Latest Affordable Chinese SUVs Giving Tough Competition in the UAE

Abu Dhabi: One of the visible changes taking shape in the automotive market of the UAE is the aggressive push of Chinese automakers. Over the last few years, all leading Chinese brands have ventured into the UAE. With their great design, exciting features and latest technologies, customers are finding them appealing. The increasing sales of Chinese cars are making their presence felt across the country. 

In the UAE, the Japanese and Korean brands have been the mainstay for decades, and they have built a formidable customer base over the years. Despite brand loyalty, car buyers are walking into showrooms and realising that Chinese cars now offer more for less, not just on price, but on actual factors that matter. Factors like modern design, cutting-edge tech and advanced safety with excellent warranties for a hassle-free ownership experience make Chinese sedans and SUVs attractive. 

Looking at the market, Chinese SUVs are no longer the budget compromise; they’re the disruptors. This trend doesn't end there, as these fully-loaded SUVs are way more affordable, anywhere between 30–40% cheaper than established brands. Not long ago, Chinese cars were never taken seriously due to many issues, but that has changed considerably. These new brands are gaining serious market share. If you're looking for a new SUV in the market, we offer you great bargains from some of China’s leading brands in the affordable segments.

What makes Chinese SUVs popular

This is clear that many buyers are now looking at Chinese SUVs as superior alternatives to the established brands. There are many reasons attributed to this shift; we find the top three that make more sense, including affordable price, great features, and superior reliability. It is now well-known in the market that these brands from China now deliver on all of them. For example, a Haval H6 starts at AED 84,900. At this price, you get a 2.0L turbocharged engine, 201 hp of power, dual 10.25-inch screens, leather upholstery, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot detection, and six airbags. This is an incredibly attractive package.

Similarly, the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max costs between AED 99,000 and AED 129,000. This is a 7-seater with nine airbags, collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot alerts, and a built-in video recorder, quite well-equipped at this price point. This takes the point home that you get a lot at a relatively lower price from Chinese brands. Not just the product, but there has been a lot of focus on making the ownership experience equally better. And so the warranty is longer, parts availability is better, and the network is expanding.

The Top Players

Chery

One of the early entrants, Chery, is right now a market leader within the Chinese brands, garnering good amounts of sales in the UAE. The Tiggo 8 is their most popular model, and Chery’s portfolio consists entirely of SUVs. The Tiggo 4 Pro starts at AED 63,000 and sits in the budget segment. The Tiggo 7 Pro Max is mid-range, around AED 82,000-99,000. The Tiggo 8 Pro Max is where the family space lives at AED 99,000-129,000. The top-end Tiggo 9 is available at around AED 139,900. Each model comes with exciting features and great cabin space, and none of the models overlap, which means easier to choose and also addresses a wide range of segments in the market.

 Haval

A well-established brand in the UAE, Haval has been around for a while, gaining wider acceptance among SUV buyers. The H6 is their popular compact-to-midsize SUV priced between AED 84,900-104,900. The H9 is their flagship that goes up to AED 110,000-130,000.

The Haval H6 is the one that has gained a lot of traction among buyers in the market right now, and is getting recognition in the resale market too. The service is reasonably good, and its presence in the market seems to boost confidence. The Haval Jolion Pro is another option that starts at AED 59,900. That ultra-budget territory is a smaller SUV suitable for city use for daily commuting.

Jetour

Another aggressive new player in the affordable SUV segment is the Jetour, and there are many options to choose from. The brand is part of Chery and offers slightly premium SUVs at very attractive prices.

The Jetour T1 debuted late last 2024, and has something really interesting to offer. It is a city-focused SUV that has some practical features and an elegant cabin with a 12-15-inch infotainment system. And a hybrid powertrain with an AWD system for off-roading use. It has a bolder exterior and comes with an extended warranty. All of this at a starting price of AED 95000.

The Jetour T2 is another adventure-focused option with a slightly bigger and more powerful engine, with serious off-road capabilities and advanced features. It starts at around AED 110,000. It is suitable for buyers who want a capable off-road SUV for the desert.

