Motoring

3 used Chinese car brands that offer affordable luxury

Cars like the Jaecoo J7, Omoda C9 and GWM Tank 500 scream premium and come with affordable price tags.

The Chinese car revolution has not only presented the buying public with affordable cars in general, but also premium rides at affordable prices like the Jaecoo J7.

As such, many buyers have realised that luxury features, high-end design and solid build quality do not have to come at a premium, reports The Citizen.

“South African consumers are increasingly reassessing what constitutes a premium motoring experience,” says George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader.

“Today, luxury is defined as much by technology, comfort and perceived quality as it is by badge prestige. And the used car market in particular offers compelling opportunities for buyers to access these attributes at far more attainable price points.”

Jaecoo J7 an enticing prospect

The stylish Jaecoo J7 has been around for less than two years, but it has already garnered a strong following thanks to its Range Rover-inspired styling, generous standard specification and solid build quality. Unlike the Range Rover, it offers appealing new price tags and even better value on the used car market.

The average Jaecoo J7 is listed for R523 612 on AutoTrader and features average mileage of just 7 052km and registration age of one year. In the J7 line-up even the entry-level Vortex comes standard with 18-inch wheels, six airbags, cruise control, satellite navigation and a panoramic roof, among other features.

Another model from a Chery-owned marque, the Omoda C9, also offers exceptional value for money in the pre-owned space. With a premium-feeling interior packed with technology and soft-touch materials, the C9 feels suitably upmarket, while its sharp exterior design ensures it stands out on the road.

In 2025, the Omoda C9 had an average used listing price of R768 923 on AutoTrader. The average mileage was just 5 298km with the average registration age one year.

Tank 500 packs a punch

The GWM Tank 500 is another compelling alternative to offerings from the heritage premium brands. With bold styling and undeniable road presence, the Tank 500 hybrid electric vehicle looks every bit like a luxury sport utility vehicle. This reflects in its average used price of R1 078 653. As GWM’s flagship model, the Tank 500 places a strong emphasis on value-for-money luxury, combining hybrid performance with a long list of high-end features.

Apart from its combined output of 255kW of power and 648Nm of torque, the Tank 500 also offers a plush seven-seat interior and equipment such as massaging nappa leather seats, a 14.6-inch touchscreen and 360-degree camera.

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Jaco Van Der Merwe

Summary: - Oversees The Citizen Motoring’s print and digital presence - Reports on new car models, industry news and motorsports - Road tests cars and motorcycles - Joined The Citizen in 2010 as Sports Editor before becoming the Head of Motoring in 2018 - Spend 10 years at Beeld newspaper - Has worked as sub-editor, sports reporter and sports editor Experience: After starting his career as a lay-out sub-editor at the now defunct printed edition of Afrikaans newspaper Beeld in Johannesburg, Jaco went on to cover cricket, rugby, football, boxing and golf as a sports reporter. He has travelled extensively with the South African national cricket team, touring Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Northern Ireland to cover international matches. In 2019 and 2023 he explored the South American and sub-Saharan deserts respectively at the Dakar Rally along with the savanna in Kenya at the World Rally Championship in 2023. He has covered the 2003 Cricket World Cup, 2006 and 2009 ICC Champions Trophy, 2007 T20 World Cup, 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup, 2010 Afcon and Fifa World Cup qualification, world title boxing fights and European Tour golf events. He was the recipient of the Newcomer of the Year award at the SAB Sports Awards in 2003. When he takes a break from his dad’s taxi routine, you’ll find him on his Kawasaki cruiser or attempting to add to his Comrades Marathon and Ironman medals. QUALIFICATION: BA (Hons) in Business Comm (NWU) HOBBIES: Running, motorcycling, photography

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