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Summary
- China-made EVs threaten US competition with nicer, faster, and cheaper models.
- BYD’s Seal and Sealion 7 outperform Tesla models, offering luxurious interiors.
- Unique EVs like the MG Cyberster and Yangwang U8 prioritize style, performance, and features.
Tesla has led the charge for electric vehicles for years, but its reign is coming to an end. These China-made EVs are nicer, faster, and more affordable than the US competition. Even though the cars below aren’t coming to America, Tesla feels threatened and is scrambling to keep customers with cheaper versions of the Model Y and Cybertruck.
We’ve yet to see whether these EVs suffer drastic depreciation, but they’re already ahead with lower starting prices. At the time of writing, the Nissan Leaf is the cheapest EV you can buy in the US at $28,140. You could get a lot more for your money with these cars.
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 manufacturer websites. The models below are ranked in no particular order.
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1 BYD Seal
Like some other brands featured in this list, BYD isn’t new; it’s only new to passenger cars. BYD is a leading battery manufacturer, powering Nokia mobile phones to Forklifts. In fact, it produces buses, trucks, construction, and other commercial vehicles, so it’s no surprise BYD out-sold Tesla in the UK in less than a year.
BYD Seal Excellence performance specifications
Motor | Dual-motor |
Battery | 82.5 kWh |
Horsepower | 523 bhp |
Range | 354 miles (WLTP) |
The BYD Seal Excellence is a rapidly-accelerating sedan with a 3.8-second sprint to 60 mph, putting more expensive luxury brands to shame. On top of that, the exquisite quilted leather interior and a rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen display with voice command feel more premium than the plain Tesla Model 3 cabin.
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2 BYD Sealion 7
Dylan Freeburn/Pocket-lint
Another big fish in the BYD Ocean series is the Sealion 7, which sits on the dedicated e-platform 3.0. It takes aim at popular electric SUVs, such as the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.5. There’s plenty of space for fully grown adults throughout, and ultra-fast wireless phone chargers allow you to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto — that isn’t offered on Tesla — all day long.
BYD Sealion 7 Excellence performance specifications
Motor | Dual-motor |
Battery | 91.3 kWh |
Horsepower | 523 bhp |
Range | 312 miles (WLTP) |
The Sealion 7 is available with a combination of batteries and motors with rear- or all-wheel-drive and focused on range or performance, with an even more affordable entry-level trim being added later this year. Despite being the brand’s most expensive model yet, the Sealion 7 is competitively priced against mainstream rivals.
3 MG Cyberster
MG Motors
While most EVs prioritize efficiency over style, the MG Cyberster is a soft-top statement piece. It’s not as fast as the much-anticipated and ever-delayed Tesla Roadster claims, but powered scissor doors and arrow-shaped LED indicators will certainly turn heads. Of course, MG was initially a British brand, but it is now owned by SAIC motors, which qualifies it for a place on this list.
MG Cyberster GT performance specifications
Motor | dual-electric |
Battery | 77 kWh |
Horsepower | 496 bhp |
Range | 276 miles (WLTP) |
Though four digital displays are excessive and slightly overwhelming for drivers, this two-seat sports car from MG has impressed journalists around the globe. Hopefully more manufacturers will take note of what an EV can be *ahem* Ford Capri.
4 Yangwang U8
BYD
Rivian, Hummer, Lincoln… whichever SUV you think beats the Yangwang U8; you’re wrong. It’s much better. The U8 is only available in selected markets due to its price, size, and ability to survive natural disasters. For example, under UK driving laws, anyone looking to buy a U8 would need to sit a specific driving test to obtain a license that allows them to drive vehicles over a certain weight. There is an internal combustion engine underneath, but it acts as a generator to power the battery.
Yangwang U8 performance specifications
Motor | Quad electric + ICE range extender |
Battery | 49.1 kWh |
Horsepower | 1,180 bhp |
Range | 386 miles (CLTC) |
In the event of a tsunami, the U8 can float and use the wheels to swim for up to thirty minutes, while the sunroof allows air into the cabin, to get passengers to safety. It also mimics the tank turn of a G-Wagon. Inside could be mistaken for a Maybach. High-quality materials and soft leather are generously applied, complete with neck pillows and screens for passengers to watch movies.
5 Li Auto L6
Li Auto
Following a similar construction to the U8 above, the Li Auto L6 features a 1.5-liter engine to charge the battery, which powers the motors to drive the wheels. These types of vehicles are known as range-extender EVs, like the Mazda MX-30 R-EV. In the L6’s case, it boosts driving range to over 800 miles. This makes the impressive range of a Tesla seem pathetic.
Li Auto L6 performance specifications
Motor | Single electric + ICE range extender |
Battery | 36.8 kWh |
Horsepower | 402 bhp |
Range | 864 miles (CLTC) |
Of course, it doesn’t end there. It wouldn’t seem like a China-made vehicle if it wasn’t packed full of technology. Front passengers are treated to a massage with 10 acupressure points being activated, a 19-speaker audio system for crisp sound quality, and a built-in fridge to keep lunches cool on those 800-mile road trips.