China’s Rising EV Stars: Top 5 NEW Energy Cars

2025/05/08

Everyone knows that the Chinese new energy vehicle market is currently flourishing with dazzling variety, making it surprisingly challenging to choose the most ideal model. But don’t worry—we’ve curated a list of five standout Chinese-made NEVs, widely recognized for their exceptional quality, stellar reputation, and unbeatable value. Rest assured, any of these picks will leave you satisfied!​​

​​No. 5: ZEEKR 001​​

The ZEEKR 001 defies categorization—neither a traditional SUV nor a sedan, it’s a luxurious shooting brake coupe, often dubbed a “sports wagon” or “crossover.” Priced between 269,000 and 329,000 yuan, this hot-selling model impresses with its striking design and top-tier performance in intelligence, power, handling, and safety.

 

On the intelligence front, the ZEEKR 001’s smart cabin introduces an ​​AI assistant​​ activated by the voice command “Hi EVA,” enabling ​​four-screen connectivity​​ and ​​facial ID recognition​​ to deliver a seamless multi-modal human-machine interaction experience. The vehicle is also equipped with the ​​ZEEKR AD advanced driving system​​, powered by the ​​Mobileye EyeQ5H chip​​, which combines ​​high-definition mapping​​ and an ​​Eagle Eye visual system​​ to precisely recognize China’s complex road conditions, ensuring safer and more reliable autonomous driving performance.

 

 

The ZEEKR 001 boasts a ​​100kWh battery​​ with a ​​732km CLTC range​, delivering lightning-fast acceleration (0-100km/h in ​​3.8s​​) via its 400kW/768N·m all-wheel drive system and a top speed of ​​200km/h​​. Its adaptive air suspension, CCD magnetic dampers, and agile 5.9m turning radius ensure premium handling, backed by a 34.5m emergency braking distance and 82km/h moose-test stability.

Safety shines with an ultra five-star-rated high-strength body (40,000N·m/deg rigidity), ​​Ni55+ single-crystal battery cells​​ for thermal safety, and 360° multi-layer protection against collisions and thermal runaway.

 

No. 4 AION V PLUS

 

 

The ​AION V Plus​​ is a ​game-changer in the compact SUV segment​​, offering ​​flagship-level luxury features at just 20,000 USD​​. With its ​​2830mm ultra-long wheelbase​, it delivers a spacious second-row cabin and a ​flat-floor design​, while the foldable seats transform into a ​​luxury bed​​ for added versatility. Paired with a massive ​​15.6-inch touchscreen​​, it creates a ​​home theater experience​​, blending practicality, comfort, and cutting-edge tech at an unbeatable price.

Beyond space optimization, the AION V Plus adopts an ​​aluminum alloy chassis​​ (a hallmark of premium 70,000 USD+ vehicles), enhancing stability, durability, and ride comfort by minimizing vibrations, ensuring smooth journeys for families.

 

 

The ​​AION V Plus​​ delivers exceptional power with its ​​180kW electric motor​​, enabling swift acceleration, while offering premium ownership perks like ​​lifetime free maintenance, data packages, and battery/motor/electronic control warranties​​. The ​​70 Tech Edition​​ elevates driving with ​​L2.5 autonomous driving​​, featuring ​​Navigation Driving Assist (NDA)​​ and precise ​​Lane Centering Technology​​, ensuring an effortless driving experience even for novices.

For long-distance journeys, its ​​600km range​​—combined with AION’s ​​nationwide charging network​​ and ​​fast-charging tech​​—eliminates range anxiety, making cross-province travel seamless and stress-free.

 

No. 3 Li Auto L6

 

 

Li Auto L6​​, a newly launched ​​full-size five-seat SUV​​ that debuted in April, has taken the market by storm. During May, sales skyrocketed, with ​​over 41,000 orders​​ placed in just ​​17 days​​ (April 18 to May 5), including a record-breaking ​​10,000 single-day orders​​ on May 5.

Priced at ​​USD 35,000 to 38,000​​, this powerhouse offers exceptional value for its class. With dimensions of ​​4925mm x 1960mm x 1735mm​​ and a ​​2920mm wheelbase​​, the L6 combines spaciousness with premium features: ​​standard 8295 in-car chip​​, ​​Nappa leather seats​​, ​​heated/ventilated/massaged front and rear seats​​, and ​​10-point adjustable massage​​ for the driver.

Additional luxuries include ​​five plush headrests​​, ​​dual-layer acoustic glass​​ for cabin quietness, and a ​​panoramic sunroof with a retractable shade​​—all elevating comfort to luxury levels.

 

 

The ​​Li Auto L6​​ is powered by a ​​1.5T range-extender engine​​ paired with dual front/rear electric motors, delivering a ​​system output of 300kW​​ and ​​529N·m of torque​​, enabling a ​​0-100km/h sprint in just 5.4 seconds​​ and a top speed of ​​180km/h​​. For range, it combines a ​​36.8kWh LFP battery​​ (CLTC-rated ​​212km pure-electric range​​) with a ​​60L fuel tank​​, achieving an ​​astounding 1,390km total range​​ under CLTC standards. The battery supports ​​ultra-fast charging​​, replenishing from ​​20% to 80% in just 20 minutes​​, ensuring minimal downtime for long-distance adventures.

 

No. 2 XIAOMI SU7

 

 

Xiaomi’s first-ever electric vehicle, priced between ​​USD 29,800 and 41,400​​ , has ignited a viral sensation in China’s auto industry. Dubbed the ​​“Mi Taycan”​​ or ​​“Porsche Mi”​​ by netizens for its striking resemblance to the Porsche Taycan, the car has become the hottest topic in the auto world since its launch. This bold design choice—paired with Xiaomi’s tech pedigree—has fueled both admiration and debate.

Notably, CEO Lei Jun openly acknowledged immense pressure during the car’s development, calling this venture his ​​“final entrepreneurial gamble”​​ to avoid a career-capping failure.

 

 

To explain why the Xiaomi SU7 is so popular, I believe there are three main reasons:

First, Lei Jun’s personal charisma. While many people criticize Xiaomi, few complain about Lei Jun himself. Lei Jun naturally carries enormous built-in traffic—he’s practically a walking traffic magnet. No matter what product he launches or where he goes, he attracts massive attention.

Second, the Xiaomi SU7 has a stunning appearance that truly rivals that of Porsche.

Third, its performance is incredibly powerful, definitely on par with Porsche. Nowadays, a popular saying is going viral: “It’s not that a Porsche is unaffordable, but that Xiaomi offers incredible value for money.”

 

No. 2 XIAOMI SU7

 

 

 

When it comes to the new energy vehicle with the best cost-performance ratio, the BYD Han series takes the crown. It has long dominated B+C-class sedan sales, maintaining strong monthly figures and leading the mid-to-large sedan market. In 2024, the “Glory Edition” was launched with the slogan “electric cheaper than gasoline,” pricing it between 25,000–35,000 RMB—a standout value.

Its success stems from strong product appeal: a sleek design with LED headlights and a distinctive “dragon-face” grille, excellent high-speed stability, and impressive performance. With 245 hp, 350 N·m torque, and up to 715 km pure electric range, it accelerates as fast as 3.9 seconds (0-100 km/h) in top versions. Among peers, its quality and reliability outperform many joint-venture models, making it a top choice for value-seeking buyers.

 

 

These five models represent the pinnacle of ​China’s new energy vehicle innovation​. Choosing any of them isn’t just about owning a car; it’s about embracing a ​​smarter, greener, and premium driving experience​​.