Is the XPeng G6 just another mid-sized electric SUV from China? While it may not fly like the Gulfstream business jet with the same name, it might just have a similar interior. On looks alone, the G6 might be considered far from distinctive.
Its profile is reminiscent of the popular Tesla Model Y and yet, somehow there is still something unique about the XPeng when you see one on the road – with the DRLs on, there’s nothing quite like it.
This was especially true when there was a vibrant orange hue available but alas, the colour palette for new orders now consists of a slightly less exciting White, Black, Grey or Silver. The G6 Long Range we’re testing is $59,800 plus on-roads.
The interior feels a bit Tesla inspired too, while avoiding the ultra-minimalist approach and still incorporating some stalks either side of the steering wheel. There’s a conventionally located instrument display to accompany the massive central infotainment screen.
It’s clean and for want of a better version of another overused word on a lot of these new entrants – quality. The raised centre console allows for an open storage area underneath, and access to some USB ports.
Above that are two very capable 50W wireless phone chargers – the first time we’ve experienced a charger that actually charges a phone rather than prolonging its slow discharge. However, we would say the two cupholders feel a little on the small side.
Unlike a number of its rivals, that seem to shrink around the occupants and feel easy to drive, the XPeng G6 feels long and wide. It could be the seating position, or the larger dash that stretches for miles, it’s hard to say, but it does feel big.
The view out the rear window is like peering through a long tube, while the rear-view mirror is quite small. About all you’ll see through it will be the rear seat head rests. There is a suite of cameras and sensors available to help though.
The self-parking assistant does a decent job too, but what seems to be missing is a digital rear view mirror, and it’s something this car would truly benefit from. The blind spot cameras are a good idea (and are similar to the concept offered by Kia and Hyundai)>
In this case though, vision appears on the centre screen which admittedly is not intuitively in your field of view when turning or manoeuvring. That said, the camera display can be moved around the screen to a convenient spot to keep other bits of information in sight.
While the displays are quite good, offering plenty of what you need and nothing you don’t (like a campfire in the Deepal S07, or a light and music show offered by Zeekr), we’d have liked some sort of head-up display.
XPeng do include HUDs in their other vehicles, so perhaps it will come in time. One feature that definitely stood out in the G6 though was XPILOT, which uses Lidar to create a 3D environment around the car (using light to measure the distance between objects).
This is then fed back to the driver, including showing cars, trucks, bikes, pedestrians and even traffic cones on your screen. We found the system was quite accurate and aware at all times, highlighting cars in blind spots in red for example.
Audio and tunes are provided through XPeng’s own 18-speaker Xopera immersive sound system which offers a lot of clarity and bass. The seats are comfortable enough, feeling like a familiar couch.
While the driver gets eight-way power adjustment and four-way lumbar support, we noted that there’s not much under thigh support up front, which makes us wonder how they’ll go on a long drive.
It’s an issue that’s not isolated to the G6, but occupants with longer legs might notice. Four of the seats are heated, along with the steering wheel, while the front seats are ventilated as well.
Drivers with longer arms may find themselves bumping the centre console as this reviewer did many times. The raised section does help afford the large open storage space underneath, but it felt a little too high to be a good resting spot for our longer arms.
Maybe people with shorter arms won’t have this problem. Rear passengers also score decent room with a flat floor, two USB-C ports and AC vents. The seats again are quite comfortable and have that same luxurious look about them.
There’s a centre fold down armrest, and plenty of light thanks to the fact the entire roof is glass, without an automated blind. We never noticed the inside becoming too hot during our time with the car, but a properly hot summer might have a different outcome.
XPeng do offer a shade that can be fitted to the roof for such occasions, as a purchased accessory. Boot space is 571-litres, and up to 1374-litres with the second row folded down. The automatic tailgate opens with a double-press of the key fob.
Notably, there is no proximity sensor in the key, so locking and unlocking the car feels a little old-fashioned – how quaint! There is a phone app which offers control of the car, including assisted parking.
For a ground-up EV build, the G6 doesn’t have a frunk up front. Both versions of the G6 power the rear wheels, with the long-range offering 210kW and 440Nm, compared to 190kW and 440Nm in the standard range.
Our long-range G6 weighs 2025kg and will get from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds. The car isn’t a rocket ship but gets up to speed fast enough and can handle our roads with ease. The 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin EV tyres offer cornering confidence.
They’re quiet for all sorts of drives. For added customisation the G6 includes Comfort, Standard and Sport drive modes, as well as a Launch setting to test that 0-100 time. Accessing these menus isn’t all that easy though, especially on the fly.
From its 87.5kWh battery the G6 long-range has a claimed 550-570km WLTP (over the 435km in the standard) and consumption of 17.5kWh/100km. During our time we saw a not-too-shabby 13.2kWh/100km.
The G6 can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 20 minutes at up to 280kW, thanks to its 800-volt technology. It comes with seven airbags and a standard 5-year warranty, with the option to extend to 10-years.
While there are only a small number of dealerships or Experience Centres in Victoria and New South Wales at the time of writing, servicing at every 20,000km or 12 months can be undertaken through the Ultra Tune network.
While there are already plenty of alternatives in this segment we found that there is much to like about the XPeng G6 and would recommend giving one a look to see if it would be a good fit for your driveway and your needs.
There are competitors that offer a lot more in what their cars can do, but if you don’t need all those things, we think the G6 offers just enough and it delivers on those functions very well. You can find out more on the XPeng website, or by talking to your local dealership.
To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
The vehicle tested here was provided by XPeng Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia was not paid to review this vehicle.
