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G-FORCES (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_xpengg6_2025

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 76

Don't dismiss the Xpeng G6 as just another Chinese EV. At its launch in 2025, this electric mid-sized crossover was one of the most sophisticated and best value options in the Tesla Model Y segment. And an outstanding first effort in a class where back in 2025 some rivals were still struggling to hit the sweet spot. In short, it's certainly worth a look. Here, we look at the early pre-facelift versions as a used buy.

Modelsword count: 17

5dr SUV (EV) - Ultra - Standard Range 68kWh / Long Range 80kWh / AWD Performance 80kWh

Historyword count: 186

Like us, you're probably realising that some emerging Chinese EV auto brands are more serious contenders than others. Xpeng (pronounced 'she-a-peng') is definitely of the more serious sort. It's not been around long, founded as recently as 2014 by Xia Heng and He Tao, two former senior executives of China's state-owned GAC motor corporation. But after just a decade of existence, this tech entrepreneur start-up was already selling across half of Europe and had introduced five models so advanced that the Volkswagen Group had paid half a billion euros for a stake just 5% in the company. The first of these models to reach the UK (in early 2025) was this one, the G6. It was an electric mid-sized Coupe-SUV that, in the words of its maker, wanted to 'break the mould', aimed directly at the Tesla Model Y and that car's profitable segment, but it charged faster, gave customers more standard kit, offered greater technology and in equivalent guises cost less. Plus it was sold here by an experienced dealer network run by International Motors, importers of Subaru, Isuzu and Great Wall Motors products here.

What You Getword count: 636

You probably won't choose a G6 just because of how it looks, but there's nothing to repel you here either. The shape is slightly more Coupe-SUV than most of its rivals and broadly replicates the mid-sized crossover dimensions of the Tesla Model Y whose sales it wanted to replicate. But the technology shrouded by the aluminium panels is indeed impressive; an 800V electrical architecture with a silicon-carbide power inverter and a 'full scenario' XPilot network of 29 cameras, radar transceivers and ultrasonic sensors, with collective output overseen by a special Nvidia processor. Since when did family cars get this complicated? At 4.75-metres long, 1.92-metres wide and 1.65-metres tall, this car fits squarely in the mid-sized EV crossover segment. Xpeng says the styling was influenced by 'the world of sci-fi fantasy', but to us, the influences seem to be far more those of segment rivals - particularly Tesla. Still, it's interesting that there are almost no bodywork creases and it's certainly true that a lot of thought's gone in here. There are hidden door handles, a flat underbody and a streamlined raked-back tail, all of this combining to make the G6 one of the most aerodynamic cars in its class with a drag coefficient of just 0.248Cd. Once you close the frameless door it's the usual Chinese mid-sized SUV formula which sees almost everything controlled by a huge central touchscreen. At least though, unlike Tesla, Xpeng doesn't make you view the driving instruments on it, these accommodated in the letterbox-shaped 10.2-inch instrument display you view through the weird oval-shaped steering wheel. Thankfully, unlike its American rival, Xpeng also thinks you need stalks for gear selection and activation of wipers and indicators; not so good is the fact that said stalks are ancient plasticky old-model Mercedes cast-off items which feel rather out of kilter with the cabin tech fest. We could do without the rather chintzy sound effects you get on entry too. You sit quite high but rather hemmed-in, 'bath tub'-style between the high centre console and the even higher window line. But the seats are powered, heated, ventilated and decently comfortable on longer trips, with 4-way powered lumbar support - though they don't hold you in position particularly well at speed through corners. Light grey or dark cabin finishes are available dominated by leatherette finishing that doesn't feel particularly leather-like. Overall, you wouldn't call this interior particularly premium or luxurious, but that never held Tesla back and it's certainly true that all the fixtures and fittings seem to be of decent quality. Door opening's controlled by a button rather than a handle. In the rear, it feels very roomy indeed, the airy feeling helped by a vast standard-fit panoramic glass roof. Thanks to 820mm of leg space, two six-footers can be seated behind a couple of lanky front seat occupants and the rear seats can be adjusted in 12 positions with a maximum angle of 38.4-degrees. Despite the glassy swept-back roof line, there's plenty of head space too - up to 970mm of it. And because there's no centre tunnel, it'd be straightforward to accommodate a middle-seated adult if you needed to. This standard powered tailgate (which can also be operated not only from the key but also up and down from the centre screen) rises to reveal a practical space that, though decently-sized at 571-litres (virtually the same as a rival Ford Capri) is quite a lot smaller than the trunk of a Tesla Model Y (a competitor with the added advantage - lacking here - of extra under-bonnet 'frunk' space). Xpeng provides this thick boot floor mat and there's space beneath the floor for (some of) the charging leads, plus there's a light both sides and a 12v socket on the right. With everything flat, up to 1,374-litres of luggage space is freed up.

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