Compare & understand
Chinese EVs — compared honestly
We sell Chinese electric cars. Even so — or precisely because of that — you will find no whitewashing here: where these cars are strong, where they still fall short, which type suits whom, and when an import is not the right choice. Advice first, sales second — in that order.
Where Chinese EVs win today
Price-to-equipment ratio
Full equipment — driver assistance, panoramic roof, massage seats, big batteries — is often standard on Chinese models rather than an options list. What counts in a comparison is the equipment-adjusted price, not the list price.
Battery and charging technology
800-volt platforms, high charging power and modern cell chemistry reached series production in China earlier than at many established manufacturers.
Cockpit & software pace
Large displays, fast infotainment, short update cycles. The software often feels a generation younger than European models at the same price.
Model variety & new segments
From compact city EVs to luxury saloons with a fridge: many segments never reach Europe officially, or arrive years later — through import they are drivable today.
Where Chinese EVs (still) fall short
This list costs us sales — and spares you disappointments. Both are intended.
Thinner service network than an OEM
An official manufacturer with 400 franchise workshops is more convenient day-to-day than any import. Our partner network covers a lot, but not every region equally — check the map before you buy.
Software localisation with gaps
Voice assistants, individual app services or map features are built for China on some models. We document what your chosen car can and cannot do in Europe — before you buy.
Residual value harder to predict
Young brands have little used-market history. We cushion this with complete documentation, a battery certificate and part-exchange — but nobody can seriously guarantee BMW-level residuals today.
Import lead time
Production, sea freight and homologation take several months depending on the model. If you need a car next week, buy from stock or an EU model.
Which type fits which daily life?
Brand logic doesn't help much — use-case logic does. Four typical profiles:
Family in the city
Compact to mid-size SUV with a big cabin, plenty of assistance and solid everyday range. Key: child-seat fit, boot space, charging speed for the weekend trip.
What to check: wallbox at home? Then the fast-charging curve matters less.
Commuter without a wallbox
If you charge publicly, a good fast-charging curve and reliable CCS compatibility matter more than the biggest battery.
What to check: real charging power at 150 kW stations — we quote measured values, not brochure figures.
High-mileage & long distance
800-volt models with high sustained charging power and efficient consumption at motorway speed. This is where Chinese platforms play their technical strength.
What to check: consumption at 130 km/h matters more than the WLTP figure.
Fleet operators
TCO, plannable maintenance, residual-value strategy, data-protection documentation. There is a dedicated fleet path with pilot vehicles and framework terms.
What to check: calculate total cost over the holding period, don't compare list prices.
The tools to compare for yourself
You don't have to take our word for it — run the numbers yourself:
Configurator with import calculation
Every model with a final price including freight, customs and homologation — itemised transparently, no registration needed.
See the models →Shipping cost calculator
What does the journey from Shanghai to your door cost? The calculator shows it for your country.
Open the calculator →Brand & model guides
Who builds what, with whose technology, since when? Our guides explain the Chinese manufacturer landscape neutrally.
Read the guides →Certified cars in stock
Immediately available, inspected vehicles with a battery certificate — the lowest-risk entry point.
View the marketplace →When an import is (not yet) the right choice
A good advisor also says when not to buy. An import is not the right choice today if …
- … you need maximum workshop density everywhere — then an official EU manufacturer with a nationwide franchise network is the more convenient choice.
- … the car has to be on your driveway in under four weeks and no suitable stock vehicle is available.
- … your calculation depends on a guaranteed residual value at the level of established premium brands.
- … a specific app service you can't live without is not offered on your chosen model in Europe — ask us, we check this upfront.
None of that applies? Then running the numbers is almost always worth it — and that is exactly what we help with.
Common comparison questions
Are Chinese EVs built worse than European ones?
As a blanket statement, no — those days are over. Current models from the major manufacturers match European series-production quality, sometimes exceed it. Differences remain in chassis tuning (often comfort-oriented) and software localisation. Which is exactly why: take a test drive, read the documentation.
Is an import really cheaper than an official EU model?
Often, but not always. After freight, customs and homologation, many models keep a clear advantage — especially equipment-adjusted. For some it isn't worth it, and then we say so. The configurator shows the final price; you can compare yourself.
Which Chinese brand is the best?
That's the wrong question — the right one is: which model fits your use case? A city commuter needs something different from a family or a fleet. Our use-case profiles above are a better starting point than any brand ranking.
Can I test drive a Chinese EV before importing?
Yes — we have demonstration and stock vehicles for many models, and certified pre-owned cars on the marketplace are drivable immediately. Ask for an appointment.
Why should I believe a dealer who lives off this?
Fair question. Our answer: we document weaknesses in writing before the purchase, demonstrably advise against a sale at times, and only earn long-term from satisfied customers who come back — not from a one-off sale. Hold us to exactly that standard.
How we de-risk the import: SafeImport Package →What happens after the purchase: ServicePlus →
Not sure which path fits?
Describe your daily life — driving profile, charging situation, budget. You get an honest assessment of which model fits. Or whether none does.
