris, and the boot is a good size too.
There’s a good standard-fit touchscreen and digital instruments (a bit fiddly to use, but that’s par for the course these days) and if the MG3 doesn’t exactly deliver the full punchiness you’d expect from 191hp, it does at least manage to be both brisk and economical - 50mpg is easy, although it’s worth noting that both the Renault and Toyota can do 60mpg without breaking a sweat. Must be the penalty for that 191hp power output.
There’s a good seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty too, which should give you some peace of mind, and the MG3 is even pretty sharp to drive, with good steering that gives you huge confidence in corners. Even with the relatively firm suspension, it’s not too bumpy around town.
Where the MG3 really scores well is in just how cheap it is. It’s a compact five door hatchback, with a fairly powerful hybrid petrol engine, and therefore it competes with the likes of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid and the Renault Clio E-Tech.
In fact, the MG3 competes with a lightly used Toyota Yaris Hybrid or Renault Clio E-Tech, as in spite of having considerably more power than either - 191hp easily has the beating of both - the MG3 costs massive chunks of cash less than either. In terms of tech for your money, it’s like finding a brand new Apple MacBook for sale for the price of a Chromebook.
Of course, you can see where MG has cut costs. Have a poke around the cabin and you won’t find the same levels of quality nor of comfort that you get in the Toyota or the Renault, but that’s not to say the MG is disgraced. It’s fine, if occasionally rough around the edges. It is quite practical, though. The back seats are much roomier than those of the Yaris, and the boot is a good size too.
There’s a good standard-fit touchscreen and digital instruments (a bit fiddly to use, but that’s par for the course these days) and if the MG3 doesn’t exactly deliver the full punchiness you’d expect from 191hp, it does at least manage to be both brisk and economical - 50mpg is easy, although it’s worth noting that both the Renault and Toyota can do 60mpg without breaking a sweat. Must be the penalty for that 191hp power output.
There’s a good seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty too, which should give you some peace of mind, and the MG3 is even pretty sharp to drive, with good steering that gives you huge confidence in corners. Even with the relatively firm suspension, it’s not too bumpy around town.
3. Omoda 7
OMODA 7 review
Best for: swish styling at a good price
The Omoda 7 is the brand’s take on the best-selling Volkswagen Tiguan and Kia Sportage. It’s a sleek-looking, generously-equipped and efficient family SUV with a stylish cabin, but the infotainment system isn’t the easiest to use and there are some strange material choices inside.
It’s mechanically similar to the Chery Tiggo 8 and Jaecoo 7, but the Omoda is branded as a sportier alternative. It certainly looks more aggressive, with an X-shaped front end design, swept-back headlights, lightning-bolt rear light bar and a windowline that’s pinched towards the back of the car. You don’t need to squint to see the Omoda’s similarities to recent Lexus models, however.
The interior doesn’t stand out as much, looking similar to a lot of Chinese fare on sale in the UK. The low-set dashboard is nicely upholstered but minimalist, dominated by an enormous 15.6-inch infotainment display and with a slim driver display behind the steering wheel. Both screens feature easy-to-read, sharp graphics and they’re lightning-fast, but the lack of physical climate controls and complicated menus are a headache.
There aren’t many SUVs of this size which offer quite so much interior space. The steering wheel doesn’t move much, but you won’t struggle to get comfortable in the driver’s seat and there are plenty of storage spaces for odds and ends. Adults in the back have lots of legroom, and headroom isn’t bad for a car with a rakish roofline.
The 639-litre boot is bigger than any of the Omoda 7’s alternatives, bar the Volkswagen Tayron, but it’s a shallow load space with a high loading point - which makes fitting heavy, bulky items a headache.
You can choose from two engines in the Omoda 7, and they’re related to the units in the aforementioned Chery and Jaecoo models: a petrol and plug-in hybrid. The plug-in hybrid is smooth, refined and efficient, doing a good job of running on electric-only power.
Around town the electric motor’s pep gets you away from the lights with ease, but the engine does drone a little in the background if you put your foot down. It’s largely quiet on the motorway, but it’s a country lane where the Omoda 7 impresses. It’s not sporty, but feels composed and almost fun around some bends.
