10 Chinese Electric Cars We’d Love To Drive

For the last eight years, China has remained the largest market for EVs. The Chinese electric vehicle segment has continuously exploded in recent years with major players like BYD, Geely, SAIC-GM-Wuling — a partnership between SAIC Motor, GM, Liuzhou Wuling Motors Co, HiPhi — and others leading the charge. According to the Harvard Business Review 2024, China accounts for “nearly 60% of EV sales worldwide” and leads the global marketplace in all-electric vehicle exports with more than half of the electric cars on roads worldwide found in China.

China’s dominance in the global EV market can be attributed to several factors, including its early investment in electric cars, extensive government support through subsidies and tax breaks, and its role in spearheading battery technology. However, the models that make up the Chinese EV market remain forbidden fruit in the U.S., although some companies have shared an interest in joining the American automotive fray.

But, until such moves are finalized, those interested in EV models across the Pacific will have to wait, or travel, to get behind the wheel. In the meantime, we can assess what the Chinese EV market holds, and there are certainly some intriguing models piquing the interest of enthusiasts.

UPDATE: 2024/03/16 13:00 EST BY ANIEBIET INYANG NTUI

To ensure readers have access to the most up-to-date information, this comprehensive analysis has been meticulously revised to reflect the latest trends and developments within the dynamic Chinese electric vehicle (EV) industry.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various automakers and other authoritative sources such as HotCars and CarBuzz.

1 GAC Aion Hyper SSR

Supercar Performance At A Fraction Of The Cost

A neck brace is not included on the features list of the Aion Hyper SSR, but with its neck-breaking acceleration, one ought to be. The Hyper SSR and SSR Ultimate earned a laundry list of headlines in 2022 when the automaker claimed the low-slung electric supercar would rip from 0-60 in just 1.9 seconds.

GAC Aion Hyper SSR Technical Specs

(Specs sourced from GAC & CarBuzz)

That puts the Hyper SSR on par with the Rimac Nevera for the production car acceleration record, and the Aion can be had for under the equivalent of $200,000, about one-tenth of the $2.2 million the Rimac commands. The Hyper SSR also has other features to get the heart racing like scissor doors, a carbon fiber splitter, and a low and aerodynamic design.

2 BYD YangWang U9

A Striking Electric Supercar With Impressive Performance

Though the majority of the Chinese EV market is relatively sedate, the YangWang U9 is an all-electric supercar that is designed to shake up the market alongside the Hyper SSR. YangWang is the luxury division of industry-leader BYD, and the company unveiled its wild-looking supercar which uses a “Gate of Time and Space” design language that makes it look like no other super-EV on the road.

BYD YangWang U9 Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from BYD YangWang)

The U9 packs a punch in terms of performance. Its quad-motor electric setup delivers 1,287 horsepower and 1,239 pound-feet of torque. It can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in a 2.36 seconds and reach a top speed of 192.1 mph. The driving range is estimated at 289 miles on a single charge according to the CLTC test cycle.

3 BYD Han

A Feature-Packed Midsize Electric Sedan

BYD, which stands for “Build Your Dreams,” produces a wide range of EVs from cars to bicycles and buses. But in 2020, the automaker unveiled its new flagship sedan, the Han, where it will compete directly against the major American player in the Chinese EV market, Tesla, and also tackle the Mercedes E-Class. The Han is a midsized luxury sedan that is offered in three electric models with prices ranging from about $30,000 USD.

BYD Han Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from BYD)

In addition to its attractive price, the Han has a driving range of up to 375 miles according to the NEDC test cycle. The company also claimed it to be the fastest Chinese EV in production at the time, with a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds. It also features a long list of tech like adaptive cruise control, a 15.6-inch display, and an NFC mobile phone key function. In 2022, the Han received a facelift and a new trim level, the BYD Han Premium.

4 Zeekr 009

Redefining The Minivan With Luxury And Electrifying Performance

Though there is a strong stigma around minivans in the U.S., that’s not the case in other parts of the word, particularly in China and Asia, where vans are heralded for their practicality and, in many cases, their luxury. One such example is the Zeekr 009, an electric minivan that bears little resemblance to the Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Sienna, and other vans available here.

Zeekr 009 Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from Zeekr)

For starters, the 009, has an imposing presence with its boxy and futuristic styling. It also will tear the doors off any American-spec minivan with a whopping 536 horsepower and a range of over 500 miles, according to Geely, Zeekr’s parent company that also owns Lotus and Volvo. On top of its impressive performance and practicality, the 009 is highly luxurious with a tech-laden cabin and features like massaging second-row captain’s chairs, a 20-speaker Yamaha sound system, and other luxury appointments.

5 Aion LX Plus

Impressive Range With Cutting-Edge Battery Tech

Manufactured by GAC, the Aion LX Plus, unveiled in November 2021, is the premier version of the automaker’s LX lineup, and the model features some impressive specs. The top model, the Thousand Miles Edition, is fitted with a sizeable 144kWh battery pack with a manufacturer-claimed driving range of 625 miles according to NEDC testing, undoubtedly helped by its solar panel roof and energy density of 205 Wh/kg.

