Road tested by Hugh Maguire.
XPENG is one of the more recent arrivals from China having being launched here just last year in January 2025. They currently offer just one model the G6 though it has three variations of that model. We already have MG, Leapmotor, Polestar, and BYD, and more are sure to follow over time. There are another five Chinese brands such as Nio, Omoda, Jaecoo, Denza and Zeekr some of which are already in the UK in right hand drive so importing here is a logical next step. Watch this space!
This segment has become extremely competitive and competition is tough in the battle to win sales. The XPENG G6 then has its work cut out breaking into this segment while also establishing a foothold before even more rivals arrive from Chinese manufacturers.
Probably the most obvious rival to the G6 is the Tesla model Y so how does it compare to that and other rivals?
Equipped with a range of new features and new ‘know-how’ – much of it a product of their widespread use of AI technology in its development – the G6 Coupé SUV comes in three model variants: a ‘Standard’ range model and a ‘Long Range’ model (both with rear-wheel drive), and a ‘Performance’ model (with permanent all-wheel drive).
In this road test I am testing the new “standard” model XPENG G6 rear wheel drive.
First Impressions.
The new XPENG G6 has quite a distinctive shape with a sleek profile and lovely two tone alloy wheels. From the front the full width light strip across the front and the rear light design look quite good but to the side there is a huge slab of bodywork that make it look quite bulky. I feel the car is quite colour dependent with lighter colours such as the White of this test car disguising the bulk somewhat.
So what’s it like inside?
The inside of these new EV’s is becoming virtually identical. Bland, no character and all the very same design, a small screen for driver information and a huge screen for everything else including a host of stuff no one needs or wants!
So it is with the new XPENG G6. There is a reasonably sized 10.25 inch digital screen in front of the driver that has driver info with digits that are quite small making them a bit hard to read such as trip info and tyre pressures. Yet we then have a huge 15.6 inch central screen that controls everything else. Sadly not a real button in sight! I find it very distracting and indeed annoying to have to prod a touch screen for everything. It really does contribute to an increasingly proven factor in traffic accidents that of “distracted driving” This has already been recognised by Euro NCAP, the safety assessment programme for new cars. They have announced that new cars launched from 2027 will be awarded less points for safety if they do not include real buttons for the main functions in a car. The Euro NCAP star ratings are highly valued by manufacturers and customers so a low star rating will definitely affect a cars popularity. Buttons it seems then may come back and I say that is a very welcome development.
All that aside there is a genuine feeling of quality in the car. The materials used though many are recycled look and feel good. I like that. In terms of space its huge inside with an incredible amount of leg and headroom both front and rear.
Standard kit includes 20-inch alloys a large panoramic glass roof, multi-adjustable, heated and Nappa leather covered seats all around, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, four USB type A and type C ports, two 50W induction charging points for smartphones, a 960W audio system with 16 speakers, and an extensive library of music, video, entertainment and social media apps. Naturally it also features a lots of ADAS safety features some such as the eye monitor, speed warning and other all accompanied by numerous bings and bongs which are very annoying. They can be turned off but default to on with each new start up. All in all then the interior impresses for a feeling of quality, well kitted out and truly vast inside. The boot is a decent size too with a slim second level under a removable floor panel.
What powers the XPENG G6?
The G6 is powered by a single rear-mounted electric motor with 0-100km/h times rated at 6.9 seconds. With a claimed WLTP range of 470 km power comes from a 68.5kWh battery producing 185 kW driving the rear wheels via an electric motor. Over my weeks road test like most EV’s it not not manage quite the claimed range however it actually is quite efficient. I started with a charge of 98% and a predicted range of 462km. My average consumption for the full test was 17.2kW per 100km which proves this G6 is pretty efficient. Therefore I got a real world range of 382 km before needing to consider recharging. Thats not bad at all.
How does it drive?
I truly struggle to differentiate the driving characteristics of one EV from another. They all drive the same and its easy to understand why. After all they are all a platform carrying a heavy battery, powering either one or two electric motors which drives either two or four wheels. Its no wonder they all feel the same and so it is with the XPENG G6.
Its big, its heavy and like all other EV’s it goes from A to B just fine but you will never say its joy to drive. It handles reasonably well but you do feel that mass on corners while the suspension feels a tad firm and often quite bouncy on poor road surfaces.
Hugh’s Verdict.
The new XPENG G6 is a big, roomy, comfortable electric SUV. It is well priced too at €42,000. What it may lack in character it more than makes up for in interior space and standard equipment. So to our lead in question how does it compare to the Tesla model Y?
The biggest virtue the G6 has over the model Y is its cheaper price. If prices were equal I would plumb for the Tesla model Y over the G6 as its a proven brand with better better range. I suppose its the safer choice. However its some €4,000 plus more expensive. So in the final analysis the G6 just comes out in front if you want the best value for money, comfort, spec and fast charging, as long as you are ok with a relatively unknown brand.
Likes:
Great standard specification.
Competitive price.
Hugely roomy and practical.
Disslikes:
All functionality through a touchscreen.
Suspension that delivers a jittery ride over poor surfaces.
Somewhat uninspiring drive.