XPeng G6 2024 Review – International
Coming to Australia soon, Chinese car-maker XPeng’s all-new G6 makes for a compelling alternative to established electric mid-size SUVs, including the Tesla Model YAnother day, another Chinese brand announces a launch in Australia, but XPeng’s imminent arrival is noteworthy – and not only because Volkswagen recently dropped a cool billion dollars to join forces with XPeng for a slice of the action. Enter the all-new XPeng G6, an all-electric mid-size SUV that’s just launched in Europe ahead of first deliveries Down Under in August. From ultra-fast charging and a decent range to punchy performance and intuitive in-car tech, the G6 has almost everything it needs to overshadow its key EV rivals – including the top-selling Tesla Model Y.
How much does the XPeng G6 cost?
In China, the 2024 XPeng G6 is priced around 20 per cent less than the equivalent Tesla Model Y, but in Australia it’s expected that pricing will be closer when the new challenger lands in August.
That’s partly due to the fact that the Tesla Model Y has received multiple price cuts this year and is now available from just $55,900 plus on-road costs.
That said, XPeng is still hotly tipped to undercut the Model Y, kicking off at around $53,000 plus ORCs for the G6 RWD Standard Range – although the story doesn’t end there.
A G6 RWD Long Range will also be offered – for considerably less than the $69,900 plus ORCs offered by the Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD – while equipment levels are also expected to be notably higher across the XPeng range.
A dual-motor G6 AWD Performance model is also due to come on line, possibly in the final quarter of this year with a price that should start below $80,000.
As well as Model Y, the G6 will be pitched as an alternative to the likes of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 (from $67,500), Toyota bZ4X (from $66,000), Subaru Solterra (from $69,990) and Kia EV6 (from $72,590).
What equipment comes with the XPeng G6?
From launch, the 2024 XPeng G6 has been created to rule the class for value, and the Chinese brand’s first-ever mid-size SUV will come absolutely loaded with standard kit.
Based on European specs, included in the price are 20-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, a full-length panoramic glass roof, dual wireless phone chargers, 10-inch digital instrument cluster, 15-inch infotainment screen, heated multi-function steering wheel and heated/ventilated vegan-leather seats that also fold flat into a bed.
Those front seats include position memory, four-way lumbar support and a further eight/six-way adjustment for the driver and front passenger respectively, while the rear seats recline, have ‘forward levelling’ and are heated too.
Other headline features on the G6 include a thumping 960W 18-speaker premium sound system (including two in the driver’s seat head restraint), dual-zone climate control (with pollen filter and a heat pump), semi-autonomous cruise control and an electric gesture-control tailgate.
In terms of options, XPeng says buyers will only be charged for premium paint (Arctic White is the only standard colour) and an electronically deployed tow bar that will enable the G6 to tug up to 1500kg.
The XPeng is likely to be backed by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty in Australia, while the high-voltage battery should be guaranteed for eight years/160,000km.
Imported via newly-formed TrueEV, there’s no word yet on service and maintenance packages, although in other markets like Singapore you will be able to have your XPeng G6 serviced by Audi dealer-owned garages.
How safe is the XPeng G6?
There’s no European or Australasian NCAP safety rating available yet for the 2024 XPeng G6, however the Chinese brand achieved maximum five-star results from Euro NCAP last year for its G9 large SUV and P7 family sedan.
We expect nothing less from the new G6 mid-sizer, which sits on an all-new architecture claimed to be significantly stiffer than anything XPeng has built before, boasting a pioneering triple-layer structure specially designed to withstand a 50-tonne side impact.
Boosting strength is a Tesla-style single-piece front and rear casting and clever use of steel and aluminium designed to enhance crash protection.
The G6 has seven airbags as standard, plus an advanced driver assist suite built around an incredible 29 sensors comprising 12 cameras, 12 radars and five HD millimetre-wave radars.
All help provide for autonomous emergency braking (AEB), traffic sign recognition, intelligent high beam assist, blind spot detection, door opening warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, emergency lane keeping, rear collision warning and rear cross traffic alert.
The even more advanced Lidar sensors available on the Chinese-spec G6 is not yet available for export markets such as Europe and Australia. XPeng says it wants to offer them here, but current legislation means fully autonomous Level 3 functionality (operating in geofenced locations, like the highway, for example) is still years away.
What technology does the XPeng G6 feature?
As you can see from the safety offering, the 2024 XPeng G6 does not skimp on advanced technology, and that holds true with infotainment and other on-board systems.
The mid-size SUV is fitted standard with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a large 14.96-inch central infotainment touch-screen.
The latter is powered by NVIDIA’s latest Orin-X processor and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155P chipset, which might sound meaningless to many but is said to ensure the G6 has one of the quickest and cleverest infotainment systems going around.
Even though our test car ran a pre-production version of the infotainment system, it worked flawlessly.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were originally off the menu, however XPeng, which develops its own software, has relented and will now offer cordless smartphone mirroring from launch.
Digital radio is provided and the infotainment system is compatible with numerous apps including Amazon Prime video, Instagram, Apple TV, YouTube, Audible and Disney Plus, among many others.
The G6 can receive software updates over-the-air (OTA) and has vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, which enables the car to power devices such as laptops.
What powers the XPeng G6?
The 2024 XPeng G6 will launch with two single-motor/rear-wheel drive models in Australia, opening with the RWD Standard Range that musters 190kW and 440Nm of torque.
Combining with a 66kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery, that’s enough for a brisk 0-100km/h dash completed in 6.9 seconds.
