Chinese car manufacturers are capturing a rapidly growing share of the British motoring market with affordable models that rival established European brands on price and features.
Figures from Carwow indicate that 49 per cent of drivers would now consider a Chinese vehicle, an increase from 35 per cent last year. Manufacturers such as BYD and Chery have gained traction by offering cars that resemble premium models from Range Rover, Volkswagen and Mercedes, but at a significantly lower price point.
The trend is spearheaded by the Jaecoo 7, a 30,000-pound SUV dubbed the 'Temu Range Rover' and the 'mum SUV' on TikTok. It became Britain's best-selling new car in March with 10,064 sales, finishing ahead of the Ford Puma, Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage.
Sales of the Jaecoo 7 formed the bulk of the 12,034 total brand sales recorded by Chinese newcomer Jaecoo that month. The model has remained in the top ten for sales since September 2025, with more than 53,000 registered in the UK since it went on sale in February of that year.
The Jaecoo 7 acts as an alternative to the Range Rover Velar, which costs 55,460 pounds, offering a saving of 25,295 pounds with its starting price of 30,165 pounds. The flagship SHS-P plug-in hybrid variant, priced at 35,170 pounds, accounts for 75 per cent of purchases. It offers a 745-mile combined range and an electric-only range of 56 miles.
Following an investigation by the Mail which found that its advertised seven-year, 100,000-mile policy did not cover all major parts, Jaecoo recently upgraded the warranty for the 7 SUV.
The interior includes a panoramic roof, ambient lighting, acoustic glass, air purification, a 50W cooled wireless smartphone charging pad, a 10.25-inch driver display and a 14.8-inch portrait central screen. A reviewer for the Mail concluded that while it cannot match the Velar's driving experience, it offers cost-savvy buyers low running costs, style and gadgets for a bargain price.
Electric city runaround
BYD, which recently overtook Tesla to become the world's largest electric car maker, is competing in the small electric vehicle sector with its Dolphin Surf. The model starts at 18,675 pounds, offering an 8,105-pound saving compared to the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, which costs almost 27,000 pounds.
The standard Surf features a 308-litre boot, a 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen and heated seats in its top trim. While the Corsa offers a range of 220 miles between charges, buyers seeking similar performance from the BYD must opt for the Dolphin Surf Boost. This version costs 21,975 pounds and provides a 200-mile range.
The reviewer advised that those wanting a direct copy of a petrol car should buy the Corsa, but those driven by value should choose the Dolphin Surf. They noted the BYD possesses enough personality for neighbours to overlook its bargain label.
Small family electric vehicle
The MG4, which debuted in 2022, is the fourth best-selling electric vehicle in the UK with 49,000 models on the roads. The manufacturer introduced a facelifted version this year called the MG4 Urban, priced between 23,495 pounds and 27,995 pounds.
The MG4 Urban serves as a cheaper alternative to the Volkswagen ID.3, which costs between 30,860 pounds and 48,360 pounds, resulting in a saving of 7,365 pounds for the base model. The Chinese car offers greater practicality with a 479-litre boot and an additional 98 litres of under-floor storage, surpassing both the 385-litre ID.3 and the 435-litre Nissan Leaf.
The interior features a seven-inch driver display, a 12.8-inch central screen and heated front seats in some trims. Its electric range spans from 201 to 258 miles. The reviewer questioned why buyers would pay more for the less practical Volkswagen, though they acknowledged the ID.3 carries a more premium badge.
The plug-in hybrid newcomer
Chery has launched its fourth brand in the UK, Lepas, which takes its name from a combination of leap, leopard and passion. Its flagship model is the Lepas L8, a large five-seater plug-in hybrid priced at 34,900 pounds.
The Lepas L8 undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan, which previously retailed at 42,875 pounds but is currently off sale, by 7,975 pounds. The model also aims to rival luxury five-seater SUVs such as the Audi Q5 and the BMW X5, which costs more than 70,000 pounds.
