5 Chinese cars you didn't know about

If you've driven through the M62 lately, you've probably seen an influx of new badges on the road, you may have seen new names like Jaecoo, XPeng, Omoda, and more. In 2025, we saw record-breaking registrations for Chinese manufacturers, for a few different reasons. One of the biggest reasons being their incredible value for money. Whilst some may think that lower prices may mean lower quality or less features, this couldn't be further from the truth.

Most, if not all, of these cars are packed with high-spec interiors, cutting-edge battery technology, and some unique features that make driving safer and more convenient than ever. What else do these cars offer? Let's walk through some of the most popular Chinese cars right now and what sets them apart from the competition.

1. Jaecoo 7

The Jaecoo 7 is a big hitter this year and has a lot of people talking. They're trying to bridge the gap between traditional 'rugged' SUVs and modern high-tech hybrids, and they're doing a fantastic job. It has a very bold look, giving it a presence on the road usually reserved for other high-name brands. Inside, the cabin is roomy, features "All-Sense" quilted seats, and has cockpit designed around a huge portrait-format screen that handles everything from navigation to the 540° panoramic camera (More about that below).

Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre 'Super Hybrid System', which delivers 204bhp and a seamless transition between electric and petrol power. It's a 'nippy' performer, hitting 0-62mph in a respectable 8.5 seconds, while the intelligent battery management system makes sure you've always got enough electric "juice" for urban driving. When fully charged, you can expect around 56 miles of electric-only range too, which is more than enough for your daily driving.

Here's some of our favourite features from the Jaecoo 7:

• 540° Panoramic Camera: This offers a "transparent chassis" mode to the camera, allowing you to see exactly what's under your wheels, which is great for those tight parking spots where you need to know exactly where the wheels are.
• Cooling Wireless Charging: A powerful 50W wireless fast charger that has a built-in cooling vent, stopping your phone from overheating while you're using Android Auto/CarPlay.
• Premium Features: It comes with a Sony sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated front seats as standard.

The best part? This car really delivers incredible value for money. You can Lease this car right now for as little as £260.08* per month.

2. Omoda 9

Omoda is actually the sister brand of Jaecoo. Whilst Jaecoo chases a more 'rugged' look and feel to their SUVs, Omoda positions itself towards the premium performance SUV sector. The Omoda 9 is their flagship SUV with some pretty impressive stuff. Featuring the same SHS (Super Hybrid System) set up as the Jaecoo, this SUV delivers 449bhp, giving it a 0-62mph of just 4.9 seconds. What truly sets it apart is the impressive 93-miles of electric range - one of the highest in the UK - meaning this can easily be used as an EV for day-to-day life. For the rest? The 700 miles of total range will easily get you from Cornwall to Edinburgh, with plenty of fuel left over.

On the inside, the Omoda 9 really delivers on luxury, it features a 24 inch curved display by combining the infotainment and driver display into one huge screen. To add to the appeal, there's power-adjustable seats (even in the rear, which is rare) as well as a 14-speaker Sony surround sound system too. When it comes to ride quality, the Omoda doesn't disappoint, the electromagnetic suspension system adapts in real time to road surfaces, making sure every journey is a comfortable one.

Some of our favourite features include:

• PHEV Range: 93 miles of range is incredibly generous, and allows you to run this in EV mode for most of your daily commutes.
• Electromagnetic Suspension: Even bumpy roads will feel like you're gliding across them.
• Private Audio Zones: An uncommon feature, the driver headrest includes it's own speakers, allowing you to take calls or listen to music without the whole cabin hearing it as well.

With all of this performance and technology, you'd expect this car to cost an arm and a leg, right? Not at all, you can lease all of this for as little as £350.96* a month.

3. XPeng G6

This car takes a glimpse into the future of EVs and their potential. Being built on some pretty impressive architecture, this car can charge at speeds up to 450kW. To better translate that, you can charge from 10% to 80% in just 12 minutes. Depending on the model you go for, that's between 189 and 248 miles of range. Yes, petrol/diesel cars are still quicker to refuel, but while you're refuelling, I'm nipping for a quick loo break while the car charges. The car itself looks stunning too, with a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette that prioritises both style and efficiency.

Inside, you'd be (loosely) forgiven for mistaking the G6 for a Tesla Model 3. The interior is undeniably minimalist, yet large, there's more than enough legroom for even the tallest of people, and the large, panoramic sunroof not only helps to brighten the interior, but it does so whilst blocking 99.9% of UV rays. The front seats even benefit from 12-way power-adjustment, with heating, cooling, and massage functions as well. Whilst the interior sounds great, you're probably thinking "What's the performance like?" This mostly depends on which model appeals to you, but it ranges from 185kW (248bhp) all the way to 358kW (480bhp) in their performance trim. This means you can expect a 0-62mph time of anywhere from a respectable 6.9 seconds, all the way to a blazing 4.1 seconds, which is pretty impressive.

The standout features here are:

• Space: Space isn't always a given in an EV, but the G6 especially delivers on that 'roomy' feeling, and even benefits from a 571-litre boot, expandable to 1,374 litres. Plenty of space if you feel like doing a week long holiday with all of your tallest friends.
• Charging Speed: It really shouldn't be ignored how impressive it is to charge from 10-80% in just 12 minutes, eliminating range anxiety and meaning you don't lag behind for long trips away.
• XPILOT Assist: A full suite of 49 sensors and cameras that give you advanced driver assistance like Lane Centering, Adaptive Cruise Control, Assisted Lane Change, and even remote and auto-parking.

I'm sure you've guessed it by now, but the XPeng G6 is another car that isn't going to break the bank. Leases start at as low as £309.89* a month (with the performance model still costing less than £400* a month, too).

