Xpeng is the latest Chinese carmaker to enter the Western market. Founded in 2014, it’s led by some of China’s top industrialists and investors. The company has invested heavily in electric vehicle (EV) technology and supply chains and is seen as a rising star within China, so much so that Volkswagen now has a commercial and technical partnership with the brand. In fact, future VW EVs will be based on Xpeng’s chassis, EV technology, and software systems.

In China, Xpeng offers a range of four models, including sedans and SUVs. In the UK, however, only one model is available: the Xpeng G6, a mid-size SUV priced from £25,000.
(Spoiler alert: that’s the starting price in China. By the time it reaches the UK, it’s taxed like there’s no tomorrow — enough to make you want to move to China permanently.)

The Exterior

For those who think the Xpeng G6 looks “very Chinese,” it may surprise you to learn that it was designed by JuanMa Lopez, a former Ferrari and Lamborghini designer.
I’d describe it as quietly striking and quietly stylish. It’s well-proportioned and built to exacting standards that match, if not exceed, those of many European brands.

In the UK, it’s available in two trim levels: the RWD Standard Range, offering up to 270 miles, and the RWD Long Range, delivering up to 354 miles. They’re priced at £39,000 and £44,000 respectively.

The door handles sit flush with the body to enhance the minimalist look but can automatically deploy to the open position upon unlocking, eliminating the need to poke or prod to manually extend them.

The Interior

I immediately got a minimalist yet plush vibe upon stepping into the cabin, along with an instant sense of high quality. The fit and finish are on par with many European brands — I’d even say comparable to BMW, Mercedes, and Audi, if not surpassing them.

The seats are exceptionally comfortable; I experienced no discomfort during a two-hour drive. Typically, only high-end brands offer this level of comfort. The seats are trimmed in vegan leather, which, in my opinion, feels superior to Nappa leather. The entire interior feels solidly assembled — I didn’t hear a single loose panel or squeaky dashboard trim (something I have heard in a Rolls-Royce Wraith).

Material quality throughout the cabin is first-class. Only the lower sections of the door panels and bins use harder plastics — a common practice even among premium brands.

Apart from a few buttons on the steering wheel, indicator and gear stalks, and one on the centre console for storage, the G6’s cabin is almost entirely buttonless. It’s dominated by a crisp 15-inch infotainment screen that controls nearly all primary and secondary functions, complemented by a 10.2-inch digital driver display.

The fixed glass roof makes the interior feel spacious, light, and airy. Cabin space, both front and rear, easily accommodates taller passengers. Boot space is slightly smaller than some rivals — it seems Xpeng has prioritised rear passenger comfort — but there’s still ample room for luggage and everyday needs.

There isn’t much underfloor storage (just enough for the power cables) and no frunk either. The luggage area offers 571 litres of space with the seats up and 1,374 litres when folded.

Smartphone users get a 50W wireless charging pad with active cooling vents. The G6 also features the latest generation of driver-assist systems, including lane-centring control, auto parking, adaptive cruise control, a Tesla-style Sentry Mode, and a 360° camera system with sensors so precise you could avoid a stick insect in a parking lot.

The Infotainment System

At first, navigating what feels like an endless menu structure can be daunting, but within an hour, I was fully familiar with the layout and learned how to operate key functions such as the side mirrors, air vents, and climate control. I didn’t miss physical buttons at all.

The software interface is clean, logically organised, and highly responsive. There’s a small learning curve, but once mastered, it’s intuitive to use. The hardware is powered by a Snapdragon mobile chipset, meaning it’s super powerful and highly responsive.

The system supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though I often stuck with the native interface — it includes all the apps I use, and the built-in sat-nav is just as capable as Google Maps.

In terms of equipment, the Xpeng G6 is fully loaded: electric front seats with heating and cooling, rear seat ventilation, and — best of all — a heated electric steering wheel.

Every function of the car, from door mirrors to storage, is controlled via the infotainment system. There’s no glovebox, but the centre console provides ample space. At the bottom of the main screen is a customisable “Hotkey” bar for quick access to heating or climate controls, and the voice control system works quickly and accurately.

The Drive

The Xpeng G6 RWD Long Range is powered by an 87.5 kWh battery pack built on the latest 800-volt architecture, enabling ultra-fast charging speeds. It supports up to 280 kW charging, allowing a 0–80% charge in under 20 minutes. A home wall charger takes about 7.5 hours for a full charge.

Its WLTP range is rated at 354 miles. Of course, EV range depends on factors like temperature, driving style, and terrain. Driving normally (not hypermiling) outside temperature at 12°C with the cabin toasty warm, I managed 325 miles before needing to recharge.

As for driving dynamics — no complaints. I have what I call the “VW Rule,” a personal and highly subjective measurement standard using the VW Tiguan as the benchmark. If a car drives better than a Tiguan, it’s a very good car. The Xpeng G6 easily surpassed the Tiguan Rule. With flying colours.

Motoring journalists love to pontificate about “steering feel.” You’ll never get Porsche 911 levels of engagement in a 2.5-tonne SUV, but that’s not the point. What matters is whether the G6 feels planted at motorway speeds, predictable in its steering, easy to drive, and secure — and it scores “yes” on all counts.

With 285 bhp from a rear-mounted motor, the G6 has ample power delivered instantly. It feels like a silky straight-six engine, but better driveability — smoother, quieter, and more responsive than any traditional powertrain.

There are multiple driving modes; in the end I settled on Eco, which provides smooth one-pedal braking, balanced steering feel, and progressive regen at low speeds. The power is always there when needed, regardless of mode.

Ride and Handling

The chassis is well-sorted, and you don’t feel the G6’s 2.5-tonne weight thanks to excellent weight distribution. Through corners, it remains stable and composed. Push it too hard, and it leans into mild understeer — a polite reminder to rein it in.

The ride is firm yet well-cushioned, reminiscent of the first-generation Tesla Model Y. It handles bumps and potholes competently — certainly more comfortably than the VW Arteon R-Line we had on long-term test.

If I were being picky, I’d say it could use a touch more finesse on the rebound (the suspension’s downward motion after a bump), but overall, it’s more refined than I anticipated.

I’ve driven European cars with far worse ride and handling — yet those often win awards from the motoring press.

Epilogue

Xpeng may be a new EV brand, but straight out of the box, it has delivered what would be considered a £100,000 flagship EV if it wore a German badge. This is partly due to China’s massive investment in advanced manufacturing, EV supply chains, and digital software systems.

But success isn’t just about infrastructure — it’s about engineering excellence and delivering a product that rivals or surpasses European standards. I’m talking about genuine premium luxury, not the “Temu luxury” often peddled by brands like Skoda, Mercedes, or Peugeot.

The Xpeng G6 offers a driving experience that’s not far behind the class-leading German marques — in fact, it comes close to challenging them in terms of dynamics. But the difference lies in the finer details — the G6 falls just short in execution. For me, though, that’s not a deal-breaker.

The G6 has more than enough EV range for most drivers and comes packed with technology that makes European brands weep.

It also raises a bigger question: what does premium EV luxury really mean in 2025? Do you really need to spend £60,000, before options, on a BMW iX3 when the Xpeng G6 offers a nicer cabin, better tech, and equally solid exterior and interior build quality?

BMW’s only saving grace remains its driving dynamics — but with how fast Xpeng is evolving, it won’t be long before that gap closes too.