XPeng G6 Long Range Review.

Featured, Rides

by Sean Loo, October 12, 2024

The Xpeng G6 aims to charm drivers with its smart, digital-first approach and eco-friendly credentials.

But let’s be real, in a market already flooded with EV heavyweights, the G6 has a tough crowd to win over.

So, what does Xpeng bring to the table? For starters, there’s a big screen inside, a trendy light bar outside, and a tech entrepreneur at the helm of the company, no less.

All very nice things. But, can the G6 stand out from the sea of new EVs that have recently hit the market?

robo-cop.

The XPeng G6 has a smooth and sleek facade, reminiscent of a cross between the Hyundai Kona EV and the Tesla Model Y. While it may not immediately stand out, its Macintosh-inspired looks do garner second glances from passersby.

There are two versions on offer for Singapore-bound units – Standard Range or Long Range. Both share 440Nm of torque, but the Long Range variant benefits from 282bhp, a slight bump from the 255bhp found on the Standard.

As with most EVs, acceleration is brisk and instant. You’ll easily win other folks in a traffic light drag race, since it only takes 6.2 seconds to hit the century mark.

how does it fare on the roads?

The G6 isn’t here to wow you with Tesla-like theatrics, but it gets the job done. The ride is on the firmer side, but not uncomfortably so, and the handling is competent. There’s plenty of grip, and the traction control does its job well enough.

What it lacks, though, is personality; the steering feels a little dead, and there’s no real sense of excitement behind the wheel. It’s more vanilla than va-va-voom, but vanilla is what most folks prefer anyway.

The G6 is quiet and composed at highway speeds. There’s a coasting mode for regenerative braking, and while the X-Pedal mode delivers strong regen, it won’t bring the car to a complete stop. A little more engagement would’ve been nice.

tech aplenty.

One of the bigger appeals of the G6 is the amount of tech you get for your dollar. The suite of sensors in this car can pick out subtle differences in its environment, even distinguishing between solid and dotted lane markings, It knows the direction a stationary car is facing and even notices if the vehicle next to you has its indicators on.

An array of cameras are dotted around the car, and these help the G6 perform functions like auto-parking. You just tap a button on the touchscreen to confirm the parking spot, sit back, and watch as the car smoothly wiggles its way in. This is arguably the smoothest auto-parking assistant I’ve ever come across in a car locally. Bravo XPeng.

To prevent distractions from other occupants, there are speakers embedded within the headrests, which discreetly sound out updates from the car.

Really helpful when you’re trying to listen to Google Maps whilst your passenger is blasting off some tunes in the car.

you don’t have to worry about charging.

One of the G6’s aces is its 800V architecture. That’s the same lightning-quick charging tech we’ve seen in premium models like the Porsche Taycan and Hyundai EV6.

Translated, whether you spring for the 66kWh or the bigger 87.5kWh battery, you’re looking at a 10-80% charge in just 20 minutes.

During my stint, I managed to average 17.8kWh/100km, which is pretty much bang on with what XPeng touts the G6 can do. The figures are impressive, and with a gentler foot, I reckon some folks can easily strive for lower numbers.

does cheaper mean compromised quality?

You’d think a lower price tag means you’re getting a cut-rate experience. But, I’m happy to report that the G6 holds its own.

While the design might not blow your socks off, the interior is far from shabby. Soft-touch materials, thoughtful storage, and a large touchscreen give off a pleasant, unpretentious vibe.

It’s the kind of car that is approachable to folks who are warming up to new-generation tech.

Having suffered through clunky interfaces in other Chinese EVs like BYDs and Zeekrs, the G6’s UI is actually not bad.

There are a few awkward English translations, but the overall experience is pretty straightforward. A far cry from the labyrinthine systems we’ve seen elsewhere.

While the centre console is a tad high and slightly intrusive, the rest of the cabin is spacious. A posse of five can easily fit and travel in comfort, whilst all of their belongings are tucked away in the 571-litre boot.

a sensible choice.

Overall, the Xpeng G6 is a good all-rounder. It does everything you’d expect an electric SUV to do, and it does it without fuss.

But, unfortunately, it doesn’t stand out enough. In a sea of EVs, it feels like Xpeng’s biggest challenge isn’t the product itself but convincing people to take notice.

It’s not flashy, it doesn’t scream for attention, and it won’t blow your mind with cutting-edge innovation. But maybe that’s its strength – it’s a no-nonsense, well-rounded EV that just happens to be cheaper than the big names.

Where everything else is dialled up to 11, that might just be refreshing enough to win over drivers looking for a straightforward electric ride. No gimmicks, no fuss – just an EV that ticks the boxes for less money.

technical specifications.