Some of the most popular Chinese car brands have been ranked as having the best-performing hybrid models available on the market.
Chinese manufacturers have quickly captured the attention of the UK market with state-of-the-art technology, affordable prices and an impressive range of vehicles.
While popular brands including BYD, Jaecoo and Omoda all offer electric vehicles, many also have plug-in hybrids on the market to appeal to those who are not yet ready to make the switch to a zero emission car.
Auto Express has put five of the most popular Chinese hybrid models to the test to see which offer the best value for money, most impressive efficiency and the overall experience of the vehicle.
Richard Ingram, deputy editor and chief tester at Auto Express, said: "The Chinese automotive invasion is in full swing; electrification is spearheading a new wave of cars from brands we'd previously never heard of.
"Buyers are at a crossroads, asking whether now's the time to veto their Vauxhall, part ways with Peugeot or say 'au revoir' to Renault. Some may even be ready to turn their back on BMW and Europe's premium players."
Five popular hybrids were put to the test over hundreds of miles of UK roads, with experts proving that the Chinese models can keep pace with established Western models.
Sharing the results exclusively with GB News, Auto Express tested the MG HS PHEV, BYD Seal U DM-i, Jaecoo 7 PHEV, Omoda 9 SHS and Haval Jolion Pro.
5. Haval Jolion Pro Ultra
The Haval Jolion Pro Ultra
|GWM
Price: £29,995
Powertrain: 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol hybrid
Battery capacity: 1.7kWh
Official EV range: N/A
Distance covered: N/A
Percentage of official range: N/A
Charge rate: N/A
ICE test economy: 44.1mpg
Jordan Katsianis, senior staff writer at Auto Express, said it was difficult for the experts to recommend the Haval, describing the driving experience as "lukewarm at best".
"The infuriating infotainment and general UX is nothing short of appalling. It’s rare that a car company gets the fundamentals so wrong, but the Jolion Pro is a car that falls so far short of European tastes that it should be sent back on a boat to the country it came from," he added.
4. Omoda 9 SHS
The Omoda 9 SHS
|OMODA
Price: £44,990
Powertrain: 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol PHEV
Battery capacity: 34.5kWh
Official EV range: 93 miles
Distance covered: 76 miles
Percentage of official range: 81.7 per cent
Charge rate: 70kW (DC)
ICE test economy: 44.8mpg
The Omoda 9 "lacks compuse when pushed", according to creative director Darren Wilson, who said the expensive price point of the vehicle "needed to do more to stand out".
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
3. Jaecoo 7
The Jaecoo 7 PHEV
| JAECOOPrice: £35,165
Powertrain: 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol PHEV
Battery capacity: 18.3kWh
Official EV range: 56 miles
Distance covered: 53 miles
Percentage of official range: 94.6 per cent
Charge rate: 40kW (DC)
ICE test economy: 51.4mpg
The Jaecoo 7 has quickly become one of the best-selling vehicles in the country, with the SUV placing in sixth place with 2,611 new car sales in October, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Auto Express editor-at-large Phil McNamara noted that the 7 takes design inspiration from the Range Rover, but is let down by "sloppy steering and odd ergonomics".
2. BYD Seal U DM-i
Price: £35,315
Powertrain: 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol PHEV
Battery capacity: 26.6kWh
Official EV range: 78 miles
Distance covered: 66 miles
Percentage of official range: 84.6 per cent
Charge rate: 18kW (DC)
ICE test economy: 47.9mpg
Mr Ingram stated that the BYD model was best suited to urban journeys and longer motorway trips, although it is held back by "floaty handling". Despite this, the impressive electric range "comfortably pips the Jaecoo to second spot".
1. MG HS
The MG HS PHEV
|MG
Price: £34,745
Powertrain: 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol PHEV
Battery capacity: 24.7kWh
Official EV range: 75 miles
Distance covered: 74 miles
Percentage of official range: 98.6 per cent
Charge rate: 7kW (AC)
ICE test economy: 44.8mpg
Alastair Crooks, senior news reporter, said: "Probably the biggest compliment we can pay the MG - our undisputed champ in this company - is that it felt the most European of all the cars tested here. We found it impressively refined on the motorway, with little wind or road noise and a comfortable ride.
"Yet none of that came undone when faced with a challenging A or B-road - the slower steering stopped it feeling too alert or twitchy, and well-contained body roll prevented its occupants from being thrown about too much."