Chinese cars have gone from non-existent on UK roads to everywhere, and copycat Range Rover models are popping up in their thousands.China's car giants, such as BYD and Chery, have quickly captured British motorists' attention by making cars that have a similar look and feel to brands like Range Rover, Volkswagen, and Mercedes, but cost far less.These dupes rival popular European models on features, safety, fuel economy, and battery range.Most notably, Jaecoo - a sub-brand of China's Chery Group - has become famous for its 'Temu Range Rover,' a lookalike for the Range Rover Velar that costs half the price of its British luxury rival.The £30,000 Jaecoo 7, which went viral on Tiktok as the 'mum SUV' was Britain's best-selling new car in March, clocking up 10,064 sales. Data from Carwow suggests that 49 per cent of drivers would now consider a Chinese car, up from 35 per cent this time last year. But which Chinese car 'dupes' are actually worth it? I have driven a lot of them - and these are the ones I think are best. Chinese carmakers are gaining popularity for offering car buyers 'dupes' of expensive, European models. The Jaecoo 7 is famous for being the 'Temu Ranger Rover': Here are our top 'dupe' picks Jaecoo 7 sales success - famous dupe is flying off the shelvesStellar sales of the Jaecoo 7 in March saw the car - which is available as a petrol car, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid - finish ahead of well-established models, including the Ford Puma, Nissan Qashqai, and Kia Sportage.It contributed the lion's share of the 12,034 total brand sales made by Chinese newcomer Jaecoo that month.The Jaecoo 7 has been consistently in the top ten models for sales since September 2025. Since going on sale in February of that year, more than 53,000 examples have been registered in the UK.The long-range, plug-in hybrid SHS-P variant has stormed ahead in popularity due to its combined 745-mile range, which helps customers save money on fuel: 75 per cent of customers have chosen the flagship SHS-P variant.And there is a new development which could make it even more appealing. Jaecoo has recently confirmed it has upgraded the warranty for the 7 SUV, after the Mail revealed that not all major parts were covered under its advertised seven-year, 100,000-mile policy.Our favourite Chinese car dupes: The full list City runaroundBYD Dolphin Surf – £18,675Vauxhall Corsa Electric – £26,780Saving – £8,105BYD is now the biggest electric car maker in the world, dethroning Tesla. Small, cheap EVs are having a moment, and BYD has taken on European marques with its little Dolphin Surf.It goes up against Vauxhall’s Corsa Electric which costs almost £27,000, while the Surf starts from under £19,000. Vauxhall Corsa Electric: The Vauxhall, which costs almost £27,000, has 220 miles of range BYD Dolphin Surf: The Surf comes with a 308-litre boot, a 10.1 in rotating touchscreen and heated seats in the top trimYet the Corsa has 220 miles of range – how far an EV can go between charges, as measured by industry benchmark figures. To rival that you’ll need to pay more for your Dolphin Surf.The more advanced £21,975 Dolphin Surf Boost takes the range up to 200 miles.That’s not a huge amount, but you can easily spend a week whizzing around town before it needs to be plugged in.The Surf comes with a 308-litre boot, a 10.1 in rotating touchscreen and heated seats in the top trim. It’s more about fun and function than thrills, but sometimes that’s all you need.Verdict: If you want to jump from a well-known petrol car to a copy-and-paste EV version, get the Corsa. If you’re going on value alone, get the Dolphin Surf.What does it say about you? The Surf might be the car on this list with enough personality and fun appeal to let your neighbours overlook the Chinese bargain hunter label. It’s a cheap car in a cheap car category, so own it.Small family EVMG4 Urban – £23,495Volkswagen ID.3 – £30,860Saving – £7,365Since its debut in 2022, the MG4 has become the UK’s fourth bestselling EV, with 49,000 on our roads. It’s no surprise the car maker decided to capitalise on the MG4’s success this year by giving it a facelift and bringing out the MG4 Urban. Volkswagen ID.3: A Volkswagen ID.3 is between £30,860 and £48,360 and struggles to match its Chinese rival MG4 Urban: The MG4 has become the UK’s fourth best-selling electric vehicle, with 49,000 on our roadsTo my eyes it’s a little less cool and sporty looking than the angular 4, but the Urban is more practical. I was particularly impressed with the 479-litre boot. Plus, you get an extra 98 litres of storage under the lift-up boot floor.This means the MG4 beats rivals such as VW’s ID.3 (385 litres) and the new Nissan Leaf (435 litres) in the practicality stakes.I found it an appealing EV, balancing an interior with a premium feel with functional and smart technology (a 7 in driver display and 12.8 in central screen) and good comfort features, such as heated front seats in some trims. The MG4 offers a drive that is enjoyably responsive. It’s good on twisting roads and excelled in tight, urban environments.Verdict: The MG4’s range of between 201 and 258 miles isn’t massive but is enough for town and city drivers. You’ll pay between £23,495 and £27,995, whereas a Volkswagen ID.3 is between £30,860 and £48,360 for a less practical car.What does it say about you? The MG4 Urban isn’t a cool car, and I don’t think MG would even try and pretend it is. It’s unlikely anyone would buy one to impress the Joneses. But then owning an ID.3 isn’t that cool either. It does comes with that VW badge though, which is considered premium, and therefore