XPENG G6 review: The ultra-smart EV changing the game for coupe-SUVs

Join us as we take a closer look at the XPENG G6, XPENG’s latest EV venture into the family SUV market.

Chinese EV manufacturer XPENG is making bold moves in the European market, and the G6 represents its most compelling offer yet.

This mid-size electric SUV arrives with an enticing combination of competitive pricing, generous equipment levels, and genuine quality that challenges established players like the Tesla Model Y and the Hyundai IONIQ 5.

But can a relatively unknown brand from China genuinely compete with these big names?

We spent a week with the XPENG G6 to find out whether it's a serious contender, or simply another face in an increasingly crowded electric SUV market.

What we drove

• Model: XPENG G6 Long Range 285 Electric 84kWh Auto
• Power: Electric
• Battery: 84kWh
• Range: Up to 354 miles (WLTP Comb)
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds
• OTR price: From £44,990
• Warranty: 5 years or 75,000 miles

Specifications correct at the time of publication

Exterior

The XPENG G6 that arrived on the Carparison forecourt was a striking “Fiery Orange” which was impossible to miss. At closer inspection, it even had reflective blue sparkles – which we loved.

The G6’s exterior styling got the whole team chatting, borrowing from some popular EVs on the market, yet coming across as more cohesive than a Mr Potato Head combination.

Look at it head-on and there's a distinct Hyundai Kona feel, with its clean lines and grille-less EV face.

The profile, meanwhile, channels the Tesla Model Y – hardly surprising given both cars target the same premium electric SUV segment – with that characteristic coupe-like roofline and similar proportions.

Moving to the rear, the tail-light treatment and the way the rear haunches are sculpted bear more than a passing resemblance to the Porsche Taycan, lending the G6 a premium, sporty flair that elevates it beyond generic SUV territory.

And this combination really does work.

The G6 is an undeniably big car, commanding road presence yet still appearing sleek and not overly bulky.

It strikes that delicate balance between looking substantial enough to justify its family SUV credentials, whilst maintaining the sleekness expected of a modern electric vehicle.

Subtle detailing elevates the design, from the accented wheel arches to the sleek, slim headlights that integrate beautifully into the front end, giving the G6 a sharp appearance.

While the XPENG G6's exterior won't be universally loved – that vibrant orange finish and the obvious nods to other manufacturers' design languages ensure this is a car that prompts conversation rather than indifference.

But there's genuine merit here: the quality of execution is high, the proportions work well, and the attention to detail in areas like the wheel arches and lighting demonstrates a maturing design language.

Interior and storage

You’ll be pleasantly surprised the moment you hop in the G6, this is a quality-feeling cabin that gives you bang for your buck.

The abundance of soft-touch materials and a faux leather trim creates a cabin with that premium feel.

As with many cars currently being released, minimalism is almost a requirement. The XPENG G6 comes with an uncluttered dashboard, dominated by two screens.

But has minimalism gone too far? As we came to find, the G6 had no glovebox.

Is this revolutionary or just frustrating?

The steering wheel also features an unusual shape – think the Nintendo Wii steering wheel for Mario Kart – but after a couple of hours behind the wheel, the design became perfectly natural.

Now, let’s talk about the seats. The front offers great adjustability, with eight-way electric adjustment as standard and four-way lumbar support, so you’re set for comfortable long journeys.

Both front seats can even fold completely flat, transforming the cabin into an impromptu sleeping space, thanks to XSLEEP – great for those planning road trips or requiring emergency accommodation.

The G6 excels in passenger room, with genuinely generous space for five adults. With an impressive amount of head and legroom, everyone can stretch their legs.

The panoramic glass roof lets in tons of natural light, which adds to the spacious and airy feel of the cabin.

Boot capacity stands at a practical 571 litres, expanding to 1,374 litres with the rear seats folded – more than enough for family duties or weekend adventures. The disappointment comes at the front: there's no frunk (front trunk) under the bonnet, a missed opportunity there we have to say.

The XPENG G6’s cabin demonstrates that Chinese manufacturers have closed the quality gap with established European and Japanese rivals.

Whilst the reliance on some unconventional design choices won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, the quality materials, generous space, and competitive pricing make it a compelling package.

Tech and safety

The XPENG G6 has earned its stripes in the safety department, achieving a full five-star Euro NCAP rating.

Beyond robust body construction and comprehensive passive safety features, the G6 comes loaded with a full suite of active driver assistance systems including:

• Lane keeping aids
• Adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving capability
• Blind spot monitoring with dedicated cameras
• Surround view camera
• Automatic parking assistance

A driver monitoring camera keeps watch for signs of drowsiness or distraction, and pleasingly, XPENG has calibrated these systems with a relatively light touch.

You won't be subjected to the constant beeping and intrusive steering corrections that plague some rivals – though it's worth noting that in stop-start traffic, the system can become rather enthusiastic about alerting you the moment the car ahead inches forward.

In heavy traffic, this persistent dinging can grate, particularly during lengthy commutes where you're creeping along at walking pace – as we found out on our route to Escot House in morning rush-hour traffic.

The comprehensive parking aids, including front and rear sensors alongside that 360-degree camera, prove invaluable given the car's size and limited rear visibility.

Moving over to technology, the G6 has two screens with a crisp 10.2-inch digital display above the wheel, and a central 14.9-inch infotainment screen that appears to float above the centre console.

