Xpeng G6 — Extra Tech Than a Tesla?

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Final Up to date on: fifteenth February 2025, 01:16 am

Xpeng launched in Australia in Sydney two months in the past. The automobiles are actually making their manner into the deep north, and lo and behold, one confirmed up at our espresso, cake and EVs morning and we had the chance to have an excellent gawk. Marc (the brand new proprietor) was proud as punch to indicate off his child and even agreed to an illustration of the facility of his app. I believe he does the identical in buying centre carparks to intrigue the locals. The Xpeng G6 reverse parks itself whereas he stands there with telephone in hand.

 

At roughly AU$55,000 (US$35,000), the Xpeng costs itself between the Polestar 4 and the Leapmotor C10 that we now have reviewed not too long ago. Majella tells me that the Xpeng is definitely extra luxurious and comfy than our outdated Mannequin 3. Sorry, Tess. She additionally compares it favourably to the BMWs we checked out a few weeks in the past, and at half the value. The Xpeng G6 is roughly the identical worth because the Kia EV5 however has rather more tech. It seems to be about the identical dimension as a Mannequin Y, however is $10,000 cheaper. Good worth for cash.

I scent a surge within the worth wars! True EV is the unique importer, distributor & retailer in Australia.

When Majella acquired into the automotive, it spoke to her and stated “Buckle up, let’s go.” It comes with quick access. She did have some hassle discovering the door change — it was hidden on the facet of the door arm. The steering wheel solely had voice instructions, quantity, and music pause, with two stalks — one for blinkers/wipers, the opposite for setting the gears. Having two screens — one behind the steering wheel and one to the left — is changing into her most well-liked choice.

Marc has solely had the automotive a number of weeks and may be very enthusiastic and eager to indicate it to folks, particularly reverse parking on autopilot. “I want I had it when the youngsters have been youthful. No door dings. There can be no probability of hitting the automotive subsequent to them in slender parking conditions.” See video. Up to now, Marc has pushed 1000 km in city settings. “I’m but to check the extra-urban driving.”

Marc is an adviser for a enterprise insurance coverage dealer agency known as About Danger. “My Xpeng G6 is used primarily to go to our shoppers, and for leisure, together with towing my jet ski sometimes.” He purchased the Lengthy Vary model and paid $59,800. This grew to become $61,676, together with on-road prices. “Xpeng didn’t apply any further cost for paint color or 20” wheels.” The Lengthy Vary has a variety of about 700 km.

The Xpeng G6 has about 500 km of vary, with modern styling. Double rubber across the doorways decreases the street noise. Underneath the bonnet there’s room for a small frunk — you should buy an aftermarket insert if you want. Within the boot was a tyre package and charging cable. Marc loved displaying off his automotive to the EV group a lot that he introduced the Xpeng G6 to our sister espresso morning, on the south facet of Brisbane, every week later. As soon as once more, it was the star of the present. I used to be in a position to interrogate him a bit of extra.

I requested him — what began your curiosity within the Xpeng?

“I inspected and drove quite a few hybrids and BEVs over the previous 5 years. Every automobile was nice in its personal distinctive manner and experiencing every automobile helped me to raised decide what automobile dimension & options suited my private wants. Till more moderen years, Australia had few choices that particularly addressed my necessities with respect to providing a mid-size SUV with ample house, know-how, OTA updates, quick charging, spirited 200kW+ efficiency, minimal vary of 550 km, and a price range of $70,000. While I might see hybrid autos could also be a implausible transition automobile for some folks, I needed to keep away from shopping for one other combustion engine. I realised that I used to be able to make the leap on to BEV.

“Regardless of the misinformation being circulated by some media sources, my analysis confirmed BEV know-how was bettering at an astonishing fee, together with security, vary, efficiency, reliability, charging infrastructure, and many others. I had satisfied myself to imagine it was solely a matter of ‘when’ I’ll make this modification. I continued watching my traditional YouTube EV critiques and information (together with The Electrical Viking) and I grew to become excited by China’s dominant drive within the international EV market. That is the place my curiosity in Xpeng started. In 2023, I grew to become conscious of Volkswagn Group’s attraction to Xpeng after they invested $700 million to buy a 4.99% stake and enter a framework settlement on strategic technical collaboration. I knew this was the start of nice issues to return from the Xpeng model.”

What did you cross store earlier than deciding on the G6?

“Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD 239 kW — a critical contender, as I beloved the 800V structure. The excessive price ticket of $92,000 on-road was over my price range, & WLTP slightly below my requirement.

“Tesla Y — I used to be deterred because of excessive recognition, I needed one thing totally different. While I do like a minimalist inside, I felt it was too naked for me and lacked premium supplies. I didn’t just like the wheels, as they appeared like low cost wheel covers. Price was rising as I included my most well-liked specs, reminiscent of 20” wheels. The Tesla charger community just isn’t essential to me, over 90% of my charging is from residence photo voltaic.

“Skoda Enyaq Sportline 210 kW — I favored it! However, it was promised way back. Will it ever make it to Australia? The excessive price ticket of $75,000 on-road was barely over my price range.

“BYD Sealion 7 Premium 230 kW — Nice worth. This was considered one of my ultimate contenders up till BYD introduced the Australian specs. I used to be deterred by heavy weight, lack of effectivity, and vary.

“Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium 216 kW — Excessive price ticket of $87,000AUD on-road was over my price range.”

What was the shopping for expertise like?

“I logged onto the web site the day order taking went reside in August 2024. I didn’t proceed as I grew to become chilly on the concept of ordering a automobile model that my household and pals had by no means heard of.”

