5 most expensive Chinese cars in South Africa in 2025
Discover SA's most luxurious Chinese vehicles for 2025, as eastern brands enter the premium automotive segment with advanced electric and hybrid models.
As they’ve highlighted in their A-Z of Chinese Brands in SA feature in the June 2025 issue of CAR magazine, among the several Chinese automakers currently trading in South Africa, there are several more heading our way, with each vying for a piece of market share across several segments.
Now, while myriad Chinese vehicles were introduced to our shores as more attainable offerings (Chery’s Tiggo 4 Pro, for example) a number of cars from the Far East are placed – and priced – within the premium segment.
We take a look at the five most expensive Chinese cars that you can buy in South Africa as of July.
5. BYD Sealion 7 Premium – R1 099 900
Introduced alongside the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid bakkie in April, the Sealion 7 forms part of BYD’s (Build Your Dreams) Ocean series. In Premium level of specification, the Shenzhen brand’s premium emissions-free SUV sports a 230kW/380Nm rear-wheel drivetrain. BYD claims a driving range of up to 567km.
4. Maxus T90 EV double cab – R1 100 000
The only bakkie to make this list, the Maxus T90 EV – which also appeared as an ‘honourable mention’ in our list comprising South Africa’s five most expensive bakkies in 2025 – is the first battery-electric bakkie available in South Africa. The Shanghai automaker’s emissions-free double cab is endowed with 150kW and 310Nm of torque, and offers an operating range of around 330km from a single, full charge.
3. BYD Seal Performance AWD- R1 199 900
Perhaps BYD’s most dynamic offering in its local portfolio, the Seal is the only sedan on this list. Sporting a 390kW/670Nm dual electric-motor setup and all-wheel drive, the pinnacle variant in the Seal lineup completes the 0-100km/h dash in just 3.8s, the firm claims. The Performance model’s driving range is quoted as 520km.
However, if operating range is at the top of your list, a 230kW/360Nm single-motor, rear-wheel-drive model – the Premium Extended Range, which is priced from R999 900 – is also available, and offers 570km from a single, full charge.
2. GWM Tank 500 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4WD – R1 228 950
The GWM Tank 500 is the only car here that features an internal combustion engine (ICE). However, it does come with electric assistance. Sharing a drivetrain with the Baoding brand’s flagship P500 model, which we evaluated for a road test in the November 2024 issue of CAR magazine, the Tank 500’s ICE is paired with an electric motor for a combined system output of 255kW and 648Nm of torque.
1. BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD – R1 299 900
The second Sealion 7 and third BYD to make this list, the range-topping Sealion 7 is the most expensive Chinese car you can currently buy in South Africa. Spearheading the Sealion 7 lineup, the Performance derivative’s all-electric, all-paw drivetrain produces 390kW and 690Nm, allowing it to launch from a standstill to 100km/h in a claimed 4.5s. BYD claims an operating range of 542km.
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