other drivers will think it’s classier than its Chinese counterpart.The family SUVJaecoo 7 SUV – £30,165Range Rover Velar – £55,460Saving – £25,295See more This is Money on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceJaecoo is Chery's runaway success story. The Jaecoo 7 only went on sale in February 2025, but it is the main contributor to Omoda and Jaecoo surpassing the 100,000 sales mark in under two years.The five-seater, medium-sized SUV is most popular in its SHS-P form: the plug-in hybrid version has an EV-only range of 56 miles on a single charge and a total combined range of 745 miles.The SHS-P costs £35,170, and owners have told us they have saved a lot of money thanks to its fuel efficiency.The interior is the key selling point of the Jaecoo 7, offering (depending on the trim level) a panoramic roof, ambient lighting, heated deluxe front seats, acoustic glass, air purification, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats.There is no scrimping on tech either, with a 50W cooled wireless smartphone charging pad, a 10.25-inch driver display, a 14.8-inch portrait central screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Range Rover Velar is a luxury family SUV that isn't as expensive as other JLR models, and yet its £55k price tag makes it tens of thousands of pounds more than its new Chinese rival The Jaecoo 7 starts from £30,165 and comes with lots of standard kit. Interior features include heated and ventilated front seats and air purification. It undercuts the Velar substantiallyVerdict: We will never be able to say that the Jaecoo 7 is the best SUV to drive, or that it matches up to the Velar in that regard, but it gives buyers what they want: low running costs, style, and gadgets galore for a bargain price.What does it say about you? That you're embracing the Chinese car dupe trend - and you aren't afraid if anyone knows it. And that you're a cost-savvy car buyer.The newcomerLepas L8 – £34,900Volkswagen Tiguan – £42,875, off saleSaving – £7,975The Lepas is the latest brand from Chery to land in the UK, and plug-in hybrid the L8 has now launched.The large five-seater, with a premium interior takes on the VW Tiguan and luxury models like the Audi Q5.It's almost £10k cheaper than the Volkswagen Tiguan, and tens of thousands cheaper than luxury five-seater SUVs such as the BMW X5 which is north of £70,000. The Volkswagen Tiguan's updated interior is made of smart materials. Use of AI assist allows you to play music and ask questions hands-free Lepas, a combination of leap, leopard and passion, is the fourth Chery marque in the UK. The L8 is its new flagship SUV model that will undercut the Audi Q5 and take on Kia and Peugeot Verdict: The Tiguan offers a great package; the updated interior features high-quality materials, and the integration of AI assistance allows you to play music and ask questions hands-free.Now that I’ve driven the Lepas L8, I can confirm that the Tiguan provides a better drive. However, the L8 delivers a huge combined range alongside an interior that is difficult to beat at this price point. Plus, it’s exceptionally spacious.What does it say about you? The Lepas boasts a premium look and a large, commanding presence in person. It definitely looks more elegant than Omoda or Jaecoo models, giving you a more sophisticated appearance driving a Lepas compared to a Jaecoo. Plus, there aren't thousands of people driving a Lepas - yet.Luxury mile-muncherOmoda 9 SHS – £44,995Mercedes GLC – £60,725Saving – £15,730I took the Omoda 9 SHS (Super Hybrid System) across seven European countries last summer and was cosseted by its comfort features. These fall under Omoda’s ‘everything as standard’ promise. So I relaxed on massage seats, enjoyed the sunshine through the large sunroof, played music through the 14-speaker Sony system and appreciated the easy-to-use 24.6 in infotainment screen.But I could also enjoy the smooth and swift acceleration from its 442hp and – importantly for many buyers now – know I was munching the miles efficiently. The Omoda 9 SHS’s combined EV and petrol 700-mile range leaving more expensive rivals behind. It also boasts a 93-mile electric-only range The Mercedes GLC offers chauffeur-level quality – the interiors are as comfortable and luxurious as a home cinemaThat European tour was done on a single tank, with the Omoda 9 SHS’s combined EV and petrol 700-mile range leaving more expensive rivals behind.At home, the 93-mile electric-only range will really come into its own.The Omoda has a high-end feel, but doesn’t quite match the supple, plush quality of the GLC. This offers chauffeur-level quality – the interiors are as comfortable and luxurious as a home cinema.Verdict: The Omoda 9 SHS is one of the most complete offerings from the house of Chery and drives well. German rivals such as the Mercedes GLC will set you back at least an extra £15,000.What does it say about you? No one will turn their head in envy at an Omoda 9 in the way they might do at a Mercedes GLC, but the Omoda does look good. The neighbours won’t think you’re as rich as the executive down the road with the big Merc, but you'll have more money left in your pocket. Consider that a win. The seven seaterJaecoo 8 – £45,500Audi Q7 – from £73,225Saving – £27,725Most people will know the name Jaecoo for its 7, but the 8 has now arrived as its flagship model.With its ‘Super Hybrid System’ the 8 SHS-P combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with electric power, offering 83 miles of EV-only. You can transport seven people over 700 miles without needing to stop to refuel.Jaecoo hasn’t scrimped inside either, with