However then…..

“I positioned my G6 order on-line eleventh Sept 2024 and took supply on 20 January 2024 at Xpeng’s new Brisbane premises. As an early adopter, I had conditioned myself to decrease my expectations relating to your complete shopping for & supply course of. The expertise was what I anticipated from a ‘new child on the block’. The shortage of established service networks and buyer help is obvious, however my degree of concern reduces as their framework continues to broaden. I collected my automobile from Xpeng’s Brisbane location, an unmarked constructing that consists of a high-bay warehouse with workplace/showroom house on the entrance. I used to be conscious the proposed workplace and potential showroom was present process match out, and the Cricks Freeway workers have been nonetheless bouncing between a number of areas. My automobile was prepared on the proposed time, the workers have been neatly offered, skilled, and useful. The automobile connectivity and general handover course of was seamless.” 

What about know-how, particularly in comparison with the Tesla?

“Self-parking: On a number of totally different events I attempted to search out the automobile limitations by choosing tough parking areas. I’ve examined poor lighting circumstances in underground carparks, tight/obstructed parks with concrete posts over the road markings, pale and totally different color line markings, and many others. So far it has not failed! The Xpeng G6 has 800V structure and might quick cost to 80% in 18 minutes. Android Auto and Waze App are supported.

“X-Combo characteristic permits customers to automate recurring duties within the automotive, I can customise to my particular necessities. One of many X-Combos that I’ve created is a verbal welcome message once I enter the automobile and shut the door. I’ve created 9 totally different welcome messages for the automobile to play randomly, reminiscent of ‘Buckle up, Let’s go!’ The app provides a collection of common pre-made X-Combos for added comfort, reminiscent of activating baby locks when shifting into drive, simplifying every day routines. By accessing the Xpeng app on my cell phone, I can create an X-Combo from wherever. The Xpeng app is implausible, and I additionally love that I’m now not required to hold a bodily key or fob anymore.”

Marc believes that the Xpeng G6 has the next benefits over the Tesla Mannequin Y:

• Sooner charging pace functionality, i.e. 10% to 80% in solely 18 minutes.
• Larger vary (i.e., WLTP 570 km)
• Capability to decide on my most well-liked map for every journey, for instance: ABRP App, Android Auto App, or Waze App.
• Different apps included.

Professionals and cons? Of the expertise thus far:

“Superb worth!

• Cellular charger and Type2 to Type2 cable included.
• 10 yr guarantee on battery and 10 yr guarantee on automobile.
• 1st annual service included ($280 saving).
• Insurance coverage was cheaper in contrast with the Tesla. Surprisingly, it was cheaper than what I had paid for my different autos (Jaguar F-Tempo 20d and Jeep Grand Cherokee).
• I wish to see a display hibernation mode and wallpaper choices.
• No glovebox. While this doesn’t concern me, it could concern different potential patrons. I imagine the massive quantity of space for storing within the centre console compensates for the lack of this compartment. As of late, there are not any bodily logbooks and manuals to retailer, it’s all digital now [nor gloves for that matter].
• Wonderful high quality management — the panels are completely aligned and the gaps are even. The manufacturing high quality seems a lot better in comparison with my earlier autos, Jaguar F-Tempo, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan 370Z, and Holden Commodore.”

What kind of reactions have you ever had?

“Folks have approached me to ask, ‘What’s Xpeng?’ Others have commented, ‘the bodily automobile seems larger and sportier than the net photographs and movies.’ Curiously, this was additionally the primary impression each my spouse and I felt once we initially inspected the bodily automobile for the primary time in Portugal final yr. Heads flip when folks see an unoccupied automotive self-parking.”

Marc definitely has the driving expertise to make a thought-about determination. He tells me that he has pushed:

• Tesla Mannequin X, Mannequin Y, Mannequin 3
• Kia EV6, EV5, EV9
• Polestar 2
• Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium 216 kW
• Skoda Enyaq Sportline 210 kW
• BYD Atto 3, Seal
• Toyota BZ4X
• Subaru Solterra.

And inspected however not pushed:

• Cupra Tavascan
• Polestar 4
• VW ID.4, ID.5
• BYD Sealion 7.

“I bought my Jaguar F-Tempo to make the change to a BEV, and I don’t remorse the sale. My Jaguar skilled many minor technical points and I used to be compelled to return the automobile to the dealership many occasions to deal with each new and pre-existing points. I imagine most of those points might have been rectified, or averted, with OTA know-how. I turn out to be conscious of the advantages of OTA know-how by means of a member of the family that owned a Tesla, I don’t recall him needing to take his Tesla again to the dealership. This was a turning level for me.

“Moreover, the construct high quality was not what I anticipated from a brand new automobile manufactured by a ‘status model.’ My automobile had uneven panel gaps and misaligned trim they refused to rectify. As you’ll be able to think about, I inspected the G6 totally earlier than I dedicated to the acquisition (each in Portugal and Australia). I do know it’s solely early days of possession, however my visible inspections affirm Xpeng’s construct high quality is much superior to Jaguar’s. There are numerous different options which are higher than my Jaguar, reminiscent of/for instance; the general efficiency & dealing with, ventilated seats, and spectacular know-how within the glass roof. Not like my Jaguar, I don’t really feel any warmth from the Xpeng glass roof. This safety is essential to me because of the excessive solar we obtain. The entire value of my Xpeng G6 was virtually $50,000 cheaper. Go determine!”

Welcome to the EV group, Marc — hold displaying your automotive round! Does the Xpeng G6 have extra tech than a Tesla? Test it out! The longer term is shiny, electrical, and teched up.