First Drive: Is the Xpeng G6 a new electric SUV that’ll make waves?

What is it?

You guessed it – it’s another new Chinese manufacturer to arrive in the UK. Sitting alongside a broad number of other new arrivals, Xpeng is one of the latest to make an entry into the market here. It kicks things off with this car – the G6 – which is an electric SUV designed to rival cars like the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6 while offering a temptingly low price.

But with such a wide number of alternatives, can the G6 do enough to stand out and is it worth considering? We’ve been testing it to find out.

What’s new?

Xpeng may be a new name to the UK, but it is already making big strides to ensure that buyers will be able to get a car easily. In fact, it has just opened its first showrooms – one in Southampton and another in Nottingham – and these will be joined by a further 20 sites in the next 12 months alone. As with other Chinese brands, Xpeng is working with trusted dealer partners rather than starting out alone.

For now, it’s just the G6 which is available but Xpeng does produce other cars for different markets, so it’s likely that this model will be joined by several more soon.

What’s under the bonnet?

The G6 is available in Standard and Long Range configurations, offering ranges of 270 and 354 miles, respectively. We’re in the former setup, which does provide enough range for most drivers – though it’s handy to have that longer-range option there should you need to go further afield in your EV.

Output-wise, the G6’s single electric motor dishes out 255bhp and 440Nm of torque, equating to a 0-60mph time of 6.3 seconds. Xpeng has also equipped the G6 with a super-fast charging speed of 280kW, which means you could finish a 10 to 80 per cent charge in under 20 minutes when connected to a suitably rapid charger.

What’s it like to drive?

For most of the time, the G6 is quiet and easy enough to drive. The power delivery is simple to manage and because of the car’s elevated height, you’ve got a good view of the road ahead. However, the driving dynamics of the G6 are something of a let-down; the ride quality isn’t great when travelling at slower speeds, and when you do increase them, the G6 struggles to maintain its composure.

But one of the most disappointing aspects is the sheer lack of communication from the front wheels. The steering is super-light and as a result, you’re not getting a clear idea of which direction the front wheels are pointing. This is less of an issue when you’re travelling on the motorway, but for country lanes or twistier sections of roads, it makes the G6 harder to pilot. That said, the range that the G6 delivered was bang-on with the claimed total, while its efficiency was reasonable during mixed driving conditions.

How does it look?

The G6 has a fairly minimalist design which doesn’t shout too much. If you’re after a relatively subdued-looking car, then this is the one for you. The slim headlights are similar in design to those on rival products, but the upright bodystyle and rounded bumpers do help to give the G6 a little more presence.

In Standard Range configuration, you’re not flush with colour options, either, with just four – Arctic White, Graphite Grey, Midnight Black and Silver Frost – making up a rather dismal selection. Even a red or a blue option might help to spark a little life into the exterior. The only bright option is on Long Range versions – the eye-catching ‘Fiery Orange’ – which, to our eyes, helps to make the G6 look a lot more interesting.

What’s it like inside?

As we’ve seen on other new Chinese-made electric vehicles, the G6 adopts a very screen-focused design for its interior. There are no real buttons to speak of and this does make the overall accessibility of certain features trickier than it needs to be. Even a dedicated fan speed rocker would make things better. However, you can’t fault the overall space on offer – the rear seats bring plenty of legroom and there’s a completely flat floor, so the person sitting in the middle seat won’t feel short-changed.

Storage is good, too, with plenty of cubbies dotted here, there and everywhere. Plus, the G6’s 571-litre boot is well-sized and is only just shy of the 585-litre space you’ll find in the Skoda Enyaq – one of the most practical EVs around.

What’s the spec like?

Here’s the kicker. The Xpeng G6 starts from £39,990, and for that, you’re getting the Standard Range model, which is loaded with equipment, including 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic roof, heated seats and a 14.96-inch infotainment screen. The display itself is packed with features but would be helped no end by some physical buttons – even something as simple as changing an assistance system setting takes too much time, particularly when you’re on the move. Apple CarPlay is included but, again, it takes up the entire screen and means you have to ‘exit’ it in order to change something like the radio station.

For context, the entry-level Skoda Enyaq – which offers a similar range to the G6 – starts at £39,010, but doesn’t get electric seats or as speedier a charging speed. It does, however, have a more user-friendly screen setup.

Verdict

The G6 is something of a mixed bag. On the one hand, it offers plenty of space and feels practical enough to cope with family life. You can’t argue with the levels of equipment, either, though we’d really like more physical controls to help make this car easier – and safer – to interact with on a daily basis. The fast charging speed is another plus point.

But the G6’s rather uncommunicative steering and poor body control let the side down, while the lack of personalisation colour-wise might be a barrier for some. However, if standard equipment is your primary focus – alongside a reasonable price – then the G6 could be worth checking out.