If you’re looking for a crossover, then the Jetour X70 Plus is what you get, starting at AED 90,000, promising a spacious cabin, quality interior, and features like dual 10.25-inch screens, leather covers, panoramic sunroof. It positions itself as something more premium than the badge is usually known for.

MG

MG (Morris Garages) is an interesting brand that comes from British heritage, but is now owned by Geely, offering Chinese engineering. has quite a few affordable SUVs for buyers in the UAE. Starting with RX5, priced at AED 83,224 and reaching AED 90,648. It is a compact SUV with decent features including Apple CarPlay integration, modern safety features and great to drive. Good for smaller families.

Geely

Another top brand from China is offering some incredibly well-equipped SUVs in the affordable segment in the UAE. The Coolray starts at AED 75,000 and brings a sporty persona, quad-exhaust pipes, and suede-leather seats. Red/black theme. If you take it for a spin, it won’t be long before you get an impression of a premium car, far from a budget SUV.

Comparison Table 

Brand/Model	Price Range (AED)	Engine	Power	Seating	Best For
BUDGET SEGMENT
Haval Jolion Pro	59,900-70,000	1.5L Turbo	150 hp	5	First-time buyers, city driving
Geely Coolray	75,000-85,000	1.5L Turbo	172 hp	5	Sporty feel, efficiency
MG RX5	83,224-90,648	1.5L Turbo	170 hp	5	Modern tech, brand recognition
MID-RANGE SEGMENT
Haval H6	84,900-104,900	2.0L Turbo	201 hp	5	Best balance, most popular
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro	63,000-75,000	1.5L Turbo	~156 hp	5	Value leader
Jetour X70 Plus	90,000	1.6L Turbo	194 hp	5	Luxury touches, tech features
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max	88,000-99,000	1.6L Turbo	188 hp	5/7	Family space, mid-range price
PREMIUM SEGMENT
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro	99,000	1.6L Turbo	194 hp	5	Practical size, features
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max	99,000-129,000	1.6L Turbo	194 hp	7	Large family, maximum space
Jetour T1	95,000-110,000	2.0L Turbo	254 hp	5	City + adventure balance
Jetour T2	1,10,000	2.0L Turbo	254 hp	5	Off-road, desert adventure
Haval H6 Hybrid	95,000-110,000	1.5L Turbo + EV	243 hp combined	5	Fuel efficiency, eco-conscious

Are they worth your attention?

The answer frankly isn’t hard: yes, the Chinese SUVs are really worth considering. And a lot of buyers are already doing so. The reasons are pretty simple; first is the real value. A Haval H6 at AED 84,900 with 201 hp of power, dual screens, leather, and adaptive cruise is objectively better equipped than a Honda CR-V at AED 145,900. It is actually a no-brainer, as the price difference is real. Secondly, the quality has improved far more than one would like to admit. Within a decade, Chinese brands have adapted to world-class quality. These SUVs are solid, great to drive and take care of the Emirates weather comfortably. And so you’re not compromising on anything. Third, and equally important aspect is the warranty, servicing and growing network which is vital for brands, and customers too in boosting confidence in buying the car and assured of a peaceful ownership experience.

However, some issues are still work in progress and will eventually get resolved, but resale value remains a big concern if you wish to sell the SUV in less than 3-4 years. Secondly, as far as services go, not all brands have established a robust network in 2025, and parts availability can still be inconsistent. When it comes to driving dynamics, while some are well refined, others are still catching up. You should keep these factors in mind if you are considering buying a Chinese SUV.

 Conclusion

If you want maximum value and don't mind a newer brand, Chinese SUVs are the obvious choice. You're saving real money, but if you want proven resale value and worry-free ownership, established Japanese or European brands still win. Yet, brands like Haval, Chery, Geely, and MG are well-known names, have been selling cars around the world, and are gaining customers' trust. They have some great SUVs in the UAE that offer compelling options worth exploring. Overall, the Chinese SUV market in the UAE has matured enough that being made in China is no longer a problem.