While the Tiguan offers AI assistance for hands-free music and questions, the Lepas L8 provides a substantial combined range and significant interior space. The reviewer found the Tiguan provides a better drive, but praised the L8 for its unbeatable interior at the price point and an elegant presence that stands out more than Omoda or Jaecoo models.
Luxury touring capability
The Omoda 9 SHS, another offering from the Chery group, is priced at 44,995 pounds. It competes against the Mercedes GLC, which costs 60,725 pounds, saving buyers 15,730 pounds.
The Omoda 9 Super Hybrid System delivers 442 horsepower and a combined electric and petrol range of 700 miles, including a 93-mile electric-only range. The manufacturer promises everything as standard, with the interior featuring massage seats, a large sunroof, a 14-speaker Sony sound system and a 24.6-inch infotainment screen.
The reviewer, who drove the vehicle across seven European countries on a single tank of fuel, described it as one of Chery's most complete offerings. They acknowledged it lacks the chauffeur-level plush quality and prestige of the Mercedes GLC, but argued the savings make it a worthwhile compromise.
Seven-seat family option
Following the success of the 7, Jaecoo has introduced its flagship model, the Jaecoo 8, priced at 45,500 pounds. The seven-seater significantly undercuts German competitors, saving 27,725 pounds compared to the Audi Q7, which starts at 73,225 pounds, and costing about half the price of a 90,000-pound BMW X7.
The Jaecoo 8 SHS-P utilises a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine alongside electric power, providing an 83-mile electric-only range and a combined range of 700 miles. The cabin features dual 12.3-inch displays, a 14-speaker Sony sound system, front massage seats and headrest speakers.
Describing the Audi Q7 as having serious, tasteful road presence, the reviewer noted no Chinese SUV can yet claim that accolade. However, they recommended the Jaecoo 8 for buyers prioritising affordability and hybrid power over a premium badge.
Tesla Model Y competitor
MG's technology showcase division, Intelligence in Motion, has launched the MG IM6 Long Range at 47,995 pounds. The model was developed through a partnership between parent company SAIC and e-commerce and research firms.
It operates as a direct rival to the Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, which costs 48,990 pounds. The IM6 Long Range offers a 388-mile range, compared to the Tesla's 378 miles, and features a 396kW charging speed that easily surpasses Tesla's 250kW rate.
The rapid charging capability allows the IM6 battery to increase from 10 to 80 per cent in 17 minutes. The vehicle provides a 665-litre boot and a 32-litre front trunk. For those seeking greater performance, the IM6 100 Performance produces 740 brake horsepower and completes the 0 to 62mph sprint in 3.5 seconds. It is priced at 50,995 pounds, undercutting the 61,990-pound Performance Model Y.
The reviewer declared the IM6 their top choice among the tested models. They suggested that while a Tesla was once the height of cool, Elon Musk's foray into social media politics has made the unknown IM6 a more respected choice on the street.
The reverse premium vehicle
BYD Group's premium technology brand, Denza, is bringing its flagship Z9GT to the UK with a price tag of 100,205 pounds. The manufacturer launched the model at the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris and appointed actor Daniel Craig as its global ambassador.
The Z9GT features a shooting brake shape and aims to compete with the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo, which is 11,005 pounds cheaper at 89,200 pounds. The Denza produces 1,140 brake horsepower, covering 0 to 62mph in 2.7 seconds.
The interior includes three screens, massage functions for all seats, a fridge compartment and automatic doors in the style of a Rolls-Royce. It is the first vehicle to offer BYD's Flash Charging to British drivers, enabling the battery to charge from 10 to 70 per cent in five minutes, and from 10 to 97 per cent in nine minutes.
The reviewer concluded the Denza surpasses the Porsche in most categories, lacking only the prestige of the German brand. They suggested that spending 100,000 pounds on the relatively unknown Denza marks the buyer out as a maverick.
