Overview: The Xpeng G6 AWD Performance in brief
It seems like only five minutes ago we were testing the first Xpeng G6 models to arrive in Ireland (it was actually about five months), but here, already, comes Xpeng with a major update for the G6, which includes a remarkable new battery.
There's also some revised styling, some interior upgrades, and the addition of an AWD Performance model with two motors, more power and some serious acceleration.
We drove it at its European media launch near Munich.
Pros and cons of the Xpeng G6 AWD Performance
Pros: Fast, smooth, high quality, outrageous charging speed, solid range
Cons: Jiggly ride at low speeds, no dashboard buttons
What's different from the existing Xpeng G6?
Well, before we get to the performance and charging upgrades, there are some styling differences. The full-width LED light bar at the front is now in one piece and includes the indicators for a start, while the tailgate has been reshaped with a subtle integrated flick-up spoiler that improves aero and gives the rear a more distinctive sense of style.
There is a new Black Edition as well (not pictured) which, unsurprisingly, seems to have been dipped in a large pot of Dulux's finest Midnight Black Gloss. The whole body is black, as are the wheels, brake calipers and badges. It looks smart, if perhaps a touch predictable and there's still a strong whiff of Tesla Model Y from the styling.
Inside, there are also some tech changes, which we'll come onto below, but more importantly there's an astonishing new battery...
Performance of the Xpeng G6 AWD Performance Black Edition
• Impressively fast
• Stable and surefooted
• Not engaging to drive
Up to this point, we'd only driven the standard rear-wheel-drive Xpeng G6, with its 292hp electric motor and, while that is fine, it isn't exactly a ball of fire.
Step forward the AWD Performance model, which has a robust 486hp and 660Nm of torque, and which can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.1 seconds. That's notably more rapid than the BYD Sealion 7 Excellence, for example, but slower than the recently announced latest-generation Tesla Model Y Performance, but there's no realistic, real-world difference.
The Xpeng just picks up and fecks off towards the horizon with serious venom, pushing you way back into the soft Nappa leather seats as it does so. It's far, far faster than any family SUV needs to be.
Then there's the battery. Xpeng has actually reduced the battery's energy capacity compared to the current Long Range model, down from 87kWh to 80kWh (and that's the gross figure - Xpeng doesn't quote a useable figure yet). The battery chemistry has also been switched from nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) to lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) which is meant to be cheaper to build, and longer-lived too.
What's really remarkable is the charging speed. The existing Xpeng G6 charges at an impressive 280kW thanks to its 800-volt electrical system. This new one can go to an astonishing 451kW at a suitably equipped DC charger.
Now, there are currently no chargers with that kind of power in Ireland (although the Fastned chargers in Banbridge, Northern Ireland are rated at an impressive 400kW), but if you could connect to a sufficiently powerful source, this Xpeng could do a 10-80 per cent battery charge in just 12 minutes.
Even on the 350kW chargers which are becoming more common in Ireland, you could still reckon on as little as 13-14 minutes, which is hugely impressive. We had a chance to briefly top up the G6's battery on our test drive in Germany, using an Ionity fast charger, and it took just seven minutes to go from 55 per cent to 80 per cent, adding around 140km of range in that time. That's a potential game-changer right there.
Equally as impressive is the real-world range. Xpeng quotes a WLTP figure for this AWD Performance model of 510km and, amazingly, on a hot day in Germany with the air conditioning blasting, and some time spent on the high-speed Autobahn, we were seeing figures that suggest it would do exactly 510km before needing a recharge.
That's a really good real-world figure, if it can be backed up in Irish conditions, and combined with the charging speed it could make the new G6 one of the most useable EVs of them all.
The only downside is that this fast-charging, potently speedy SUV is just not much fun to drive. The steering is too light, and while the overriding sensation is one of smoothness and refinement, the stiff springs allow the G6 to jiggle around at low speeds to the detriment of comfort (although it's never as uncomfortable over bumps as a Tesla Model Y). It's a decent thing to drive, the G6 AWD Performance, but I just wish it could be a bit more engaging.