4. GWM Ora 03

Formerly known as the "Funky Cat", the Ora 03 is one of the few newer cars that isn't chasing a futuristic design and instead opts for a charming, retro-inspired aesthetic which I'm loving. Whilst the 03 certainly looks like it's come straight from the 1950's, it is still very much a modern car with plenty of tech and cool features inside. It's definitely an eye-catcher of a car, but beneath the vintage charm lies a serious EV with a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, which makes it an incredibly popular model to lease.

Technologically, the Ora 03 is far more advanced that the "Funky Cat" name suggests. It features dual 10.25-inch integrated displays, as well as the "Hello Ora" voice assistant, allowing you to control everything from climate to window settings with voice commands. It's clear that the 03 prioritises style and convenience over raw performance, and it does it brilliantly. The 171bhp motor gives you brisk, responsive driving, perfect for urban and city driving, which is what the 03 was designed for. You also get up to 261 miles of range too, depending on the model you choose.

Some standout features:

• Style: Whilst not technically a feature, the 03 plays into an aesthetic that is charming, retro, and very rarely seen, making it a standout vehicle on the road.
• Voice Assistant: Usually a bane of many drivers experiences, the "Hello Ora" assistant actually does a good job of listening and activating commands, making driving even more convenient.
• Automatic Reversing Assist: An unusual but very handy feature. The Ora 03 can record the last 50 metres of forward travel and automatically reverse the car along the exact same path.
• Facial Recognition: Perfect for shared vehicles, instead of changing all your settings, mirrors, seats, and climate after someone else has used the car, Ora will automatically remember and activate your preferences.

This really is a standout car that chases aesthetics and convenience over performance, it's a car that will stand out from the crowd, and you could lease it for as low as £407.56* per month.

5. BYD Seal

Now I admit, you may have already seen this brand on the road a few times, but I'm including it anyway as it's a pretty impressive vehicle. The BYD Seal is a sleek, performance-oriented saloon that is very much ocean-inspired, by name and design. Built on their e-Platform 3.0, it uses something called "Cell-to-body" technology, which integrates the battery into the vehicle's structure for improved rigidity and safety.

The performance of the Seal is nothing short of amazing, too. The dual-motor AWD model can hit 62mph in just 3.8 seconds, the kind of acceleration usually reserved for supercars. Their single motor variant doesn't disappoint either, offering a 0-62mph of just 5.9 seconds. You may think that such a car with such good speed would have very little range, and you'd be wrong. You can expect to see between 323 and 354 miles of range depending on the model, which rivals most modern EVs. Inside, luxury and functionality are forefront. There is a 15.6-inch touchscreen that can switch between landscape and portrait modes at the touch of a button. Integrated sports seats and a "Dynaudio" sound system to add to that premium feel.

The top features for AMT are:

• "Blade" Battery Tech: A cobalt-free battery design that is ultra-safe and incredibly space-efficient.
• Rotatable Touchscreen: For navigation, entertainment, or even just preference, it's great to be able to have a little more control over the interior.
• Performance: It's almost silly to have a car with this much power, up to 530bhp makes it feel like you're driving a supercar, without the supercar price.

How much would you pay for supercar performance? £500 a month? £700 a month? How about as little as £275.82* per month? (With the performance model at just £345.45* per month).

Honourable Mention: MG4

Is it the MG4? Or is it the MG MG4? I'm not sure, but I'm adding this car as it's a personal favourite of mine. There's a good chance you've seen this car on the road too as it's been around since 2022.

MG used to be renowned for being a classic British car brand, but has been owned by Chinese brand Saic Motors since 2007. Their recent line up of cars has been very impressive, but (to me at least), none more impressive than the MG4. Being built on a modular platform, there are more variants than you can shake a stick at, but each of them bring incredible value for money.

At the time of release in 2022, this was one of, if not the, cheapest EV on the market, and it paved the way for the influx of amazing value EVs on the road today. Whilst it might not be the cheapest EV today, you're certainly getting a lot of bang for your buck. Depending on the model, you can expect to see anywhere from 218 and 338 miles of range. With performance varying too, from a very nippy 62mph in 7.9 seconds, all the way down to an eye watering 3.8 seconds (in their dual-motor XPOWER model), which is pretty incredible, it's 50:50 weight distribution makes for surprisingly incredible handling, too. Inside, whilst somewhat minimalist, it's very roomy, with a 12.8-inch curved touchscreen and even physical buttons for the most used controls. With so many models of the MG4 available, there's something for everyone, from the daily driver all the way to the performance enthusiast.

Some of my personal favourite features:

• Supercar Level Performance: Whilst I didn't own the XPOWER variant, my Long Range model still felt very fast, so imagining how fast the XPOWER goes is incredible.
• Updated Driver Cockpit: The updated touchscreen is smooth and responsive, and I love the fact there are still physical buttons for your most used controls.
• Modular Scalable Platform: This is what allows it's versatility, the chassis was built purposefully to be modular, whilst allowing for an ultra-thin battery, maximising interior legroom and boot capacity.

Remember how I mentioned it being an incredibly cheap EV? It's still the cheapest on our list, with lease offers starting from as little as £240.84* a month (think the XPOWER is expensive? Think again, that's still only £270.07* a month).

So there you have it, the 5 (or really, 6) Chinese brands you might not have heard of. It's clear to see that mainstream brands have some fierce competition. Whilst these Chinese cars are incredibly cheap, they're not compromising on quality or features. Have I convinced you to take a chance with one of these brands?

*Prices correct as of publishing (13/02/2026)