Overview

THE XPeng G6 is one of a seemingly endless array of new Chinese-made electric SUVs priced in the $50,000 to $60,000 bracket. It looks much the same as any other entrant from the People’s Republic, features similar tech levels, and comparable range. In other words, there’s not a lot to set it apart.

Or is there…?

If we were to sum up most Chinese electric cars we’ve driven in recent time in a single word, it would be ‘disappointing’. But not this one.

A few small niggles aside, the Xpeng G6 actually left us rather impressed. It’s seemingly well screwed together, offers a real-world driving range that lives up to the OEM claim, and is both comfortable and spacious – even in that swoopy second row.

Priced from $54,800 plus on-road costs, it also represents pretty decent value for money.

The Standard Range variant on test features a single 190kW/440Nm motor at the rear axle fed by a 66kWh NCM battery pack. Range is listed at up to 435km from a full charge which takes around 30 minutes when connected to a 210kW DC appliance.

AC charging at up to 11kW is available at a three-phase outlet and will take around nine hours to complete.

Equipment levels are generous with 20-inch alloy wheels, electric seat adjustment and position memory, heated and ventilated front seats, heated for the outboard second row seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a glass panoramic roof, auto LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an electric tailgate, dual wireless charging pads, and multiple USB and 12-volt power outlets.

A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster sits ahead of the driver, while a central 14.9-inch infotainment array offers a 360-degree camera system, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, native sat nav, DAB+ digital radio reception, and a suite of customisable options for climate, vehicle, and other settings.

Audio quality is very good, without being exceptional.

We found the XPeng smartphone app especially useful, replacing the traditional key for our week-long loan. The app allowed pre-conditioning of the cabin, remote locking, remote parking, and much more – all presented very clearly and operating without a glitch. If this is the future of connected services, we’re all for it.

There’s a terrific level of space in the cabin with generous head- and legroom front and rear. Oddment storage is acceptable – noting the absence of a glovebox – with a useful open shelf beneath the centre console. Cargo space is listed at 571 litres with a sealant-type repair kit beneath the boot floor in place of a spare wheel.

Euro NCAP awarded the XPeng G6 a five-star safety rating in 2024, the model boasting no fewer than 29 ultrasonic sensors, cameras, and millimetre-wave radar units. The expected driver assistance and safety technologies are offered, as are ISOFIX and top-tether child-seat restraints across the rear seat.

XPeng warrants the G6 for 10 years or 220,00km (whichever comes first) with eight years / 160,000km coverage on the high-voltage battery.

Service intervals are set at 12 months or 20,000km with three years’ scheduled maintenance totalling just more than $1100. XPeng vehicles are serviced via the UltraTune network with 260 locations across the country.

Driving Impressions

Most Chinese electric SUVs feel a lot like someone has pressed Ctrl C, Ctrl V. They look, feel, respond, and drive the same way, which is fine, if you’re simply chasing an A to B appliance.

Finding an electric vehicle – let alone one made in China – with any sort of soul is damn near impossible. In short, China’s EV imports are clinical, cookie-cutter copies of one another that do nothing to inspire the driver in us, let alone convince you to park one in the driveway.

That may just have changed…

We found the ride quality of the XPeng X6 to be of a high standard, far better than most we have sampled in recent times, with excellent levels of control over all but the very worst road surfaces.

The ride is calm, well composed, and presents none of the annoying head toss or under-damped ‘bounciness’ we’ve experienced elsewhere.

The passenger cabin is quiet with very little wind or tyre noise, and the steering and pedal feedback well-metered, with sensible levels of assistance for Australian conditions.

Power delivery from the G6 is pleasingly progressive – not binary as is the case in many other imports sampled on these pages in recent times. That predictability pays dividends in helping to match fast-flowing traffic, and in keeping the passengers free of unwanted jolts.

It’s admirable, too, that the throttle response, regenerative braking, and steering feel can be set to your own preferences; though it’s worth noting that this must be done through the touchscreen, which we’d recommend pulling over for.

The usual driver assistance quirks found in many modern cars are present in the XPeng G6 but are not quite as invasive as we’ve come to expect. The driver monitoring system and lane keeping assistance aids are far better than most and may be tuned down or disabled should you be so inclined.

Given the vast and complex array of new Chinese EVs entering the market, it can be difficult to sort the good from the bad. Short test drives offer little more than a distraction, leaving many to deal with the consequences of their decision only after the vehicle has arrived in their driveway.

It’s why we’d wholeheartedly recommend the XPeng G6 as a sensible choice. In our view, this is a car that lives up to what buyers expect of an electric vehicle, delivering the driving experience, comfort levels, sensible technology, no-nonsense real-world range and fast charging speeds one should expect in 2025.

If an electric SUV is on your shopping list, we would strongly suggest asking your nearest XPeng dealer for an extended test drive. Take it home for the night. Drive it where you’d usually drive it. Get familiar with the menu system and the charging process. After that, we reckon you’ll come away as impressed as we just have.