XPeng G6 review – the brand’s impressive electric SUV UK debut

Verdict – is the XPeng G6 a good car?

The XPeng G6 is good to drive, boasts a spacious interior and is well equipped, so you shouldn’t discount it on the basis of never having heard of the brand before. Despite generic styling and some fiddly infotainment, XPeng is clearly hoping to make an impact with the G6, and a competitive warranty should also help sweeten the deal.

XPeng G6 models, specs and alternatives

This is the XPeng G6, and it’s the first car to be launched in the UK by the brand. We know what you’re thinking – it’s not quite the catchiest of names, but don’t underestimate the Chinese brand based on that alone; many electric models in particular are making their way over from the country, and the XPeng G6 is one such example.

The G6 EV is another SUV that’s hit the market to take on the segment’s most popular car, the Tesla Model Y. It’s not the only model that will be reaching our shores – XPeng is also launching a luxury MPV and two more models before 2027, so it’s a name worth paying attention to.

While it may be new to the UK, the XPeng G6 has already been around for some time; we even tested it in The Netherlands in summer 2024 where it’s been on sale for more than half a year. The brand refers to itself as a ‘smart pure electric brand’, so it’s safe to say you shouldn’t expect any petrol or diesel XPeng models anytime soon.

The XPeng G6’s styling may have looked futuristic a few years ago, but while it’s no means an unattractive-looking thing, it’s not exactly unique. The overall silhouette is smooth and reminiscent of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. The XPeng G6 owes its shape to aerodynamics, as it’s been designed to be as slippery through the air as possible to help decrease drag and improve range and efficiency.

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At the front you get a full-width light bar housing the daytime running lights much like the Hyundai Kona’s, and below that sit the headlight clusters in a split-piece design that’s been very fashionable in recent years. At the rear there’s another full-width lightbar with a kink towards the centre which is reminiscent of the Jaguar I-Pace or – again – the Porsche Cayenne.

There are two versions of the XPeng G6: a 66kWh and 88kWh battery model, called Standard Range and Long Range, respectively. The smaller battery provides the G6 with a range of up to 270 miles on a charge, while the larger battery model could keep you going for up to 354 miles. The Standard Range gets a healthy 254bhp power figure, while opting for the Long Range increases this to 281bhp.

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XPeng has launched the G6 with a choice of two powertrains and battery packs. The entry-level Standard Range gets a 66kWh battery which is good for 270 miles on a charge. If that doesn’t quite sound like enough, then there’s another version with a larger 88kWh battery called the Long Range – that model can cover up to 354 miles on a charge. That’s still a bit off the G6’s main rival, the Tesla Model Y, which can do up to 373 miles on a charge.

XPeng says that the G6 is one of the fastest-charging EVs on sale – up there with premium cars like the Lotus Eletre and Porsche Taycan. Speeds can reach up to 280kW on the 88kWh car, while the 66kWh’s 215kW speed is still impressive.

How efficient is the XPeng G6 in the real world?

When we tested the G6 Long Range we managed an efficiency figure that would equate to around 245 miles on a charge. That’s quite a way off the quoted 354-mile stat, but we were admittedly driving it in a spirited manner in cold, wintry weather, so you could expect a more impressive figure on a sunny summer’s day with a more leisurely approach.

What will the XPeng G6 cost to insure?

We don’t yet have insurance group ratings for the XPeng G6, but for reference, its main rival the Tesla Model Y is one of the most expensive cars to insure, spanning groups 48 to 50 out of 50. We’d expect the XPeng G6 to sit in around the same, or even lower insurance groups.

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So what is the XPeng G6 like to drive? Well, the first thing that struck us was just how refined it is. While most electric cars’ quiet motors mean there’s no intrusive combustion engine noise to speak of, the G6’s aerodynamic shape helps it to glide through the air with very little wind or road noise making it inside. We were particularly impressed because the G6 comes with frameless windows, which can occasionally let in more noise on other models – not here though.

The regenerative braking is well calibrated so as to provide a natural feel when the G6 transitions from mechanical braking. There’s a few different modes to choose from which you can access through the central screen and the strongest setting allows for one-pedal driving.

Is the XPeng G6 good to drive in town?

The XPeng G6 is smooth to drive which should make it easy to drive in stop-start traffic. The suspension is on the firm side, though, which means it can get a bit bouncy on uneven roads, which could mean it gets upset on pothole-ridden roads in UK towns.

Is the XPeng G6 good to drive on long journeys?

The Xpeng G6 feels brisk enough to enter motorway sliproads and overtake other cars confidently, meaning it’s a good car to drive in these environments. The cabin is well insulated from outside noise, so it’s a great cruiser.

Is the XPeng G6 good to drive on B-roads?

The XPeng G6 is impressively nimble for an electric SUV, with direct steering and reassuring levels of grip. This is even more impressive given our test took place on cold, icy roads. It’s fast enough without being obnoxiously so.