The Omoda 7 is the brand’s take on the best-selling Volkswagen Tiguan and Kia Sportage. It’s a sleek-looking, generously-equipped and efficient family SUV with a stylish cabin, but the infotainment system isn’t the easiest to use and there are some strange material choices inside.
It’s mechanically similar to the Chery Tiggo 8 and Jaecoo 7, but the Omoda is branded as a sportier alternative. It certainly looks more aggressive, with an X-shaped front end design, swept-back headlights, lightning-bolt rear light bar and a windowline that’s pinched towards the back of the car. You don’t need to squint to see the Omoda’s similarities to recent Lexus models, however.
The interior doesn’t stand out as much, looking similar to a lot of Chinese fare on sale in the UK. The low-set dashboard is nicely upholstered but minimalist, dominated by an enormous 15.6-inch infotainment display and with a slim driver display behind the steering wheel. Both screens feature easy-to-read, sharp graphics and they’re lightning-fast, but the lack of physical climate controls and complicated menus are a headache.
There aren’t many SUVs of this size which offer quite so much interior space. The steering wheel doesn’t move much, but you won’t struggle to get comfortable in the driver’s seat and there are plenty of storage spaces for odds and ends. Adults in the back have lots of legroom, and headroom isn’t bad for a car with a rakish roofline.
The 639-litre boot is bigger than any of the Omoda 7’s alternatives, bar the Volkswagen Tayron, but it’s a shallow load space with a high loading point - which makes fitting heavy, bulky items a headache.
You can choose from two engines in the Omoda 7, and they’re related to the units in the aforementioned Chery and Jaecoo models: a petrol and plug-in hybrid. The plug-in hybrid is smooth, refined and efficient, doing a good job of running on electric-only power.
Around town the electric motor’s pep gets you away from the lights with ease, but the engine does drone a little in the background if you put your foot down. It’s largely quiet on the motorway, but it’s a country lane where the Omoda 7 impresses. It’s not sporty, but feels composed and almost fun around some bends.
Best for: an outrageously low price
If the Chery Tiggo 8 appeals, but you don’t need seven seats or quite as big a boot, look no further than the Chery Tiggo 7. It offers the same premium cabin and fantastic plug-in hybrid engine as its larger counterpart, but also the irritating infotainment system and poor driving manners.
Again, like the Tiggo 8, the Tiggo 7 has an imposing front end with a large grille, pointy headlights and a tall, flat bonnet. The rear light bar is the same, too, but it looks a bit squished from the side, with frumpier proportions than the Tiggo 8.
Step inside and you’re greeted by a smart, well-appointed interior. The dashboard and upper door cards are upholstered in leatherette, while the twin-screen display setup is easy to read. It’s a shame the menus are such a faff to navigate, but at least separate climate controls mean you’re less dependent on the infotainment display.
It’s spacious inside, too with lots of storage around the front seats and a massive amount of space in the back. Even tall adults won’t struggle for headroom or have their knees pressing against the front seats. The 565-litre boot can’t match the Dacia Bigster, but it’s still bigger than most of its alternatives.
Avoid the petrol model and go for the efficient, smooth, plug-in hybrid Tiggo 7. It loses some boot space, but it’s far more refined on the go. The Chery is comfortable around town, but it doesn’t feel composed on a country lane and it wallows about a little on the motorway.
If the Chery Tiggo 8 appeals, but you don’t need seven seats or quite as big a boot, look no further than the Chery Tiggo 7. It offers the same premium cabin and fantastic plug-in hybrid engine as its larger counterpart, but also the irritating infotainment system and poor driving manners.
Again, like the Tiggo 8, the Tiggo 7 has an imposing front end with a large grille, pointy headlights and a tall, flat bonnet. The rear light bar is the same, too, but it looks a bit squished from the side, with frumpier proportions than the Tiggo 8.
Step inside and you’re greeted by a smart, well-appointed interior. The dashboard and upper door cards are upholstered in leatherette, while the twin-screen display setup is easy to read. It’s a shame the menus are such a faff to navigate, but at least separate climate controls mean you’re less dependent on the infotainment display.
