Driving the XPeng G6: A convincing Tesla model Y Rival

Estimated Price: Approximately NIS 220,000

Competitors: Tesla Model Y, Skoda Enyaq, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Seres 5

Liked: Design, quality, space, range, charging time, warranty

Disliked: Ergonomics and operation

In the past two years, a plethora of Chinese electric brands inspired by Tesla have arrived in Israel, competing with it. Some claim to be luxury brands, while others simply sell more and more electric vehicles. From BYD to XPeng, Zeekr, Voyah, ORA, NIO, and Skywell.

XPeng is perhaps the most similar to Elon Musk's company. Founded in 2014, it currently has only two models in Israel. With a starting price of NIS 200,000, it sold 1,500 P7 sedans, which compete with the Tesla Model 3, and the G9 crossover, which is similar in size to the Audi Q8 e-tron, in a year and a half. However, until now, it did not have an answer to the most popular Tesla, and the world's best-selling electric car: the Model Y.

This will change next month when the G6, a new electric crossover built on the P7 platform, will be launched in Israel. It will also compete with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Skoda Enyaq, and Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5. After the G9 succeeded in attracting quite a few customers from luxury brands, the new entrant will also try to appeal to potential customers of the Genesis GV60, Audi Q4 e-tron, and BMW X1 and X2.

There are high expectations for the new crossover. Does it deliver?

Design: Unlike Europeans, most Chinese manufacturers have not yet adopted a family design DNA, which allows you to recognize a Model Y as a Tesla or an Enyaq as a Skoda at first glance. XPeng is one of the exceptions here, and the G6 can immediately be linked to the other two models, with a solid line, somewhat German even. A nice coupe crossover, though not a head-turner, stands out with a slight elevation of the rear section beyond the body line to improve rear headroom, trunk volume, and drag coefficient. The presence is aided by a variety of colors, like the orange of one of the test cars, which will also be available in Israel, the only non-white or gray shade offered.

Interior: The driver's environment is identical to that of other XPeng models, with the company avoiding some of the quirks typical of Chinese manufacturers but falling into others.

There is a large 14.9-inch multimedia and control screen and a 10.2-inch wide screen serving as the instrument panel. The test car did not yet include Android Auto and CarPlay integration, as is also missing in other XPeng models, but we were promised that G6 models sold in Israel will have this feature.

The displays are clear, but there are hardly any physical control buttons, which is noticeable when dealing with climate control, turning on the lights, and basically everything else. There is no fixed strip at the bottom of the screen for climate control buttons, only a press that leads to a separate screen, and you can use the buttons on the steering wheel, which requires adjustment. To turn on the headlights, you need to perform three actions instead of simply turning a switch or lever. There is no glove compartment, no curtain to cover the panoramic roof, and the heat emitted from it in the summer - XPeng claims it filters 99% of the radiation - and the rear visibility is almost nonexistent, leaving you entirely dependent on the parking camera and sensors.

On the other hand, there is a small instrument panel for the driver, the car effectively reflects its surroundings to the driver in the display. The adaptive cruise control works efficiently, and the car easily identifies and marks potential parking spaces and waits for a command for efficient automatic parking in them. The material quality is generally good, and there is fast wireless charging for compatible smartphones, including battery cooling. There is also a retractable tow hook.

The G6 scores many points in interior space, both in the front and especially in the rear, where it is as spacious as the Model Y, with excellent knee room, good headroom, and the ability to control the backrest angle. The width, on the other hand, is still not suitable for comfortably seating three adults.

The trunk:  with a volume of 571 liters, is very spacious, although the loading edge is a bit high. It's a shame there is no front trunk like in Tesla, for storing the charging cable.

Safety: The G6 has not yet participated in the European crash test. It is equipped with all the standard active safety features: autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, driver alertness control, and sign recognition, which requires you to disconnect the speed limit in the cruise control according to the current European regulation, and a plethora of warnings every time you exceed it.

Engine and Performance: You can choose between 3 power versions and two drive systems. The standard has 255 hp and rear-wheel drive and is the only one we did not drive. The long-range has 286 hp and rear-wheel drive as well. The performance version has all-wheel drive and 476 hp.

The long-range performance is very good, similar to that of the Model Y. It is easy to overtake and be the first at the traffic light, but there is no back-kick like in the Model Y Long Range. The acceleration is more linear, better than the electric vehicles from the Volkswagen group.

The performance version, with 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, is a different story and very fast, but less agile than the Model Y Performance (3.7 seconds).

Range and Charging: The standard version is equipped with a 66 kWh battery, with a promise of 435 km in combined driving. The long-range and performance have an 87 kWh battery, with a promise of 570 km. The performance version has an official range of 550 km, almost 40 km more than the comparable Model Y. Most of our driving was in the long-range, which in mostly calm and urban driving showed a practical range of 550 km, aided by a low drag coefficient of 0.25, which helps reduce power consumption outside the city.

Slow charging is done at a maximum rate of 11 kW, not standing out, while Zeekr and Smart already know how to charge at 22 kW. The fast charging is relatively quick, with 210 kW for the smaller battery and 280 for the larger one, which maintains fast 20-minute charging from 10 to 80 percent. The Model Y, Ioniq 5, and EV6 can charge faster, but most competitors cannot. Tesla also has the advantage of the company's fast charging network (250 kW), while even 180 kW public stations for other electric cars are still not widespread enough in Israel.

Comfort and Handling: The straight and well-paved Dutch roads were kind to the XPeng, which was generally very comfortable, although the suspension is not always quiet. A basic weight of 2 tons does not help here.

The steering is fast and light, but devoid of sensations, and we can detail the road behavior more when we take the XPeng to our test roads in Israel.

Bottom Line: The G6 is an advanced and competitive Chinese car that should worry its competitors. Especially in light of the promise of very competitive prices, slightly less than the comparable Model Y models. It is attractive, spacious, well-built, and pleasant to drive, with good driving ranges and really fast charging. And the day XPeng engineers remember they are building their cars for people who are not always technology enthusiasts or engineers like them, they will also produce a car that is not complicated to operate. But even as it is today, if it meets the price promise, it is one of the most prominent electric cars to land in Israel this year.

The author was a guest of XPeng in the Netherlands.

Technical Details: XPeng G6 Long Range

• Engine: Electric, 286 hp
• Transmission: Auto, direct drive, rear-wheel drive

Electric:

• Battery: 87 kWh
• Slow Charging: 11 kW
• Fast Charging: 280 kW

Performance:

• 0-100 km/h (seconds): 6.7
• Top Speed (km/h): 200
• Manufacturer Combined Range (km): 570
• Test Drive Range (km): 550

Dimensions:

• Length (meters): 4.75
• Width (meters): 1.92
• Height (meters): 1.65
• Wheelbase (meters): 2.89
• Trunk (liters): 571
• Weight: 2,048 kg
• Tires: 255/45R20

Safety:

• European Crash Test Rating: Not yet tested
• Active Safety: Autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, driver alertness control, and sign recognition

Warranty:

• 7 years or 160,000 km for the car, 8 years or 160,000 km for the battery