The best Chinese cars - from Aiways to Zeekr

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.

Two different batteries are offered; 75kWh and 100kWh. Range from the 100kWh model is a claimed 348 miles, and during our testing the indicated range was 323 miles.

The ride quality is top notch. The five-link suspension with hydraulic dampers help it deal with sudden torque demands, which is useful when you have close to 500bhp on tap.

Read our Nio ET5 review

Nio ET7

The ET7 is Nio’s 5.1m-long all-singing all-bonging flagship designed to take on the Mercedes EQS and BMW i7.

The company is offering up the ET7 with a semi-solid-state battery in China, theoretically capable of up to 600 miles of zero-emissions driving. This hasn’t been confirmed for these shores yet, but we will get 75kWh and 100kWh options capable of 276 or 360 miles respectively.

Twin electric motors insure an overindulgence of power - 644bhp total with a split of 241bhp at the front and 402bhp for the rear. The 0-62 sprint is completed in less than 4.0sec in bombastic flat-out mode. But in its most efficient setting, which essentially turns off the rear motor, the same test takes around 13.0sec.

The interior is brimming with soft-touch materials and a whopping great 12.3-inch touchscreen, as well as a letterbox-shaped display behind the steering wheel.

Standard fit air suspension completes the premium feeling. It uses a camera feed and sensors to ‘see’ the road ahead and make adjustments. It feels serene and befitting of something that goes toe-to-toe with Mercedes and BMW flagships.

Read our Nio ET7 review

Xpeng P7

China’s answer to the Tesla Model 3 is from a company that quietly expanded into Europe in 2021, with plans to enter the UK in the near future.

The P7 borrows heavily from the Palo Alto playbook. So it’s a saloon with rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive variants, and comes with different battery sizes and power options. Top banana is the Performance version with 466bhp and a range of 358 miles.

It’s not just about the numbers, though. The steering has fluency that some newer car brands lack and the hammer of electric torque makes for easy progress.

Interior space - especially in the rear - is more than ample and the infotainment’s software is up there with the best in the business.

Read our Xpeng P7 review

Zeekr X