It’s spacious inside, too with lots of storage around the front seats and a massive amount of space in the back. Even tall adults won’t struggle for headroom or have their knees pressing against the front seats. The 565-litre boot can’t match the Dacia Bigster, but it’s still bigger than most of its alternatives.
Avoid the petrol model and go for the efficient, smooth, plug-in hybrid Tiggo 7. It loses some boot space, but it’s far more refined on the go. The Chery is comfortable around town, but it doesn’t feel composed on a country lane and it wallows about a little on the motorway.
Battery range up to 338 miles
Best for: Being a cheaper ID3 alternative
The MG4 is almost a carbon-copy of the Volkswagen ID3 - it’s a tall-ish five-door hatchback with electric power, rear-wheel drive, and a roomy cabin - but it’s considerably better priced than the VW.
In part, that’s because the MG comes with an entry-level version with a smaller battery and a range of only 217 miles. That’ll be enough for many, but you’re better off going for the bigger-battery model that can do a claimed 288 miles, or even better the bigger-again battery that can cover up to 329 miles on one charge.
Whichever model you get, you’ll have plenty of space inside, and acceptable levels of quality, with a slightly too-fiddly touchscreen.
The standard rear-drive MG4 is pretty good fun to drive, with sharper steering than you’d expect and good balance. If the MG4 has a major weakness, it’s that it becomes too noisy when you’re cruising on the motorway, which makes it harder to exploit that 329-mile Extended Range version.
The MG4 is almost a carbon-copy of the Volkswagen ID3 - it’s a tall-ish five-door hatchback with electric power, rear-wheel drive, and a roomy cabin - but it’s considerably better priced than the VW.
In part, that’s because the MG comes with an entry-level version with a smaller battery and a range of only 217 miles. That’ll be enough for many, but you’re better off going for the bigger-battery model that can do a claimed 288 miles, or even better the bigger-again battery that can cover up to 329 miles on one charge.
Whichever model you get, you’ll have plenty of space inside, and acceptable levels of quality, with a slightly too-fiddly touchscreen.
The standard rear-drive MG4 is pretty good fun to drive, with sharper steering than you’d expect and good balance. If the MG4 has a major weakness, it’s that it becomes too noisy when you’re cruising on the motorway, which makes it harder to exploit that 329-mile Extended Range version.
6. Jaecoo E5
Jaecoo E5 review
Battery range up to 248 miles
Best for: looking like a baby Range Rover Evoque
The Jaecoo E5 is one of our favourite Chinese cars because it does everything you need from an electric family car for a really affordable price. While it might look a bit like a Range Rover Evoque on the outside, it’s nowhere near as posh as one on the inside. However,it’s spacious, practical and offers more range than most alternatives for the money.
The interior design is quite simple – or, more generously, ‘minimalist’ – but the materials feel nice enough, particularly with some soft-touch upholstery on the Luxury trim. You get a big, portrait-orientated touchscreen in the middle and it works really well, with fast load times and a fairly logical layout.
Space in the rear seats is a bit of a weak point – the floor is quite high, foot space isn’t great and the doors are a bit narrow for a bulky child seat – but practicality is impressive in every other way. There’s tonnes of interior storage and the boot is bigger than most alternatives at 480 litres.
There’s only one battery and motor combination, which gives you an official range of up to 248 miles. When we tested the car we saw a real-world range of about 225 miles, which is still on the higher side of average compared with alternatives.
Where the Jaecoo E5 is a letdown is the fast charging, or rather the lack of fast charging. Jaecoo reports a 30-80% time of 27 minutes, which is how long most other cars take to go from 10-80%. That’s poor, even for a low-price electric car, which means that although the range is pretty good it would be frustrating if you’re a high mileage driver who spends a lot of time waiting at public chargepoints.
Fortunately, if you do a lot of miles the Jaecoo E5 is a decent companion. It’s still not quite up to the standard of the best-driving small EVs such as the Ford Puma Gen-E, but it’s largely quiet and comfortable. The suspension fidgets a bit on rough roads and the body wallows about in corners, but it shouldn’t be enough to put you off unless you’re a particularly keen driver.
The Jaecoo E5 is one of our favourite Chinese cars because it does everything you need from an electric family car for a really affordable price. While it might look a bit like a Range Rover Evoque on the outside, it’s nowhere near as posh as one on the inside. However,it’s spacious, practical and offers more range than most alternatives for the money.