dual 12.3in displays, a Sony 14-speaker sound system, front massage seats and headrest speakers. The Audi Q7 is a much-loved large family SUV for a reason but it will cost you almost £30,000 more than a Chinese rival With its a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with electric power, the Jaecoo 8 can transport seven people over 700 miles without needing to stop to refuelAt £45,500 the Jaecoo 8 seriously undercuts the £73,000-plus Audi Q7 and the BMW X7, which costs around £90,000. But it also gives you plug-in hybrid capability, something the German cars don’t yet offer if you want seven seats.With fuel costs rinsing people at the pumps, low running costs like the Jaecoo 8's have never looked so appealing.Factor in its price tag, premium fit and kit, and pleasing design and it's a large SUV that most people will be happy to have on their driveway, even if it isn’t the most fantastic example of a seven-seater.Verdict: If it’s affordability and hybrid power rather than a badge you want, the Jaecoo 8 seems like the seven-seater to opt for. The Q7 is a much-loved large family SUV for a reason but it will cost you almost £30,000 more.What does it say about you? The Audi Q7 is a car with serious road presence in a tasteful way. It says: ’I have money and like luxury.’ No Chinese SUV, however big, is yet to claim that accolade. But the 7 has built Jaecoo quite the following and for those willing to lean in to the ’Temu Range Rover’ vibe this could tell people you are going to enjoy life in your big, well-kitted-out family car and aren’t fussed what they think.Tesla rivalMG IM6 Long Range – £47,995Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive – £48,990Saving – £995IM or ‘Intelligence in Motion’ is MG’s ‘technology showcase’ arm.This is a tie-up between parent company SAIC and e-commerce and R&D companies, which means this IM6 is really an MG despite its different badge.As an alternative to a Tesla, the IM6 earned my respect last summer by matching the Model Y on range and beating it on charging. Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive can manage 378 miles on a single charge The MG IM6 can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 17 minutes using a rapid chargerThe IM6 Long Range offers 388 miles, to the similarly priced Model Y Premium Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive’s 378 miles, but trounces Tesla’s 250kW charging speed with its 396kW one. It can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 17 minutes using a rapid charger.The IM6 is very smooth and pin-drop quiet to drive, which are big plus points. Families don’t have to compromise on practicality either, as the IM6 has a 665-litre boot and 32-litre frunk (front trunk).If you’re not fussed about range and want more power and punch, then the IM6 100 Performance does 0 to 62mph in 3.5 seconds and has 740bhp to raise the hairs on the back of your neck. This will cost you more at £50,995, but that’s considerably cheaper than a £61,990 Performance Model Y.Verdict: If I was buying one of these cars, it would be the IM6 all the way.What does it say about you? Back in the day a Tesla was the height of cool – and ahead of the curve. Unfortunately, that all changed with Elon Musk’s foray into social media politics. Now you are likely to get a lot more respect on your street for having an IM6 – a cool, unknown car – than you will for owning a Model Y. The ‘reverse dupe’Denza Z9GT – £100,205Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo – £89,200Difference – £11,005Denza is the premium technology-orientated car brand of the BYD Group, and its Z9GT is its flagship model that’s about to arrive in the UK – with an astonishing five-minute charging time.The launch was no small thing. Denza took over Paris’s opera house, the Palais Garnier, and hired former James Bond Daniel Craig as global ambassador.With its shooting brake shape, the Z9GT is a rival to Porsche’s Taycan Sport Turismo. And it offers headlining-grabbing figures, covering 0-62mph in 2.7 seconds thanks to its 1,140bhp. Despite being unable to match its Chinese rival in most areas, the Porsche remains a prestige brand - and its cheaper The Denza Z9GT is the first model to bring BYD’s Flash Charging to UK drivers, with the Z9GT’s battery capable of going from 10 to 70 per cent in just five minutesThe car offers total luxury with three screens, massage seats for all, a fridge compartment and Rolls-Royce style automatic doors.It has the feel of a super car – if done safely it could bring out your inner racing driver – but the comfort and space of an ultra-luxe estate. The real pull, though, is that it is the first model to bring BYD’s Flash Charging to UK drivers, with the Z9GT’s battery capable of going from 10 to 70 per cent in just five minutes.A full 10 to 97 per cent charge takes only nine minutes.The catch is that this Chinese EV isn’t cheap, costing around £100,000. So while an enticing EV, it is by no means a bargain ‘dupe’ – you can pick up the Porsche for £11,000 less.Verdict: The Denza beats or surpasses the Porsche in most categories. However, what you do not get is the prestige of a Porsche, as the Chinese brand is still relatively unknown.What does it say about you? It will certainly surprise people that you’ve spent £100,000 on a Denza rather than saving some money and buying a Porsche. You may think this makes you stand out as a maverick and you may be right – but you might get some whispers behind your back too.Are you considering, or have you bought, a Chinese car? Tell us about your ownership or why you are buying one at editor@thisismoney.co.uk