XPENG G6 Long Range Review: Luxury without a Hefty Price Tag

What we like:

Relaxing to drive

Good blend of speed, practicality and features

Comfortable and refined

What we dislike:

Grabby brakes

Some features ought to be included, like ambient lighting

Interior gets too hot with panoramic sunroof without a shade

Among the many Chinese EV brands that have entered the Singapore market in recent memory, XPENG has probably been the most ‘stealthy’ one - at least, until its showroom formally opens its doors in November.

Much like Zeekr, the other brand represented by Premium Automobiles, XPENG is positioned as a luxury brand. However, while Zeekr has gone for the avantgarde, off-kilter approach, XPENG has remained very firmly on familiar ground.

Funky name. But is the XPENG G6 really less funky than we think?

For example, it looks a lot more like what we’re used to. The teardrop shape was actually developed in consultation with Chinese computer engineer and sci-fi author Liu Cixin. So it’s no surprise that it looks clean and futuristic, perhaps almost a bit too generic in the black colour of the test car. At the least the 20-inch rims look more interesting, while being shod with premium Michelin tyres as well - these are only on the Long Range version.

What engineering has gone into the XPENG G6?

Underneath the skin, the XPENG is anything but generic, however. There’s 50:50 weight distribution and body rigidity of up to 41,600 Nm - the latter is in supercar territory. This is achieved by a battery-body integration and the use of 1500 MPa ultra-high strength steel. The battery packs are also able to withstand up to 700°C of heat. All these hints of proper engineering.

Simple question. How do you get into the XPENG G6?

To lock and unlock the XPENG, you either use the physical key or pair the car with the XPENG App. If you didn’t do the latter, then you will always need to use the physical key, which is a little annoying. But once you set up the app, you won’t really notice it. The app itself is easy to use and offers functionality like pre-cooling and adjusting other settings.

What is the XPENG G6 like on the inside?

It’s minimalist and one would first be reminded of Tesla in the layout and the execution. But it’s done a lot better. Material quality, for one, is a step up, with more variation and style. There are surprisingly comfy seats that are not covered in leather but leatherette. But honestly, it is hard to tell with the smooth and supple texture.

There is a state-of-the-art 14.96-inch infotainment system that’s super snappy, backed by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor. It draws from the best in the industry but merges it all into one system. The menus are Tesla-like, but it’s more flexible and customisable. Even the adjustment of the widgets feel very Apple-like when they wiggle.

There are also proper turn signal levers, wiper stalks and a steering-mounted gear lever. This is far easier to use for someone coming from a conventional ICE car. I wished XPENG didn’t copy the huge panoramic sunroof that doesn’t come with an electrically powered shade though. It heats up the car substantially if you park outdoors.

Is the XPENG G6 well-equipped?

The G6 is very well-specified. All G6s, whichever variant you choose, will come with ventilated and electric seats, four USB ports, two wireless phone charging points and a 960W 18-speaker sound system. Some of those speakers are built into the headrests and can be programmed to just play navigation instructions, for example, which I found really brilliant.

But there is no ambient lighting, which is a bit of a glaring omission. I would also like for more interesting interior colour combinations. Being all black like on the test car makes it look duller than it is.

How spacious is the XPENG G6?

The G6 is more spacious than the similarly priced Zeekr X, as well as any of its German rivals in its price range. It’s halfway between a BMW X3 and X5 in there, while undercutting both of them. There’s also a 571-litre luggage compartment, although there is no frunk.

How does the XPENG G6 drive?

The long range version as tested here has 282 bhp and 440 Nm from its single rear electric motor (always my favoured configuration for an EV), getting the car from 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. It feels plenty powerful and there is an easygoing, plush way the G6 goes about its business. The suspension is softly sprung but maintains decent body control at the same time, while the steering is geared towards long-legged journeys. It all works to make the G6 one of the comfier EVs I have tested. That said, the brakes can be grabby at times which may interrupt an otherwise serene journey.

How fast can the XPENG G6 charge?

With peak DC charging speeds of 280 kW (215 kW for the Standard Range), the G6 juices up pretty quickly to get its full 570 km of WLTP-rated range. However, AC charging speed is just at 11 kW; I expected something faster for a luxury EV.

XPENG is known for its technology. Tell us more?

The G6’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), XPILOT 2.5, deserves a credible mention. Powered by the NVIDIA Orin-X processor (how did that get past sanctions?), the system detects pedestrians, other vehicles on the road, traffic lights and so on. It is accurate, helpful and amazingly clever. It is as good as the ADAS system I have experienced in the Tesla Model 3 Highland, which I consider to be the benchmark in the industry. You would find it essential too when you realise the view out from the rear is really tight due to the car’s design.

What’s the verdict on the XPENG G6?

All in, the G6 is a very impressive car, despite its low-key introduction into Singapore. I wonder if badge-conscious Singaporeans would be willing to try something different with XPENG. I think if they do, they certainly would be getting more for less.

Photos by James Wong

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