The interior design is quite simple – or, more generously, ‘minimalist’ – but the materials feel nice enough, particularly with some soft-touch upholstery on the Luxury trim. You get a big, portrait-orientated touchscreen in the middle and it works really well, with fast load times and a fairly logical layout.
Space in the rear seats is a bit of a weak point – the floor is quite high, foot space isn’t great and the doors are a bit narrow for a bulky child seat – but practicality is impressive in every other way. There’s tonnes of interior storage and the boot is bigger than most alternatives at 480 litres.
There’s only one battery and motor combination, which gives you an official range of up to 248 miles. When we tested the car we saw a real-world range of about 225 miles, which is still on the higher side of average compared with alternatives.
Where the Jaecoo E5 is a letdown is the fast charging, or rather the lack of fast charging. Jaecoo reports a 30-80% time of 27 minutes, which is how long most other cars take to go from 10-80%. That’s poor, even for a low-price electric car, which means that although the range is pretty good it would be frustrating if you’re a high mileage driver who spends a lot of time waiting at public chargepoints.
Fortunately, if you do a lot of miles the Jaecoo E5 is a decent companion. It’s still not quite up to the standard of the best-driving small EVs such as the Ford Puma Gen-E, but it’s largely quiet and comfortable. The suspension fidgets a bit on rough roads and the body wallows about in corners, but it shouldn’t be enough to put you off unless you’re a particularly keen driver.
Battery range up to 388 miles
Best for: blistering charging tech
You’d laugh if someone told you MG was a technology-forward brand 20 years ago, wouldn’t you? Well not anymore, because the MG IM6 is a sleek, spacious, upmarket SUV with one of the fastest charging rates of any car on sale. The infotainment system is poor, though, and the cabin isn’t very spacious.
It looks like a mix of other cars from some angles, ranging from Xpeng to Aston Martin, but the aggressive bumpers and pointy headlights are certainly attention grabbing. Even the wheels are funky, looking like an oil tanker’s propeller caught up in a tyre.
The interior is swoopy, too, with a sporty-feeling, high-set centre console, and heavily padded, upholstered door cards and dashboard, cocooning you in the driver’s seat. The displays steal the show with their crisp graphics, but it’s a shame they’re so unintuitive to navigate; the only physical controls are on the steering wheel, and the window switches.
There’s a surprising lack of storage space for such a large SUV, too. You get a big central ‘shelf’ under the centre console, but aside from that there aren’t many places to put your assorted bits and bobs. Headspace and leg room are plentiful both front and back, but the rear bench isn’t very comfortable. At least the 665-litre boot is enormous, though lagging behind a Tesla Model Y.
You can travel up to 388 miles in the IM6 Long Range, which is our pick of the bunch. It’s outrageously fast in Performance trim, comfortable around town and easy to drive long distances.
You’d laugh if someone told you MG was a technology-forward brand 20 years ago, wouldn’t you? Well not anymore, because the MG IM6 is a sleek, spacious, upmarket SUV with one of the fastest charging rates of any car on sale. The infotainment system is poor, though, and the cabin isn’t very spacious.
It looks like a mix of other cars from some angles, ranging from Xpeng to Aston Martin, but the aggressive bumpers and pointy headlights are certainly attention grabbing. Even the wheels are funky, looking like an oil tanker’s propeller caught up in a tyre.
The interior is swoopy, too, with a sporty-feeling, high-set centre console, and heavily padded, upholstered door cards and dashboard, cocooning you in the driver’s seat. The displays steal the show with their crisp graphics, but it’s a shame they’re so unintuitive to navigate; the only physical controls are on the steering wheel, and the window switches.
There’s a surprising lack of storage space for such a large SUV, too. You get a big central ‘shelf’ under the centre console, but aside from that there aren’t many places to put your assorted bits and bobs. Headspace and leg room are plentiful both front and back, but the rear bench isn’t very comfortable. At least the 665-litre boot is enormous, though lagging behind a Tesla Model Y.
You can travel up to 388 miles in the IM6 Long Range, which is our pick of the bunch. It’s outrageously fast in Performance trim, comfortable around town and easy to drive long distances.
