I'm a motoring expert - 5 Chinese cars that'll be everywhere on UK roads in five years

Chinese vehicles have arrived in the UK, with 2025 a breakthrough year for top brands such as BYD, Leapmotor and Chery. This time last year, Chinese vehicles were still a relative novelty with only a handful of models on UK roads, but a year of growth has shown China is here to stay with sales soaring.

Cheap upfront costs, affordable monthly repayments, generous warranties and stylish interiors are among the reasons why UK motorists are looking at Chinese petrol, plug-in and electric cars with fresh eyes. Brand loyalty for traditional manufacturers appears almost dead with polls showing 7 in 10 would consider buying and using a Chinese vehicle. Express.co.uk looks at the top candidates set to take over the UK within the next half a decade.

Jaecoo 7

Jaecoo bosses have even admitted the success of the SUV in the UK has taken them by surprise and could become one of the motoring stories of 2025. SMMT data shows more than 11,000 models have been sold in the UK in its debut year, with the model Britain's best-selling plug-in hybrid in August.

One month earlier, Omoda and Jaecoo's combined share stood at a staggering 2.7% to edge past established brands such as Renault, BYD and Tesla. The car looks like a Range Rover from the outside with a striking front grille sure to catch the eye. The car's more than affordable £30,000 price tag could do that alone.

BYD Seal

BYD has had a year to remember and looks set to become the first Chinese brand to really hit the mainstream. The Chinese marque has shifted more than 24,000 vehicles in 2025 and just moved into its new offices in Uxbridge.

The BYD Seal U DM-i is the best-selling model in the UK with over 10,000 vehicles sold in its first 10 months on the road.

MG 4 EV

The former British marque became a Chinese manufacturer back in 2005 after being acquired by Nanjing Automobile Group. The company has fully embraced electric vehicles with the MG 4 EV praised for its affordable price tag, comfortable ride and nimble handling.

The five-door hatchback is fitted with 363 litres of boot space and a range of 218 miles for just over £27,000.

Leapmotor T03

SMMT data shows that Leapmotor has shifted just over 1,000 models so far in 2025 in the marque's first year on the market. The T03 is an ideal city car, fitted with a 37.3 kWh battery providing a range of up to 165 miles.

The T03 is also fighting back against Labour's EV grant with the brand offering an identical £1,500 discount to consumers after learning most Chinese brands would likely be exempt from the scheme.

Chery Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8

Chery unleashed their first UK range at a glitzy launch party at the O2 Arena in August when the covers were lifted off the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8. Both cars fit nicely into the affordable SUV market, with the Tiggo 8 set to be the UK's most affordable seven-seat large SUV model.

Priced at just £28,454, the Tiggo 8 is set to be an eye-watering £14,000 cheaper than established models such as the Kia Sorento and Skoda Kodiaq.