These are China’s best-selling $10,000 cars

THE chances of our ever seeing a full range of Chinese cars on American roads keeps getting more and more remote, like the disappearing wall-to-wall taillights on a 1966 T-Bird. On September 3, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing automakers, called on Congress to “enact a permanent ban on the sale, import and manufacture of Chinese connected vehicles, hardware and software before the conclusion of the 119th Congress.”

It’s important, though, to know what we’re missing. Chinese consumers enjoy some very inexpensive, technically interesting cars that would probably sell quite well if they were ever offered here, even with some tariffs and transportation costs thrown in.

Here are five of the more interesting best-selling bargains on the Chinese domestic market. Thanks to the China EV Data Tracker for 2026 year-to-date sales figures, and to Tu Le of Sino Auto Insights for editorial help:

Geely Xingyuan

Price: $9,130

Higher trims of this EV, a.k.a. Star Wish or EX2, go up to $13,500. This number-one bestseller from Geely has moved 226,465 units in China so far this year. In 2025, Geely sold 465,775 of them, surpassing the Tesla Model Y (425,000). The front-drive subcompact is about the same size as a Chevrolet Sonic, with room for five passengers. It offers 46.6 cubic feet of interior cargo space, with the rear seats folded down. There’s also a 2.5-cubic-foot frunk.

Range is 193 to 298 miles depending on the version. Don’t expect a ball of fire. The Xingyuan has a 40-kilowatt-hour battery and a 114-horsepower motor, yielding a leisurely 11.5-second zero to 60 time. Just like Doctor Doolittle, it gets you there eventually. Testers say this entry-level Geely has light steering without much feel, soft suspension, and a fair amount of body lean. Says Kevin Williams at Inside EVs, “The EX2 feels smooth riding, quiet, and refined, not at all like it’s literally less than half the price of some of the cheapest cars on the U.S. market.”

BYD Yuan UP

Price: $10,400

You might have to spend a heady $16,600 for a loaded one. This battery EV is currently China’s second-best-selling New Energy Vehicle, and the fifth-best-selling car overall.

The base model has a range of 301 km(187 miles), which increases to 401 (249 miles) in the higher trims. BYD, China’s top EV automaker (with 4.27 million New Energy Vehicles sold globally in 2024), has moved 102,945 Yuan UPs in China this year to date. In 2025, BYD sold 267,179 UPs globally. In some markets it’s known as the Atto 2.

The subcompact UP has a 103-inch wheelbase and delivers 31 inches of rear legroom. The rear seat will only accommodate three in a pinch. Only higher trims get a power driver’s seat. BYD targets young people aged 25 to 35 for the UP. It has a very attractive modern-looking cabin that uses water-based leather and recycled cotton. There’s a center-placed floating infotainment screen and digital driver controls.

There are two motor options, 70 and 130 kilowatts, with the former delivering zero to 31 mph in 4.4 seconds. The bigger motor will get to 62 mph in 7.9 seconds. The lithium iron phosphate battery also comes in two sizes, 32 and 45 kilowatt-hours. Testers note that highway driving reduces range “noticeably,” and winter driving conditions also take a toll.

Volkswagen Lavida

Price: $12,400

The upmarket Lavida XR can go for $21,000, but you’d really have to be trying to load it up. The Lavida is currently China’s third best-selling car, with 113,447 units sold this year to date. The 2025 sales total in China was 270,477 units. VW has been losing market share in China, as domestic brands gain traction.

The attractive Lavida is a front-drive ICE sedan from SAIC-VW, powered by a 1.5-liter aluminum-block inline-four producing 110 horsepower and 104 lb-ft of torque. Expect 39.2 to 43.6 mpg. Base trims get a manual, but a six-speed automatic is optional. The compact, lightweight (2,755 pounds) Lavida takes a poky 11 seconds to reach 62 mph. It seats five via a 104-inch wheelbase.

A big plus is a large fuel tank with 434-mile cruising range. The Lavida’s interior is upscale at the higher price points, with such features (not all of them standard) as a 12.9-inch touchscreen with digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto with available Harman Kardon audio, voice controls and dual-zone climate control. ADAS tech includes ABS, ESC, traction control, lane-keeping, and adaptive cruise.

The Lavida wins kudos for quiet operation, low running costs, and fuel economy, with 6,000-mile oil changes. Complaints are insufficient power and non-classy interior plastics on base models.

Nissan Sylphy

Price: $11,100

This is another ICE car, the fourth-best seller in China. The 2026 sales total so far is 103,180. In 2025, Nissan sold 320,000 sales of them in China, which sounds like a lot but it was a 6.5 percent decline from 2024.

Buyers like the 40 mpg from the 132-horsepower, 1.6-liter Sylphy with CVT transmission. An owner opines, “There are simply no other cars in this [price] range with this much cabin space. I have owned the 1.6 Premium model for two years. I can cross my legs and change a baby diaper in the leg space. While it may not be the most sporty car to drive, its cruising capability is awesome. The ride is very stable at speeds above 90 mph.” Frankly, it’s impressive that this little car can go 90 mph.

Leapmotor A10

Price: $9,500

You may not have heard of the model or the company for that matter, but the A10 is China’s third best-selling NEV, with 91,935 sold this year to date. It’s a relatively new model, debuted at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November of 2025. Leapmotor is Stellantis’ Chinese partner, and reviewers have compared the A10 to a Dodge Neon for our time.

The small SUV-styled A10 has a single e-motor on the front wheels, sold in 95- and 125-horsepower versions. An available 53-kilowatt-hour battery pack gives 310 miles of range. The DC charger in this car is capable of 100 kilowatts, enough to get it from 30 to 80 per cent in 15 minutes.

The A10’s interior is pretty basic, but unexpected features include a fast Qualcomm SA8650 chip and LiDAR that enables fully assisted parking.

Of course, China also has insanely cheap cars priced way below the ones listed here, such as the strong-selling Wuling Hongguang Mini EV that sells for roughly $6,300. Or you could splurge for a Dongfeng Nammi Box at $8,400. Can the BeteTek BD-DB EV really sell for $860 and the KEYU KBW-4 micro-truck for $610? Apparently so. But these little guys are unlikely to find footing on American roads.

Other interesting Chinese cars are the MG (yes, MG lives on in China) MG3 hybrid hatchback, with 190 horsepower and 50 mpg ($9,800 to $13,800); the Chery Tiggo 7 hybrid ($9,650 to $11,300); and the fairly large Jaecoo E5 EV with a 61-kilowatt-hour battery ($11,980).