Battery range up to 298 miles
Best for: Being a massive step forward
The MG S5 EV is the replacement for the old ZS EV, but it’s a quantum leap forward in terms of design, performance, and especially in terms of how its cabin looks and feels. The old MG ZS EV was a solid performer, and well-priced, but you could really tell that it was a very old design which was being kept on life support. The S5, by contrast, is all-new and all the better for it.
The cabin is where you’ll first notice the upgrade - the plastics look and feel like they’re made of high quality stuff, while the way the touchscreen works has been improved, helped by a bank of proper, physical buttons underneath. There’s also plenty of space, with stretch-out room for six-footers in the back seats, and there’s a decent 453-litre boot too.
As before, you can choose from two battery sizes, although it seems unlikely that many people will go for the smaller option, which manages only 211 miles of official range. Much better to get the (not too expensive) upgrade and have the bigger 298-mile battery instead. Worth noting that Kia gives you better long-range performance in the comparable EV3, though.
The MG S5 is even entertaining to drive, certainly more so than that Kia EV3, and not far off being as sharp in corners as a Cupra Born.
The MG S5 EV is the replacement for the old ZS EV, but it’s a quantum leap forward in terms of design, performance, and especially in terms of how its cabin looks and feels. The old MG ZS EV was a solid performer, and well-priced, but you could really tell that it was a very old design which was being kept on life support. The S5, by contrast, is all-new and all the better for it.
The cabin is where you’ll first notice the upgrade - the plastics look and feel like they’re made of high quality stuff, while the way the touchscreen works has been improved, helped by a bank of proper, physical buttons underneath. There’s also plenty of space, with stretch-out room for six-footers in the back seats, and there’s a decent 453-litre boot too.
As before, you can choose from two battery sizes, although it seems unlikely that many people will go for the smaller option, which manages only 211 miles of official range. Much better to get the (not too expensive) upgrade and have the bigger 298-mile battery instead. Worth noting that Kia gives you better long-range performance in the comparable EV3, though.
The MG S5 is even entertaining to drive, certainly more so than that Kia EV3, and not far off being as sharp in corners as a Cupra Born.
Best for: Being a classy Toyota RAV4 alternative
You might giggle into your coffee a bit at the idea that an MG can truly take on a Toyota and come out of the battle unbowed, but that’s exactly what’s happened here with the new HS. There are the usual caveats to think about, such as an overly-fiddly infotainment touchscreen and the fact that although it’s not bad to drive, it’s still not as good as it might be. But the HS manages to exude a classy feel, that’s backed up by impressive performance.
That’s especially true of the plug-in hybrid version, which manages to combine enough battery capacity for up to 75 miles of electric driving with more than 300hp and impressive speed. It’s not awful to drive, either, but the steering could do with a lot more feel and better weighting.
However, the MG HS is very roomy inside, and if some of the cabin materials are on the cheap side, then the overall styling of the interior is really classy and impressive. All of this comes at a price that quite significantly undercuts the likes of the Toyota RAV4, the Ford Kuga, and the Citroen C5 Aircross. It’s a little bland looking on the outside, but at least it’s much classier to look at now than the old HS ever was.
You might giggle into your coffee a bit at the idea that an MG can truly take on a Toyota and come out of the battle unbowed, but that’s exactly what’s happened here with the new HS. There are the usual caveats to think about, such as an overly-fiddly infotainment touchscreen and the fact that although it’s not bad to drive, it’s still not as good as it might be. But the HS manages to exude a classy feel, that’s backed up by impressive performance.
That’s especially true of the plug-in hybrid version, which manages to combine enough battery capacity for up to 75 miles of electric driving with more than 300hp and impressive speed. It’s not awful to drive, either, but the steering could do with a lot more feel and better weighting.
However, the MG HS is very roomy inside, and if some of the cabin materials are on the cheap side, then the overall styling of the interior is really classy and impressive. All of this comes at a price that quite significantly undercuts the likes of the Toyota RAV4, the Ford Kuga, and the Citroen C5 Aircross. It’s a little bland looking on the outside, but at least it’s much classier to look at now than the old HS ever was.
