Top 5 Most Popular Chinese Car Models in 2019

Six years after Volvo was acquired by the giant Geely, the Chinese-Swedish joint venture brand Lynk & Co was founded to support the ambitious global expansion of the powerful car group from the most populous country. Just months after its establishment, the brand unveiled its debut model, the 01 – a compact SUV built on the CMA platform co-developed by Volvo and Geely.

The Lynk & Co 01’s exterior features a youthful and modern design, blending influences from several styles. Its front end shows off DRL lights reminiscent of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta headlights, while the hood shape echoes the Porsche Macan SUV. The side air intakes, roof, and especially the rear, exhibit a bold design, appealing to younger, trendy buyers. While the vehicle may have a slight ‘copycat’ feel, overall, the Lynk & Co 01 stands out with a distinct, youthful aesthetic. On the inside, however, the cabin adopts a minimalist yet highly modern design, in line with current trends. The 10.2-inch digital display and a large touchscreen for the infotainment system dominate the dashboard, while physical buttons are minimal. These control systems include climate controls and basic vehicle functions.

Additionally, the Lynk & Co 01 is equipped with many advanced driving aids and comfort features typically found in premium models. These include intelligent cameras and sensors, automatic parking system, electronic handbrake, and adaptive cruise control. Users will also benefit from an air purification system, power-adjustable seats, dual-zone climate control, and rear-seat air vents. The Chinese manufacturer has done an excellent job producing a vehicle with high-end features and build quality, yet priced similarly to mainstream models.

By using the same platform as the Volvo XC40, the Lynk & Co 01 shares engine options with its sibling. In China, only 3- and 4-cylinder gasoline engines are available, while markets abroad will receive hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and even electric powertrains. There are three transmission options: a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic, or a 7-speed DCT. The 01 offers either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. After testing a 2.0L engine with a 6-speed automatic, Caranddriver praised the vehicle’s precise handling and smooth ride. However, the review noted that the gearbox struggled to maintain engine performance stability and that the car tended to understeer at higher speeds.

Similarly, AutoExpress found that the 01 handled accurately and was balanced and comfortable. The UK outlet also noted that it offered a sportier feel compared to the Volvo XC40. While the 01 doesn’t stand out among European competitors, it provides excellent value for its price range. Overall, the Lynk & Co 01 is a great (perhaps even outstanding) vehicle for its price, with an impressive design and features. Currently, it has no major shortcomings, but the brand’s limited recognition and the ‘Chinese label’ may affect its appeal abroad, especially in markets that have a bias against Chinese-made vehicles. If the 01 proves reliable and stable after 3-5 years of use, it might be regarded as the best Chinese car to date.

The Zotye Z500 features a sporty design with sharp, angular lines and prominent embossed detailing. Its signature feature is the chrome-plated, two-bar grille, a familiar design element for the Zotye brand. To keep up with modern trends, the grille and the front light assembly are designed to flow seamlessly together. The headlights are inspired by owl eyes, with projector beams and LED turn signals. The LED daytime running lights are positioned near the fog lights and provide a dual-level lighting effect, drawing attention at night. The rear of the Z500 impresses with its sharp taillight design, highlighted by hook-shaped LED brake lights. The rear bumper also has an elegant chrome strip, considered the most beautiful design element on the car.

The Zotye Z500 is powered by a 1.5L Mitsubishi engine with MIVEC technology and a turbocharger, producing 147 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 195 Nm of torque between 2,000 and 4,400 RPM. This small engine is touted for its fuel efficiency and eco-friendly performance. The standard CVT transmission from Punch, Belgium, ensures smooth and stable driving. Additionally, the Z500 is equipped with an electric power steering system for easier handling. Other features include push-button start, automatic climate control, electronic handbrake, hill-start assist, a dual sunroof, and Bluetooth connectivity.

In Vietnam, the Zotye Z500 is praised for its safety features. Super-strong 3H materials are used in the critical parts of the chassis, and standard safety features include ABS, EBD, CBD, BOS, six airbags, and an electronic parking brake. The Z500 comes in five color options: red, black, gray, silver, and white. Customers can purchase the Z500 from nine showrooms nationwide, with a warranty of 3 years or 100,000 km.

Compared to other Chinese SUVs that have entered the Vietnamese market, the Zotye Z8 boasts a sleek design, often regarded by some as modern and luxurious, rivaling European cars. This makes it a strong contender for customers who prioritize aesthetics. In fact, many design elements of the Z8, such as the roof, body, and rear, appear to be directly inspired by the Range Rover line from Land Rover. Additionally, the grille, logo, and some accessories resemble those found on high-end brands like Maserati and Jaguar, offering owners the option to fit their Zotye Z8 with these 'replicated' parts.

