The rate at which Chinese cars are improving is unprecedented. Twenty-five years ago, China was knocking out models like the Lubao CA6410 – essentially the front end of an Austin Montego, mated with the rear end of an Austin Maestro, with a Toyota engine thrown in up top for good measure.
But today, via decades of economic growth, a few copycat creations and concentrating firmly on electric cars, Chinese models are up there with the best in the business.
They tend to be among the cheapest and most reliable cars on the market, while the latest EVs from China also top the charts of the most efficient electric cars too.
And don’t think it’s all price-driven pragmatism either. They’re catching up with European, Japanese and Korean efforts in terms of interior quality and driving fun too.
Below you’ll find our favourite cars from Chinese companies that are either currently on sale or coming to UK roads soon.
The best Chinese cars
MG 4
The car that really changed things for MG. The 4 truly shuffled SAIC’s brand from builders of cheap-but-boring transportation devices with long warranties and tempting finance offers to a car manufacturer of note (again).
The MG 4 is a car that doesn’t need a qualifier or explanation, it’s just brilliant on its own. Key to this experience is the way it drives. It flows well, with strong, reassuring brakes and a RWD platform that provides a bit of fun when poked.
The interior is sensible and well laid out too. The heating controls are easier to use than in the Volkswagen ID 3, and the electric range pegs it as one of the most efficient electric cars on the market, even in our real-world testing.
It’s even available as a dual-motor all-wheel-drive hot hatch called the MG 4 XPower. Despite the added traction and power, it’s not quite as fun as the regular car. But there are very few other options out there that offer 429bhp for under £40,000.
Read our MG 4 review
Nio ET5
Nio will likely launch in the UK in 2025, as part of the firm’s plans to sell in 25 markets by the end of that year.
The company is most famous for its battery swapping technology, which allows cars to change out depleted batteries for fresh ones in under five minutes.
The ET5 is the first Nio explicitly created for Europe. It’s pitched at the premium compact exec market, so rivals include the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3. Curiously, the ET5 will also be available as an estate - Nio claims it’s the only premium electric estate on the market.
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Apart from looking as if they have come off the same drawing board, why do these Chinese cars have numbers as names? 3, 4, 5, 7 and X being used for all but the BYD Dolphin?
Although the article is dated 30.12.23 it seems to be older as the MG5 electric estate is no longer in a class of it's own since the launch of the Vauxhall Astra estate and Peugeot 308 estates, both available as EVs
The MG5 has some GM/Buick/Opel Astra genes in its architecture so not entirely Chinese. saying that, I suspect the MG Cyberster might shortly appear in this list.