10 Best Chinese vehicles you can buy today

Updated: August 12, 2024

Years ago, Chinese cars were only starting to get really good, but now, all of the Chinese brands have stepped up their game and fielded better and better models. Things have become so good that these brands have gone on to impress even the most discerning car buyers in the Philippines. 

It’s safe to say that the perception of Chinese brands in the Philippines has changed. From once cheap and affordable transport to value-packed and quality rides that drive and feel better or comparable to some of the more established names in the market today. As such, here are the 10 best Chinese cars that we’ve had the pleasure of testing on AutoDeal.com.ph listed in no particular order—somewhat.

We got to test the CS55 Plus, and it surprised us. Not only was its interior spacious, but it also had a decent drive. The transmission and the engine behavior did take some getting used to, but for the most part, it was a compliant and comfortable drive as long as you didn’t expect too much from it. 

As far as its best feature, however, it’s a quality car for a price that is rather worth it. Compared to the rest of the field, it’s about on par, but perhaps to other people on a budget, it offers a lot of decent features, copious amounts of space for a five-seater, and a relatively plush ride. 

Some cars lean into a certain niche, while others slide into it. The MG GT was one such car that we were able to test and that we were able to have a bit of fun in. While it’s not the sharpest-handling sedan out there that’s marketed with a sporty character, the GT emphasizes just enough comfort for a long drive, with sporty features and an engine that is pretty willing to get up and going. 

For the price, it’s kind of hard to argue with what you’re getting here. With a fully-featured interior, a peppy engine, and looks that punch above its price point, the GT is a rather interesting car, and one that we’d definitely prefer in a bright color. 

The next car on our list is the first EV on the list and another MG, it’s the MG4 EV.  The MG4  makes it to our list because it's an electric vehicle that may possibly democratize EV ownership thanks to its starting price tag of P1,468,888. This puts the MG 4EV in a limited club of fully electric vehicles with prices comparable to that of Japanese hybrids. 

Despite this accessible price, the MG4 EV is not starved of features by any means. Starting with safety features, the MG4 EV comes with a full suite of six airbags, an electronic parking brake, lane-keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking among many more. Highlights of its tech features include a 10-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple Carplay as standard, automatic climate control, and adaptive cruise control. These features are available as standard which means buyers can get all this kit even at the entry-level MG4 EV. With this impressive feature list and price, the MG4 EV is a car worth considering especially if you’re considering shifting to electric propulsion.

The next vehicle comes from a fresh brand, the Lynk & Co 06. The 06 possesses a face as fresh as its brand name, making it a very unique vehicle in a sea of crossovers. This uniqueness doesn’t stop at the exterior, inside, the 06 boasts a premium interior that’s focused on modern design and an upscale ambiance. 

Under the hood, the Lynk & Co 06 boasts a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 178 hp and 290 Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. While not excessive, this power is more than sufficient for the 06’s size. 

The Lynk & Co 06 features advanced tech including a large 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a panoramic view camera, and driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane change assistance.

Starting at P1,488,000, with the top-tier Hyper Halo variant priced at P1,598,000, the Lynk & Co 06 is the most affordable vehicle in the lineup, yet it still delivers impressive features and performance.

We were able to test the HEV version of this model, and it was definitely a step up in terms of its performance, albeit for a rather steep asking price. GWM is a new player in the market, currently. The brand has a history in the Philippines but it went away for a while and then reinvented itself with a full lineup of hybrid-electric and non-hybrid-electric vehicles. 

The Jolion HEV is the most accessible hybrid in the lineup, and it offers decent amounts of space, a surprisingly competent and comfortable drive, and ride, plus a powertrain that is refined, even more so than some of its rivals out there. It also has some EV features like the One-Pedal system which proved very useful in city traffic during our time with it. 

The bigger brother to the Jolion, the Haval H6 is rather interesting. Being a bigger car, it gets a bump in power compared to the Jolion, in addition, the interior and its features level up in terms of style, quality, and presentation. 

Unlike the Jolion where its looks are more aggressive, the H6 HEV exhibits a more subdued modern style. However, moving inside, the Jolion and H6 both share a feature-packed interior with a contemporary style. Thanks to these characteristics, the H6 HEV should be at least part of your shortlist if you’re thinking about buying a Chinese crossover.

When GAC reintroduced itself, it launched this: The Empow. You cannot deny how good this car looks, and the moment you drive it you might fall in love. The Empow is a blast to drive. Not only is its chassis sorted, but it is also low to the ground, has a responsive engine, and has drive modes that actually make a difference. 

This is a next-generation product from GAC. If you’ve glossed over the previous GAC models, pay attention to this one now, and also the other GACs on this list. 

The Emzoom is not only gorgeous, but it’s also one of the best value cars currently in the market today. At about a million Philippine Pesos, you’ll be getting a stunning crossover that punches well above its price point. Equipped with the same powerful engine in the Empow, the Emzoom pretty much lives up to its name. 

Then, of course, you get GAC’s now signature interior styling. We’re sure that anyone seeing this car for the first time might wonder how GAC is making any money off of these cars given how solid everything feels and drives. 

Next on our list is the latest vehicle to join BYD’s local lineup, the Sealion 6. Serving as another NEV or “New Energy Vehicle” offering from the brand, the BYD Sealion 6 combines the best of hybrid technology with its Super DM-i system, featuring a parallel hybrid powertrain (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) capability, and a series hybrid system. It includes an electric motor driving the front wheels, delivering 194 hp and 325 Nm of torque, supported by a 1.5-liter engine generating 95 hp and 135 Nm, acting as a range extender and power generator. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with an 18.3 kWh Blade Battery.

All in all, this gives the Sealion 6 a total system output of 214 hp and 325 Nm of torque. BYD also claims the vehicle can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. Equipped with numerous tech and safety features plus a V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) feature, the Sealion 6 is a hybrid vehicle that provides a ton of value for your money at P1,548,000. 

The last vehicle on our list is a massive pickup truck from Foton, the Tunland V9. The Tunland V9 boasts a significant size, presence, and power. Starting with the looks, the Tunland V9 sports an aggressive grille with looks inspired by large, full-size, American pickup trucks.

The Tunland V9 is powered by a 2.0-liter Aucan turbo-diesel engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system, delivering 160 hp and a robust 450 Nm of torque. The power is managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the option of 4x2 or 4x4 configurations depending on the variant.

Moving to features, the Tunland is as big on tech as it is on size. Features include automatic climate control, a large 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, power-adjustable front seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and leather upholstery. If you’re looking to get a taste of big pickup trucks without the hefty price, the Foton Tunland V9 is a great choice.

If any of these vehicles piqued your interest, check them out on the AutoDeal Car Guide. Simply click the “Get Quote” button to connect with sales agents to start your car purchase in minutes.