Notably, the Zotye Z8 is packed with a variety of technologies and convenient features that are highly popular among customers choosing a versatile 5-seater SUV. These include a hands-free tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, electrically operated step rails, wireless charging, automatic climate control, a 360-degree camera, and a 10-inch touchscreen display. Despite its price of under 750 million VND, the Zotye Z8 offers an abundance of technology, which makes it appealing to customers who favor style and innovation, willing to overlook the fact that it is a Chinese vehicle. The car is powered by a 2.0L Turbo engine from Mitsubishi, delivering 188 horsepower at 5,000 RPM and a maximum torque of 250 Nm between 2,400 and 4,400 RPM, which is a legacy engine used in older Mitsubishi Lancer models. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

In the southern Vietnamese market, the Zotye Z8 is offered for 728-745 million VND, including taxes, which places it in the same range as smaller urban SUVs like the Ford EcoSport and Hyundai Kona. It is priced at half the cost of other crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5, which the sales representatives use for comparison to attract customers. With its dazzling design, abundant technology, and attractive price, the Zotye Z8 is leading the charge for Chinese vehicles in Vietnam. However, the question remains: does it live up to the hype? It is still too early to judge its long-term success, as beyond pricing, consumers are most concerned with quality and durability, areas where Chinese vehicles have traditionally faced skepticism in the Vietnamese market.

After a series of "knockoff" models like the Landwind X7 and Zotye T800, which gave Land Rover headaches, the Chinese SUV BAIC Q7 was introduced in 2017. Recently, this model has officially launched in the Vietnamese market. Built on the same platform as the Beijing Auto BJ20, the BAIC Q7 SUV measures 4,655 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width, 1,720 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,670 mm. What truly grabs attention is the SUV's design, which strongly resembles the Range Rover Sport, a popular British luxury SUV.

The BAIC Q7 design mirrors the Range Rover in several ways, including the grille layout, square-shaped body, and characteristic side creases. The vehicle’s logo also mimics that of Range Rover. From the side, the Q7 is easily mistaken for a Range Rover Sport. Inside, the BAIC Q7 features a blend of Range Rover-inspired elements (such as the steering wheel) and Tesla-like features (with a vertical 12-inch central touchscreen). Other amenities include leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated and cooled front seats, a panoramic sunroof, automatic headlights, wipers, and air conditioning. The cabin also uses brown leather and faux wood finishes. Despite the efforts to replicate a luxury SUV, the build quality falls short of top-tier standards.

Safety features include hill-start assist, cruise control, anti-theft alarm, child safety locks, smart key access, front and rear sensors, a reversing camera, a 360-degree camera, and six airbags. The BAIC Q7 is priced at 658 million VND, which is 70 million VND cheaper than its competitor, the Zotye Z8. Its appearance closely resembles the luxury Range Rover Sport, but with a price tag far below that of the British model. Currently, the Q7 is only available in Vietnam in a 5-seater configuration.

Z300 is Zotye's largest sedan, first unveiled in 2012 and recently upgraded to present a sporty appearance along with modern and convenient interior features. This sedan is the biggest in Zotye's lineup, designed based on the second-generation Toyota Allion, sold in Japan. The Z300 will soon be available in Vietnam through distributor KYLIN-GX668.

The Z300 will be offered in two engine versions: a 1.5L inline 4-cylinder and a 1.6L, both featuring Mitsubishi's MIVEC technology. The 1.5L engine delivers 83 kW at 6,000 rpm and 141 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.6L engine offers 90 kW at 6,000 rpm and 151 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, mated to a 4-speed automatic. The 1.5L engine consumes only 6.7L/100km. Similar to other compact sedans, the Z300 sports a youthful, bold, and modern design, with popular features such as LED daytime running lights, projector headlights, LED tail lights, and LED-integrated side mirrors.

The interior focuses on simplicity and neatness, with soft-touch plastics used throughout. Comfort features include automatic climate control, a DVD system with USB, GPS, rear camera, and sunroof. A standout feature is its ability to display smartphone content directly on the central screen when connected to Android or iPhone. The green-tinted dashboard is easy to read, and the car's 457-liter trunk can be expanded by folding the rear seats 60/40.

Safety features include 4 front airbags, side curtain airbags for both front and rear rows, ABS, EBD, a rear camera, reverse sensors, and a steel-reinforced frame. In China, the Z300 achieved a 5-star safety rating from C-NCAP crash tests. It also meets Euro 4 emissions standards. The Z300 will be available at KYLIN GX-668 showrooms nationwide, with a 3-year or 100,000 km warranty. Customers can choose from five colors: red, black, white, gray, and silver.