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10. BYD Seal
BYD Seal review
Battery range up to 354 miles
Best for: Being sleek and fun to drive
BYD really laid down a marker with the Seal saloon. It was one of the first three models to arrive in the UK from BYD, but while the Dolphin hatch and the Atto 3 SUV are solidly decent, the Seal has real star quality. It’s a sleek and good looking four-door electric saloon designed to give a Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 sleepless nights.
Underneath, the Seal gets BYD’s own in-house battery design (most car makers farm out battery design to suppliers like LG Chem or Panasonic) which uses cheaper and more robust Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) technology. That basically means you can charge it and charge it and charge it again without wearing out the battery.
It also gives the Seal very decent range. A maximum of 354 miles might now be overshadowed by the likes of the updated Tesla Model 3 and the VW ID7, but it’s still impressive, and it charges up reasonably briskly at 150kW on DC power.
The Seal’s styling is nicely low-slung, and the interior looks almost comically swoopy and swirly. It’s comfy, though, and has good space in the back (even if the boot’s a bit small).
There’s a hugely powerful four-wheel drive version with 530hp and Porsche-style acceleration, but you’re better off with the 313hp rear-drive version. Both are good fun to drive, with impressive handling and steering, but both suffer from a too-awkward touchscreen, even though BYD hasn’t given up entirely on proper, physical buttons for some functions.
In terms of its pricing, the Seal is slightly more expensive than a Tesla Model 3 at its entry price point, but the four-wheel drive Excellence version is way cheaper than a Model 3 Performance, or indeed an equivalent Polestar or BMW.
BYD really laid down a marker with the Seal saloon. It was one of the first three models to arrive in the UK from BYD, but while the Dolphin hatch and the Atto 3 SUV are solidly decent, the Seal has real star quality. It’s a sleek and good looking four-door electric saloon designed to give a Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 sleepless nights.
Underneath, the Seal gets BYD’s own in-house battery design (most car makers farm out battery design to suppliers like LG Chem or Panasonic) which uses cheaper and more robust Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) technology. That basically means you can charge it and charge it and charge it again without wearing out the battery.
It also gives the Seal very decent range. A maximum of 354 miles might now be overshadowed by the likes of the updated Tesla Model 3 and the VW ID7, but it’s still impressive, and it charges up reasonably briskly at 150kW on DC power.
The Seal’s styling is nicely low-slung, and the interior looks almost comically swoopy and swirly. It’s comfy, though, and has good space in the back (even if the boot’s a bit small).
There’s a hugely powerful four-wheel drive version with 530hp and Porsche-style acceleration, but you’re better off with the 313hp rear-drive version. Both are good fun to drive, with impressive handling and steering, but both suffer from a too-awkward touchscreen, even though BYD hasn’t given up entirely on proper, physical buttons for some functions.
In terms of its pricing, the Seal is slightly more expensive than a Tesla Model 3 at its entry price point, but the four-wheel drive Excellence version is way cheaper than a Model 3 Performance, or indeed an equivalent Polestar or BMW.
Factors to consider when choosing a Chinese car
Electric, petrol or hybrid?
It’s amazing how quickly Chinese cars are catching up to the traditional mainstream brands in terms of powertrain technology. Sure, the petrol engines in Chery, Jaecoo and Omoda products are agricultural, but the plug-in hybrid systems are up there with the best the world has to offer. Electric performance is ever-improving, too, with the MG IM6 and Xpeng G6 offering usable real-world range and rapid charging speeds.
Warranty cover
It’s worth remembering that while most of the new Chinese brands offer impressive warranties, you might have cause to make more use of that warranty than you would with a more familiar brand. Some brands are just too new in a UK context to get a solid handle on their long-term reliability, MG is currently struggling, having finished plum-last in the most recent Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, with 28.1% of owners reporting faults with their cars.
Ease of maintenance
Unsurprisingly, MG - which has been on sale in the UK the longest of all the brands listed here - has the biggest number of dealers, which makes it the most convenient of the bunch when it comes to getting your car in for a service or other bits of aftercare. BYD is catching up, but the likes of Xpeng, Jaecoo, and Omoda are still very much in the build-up phase. In the short term you might struggle to find a dealer near you.
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