Interior, practicality, tech and comfort of the Xpeng G6 AWD
• Lots of space
• Impressive tech
• Needs some buttons
The Xpeng G6's cabin has been improved, too. This G6 AWD feels like a big step up, with much higher-quality materials used inside and a dashboard redesign that makes it look more substantial and classier.
The big 15.6-inch touchscreen is basically the same, except that the software has been tweaked a bit and it now comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The on-screen menus are as clearly inspired by Tesla as the exterior styling, but the screen is fairly easy to use, although we have serious reservations about packing major items such as mirror adjustment and headlight control onto sub-menus. Xpeng, you have all the engineering resources in the world; you're making flying cars and humanoid robots; please make some cabin buttons.
There is one handy tech addition which is a digital rear-view mirror, which takes a feed from a wide-angle, 1080p high-definition camera atop the tailgate, and which is a big improvement on the G6's rather poor visibility through its shallow rear glass.
Overall quality is really very good, even if the Nappa leather seats feel a little rubbery. It certainly seems as if Xpeng is making good on its promise to be a genuine premium-level contender.
It's comfortable and there's plenty of space, too, and there's a useful 571-litre boot, although it's a shame that there's no 'frunk' storage in the nose. The boot also lacks useful touches such as tie-down points and bag hooks.
Who cares about those when you've got heated and ventilated front seats, though? And heated and reclining rear seats. The G6 majors on comfort, and does a really decent job of feeling luxurious no matter which seat you're in.
Irish pricing and rivals of the Xpeng G6 AWD Performance
• No Irish prices for this model yet
• Upgraded G6 won't arrive until 2026
• Should undercut equivalent Tesla
There is no Irish pricing for this G6 AWD Performance model as yet. Indeed, there's not even 100 per cent official confirmation that it's coming to Ireland, but it seems very unlikely that it wouldn't. It, and the revised Long Range single-motor model, won't arrive here until early in 2026 at the soonest, though, so don't hold your breath.
Going by Xpeng's existing Irish pricing, it seems reasonable to expect a price tag for this Performance model of around €55-60,000, which isn't cheap, but it's not unreasonable for the power, performance and equipment on offer.
Standard kit includes those heated and chilled Nappa leather seats, Xpeng's home-grown (and excellent) XOpera 18-speaker sound system, the expected adaptive cruise, active lane keeping and changing, a panoramic glass roof and 20-inch alloy wheels for this Performance model.
Its biggest rival is, obviously, the Tesla Model Y, but you could also consider the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6, the Skoda Enyaq Coupe or the BYD Sealion 7.
Verdict: should you buy the Xpeng G6 AWD Performance?
It's a qualified yes from us. A car with this much power and tech should really be more fun to drive, and there really ought to be some actual buttons in the cabin, but the updated G6 feels impressively, properly premium in its quality, comfort and tech while the battery - and its charging and range - is genuinely remarkable. May be worth the wait.
FAQs about the Xpeng G6 AWD Performance
What is the real-world range of Xpeng G6?
In our experience with this new G6 AWD Performance model, Xpeng's WLTP figure of 510km seems entirely realistic in real-world driving, and that's including some high-speed motorway runs.
Does the Xpeng G6 have massage seats?
Yes, as standard the front seats of the Xpeng G6 come with a massage function. They're also heated and ventilated.
How many child seats fit in the back of an Xpeng G6?
There are just the two ISOFIX points in the Xpeng G6, both in the outer rear seats. There's none in the front passenger seat. Could you fit a booster seat in the middle rear? Just about, but it's going to be a squeeze.
Want to know more about the Xpeng G6?
If there's anything about the Xpeng G6 we've not covered, or you'd like help in choosing between it and other cars, you can avail of our expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.
