XPENG G6 190kW 66kWh 5dr RWD Auto

Ten Second Review

Don't dismiss the Xpeng G6 as just another Chinese EV. This electric mid-sized crossover is one of the most sophisticated and best value options in the Tesla Model Y segment. And an outstanding first effort in a class where some rivals are still struggling to hit the sweet spot. In short, it's certainly worth a look.

Background

Like us, you're probably realising that some emerging Chinese EV auto brands are more serious contenders than others. Xpeng (pronounced 'Xiaopeng') is definitely of the more serious sort. Even though it was only founded a decade ago, this tech entrepreneur start-up is already selling across half of Europe and has introduced five models so advanced that the Volkswagen Group has paid half a billion euros for a stake just 5% in the company. The first of these models to reach the UK was this one, the G6. It's an electric mid-sized Coupe-SUV aimed directly at the Tesla Model Y and that car's profitable segment, but it charges faster, gives you more standard kit, offers greater technology and costs less. Plus it's sold here by an experienced dealer network run by International Motors, who import Subaru and Isuzu here. Which means you need to take the G6 seriously if you're buying or leasing in this sector. In which case, you'll need this review.

Driving Experience

It isn't only the styling that has a Tesla look. So does the powertrain line-up. Things kick off with the Standard Range rear-driven model that uses a 66kWh LFP battery that energises a 262bhp motor with 440Nm of torque, able to propel the car to 62mph in 6.9s; EV range is 270 miles. Most though, are expected to want the mid-level rear-driven Long Range variant, which gives you a larger NCM battery with 87.5kWh that boosts range to 354 miles. To compensate for the extra weight, here the rear axle motor's output is boosted to 290bhp, so the 0-62mph sprint time of 6.7s is hardly any different. At the top of the line-up, as you'd expect, is an AWD dual motor model badged 'AWD Performance'. Here, the bigger 87.5kWh battery powers a motor on both axles that together generate 483bhp with 680Nm of torque, enough to take the G6 to 62mph very rapidly indeed - 4.1s on the way to the 124mph top speed that all versions of this car share. EV range is 340 miles. All G6s offer a choice of four driving modes - 'Normal', 'Sport', 'Eco' and 'Individual'. And, unlike with a Tesla Model Y, you get to select varying levels of brake regen; there are four; low, medium, high and 'X-Pedal', the latter slowing the car dramatically when you come off the throttle. Expect a firm ride, despite the advanced 5-link rear suspension. But not especially involving driving dynamics, compensated for with excellent refinement.

Design and Build

You probably won't choose a G6 just because of how it looks, but there's nothing to repel you here either. The shape is slightly more Coupe-SUV than most of its rivals and broadly replicates the mid-sized crossover dimensions of the Tesla Model Y whose sales it wants to replicate. At 4.75-metres long, 1.92-metres wide and 1.65-metres tall, this car fits squarely in the mid-sized EV crossover segment. Xpeng says the styling was influenced by 'the world of sci-fi fantasy', but to us, the influences seem to be far more those of segment rivals. Still, a lot of thought's gone in here. There are hidden door handles, a grille with active flaps that shut at speed, a flat underbody and a streamlined raked-back tail, all of this combining to make the G6 one of the most aerodynamic cars in its class. Inside, it's the usual Chinese mid-sized SUV formula which sees almost everything controlled by a huge central touchscreen, this landscape-orientated monitor 15.0-inches in size. Unlike Tesla though, Xpeng doesn't make you view the drive instruments on it, these accommodated in the letterbox-shaped 10.2-inch instrument cluster you view through the weird oval-shaped steering wheel. All the fixtures and fittings are of decent quality and there are some nice touches like twin wireless charging mats so powerful (50W) that they have to be carefully cooled. The upholstery is soft-touch leatherette and there are plenty of places to put things (though a glovebox is missing). Thanks to a 2.89m wheelbase length, it feels very spacious in the back, the airy feeling helped by the standard-fit panoramic glass roof. Two six-footers can be seated behind a couple of lanky front seat occupants and the rear seats can be adjusted in 12 positions with a maximum angle of 38.4-degrees. There's plenty of head space too. There's unfortunately no under-bonnet 'frunk' compartment for the charging leads like Tesla and others provide in this segment, so it's just as well that at 571-litres, the boot is decently sized.

Market and Model

Expect prices to start at around £40,000 for the Standard Range model - or from around £45,000 for the bigger battery Long Range version. You'll need around £54,000 for the top 'AWD Performance' model. Whichever G6 you choose, an advanced X-HP3.0 heat pump is included and standard equipment levels are generous. You can expect to find 20-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof and 8-way power-adjustable heated leatherette-upholstered seats that are ventilated too and have 4-way lumbar support. There's also a heated steering wheel, four USB ports and two 50W induction charging points for smartphones. And you get a 960-watt XOPERA sound system with 18 speakers and access to a wide range of music, video, entertainment and social media apps. You will access much of this through the 15-inch central screen that's powered by the brand's 'Xmart OS' operating system and features "Hey XPENG" voice control and over-the-air updates. There's a choice of five colours - Arctic White, Graphite Grey, Midnight Black, Silver Frost and Fiery Orange (most costing about £670 extra). And you get a wide range of semi-autonomous drive functions too, as part of a safety portfolio that earned the car a top 5-star EURO NCAP safety rating. The only real option is a tow bar, which Xpeng has had to make available for the European market: apparently tow bars aren't popular in China.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the EV mileage figures in our 'Driving' section - 270 miles for the 66kWh Standard Range version, 354 miles for the 87.5kWh Long Range model and 340 miles for the 87.5kWh AWD Performance variant. There's an advanced 800V charging infrastructure, something only Hyundai, Kia, Genesis and Audi can currently match in this segment. Other brands like Tesla are still stuck with old-tech 400V systems. The 800V set-up means that the car can use the latest ultra-rapid chargers that are springing up around Europe. Across the board, the G6 can DC-charge at up to 280kW. And charge from 10 to 80% in under 20 minutes. All that is great, but an ex-Tesla owner might miss the lack of access to the American brand's wonderful Supercharger network. It's also worth noting that domestic 3-phase charging with the G6 is limited to just 11kW, rather than the faster 22kW speed that some competitors offer. With the Standard Range version, a full 7.4kW wallbox charge would need 10 hours 30 minutes - it'd be 7 hours 30 minutes if you can use a three-phase 11kW supply. With this Long Range model, a full 7.4kW wallbox charge would need 14 hours - or 9 hours 30 minutes if you can use a three-phase 11kW supply. Maintenance should be straightforward thanks to the brand's network of International Motors brand dealerships, most of them Subaru and Isuzu franchises.

Summary

There's real substance here, as you would expect from a car made by a company with an R&D department accounting for over 40% of its 15,000-strong workforce. If you've ever wondered why cars in the Tesla Model Y segment can't charge faster, be better equipped or be more affordable, this Xpeng G6 is for you. Unlike that Tesla, it won't frustrate you with the lack of an instrument cluster and mandatory heavy regen braking. And there are no expensive options to add either. True, you might wish for more involving driving dynamics, easier-to-use screen functions or less derivative styling. But if you can live with all those things, there's lots to like here. Some Chinese car makers are going to stand the test of time in our market. And if it keeps producing products like this G6, Xpeng will be one of them.