I think Tesla owners might be a little irked at just how good the XPeng G6 Performance really is

XPeng is a Chinese brand that, first and foremost, specialises in tech. It also builds cars, but thankfully not as an afterthought. This, the XPeng G6 Performance, is an all-wheel-drive, mid-size SUV that’s clearly designed to take on the Tesla Model Y. It’s potent and, naturally, comes packed with tech treats. There’s space and comfort too. As a package, it ticks every box any disillusioned Tesla owner could imagine.

The XPeng G6 occupies the same ballpark as models from Chinese brands Jaecoo, Omoda and BYD so competition is tough and pricing is keen. It’s also competing with itself, as buyers can opt for rear-wheel drive Standard Range or rear-wheel-drive Long Range models if the £49,990 Performance Black Edition seems like a little bit of an indulgence. They’re priced at £39,990 and £44,990 respectively.

I’d not driven an XPeng for a while, so having spent time in the XPeng G6 Performance, I can add that this car is right up there with the best of them, including Tesla’s current Model Y.

The styling

One of the biggest issues with the current crop of electric SUVs out there is just how samey they tend to look. I think the XPeng G6 has got just enough to make it stand out from the crowd, and, from some angles, it actually looks better than the competition. Sure, there’s a distinct whiff of Tesla Model Y about the exterior, but that’s not really a bad thing though I guess some might call the G6 a tad generic.

The exterior is nicely finished off though, with some neat details that add a little interest to the smooth lines. The front end is distinctive, thanks in the main to the LED ‘Starlight’ bar that runs from one side of the bonnet lip to the other. Inset headlights and colour code wheel arch covers are an improvement over the earlier incarnation too. I like the way the roofline slopes down towards the tail too and, thanks to the recessed door handles, the vibe is undeniably sleek.

A revised ‘Ducktail’ rear end works nicely, while the XPeng G6 Performance boasts a set of black alloys to top it all off. Overall, the package is a slick and stylish one. The same can be said for the interior, where fit and finish is very good and the seats offers lots of comfort. Space is great as well, with a 571-litre boot (seats up) that is more than sufficient. Premium tech touches include push button door handles too, which are actually more intuitive than some much more expensive rivals I’ve seen them in. A panoramic glass roof finished things off nicely.

The drive

The XPeng G6 Performance packs in some beefy performance figures with dual motors producing 480bhp and 660Nm of torque. That means it’s pretty rapid, with a 0-62 mph time of just 4.1 seconds. I noticed just how eager the car was from the minute I got into it, although faced with endless potholed roads, the XPeng G6 Performance was also useful as its agile chassis was great for dodging some of the worst ones. Despite its reasonably large size, this SUV felt reassuringly supple.

Typically for a Chinese brand, switching drive modes was less user-friendly than I would have liked, and there are also things like mirror adjustment that have to be done using the screen and steering wheel buttons that make tweaks on the go less than ideal. However, I couldn’t really fault the overall driver appeal of the XPeng G6 Performance. A column shifter offers simplicity and the bespoke satellite navigation (aided by TomTom data apparently) worked well.

XPeng folks had already explained the XPeng G6 had some handling tweaks prior to hitting these shores. I thought the results were excellent the longer I spent time with it. The 20in alloys and 255/45 Michelins did a good job coping with rapidly changing road surfaces. This thing is very quiet too, with no apparent mirror or wind noise making the interior feel very cosseting.

Thankfully, while it comes with a plethora of driving aids, the XPeng G6’s Xpilot safety suite was mild-mannered during everyday driving. Charging is an occasional exercise too. The lithium-ion phosphate battery was good for over 300 miles of range in the XPeng G6 Performance, but even the RWD Standard range model offers around 292 so there’s not a lot in it. That’s more than enough to keep me happy.

Although the XPeng G6 Performance is a sporty SUV, and was a dream to drive on the motorway, I did think it felt a little too sensible. I didn’t want a lairy car that was scarily unpredictable, but being behind the wheel did make me think I’d probably plump for the just as good rear-wheel drive cars. They’re slower but offer great range and that RWD Standard range offering is ten grand cheaper.

The technology

Prior to my second drive of the XPeng G6 Performance, I spent some time picking through the ‘Xmart OS’ infotainment menus. There was a lot to discover. While I was doing this, I was also watching another XPeng G6 park itself multiple times for demonstration purposes. Even though this isn’t a unique feature these days, it’s still cool to witness and the XPeng G6 did it as well as any of the competition.

Meanwhile, the options inside the screen are extensive. Unsurprisingly, there was a voice assistant, which when summoned with ‘Hey XPeng’ was actually very good at carrying out requests. I thought it was better than most during my time behind the wheel. I also liked the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless charging plus the Xopera sound system. This boasted 18 speakers, which also had the benefit of delivering sat-nav commands via the driver’s headrest. Quite handy for anyone driving with a car full of chatting passengers.

With XPeng underlining how they’re a tech company first and foremost, the performance delivered across the 10.25in digital dashboard and 15.6in central touchscreen never wavered. The G6 benefits from a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chipset, aided and abetted by over-the-air updates, so I’d hope that it’s in good shape to stay relevant over the years.

The electric seats were anther highpoint and offered a fab range of massage options. XPeng also has a Meditation Mode built in for when everyday driving gets too much. I liked it. On the other hand, I wasn’t keen on the digital rear-view mirror due to wearing glasses, but this can be switched to a conventional setup if preferred.

XPeng G6 Performance verdict

I’m not so sure I’d head straight for the XPeng G6 Performance considering just how good the base model is. However, for anyone wanting a little more show-off appeal then the brooding blackness of the Performance will make a lot of sense. XPeng has packed in plenty of tech and it all works too – even the voice assistant.

So, if you’re after copious levels of computing power presented in a surprisingly usable OS, the G6 should impress. Elsewhere, the looks and drive appeal are solid and, while it’s not the most exciting car in the world to drive, the XPeng G6 Performance feels dependable enough.

XPeng G6 Performance technical specifications