The influx of car brands entering the UK from China is well underway. In fact, there are already a number of interesting and very competitive Chinese marques available right now, so we thought we’d have a look at the best on sale in Britain.
More brands are planning to bring their exports to our shores in the near future, too, including Nio, Omoda (Chery), Changan, Aiways, HiPhi, Lynk & Co, JAC, XPeng and Zeekr (Geely), and you can read all about their forthcoming new cars in our guide to the Chinese car brands coming to the UK.
For now, however, we've rounded up the best cars from Chinese automakers that we’ve driven either in production or prototype form, and that are on sale in the UK now.
Search for Chinese cars available to buy in the UK right now
The Best Chinese Cars on Sale in the UK
1. MG ZS
On sale: Now
The MG ZS is a mid-sized family SUV from MG – the reborn British brand that’s owned by Chinese car manufacturer Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, or SAIC Motor. The MG ZS is available as a zero-emission electric SUV with a WLTP combined range of either 198 or 273 miles (depending on which battery you go for), or with 1.5- or 1.0-litre petrol engines. It’s more practical than the MG4, thanks to its bigger boot and roomier rear seats, plus the SUV ride height makes this a favourite with those who like a higher driving position. It’s not as good to drive as the MG4, but the variety of powertrains on offer, excellent practicality and top value for money – regardless of whether you want the MG ZS EV or one of the petrol models – make this our pick of the Chinese cars on sale in the UK right now.
MG ZS Review
2. MG4 EV
On sale: Now
The MG4 is the latest model from MG, and it’s also the first one to use a bespoke platform designed specifically for electric vehicles (it’s not available with petrol or diesel engines). That EV-centric design really shows, because this is a great family electric hatchback to drive and live with. Sure, the infotainment screen and its fiddly air conditioning controls are annoying, but the MG4 handles with verve, is well equipped, spacious, and great value. The official WLTP range of up to 281 miles that the MG4 Long Range offers is achievable in slower, summer driving, while 180 to 220 miles is possible even on a wintery motorway run. The basic, smaller-battery MG4 SE has an official WLTP range of 218 miles, and uses lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries – different to the lithium-ion ones used in many other electric cars. We’ve yet to try it, but it is subject to the same seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty as every new electric MG, for extra peace of mind. It’s a fun, brilliant value, and a very capable family car, which makes it one of our favourite new EVs.
MG4 EV Review
3. BYD Seal
On sale: Now
Look past the oddly aquatic model name, and the BYD Seal is a really good package. It’s a rival to the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, Polestar 2 and the Mercedes-Benz EQE, and comes from one of the biggest Chinese carmakers – Build Your Dreams (BYD). This manufacturer doesn’t just make passenger cars, it also makes its own batteries, control units, semiconductors, motors and just about every other part of the car in-house. It already sells millions of vehicles each year, and is present on six continents, and while the BYD Atto 3 that the company launched with is hit-and-miss when it comes to matching European design tastes, the Seal feels really smart inside and out, making it feel like a very credible rival for luxury brands from Germany such as Audi and BMW. A very brief drive in a prototype also suggests it’s composed and rapid on the road, and potentially a real disruptor in the electric executive car classes. It gets an 82kWh battery and an option of rear-wheel drive with a 308bhp motor, or a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version with 523bhp, which will be good for a WLTP range of 354 and 323 miles, respectively. Prices start at around £45,000.
BYD Seal Review
4. MG5 EV Long Range
On sale: Now
Yes, it’s another MG. This firm has dominated the affordable electric car market for the last few years, and is far more established in the UK than any other Chinese brand, giving the likes of Volkswagen and Stellantis a run for their money. The MG5 is, in many ways, even more recommendable than the MG4. The estate body shape makes it super-practical, and even the very keenly priced SE trim has most of the equipment you could want. The WLTP range of up to 250 miles is also better than rivals from Nissan, Citroen, Vauxhall and Peugeot can manage. Real-world range is also decent, so expect 150 to 200 miles in the winter. The MG5 has been on sale for a number of years (it had the biggest UK market share of any Chinese electric car in 2022) albeit with a facelift for 2023, and has proven to offer good reliability and battery longevity, even with high mileage and a lot of rapid charging.
MG5 EV Review
5. BYD Atto 3
On sale: Now
The BYD Atto 3 is the company’s first model to go on sale in the UK. This pure electric crossover is larger than conventional family hatchbacks such as the Volkswagen ID.3 and the MG4, but slightly smaller than family SUVs such as the Nissan Qashqai, Volvo XC40, and Toyota RAV4. It’s comfortable, full of tech, and comparably good value given the amount of equipment it has. It’s also more than spacious enough to make a versatile family car. The cobalt-free, 60kWh LFP (Lithium-iron phosphate) battery offers a WLTP combined range of 261 miles. The big problem is that the interior looks like the set of a Disney film, so won’t be to everyone’s tastes. Rivals also do a similar job for a similar price, yet come from more desirable and more established brands such as Kia, Hyundai, Renault and Ford. As a new and unknown entrant in the UK, BYD still has a lot to prove. BYD's four-year/75,000-mile warranty could also be better given the longer cover offered by MG.
BYD Atto 3 Review
6. Ora Funky Cat
On sale: Now
The Funky Cat is the first model to arrive from Ora, a new Chinese EV brand freshly launched across Europe and the UK by Chinese manufacturer, Great Wall Motors Group (GWM). The Funky Cat is a relatively small electric hatchback with a peculiar blend of art deco styling, a luxury finish, and hi-tech features. It’s almost as long as family hatchbacks such as the MG4 and the Nissan Leaf – which are larger family hatchbacks – and has more rear passenger space than both. However, its extravagant styling, diminutive boot capacity, and WLTP range of 193 miles are more on a par with small cars such as the Peugeot e-208 and the Fiat 500e. Interestingly, the platform underneath the Ora Funky Cat will also underpin German company BMW’s new MINI hatchback, so it drives with reasonable aplomb. It needs to be cheaper, more practical, and offer an additional long-range option to make sense, though.
Ora Funky Cat Review
7. BYD Dolphin
On sale: Now
The Dolphin is a pure electric small car offering from BYD, to sit beneath the Atto 3 and the Seal. It’s actually a bit bigger than rivals such as the Honda e, the Peugeot e-208, and the Vauxhall Corsa-e, and is noticeably better on rear passenger space, but will be priced keenly from less than £30,000. The range is very good, too, with a WLTP figure of 264 miles from the 60kWh battery, while a lower range model with a smaller battery is rumoured with a starting price closer to £20,000. A brief prototype drive suggests it’ll be competent on road, if not as good as some rivals, but final pricing, monthly finance deals, and equipment levels will be what really attracts buyers to the BYD Dolphin.
BYD Dolphin Review