Like most Chinese manufacturers, XPENG employs an Android-based interface that operates much like a smartphone or tablet, with pin-sharp graphics and intuitive swipe-and-tap functionality.

The system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, whilst twin 50W wireless charging pads – cleverly air-conditioned to prevent overheating – keep devices topped up effortlessly. The audio system delivers decent sound quality that punches above expectations for the price point.

Once you've spent time with it, navigation becomes fairly straightforward, though there are undeniably layers upon layers of settings and options buried within the menu.

In front of the driver, a digital display provides essential information with brightness and clarity, though configurability is limited. Still, having a dedicated driver's display at all gives the G6 an advantage over the Tesla Model Y, allowing you to monitor speed without glancing across to the centre screen.

Here's where Tesla inspiration hurts the G6. The near-complete absence of physical buttons is genuinely frustrating.

No volume knob, no temperature controls, not even a mirror adjustment switch – you'll navigate settings using unmarked steering wheel buttons in a frustrating push-and-see-what-happens game.

But let’s move onto some lovely tech additions the G6 has included to elevate the cabin experience.

The G6's AI assistant, Xiao P, appears as a small robot avatar atop the screen and operates like Alexa or Siri – with similarly hit-and-miss voice recognition. What's clever is its ability to distinguish between driver and passenger, turning to face whoever's speaking and ignoring others.

It's an oddly endearing feature that adds genuine character, even if comprehension doesn't always match the ambition.

The G6 surprises with wellness-focused features. XSLEEP transforms the front seats into beds (individually or together) with soothing music and a camping scene on-screen – genuinely useful for road trips or rest breaks.

The "Mindfulness Space" meditation feature turns your car into a wellness centre at the tap of the screen.

Features like this is part of what sets the XPENG G6 apart from rivals, and we love it when an EV goes above and beyond.

Drive and handling

As with any electric family SUV, the XPENG G6 prioritises comfort over driving thrills. It makes daily motoring straightforward and stress-free.

Getting going is simple: unlock, select drive using the right-hand steering wheel stalk, and go.

Performance feels adequately brisk with linear power delivery – enough shove to feel confident but without neck-snapping acceleration. You won't be pinned to your seat or muscling into tight motorway gaps like you might in a Tesla or top-spec Hyundai IONIQ 5.

The G6 offers various regenerative braking levels including an 'X-pedal' mode for near-one-pedal driving, though our demo car had minimal regen, making it easier to control but requiring more traditional braking. Frustratingly, adjusting regen settings requires the touchscreen, rather than physical controls.

Here's the G6's biggest dynamic weakness: the suspension simply isn't up to scratch. On smooth tarmac it's adequate but encounter imperfections and it becomes noticeably bouncy and unsettled.

During our countryside outing on gravel and farm roads, we felt every crack and pothole transmitted into the cabin. Speed bumps prove particularly jarring.

It's a significant flaw that undermines the G6's otherwise admirable comfort credentials.

The G6’s steering feels heavy and planted, it doesn't change direction with agility, and delivers safe, secure, neutral handling which is great for day-to-day family driving but wouldn’t be classed as entertaining.

The G6 excels at refinement. With limited engine noise and a slippery shape minimising wind noise, progress is hushed and serene. The motor emits only artificially generated sounds at low speeds, and at motorway speeds there's just a hint of wind noise.

The G6's substantial size creates real visibility challenges. Thick front pillars and a tiny rear window mean you see virtually nothing through the rear-view mirror, forcing heavy reliance on cameras. The wing mirrors automatically adjust position depending on speed and direction – disconcerting when you expect consistent angles.

Fortunately, XPENG's comprehensive aids compensate effectively. Front and rear sensors, 360-degree camera, and blind-spot cameras (activating with indicators) make park and manoeuvring this large SUV surprisingly manageable.

Overall, the G6 is a competent, easy to drive, and refined drive on modern roads, but if you’re looking for thrills in your daily commute it’ll be lacking in this department.

Are there any downsides?

Although the G6 has an abundance of merits, it has downsides like any car which have been mentioned throughout our review, but here’s a quick run down:

• Poor suspension
• Over-reliance on touchscreen controls
• Reduced visibility and heavy camera dependence

What’s the verdict?

The XPENG G6 represents a genuinely impressive effort from a relatively new Chinese market player. What strikes you most is the sheer quality for the money – this is a well-built, spacious, feature-packed electric SUV that punches well above its weight.

The cabin impresses with premium materials creating an upscale feel, whilst generous space and a cavernous boot (571-1,374 litres) make it genuinely practical.

Technology is abundant, with the characterful AI assistant Xiao P and innovative wellness features like XSLEEP demonstrating thoughtful innovation.

On the road, it delivers hushed, refined progress with smooth assisted driving and impeccable five-star Euro NCAP safety credentials.

Yes, the suspension disappoints on rough roads, touchscreen-heavy controls frustrate, and visibility requires camera dependence. But step back and appreciate what XPENG has achieved: a genuinely competitive, well-executed electric SUV offering tremendous value that demonstrates Chinese manufacturers have truly arrived as credible European alternatives.

For buyers prioritising space, quality, technology and value over engaging dynamics, the G6 makes a compelling case.

Top five reasons to consider the XPENG G6:

1. Well-built high-quality interior
2. Big spacious cabin
3. Long warranty
4. Great competitive range
5. Added comfort features in infotainment system, such as XSLEEP (sleeping mode) and a meditation app.