Aiways U5
The Aiways U5 was the brand’s first model, a compact electric SUV unveiled at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show and one of the earliest Chinese-built EVs to reach European showrooms, launching there in 2020, years before most of the brands covered elsewhere on this site had even entered the market. A UK launch was originally promised for the same year, but was repeatedly delayed, eventually arriving only around 2023.
The U5 used a single front-mounted motor producing around 201hp, paired with a 63kWh battery for a WLTP range of roughly 249 miles. It was reasonably well equipped for its price, with a 12-inch touchscreen and a decent list of standard safety kit, though reviews at the time were mixed, praising its value while criticising its driving dynamics and build quality.
Production of the U5 ended in 2023, when Aiways’ severe financial crisis brought its Chinese manufacturing to a halt entirely. Independent vehicle databases now list the U5 as no longer available for sale in any market, including the UK and the rest of Europe. Be cautious of any listing describing a “2026 Aiways U5”, the model has not been in production for several years.