Skip advert
Advertisement
Opinion

“You could get a BYD on your driveway before a VW”

Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler is excited by the new wave of upstarts - such as BYD and Ora - that are on their way to the UK

BYD opinion

It wasn’t long ago that Kia and Hyundai were the challenger brands making waves by taking on established car makers. Now they’re part of the establishment themselves, producing cars that are among the best you can buy – as their multiple award wins, not least from us, prove.

More than that, in the new world of electrification we’re seeing a levelling of the playing field where buyers are finding the latest Kias and Hyundais just as appealing as models from what we would class as traditional premium brands. The combination of style, quality and tech that these cars offer is as good as – and often better than – what the posh European car makers have on sale.

But now it’s the likes of Kia and Hyundai that are in the cross hairs for a new wave of car makers coming to the UK. MG has been at the forefront of this invasion, with the quality of its cars and the number it now sells propelling it into the mainstream, fast. We rate the new MG4 highly and having now driven it myself, I totally agree – it’s a brilliant car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

We’ve also been behind the wheel of the BYD Atto 3 – another Volkswagen ID.3 rival from China that’s set to offer decent quality, tech and driving manners for less than its VW equivalent. And perhaps even more amazingly, it’s set to be on sale here by the end of the year, so you could get a BYD on your driveway before a VW. The only parts of the Atto 3 that BYD doesn’t manufacturer itself are the glass and tyres – so no component supply issues there, then.

Also coming soon is the Ora Funky Cat, made by another Chinese giant, Great Wall Motors. It follows a similar theme to BYD (and others before), by offering more for less. The upstarts of old were often short on quality and made up for that with low prices and bags of kit. That’s not the case with these new models. Apart from an established name, they seem to pretty much have it all.

Click here for our list of the cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
23 Jun 2025
Six new BYD cars by 2026, but they won’t all be EVs
BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort - front cornering

Six new BYD cars by 2026, but they won’t all be EVs

The Chinese brand intends to double the size of its UK line-up by the end of next year
News
19 Jun 2025
Fastest-accelerating cars in the world 2025
Fastest-accelerating cars 06/25

Fastest-accelerating cars in the world 2025

Combustion-engined supercars are making a last stand against electrified machines in the fastest accelerating car stakes, here are all the top contend…
Best cars & vans
5 Jun 2025
Tesla overtaken by China's BYD in the UK car sales charts
BYD Seal U - front cornering

Tesla overtaken by China's BYD in the UK car sales charts

Chinese giant beats Tesla in monthly sales in May as UK car market grows year-on-year
News
5 Jun 2025

Most Popular

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!
Skoda Octavia vRS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!

A three-time Auto Express Family Car of the Year winner, paired with Golf GTI power, is our Deal of the Day for 6 July
News
6 Jul 2025