UK Drive: Does lots of modern tech make the Xpeng G6 a serious contender in the electric SUV market?

What is it?

There is a near-endless number of Chinese car manufacturers arriving in the UK that offer some of the most forward-thinking vehicles on the market.

One of those brands is Xpeng. Founded in 2014, the Chinese marque isn’t brimming with heritage, though what it is known for is technology.

The G6 kick-started the firm’s entry onto our shores last year, and already, the company has improved it with a flurry of updates. So, have the changes made this a compelling alternative to the likes of a Tesla Model Y?

What’s new?

One of the biggest changes comes in the wake of a new dual-motor all-wheel drive Black Edition variant, which packs more power, enhanced styling and gives a bit more sporting DNA to the company.

The exterior now includes a full-width LED lightbar on its front nostril, the Xpeng logo has been repositioned to the bonnet, there are colour-coded wheel arch extensions and a redesigned rear diffuser.

The updates are found on the interior too, with a new steering wheel, wood-grain dashboard trim and a suede-effect headliner.

What’s under the bonnet?

Our test car is the full-blooded all-wheel drive Performance Black Edition, which is new for this refresh.

It’s equipped with an 80kWh battery pack with dual electric motors to produce 486bhp and 660Nm of torque. That means 60mph comes around in just 3.9 seconds and the top speed is 126mph.

Thanks to the car’s standard 800-volt architecture, the G6 is one of the fastest EVs to charge up from a DC unit. It’s compatible with speeds of up to 451kW, which enables a 10 to 80 per cent top-up to be completed in just 12 minutes, while it can travel a claimed 316 miles between charges.

What’s it like to drive?

Xpeng has tweaked the car’s suspension and drivetrain to make it more engaging out on the road.

However, the light steering still makes the driving experience feel disconnected, while the car’s heavy 2.2-tonne weight is noticeable when you go through a corner.

There are several driving modes, which enable the driver to alter the weight of the steering, though that doesn’t make the car more driver-focused.

What is impressive is the performance. The dual-motor setup provides instant throttle response, while the ride comfort is well-damped on rutted surfaces.

Refinement is also a plus point with the G6, as there is little evidence of wind and road noise from entering the cabin.

How does it look?

The G6 looks similar to the Tesla Model Y due to its curvaceous body style.

Our Black Edition car gets a stealthy look with black alloy wheels, trim, paint and privacy glass.

The side profile has a much cleaner approach, thanks to the car’s flush door handles, frameless window surrounds and sloping roofline.

At the back, the car features slim taillights, a wraparound rear spoiler, a kickup design in the tailgate and the charging flap is fitted neatly into the corner of the bumper.

What’s it like inside?

The G6 goes down the same route as other Chinese cars with no physical buttons.

If you love technology, then this Xpeng is the car for you, as the touchscreen user interface controls almost every function of the car, while the system is slick and has crisp graphics.

The materials used are premium, with a leatherette finish on the dashboard, door cards and centre console, although there are some scratchy plastics lower down in the cabin.

You don’t get a glovebox with the G6 as it’s replaced with a cut-out under the centre console, while the centre armrest hides a deep compartment area. There are decent-sized doorbins and some of the largest vanity mirrors fitted to any car.

Despite our test car’s panoramic sunroof, rear headroom isn’t impacted for occupants. There is a good amount of foot and knee room, and there are additional rear seatback pockets, hidden cupholders in the fold-down centre armrest and large rear door bins.

The G6 provides 571 litres of boot space, while the flat-folding rear seats transform that room into a spacious 1,374 litres. That’s more than what you’ll find on a Hyundai Ioniq 5, but slightly off the pace of the Tesla Model Y’s 854-litre and 2,138-litre capacity.

There’s no frunk either, but you do get extra space under the false boot floor to store the charging cables.

What’s the spec like?

Prices have remained the same as before, which means that the range starts at £39,990 and rises to £49,990 for our flagship Performance test car.

All models come with a lot of standard features, including heated and ventilated front seats and a 15.6-inch central infotainment display.

Our Performance model boasts extras such as massaging front seats and Xpeng’s ‘pilot system’, which will allow the vehicle to drive autonomously on the motorway, as long as the driver keeps their hands on the steering wheel.

Verdict

The updated Xpeng G6 has shown that the Chinese can develop a competitive Tesla Model Y rival.

The G6 will not be to everyone’s taste, especially if you like physical controls. However, it does provide a decent level of interior space, lots of standard kit and the Performance model is extremely quick.

With prices starting at just below the £40,000 mark, the G6 represents decent value for money, though the rather vanilla driving experience and lack of brand heritage could be enough to put a lot of buyers off this electric SUV.