2027 XPeng Mona L03 certain for Australia

XPeng has unveiled its new Mona L03 in China ahead of an expected Australian launch in 2027, with the affordable electric and range-extender SUV set to bolster the brand's factory-backed local relaunch. However, the news comes amid ongoing disputes involving unpaid customer cashback offers.

The XPeng Mona L03 has been detailed and priced for the Chinese market, giving the clearest indication yet of what Australian buyers can expect when the new model arrives in local showrooms.

Positioned below the familiar G6 SUV – which beat the Sealion 7 in our comparison – the Mona L03 is expected to rival the likes of the Geely EX5 and BYD Atto 3, while adopting a more coupe-inspired profile similar to the Polestar 2.

Inside, the cabin follows the minimalist approach now common among Chinese electric vehicles, featuring a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, a floating centre console with dual wireless phone charging pads, an oval-shaped steering wheel and a 26.8-inch head-up display replacing a conventional instrument cluster.

Both the battery-electric and range-extender variants are powered by a rear-mounted electric motor producing 183kW/280Nm. XPeng claims the electric version can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds.

Two battery sizes are available for the EV, with 56kWh and 69kWh packs delivering claimed driving ranges of 525km and 625km respectively under the CLTC testing cycle.

The range-extender meantime pairs the same electric motor with a 1.5-litre petrol engine acting as a generator, allowing for a claimed 315km of electric-only driving before the engine is required to recharge the battery.

Chinese pricing ranges from the equivalent of approximately $31,000 to $34,000.

Should similar positioning be maintained for Australia, the Mona L03 could arrive with pricing in the low-to-mid-$40,000 range (+ORCs), placing it directly against the Geely EX5 ($41,990) and BYD Atto 3 ($39,990).

The Mona L03 is destined for export markets and is understood to be earmarked for an Australian launch in late 2026 or early 2027.

Its arrival will coincide with XPeng's transition to a factory-backed Australian operation following the end of its distribution agreement with former importer TrueEV.

XPeng terminated its five-year agreement with TrueEV in January, despite three years remaining on the contract. TrueEV subsequently entered receivership in March, with the two parties now awaiting a Federal Court case in October.

The dispute has left some XPeng G6 buyers still waiting for promised $5000 cashback payments offered before the change in distribution.

According to ABC News, TrueEV chief executive Jason Clarke said the promotion's "commercial foundation" had been removed, although he said more than 80 customers had already received payment.

Meanwhile, XPeng Australia told the ABC it was "fully committed to resolving issues affecting customers who purchased XPeng vehicles through TrueEV", while acknowledging customer frustration.

The brand is continuing to establish its factory-backed Australian sales and service network despite the ongoing legal dispute, with the Mona L03 expected to play a key role in the local expansion.

Other models under consideration for Australia include the P7, G9 and X9 models.

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