Carbuyer notes

“The G6 is a worthy cruiser, even if the firm suspension can cause it to bounce about a bit.” Richard Ingram, Deputy Editor

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If you have your reservations about interior quality, then you’re not likely to be disappointed by the XPeng. The brand has used lots of soft-touch materials on the areas you interact with the most, and all cars get faux leather upholstery on the seats – whether this is durable enough to last the entire life of the car is up for debate, but it was at least attractive in our test car. You can swap the black upholstery for a white finish for free if you so wish.

Everything is where you’d expect it to be in the XPeng G6’s cabin, though the shape of the steering wheel might not be to all tastes – it’s somewhere between a circle and a square, but looks a little weird in our eyes.

Is the XPeng G6’s infotainment and navigation system easy to use?

Though XPeng prides itself on being a tech-focused car brand, we found its system’s interface rather user-unfriendly to use. The brand hasn’t taken as minimalist an approach as Tesla, for example, and many of the graphics look unnecessarily busy at a glance. We aren’t fans of the fact that turning on the rear heated windscreen and adjusting the wing mirrors requires so many prods and submenus.

Is the XPeng G6 well equipped?

An area where less-familiar car manufacturers often need to stand out to make a name for themselves in new markets is when it comes down to equipment levels. As far as we can tell, the only choice you have to make when buying a G6 is between Standard Range and Long Range models, while the level of equipment stays the same regardless.

All cars get features like large 20-inch alloy wheels, a large panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, a premium Xopera sound system – the list goes on… The equipment list sounds rather extensive for the price, then.

What options should you choose on the XPeng G6 ?

Full options are yet to be revealed for the XPeng G6, but the brand says a deployable tow bar will be available. It’s also definitely worth pointing out that it will get a heat pump as standard. Some EVs only have this as an – in some cases expensive – option, but we’re happy to hear it’s standard on this car as it helps to condition the battery to optimal operating temperatures and combat the negative effects of colder, wintry weather on range.

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Practicality is one of the XPeng G6’s stronger suits, with lots of space for front passengers. There are lots of cubby holes dotted around the cabin and doors, while the centre console houses a pair of useful USB ports.

Rear passengers are also well catered for in terms of space. There’s loads of headroom and legroom back there and space to spread out thanks to the G6’s flat floor. The back seats can also recline, which should help passengers to relax. We’re slightly disappointed, however, that the centre rear-armrest doesn’t have any cupholders.

Does the XPeng G6 have a big boot?

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The XPeng G6 features a spacious boot that should come in very useful if you need to transport. There’s a retractable parcel shelf to hide things away from potential thieves, but unfortunately there’s no frunk like you get in a Tesla Model Y, which is disappointing. There’s at least a space for the charging cables under the boot floor, however.

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XPeng is a completely new brand in the UK, so there’s no real reliability data available for the G6. We can give you a little more detail on the G6 with regards to its safety, however, as that’s one area where it’s already been put through its paces.

How safe is the XPeng G6?

The XPeng G6 was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in September 2024 and was awarded the full five-star rating. Results were great across the board, but its highest scores were in the adult and child occupant protection categories, where it achieved 88% and 85%, respectively.

Protection for vulnerable road users was also good, with an 81% result in this category, while the G6’s safety assistance tech was rated at 75%.

During our time with the XPeng G6, we found its safety systems to hit the right balance in terms of being useful while not too intrusive. Some cars we’ve driven can become irritating with the amount of bongs and warnings they constantly shout at you in the driver’s seat, but the G6 seemed to cut in at the right times without being distracting.

What is the warranty on the XPeng G6?

Inspiring confidence in buyers as a brand new, unknown car brand is hard, but a good warranty is a great way to bolster trust. Thankfully, XPeng offers a competitive seven-year/100,000-mile warranty on the G6, giving Kia a run for its money. As with many other electric cars, the G6’s battery is covered by an additional eight-year warranty.

Should you buy an XPeng G6?

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While XPeng may be a new brand to the UK, it’s hit the ground running with the G6. This model demonstrates the Chinese carmaker’s ability to produce a good-to-drive electric SUV that boasts a usable range for the majority of buyers. It’s well equipped and looks as though it will be priced right, while the warranty should make buying one less of a risk.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the XPeng G6 range?

It’s quite hard to say definitively which model we’d go for given that exact pricing is yet to be revealed, but assuming the base model could cost around £40,000 with the Long Range around £5,000 more, it might be worth going for the more expensive one if you occasionally  plan to do trips further afield. If not, the 271-mile range of the standard car should probably suffice, but it’s worth weighing it all up against the price when it’s revealed.

XPeng G6 alternatives

The most obvious alternative to the G6 is the market’s most popular electric SUV, the Tesla Model Y. Now the market is full of choice though, especially if you’d rather go for something with a better-established name.

• Tesla Model Y
• Skoda Enyaq
• Kia EV6
• Hyundai Ioniq 5
• Volkswagen ID.4
• Ford Explorer

How we tested the XPeng G6

We tested the XPeng G6 in the UK in January 2025 in cold, wintry conditions and also briefly in The Netherlands in summer 2024.