The rise of Chinese cars: What’s available on the UK market?
In the last few years, the UK market has been dominated by the arrival of Chinese car manufacturers. So, what do Chinese cars have to offer?
Charlie Harvey
Published on 15 June 2026 | 7 mins read
Over the last few years, Britain’s new and used car market has become dominated by the arrival of Chinese car manufacturers.
Chinese cars make a lot of sense for those looking for an affordable, practical and well-equipped vehicle, who are not worried about brand snobbery.
Chinese brands are focusing heavily on SUVs and electrified powertrains and there are several available on the market.
So, if you’re tempted by a Chinese car, what brands are there, and what do they sell?
So what are these Chinese brands that are new to the UK?
Some Chinese brands, such as Great Wall Motors and MG, have been in the UK for over a decade (the latter helped by the fact that it was originally a British company), but others such as BYD, Jaecoo, Denza, Chery, Omoda and Leapmotor are much more recent arrivals to the market. Here’s an overview of each one:
BYD
Though it’s not been here long, you might have heard the name 'BYD', and that's because it’s one of the fastest-growing Chinese brands in Europe.
BYD stands for 'Build Your Dreams' and is a technology company that produces electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
It arrived in the UK in 2023, and since then, the firm has grown to extend its model line-up to nine vehicles.
These include the Dolphin Surf, Dolphin, Seal, Seal U, Sealion 5, Seal 6, Sealion 7, Atto 2 and Atto 3.
The Dolphin Surf, Dolphin, Seal, Sealion 7, Atto 2 and Atto 3 are the firm's electric models, while the Seal U, Sealion 5, Seal 6 come as standard with BYD's 'Dual Mode Intelligent', or DM-i for short, plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The firm has even bigger plans for the future, with 2026 being the year that it installs 300 of its 1,000kW ultra-rapid flash chargers across the UK, which the firm claims can add 250 miles of range in five minutes. Plus, it’s introduced its 'Denza' premium sub-brand to the UK market.
The Denza brand will kickstart off in April with the launch of the Z9GT, which is a four-door shooting brake, rivalling the Porsche Panamera and will be available with plug-in hybrid and electric power.
Denza
Denza is BYD's premium sub-brand. It opens with the Z9GT: a four-door shooting brake aimed squarely at the Porsche Panamera, available with plug-in hybrid or electric power.
Chery
Chery is one of China's largest carmakers, so while it may be new to the UK, it isn't to be underestimated. Its range here centres on SUVs — the Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 — all offered with petrol or plug-in hybrid power.
Omoda
Omoda is Chery's sporty sub-brand, built for European markets, with a focus on outlandish, yet fashionable design. It keeps things simple with two coupe-like SUVs: the petrol-powered 5 and the electric E5.
Jaecoo
Jaecoo is another of Chery's export brands, and this one aims a little higher, albeit with a more conservative Land Rover-inspired design ethos. It leans towards the more luxurious end with its 5 and 7 SUVs. In March 2026, the Jaecoo 7 became the best-selling new car in the UK, so it’s a brand that’s one to watch.
Leapmotor
Leapmotor isn't going it alone — it runs a 51:49 joint venture with European giant Stellantis. Its focus is affordable electric city cars and SUVs, namely the T03, B10 and C10, the last of which now also comes as a plug-in hybrid.
MG
MG is a familiar face. Chinese-owned since 2007 and back on UK roads since 2011, it's become a go-to for affordable petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars. It also sells the Cyberster – a desirable electric roadster convertible, while the MG3 hybrid is billed as Britain's cheapest hybrid on sale.
Geely
You may already know Geely's work without realising it – nowadays it owns Volvo, Polestar and Lotus. Under its own name, it now offers the EX5 electric SUV in the UK, alongside the Starray plug-in hybrid.
Great Wall Motors
Great Wall Motors (also known as GWM) has quietly been selling commercial vehicles and pick-ups here since the early 2010s. These days its range spans combustion, hybrid and electric, including the Ora 03 electric hatch (previously known as the Funky Cat), the Haval Jolion Pro hybrid SUV and the diesel-powered Poer300 pick-up.
Search Great Wall Motors on Cazoo
How many Chinese car brands are in the UK?
You may have lost count with the amount of Chinese brands that have come to the UK in the last three years, but there are currently around 17 on offer, and rising.
Chery also has its own ‘export strategy’ programme, where it owns bespoke brands sold for European markets with the likes of Omoda and Jaecoo.
Omoda is the sporty sub-brand of Chery, offering coupe-esque SUVs with the petrol-powered 5 and electric E5 models. Jaecoo focuses more towards the conservatively-styled, slightly more premium end of the market with the 5 and 7 SUVs, though it’s been criticised for its styling which looks more than similar to that of Land Rover and Range Rover.
Other growing brands include Leapmotor, which has a 51:49 joint venture with the European giant, Stellantis. Leapmotor mainly sells affordable electric city cars and SUVs, with the T03, B10 and C10 models, although the C10 is now available with a plug-in hybrid setup.
MG is another renowned brand in the UK, after being bought out by the Chinese in 2007. Since MG’s return in 2011 with the MG6, it has gone on to be one of the go-to brands for those looking for affordable petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. It also sells the only two-seater electric sports cars with the Cyberster, while the MG3 hybrid is Britain’s cheapest hybrid on sale.
The brands that are also worth a mention are Geely, which owns Volvo, Polestar and Lotus and now offers the EX5 and Starray electric and hybrid SUVs for the UK.
Furthermore, Great Wall Motors have been selling commercial vehicles in the UK since the early 2010s and now, it offers a range of combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles with the Ora 03 electric hatch, the Haval Jolion Pro hybrid SUV and the diesel-powered Poer300 pick-up truck.
What are the main benefits for buying a Chinese car?
Value for money is the main reason why Chinese cars have grown in popularity over the last couple of years, undercutting the competition on price.
Chinese models also come with lots of standard kit, and they come with long warranties, usually lasting seven years or 100,000 miles, and eight years or 100,000 miles if they have batteries with electric motors. These warranties may differ between brands and require certain criteria be met, such as servicing to the manufacturers’ specification and via their own main dealers.
They also come with some of the latest on-board technology, which makes them feel bang up to date and a lot more modern than the competition from Japan and Europe.
Do Chinese cars make good second-hand buys?
It depends on which Chinese car you’re looking at, as some models are much more appealing than others.
Models from BYD and MG have the best reputation for quality and electrified technology, and now with their increase in popularity, they are much more affordable.
Cars from BYD provide lots of standard kit, while the ‘DM-i’ plug-in hybrid setup fitted to certain models is smooth, efficient, quiet and restrained.
MGs come with a lot more badge prestige, due to the brand’s heritage, but thankfully, its cars are just as impressive with models such as the HS SUV providing a premium-feeling interior, a comfortable driving experience, and the option of a plug-in hybrid setup that can take the car a claimed 75 miles on electric power.
Meanwhile, brands such as Omoda and Jaecoo are also increasing in popularity with British buyers, thanks to their rock-bottom running costs and attractive second-hand values.
Continuing the theme of value for money, used examples of Chinese cars speak for themselves on the second-hand market.