Aion LX Plus Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from GAC)

Impressively, the LX Plus delivers this range with a silicon anode sheet inside the battery to reduce the size and weight of the battery. The LX Plus uses a single-motor powertrain that offers 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque and will run from 0-60 in a claimed 7.8 seconds. Though the performance specs aren’t earth-shattering, the Aion’s impressive driving range puts it ahead of the Lucid Air Sapphire’s 516-mile range, though under EPA testing the Aion would almost assuredly fall below its 625-mile range.

6 BYD YangWang U8

Ultra-Powerful All-Electric Off-Roader

While YangWang has put the lamplight on its supercar, it also showcased its off-roader, the U8, which also packs a seriously impressive punch that can tackle all terrains. The U8, which resembles a Land Rover Defender 130 in both looks and size, is an all-electric, all-terrain beast built on a full ladder frame. It features a quad-motor setup with a combined output of 1,100 horsepower that will reportedly launch the hulking SUV from 0-60 in three seconds.

BYD YangWang U8 Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from BYD)

The U8 reportedly has a “tank turn” function like that of the Mercedes EQG, a crab mode that gives it the ability to do 360-degree tank-like turns, and a “floating water mode” for traversing water. YangWang claims the off-roader can float in water for up to 30 minutes. The firm goes further to claim that the U8 can keep driving at 75 mph in the event of a flat tire.

Special Features

• “Floating water mode” for shallow water traversal
• “Yisifang” technology (e⁴ platform) for: crab walk maneuver and tank turn maneuver
• Flat tire compensation (up to 75 mph / 120 km/h)
• Electronically-controlled AWD with faster torque distribution

7 Nio ET7

A Tesla Model S Rival With Impressive Specs

China is a major market for Tesla, and one of the domestic companies taking on the American automaker is Nio, particularly with its Model-S-rivaling ET7. The automaker’s flagship sedan features a dual-motor, AWD system with three lithium-ion batteries from 70-150 kWh and an NEDC-rated electric driving range of 310-621 miles. The dual-motor setup has notable power with a combined output of 644 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque that will scoot the sedan from 0-60 in as little as 3.8 seconds.

Nio ET7 Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from Nio, CarBuzz, and HotCars)

The ET7 also features a LIDAR autonomous driving system, a 23-speaker audio system, dual digital displays, 5G connectivity, and a host of other luxury features. Recently, a Nio ET7 sedan equipped with a groundbreaking 150 kWh semi-solid-state battery has generated excitement in the EV world. This test drive achieved a remarkable range of over 649 miles, showcasing the potential of solid-state battery technology to address range anxiety, a major hurdle for EV adoption.

8 Xpeng G3i

An Affordable Electric SUV Packed With Features

When finding out more about an automotive market, it’s also crucial to look beyond the luxurious and sporty offerings. Getting behind the wheel of more mainstream models can also give you a good idea of where a segment is heading, and that’s why we’d like to get behind the wheel of the Xpeng G3i.

Xpeng G3i Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from Xpeng)

The G3i is a compact SUV that starts at roughly $36,450 and features a long list of cool features like a panoramic front windshield that stretches all the way to the rear of the car, two-tone paint, a semi-autonomous driving feature, and a 15.6-inch touchscreen. Additionally, the little known all-electric SUV offers 323 miles of range according to NEDC testing.

9 Zeekr 001

Luxury Sedan With Impressive Range And Performance

The second Zeekr model on our list is the automaker’s flagship 001 sedan, which could be confused for a Porsche Taycan from a distance but has impressive specs in its own right. The updated luxury sedan is fitted with a 140kWh battery that is rated for up to 419 miles of driving range from a single electric motor with an output of 286 horsepower. Those wanting some more oomph can opt for the dual-motor setup that ups the ante to 536 horsepower and will scoot the 001 from 0-60 in 3.8 seconds.

Zeekr 001 Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from Zeekr)

On top of its impressive range and performance, the 001 features an attractive cabin that can be decked out with an orange and gray Alcantara interior with eye-catching trim. The model also features a tablet-like center display, a digital gauge cluster, Brembo six-piston calibers, 22-inch wheels, and other premium features.

10 Ora Good Cat

Quirky Charm In A Small Electric Package

The Ora HaoMao, or “Good Cat,” may not have the impressive specs of the other models on this list, but its funky, youthful styling makes us want to have a drive in this little five-seat hatchback. And though its name may be too cutesy for many, it does add to its cheerful outward character.

Ora Good Cat Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from Ora)

​​​​​​​Produced by Great Wall Motors’ electric division, Ora, the Good Cat is a fairly basic EV city car with 140 horsepower and a range of 248 miles. But we like its Porsche Panamera-esque front end and overall styling that seems to blend bits of the Mini Cooper and Fiat 500 along with its available bright, two-tone paint colors. The Good Cat may not be a “Great Performer,” but it certainly has charm.