The RWD Long Range adds a bigger 87.5kWh NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) battery pack but sticks with a single rear e-motor that produces the same 440Nm torque peak but a more powerful 210kW. That extra oomph sees the G6 launch from 0-100km/h in 6.7sec.
Later on, the flagship AWD Performance will arrive with a dual-motor/all-wheel drive powertrain that pumps out 350kW and 660Nm. It draws energy from the 87.5kWh NMC battery.
Against the clock, the most powerful G6 can reach 100km/h from standstill in 4.1sec.
All versions have a limited 200km/h top speed.
How far can the XPeng G6 go on a charge?
The 2024 XPeng G6 RWD Standard Range can travel up to 435km (according to the WLTP test cycle) before needing to recharge its 66kWh LFP battery, while the RWD Long Range, with its bigger 87.5kWh NMC power pack, extends this to 570km.
The AWD Performance model also has a handy 550km range from the 87.5kWh battery, despite the extra weight and power.
Energy consumption is a commendable 17.5kWh/100km for both RWD versions, while the dual-motor is quoted at 17.9kWh/100km.
All G6 models have an 800-volt electrical architecture, which allows the LFP battery in the RWD Standard Range to be DC fast-charged at up to 215kW, rising to more than 280kW for the NMC-based RWD Long Range and AWD Performance.
Officially, all G6 EVs take 20 minutes to DC charge from 10-80 per cent. But unofficially, thanks to high-performing thermal management tech, if you can find an ultra-fast charger (not easy in Australia) you’ll blow past the 280kW peak rate and a top-up will take less than 18 minutes – matching the likes of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 that can handle up to 350kW.
Perhaps even more brazenly, XPeng says just one car in the market is currently quicker to top-up than its RWD Long Range and that’s the latest Porsche Taycan.
When it comes to home charging, the G6 is restricted to an 11kW AC capacity (three-phase), from which it will need 7.5 hours to recharge the RWD Standard Range model (from five to 100 per cent), or 9.5h for the RWD Long Range and AWD Performance.
What is the XPeng G6 like to drive?
The 2024 XPeng G6 rides on the Chinese car-maker’s all-new SEPA 2.0 modular architecture and employs a sophisticated double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension configuration.
Combine this with a perfect 50:50 weight distribution and you might expect the G6 to leap to the very top of the class.
But on our first outing, across a poor choice of roads, we were left a little underwhelmed.
We spent the majority of time in the flagship AWD Performance, which despite producing plenty of power still weighs a hefty 2143kg, and this seems to blunt the car’s responsiveness.
The cars we’ll get are likely to feature a special Euro tune, which provided a firm ride on even the smooth surfaces we covered – and that doesn’t bode well for our roads back in Australia.
Finally, we thought the dual-motor version also had overly-sharp throttle response, which made it a little tricky to drive smoothly.
Curiously, a short drive in the RWD Long Range version helped restore some of the dynamism lacking in the hottest G6.
The ride quality was also a little better in this version, and the steering better too, with a less-unpleasant self-centring effect.
Despite our gripes, the G6’s slightly dull drive is no deal-breaker and most owners will simply enjoy the high levels of refinement on offer and the effortless pace delivered by either variant.
What is the XPeng G6 like inside?
The 2024 XPeng G6 is said to have been created to live in the premium end of the mid-size all-electric SUV segment, and the result is largely successful in delivering a classy cabin with impeccable build.
With the choice of either dark or light cabin trim, the G6 has been designed to follow the clean, minimalist trend and is a pleasant place to spend time.
There are a few things missing though. We wish it had more physical controls, including a conventional mechanical way of simply directing air from the vents.
At least the tech on offer is intuitive and easy to use.
As well as the dual 50W wireless charging pads, there are three USB-C ports (1 x 60W, 2 x 15W), one USB-A (10W) and two 12V power sockets across the car.
Cabin space is also generous both front and rear, even with the large panoramic roof.
Boot space is good at 571 litres, extending to 1374 litres when the 60/40-split folding rear seats (which don’t fold completely flat) are lowered. There’s no handy front trunk to store your bulky cables.
Overall, we think four large adults should find the XPeng SUV a comfortable place to travel long distances in.
Should I buy an XPeng G6?
It’s pleasing to report the 2024 XPeng G6 is no half-baked affair and the Chinese brand’s approach to engineering, design and execution is commendable.
When it lands Down Under in August, we hope the compelling package will be accompanied by highly competitive pricing that will help compensate for the lack of a Tesla-style Supercharger network.
As it stands now, the XPeng G6 deserves to win fans and should certainly draw attention away from key rivals in the increasingly crowded mid-size electric SUV marketplace – including the dominant Tesla Model Y.
2024 XPeng G6 RWD Long Range at a glance:
Price: $63,000 est (plus on-road costs)
Available: August 2024
Powertrain: Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 210kW/440Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 87.5kWh lithium-ion
Range: 570km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 17.5kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested
2024 XPeng G6 AWD Performance at a glance:
Price: $78,000 est (plus on-road costs)
Available: Late 2024
Powertrain: Two asynchronous electric motors
Output: 350kW/660Nm (front 140kW/220Nm, rear 210kW/440Nm)
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 87.5kWh lithium-ion
Range: 550km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 17.9kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested
- Class-leading charging speeds
- Refined and quiet
- Cabin feels special
- Isn’t as good to drive as the best in the class
- Concerns over ride quality
- Feels like it needs some final finessing
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