Facelifted Xpeng G6: stratospheric charging speeds for electric SUV
The latest version of the Xpeng G6 has added a new range of batteries which can be charged at very high speed – here’s what you need to know...
On sale Early 2026 Price £42,000 (est)
The things around us are getting smarter. Sure, we’ve had smartphones for a while, but now we have smart doorbells, smart thermostats and smart speakers. Now, Xpeng wants to take the trend a step further by turning the family car into a smart device. The Chinese brand calls itself an ‘AI mobility company’ and plans to become a leader in what it calls ‘intelligent electric vehicles’.
Their latest car is an updated version of the Xpeng G6 electric SUV, which is currently the only model it sells in the UK.
On face value, not a lot has changed since this rival to the Renault Scenic, Skoda Elroq and Tesla Model Y was introduced here back in January. A full-width LED light bar, a ducktail spoiler integrated into the tailgate and a new colour choice – Stellar Purple – are about as drastic as cosmetic changes go. However, looks can be deceptive.
You see, underneath the Xpeng’s body, there’s a new range of batteries which don’t use precious metals, meaning they’re safer and more sustainable to produce. The entry level RWD Standard Range version gets a 68.5kWh battery. That’s enough charge for an official range of 298 miles – 28 more than the current version G6 RWD Standard Range can manage
Unfortunately, the more expensive versions of the new G6, which use an 80.8kWh battery have seen a slight reduction in range, with the RWD Long Range officially covering 332 miles (down from 354) and the AWD Performance managing 317 (rather than 342).
In Long Range form, the Xpeng G6 manages to beat the flagship Vauxhall Grandland Electric (325 miles), but isn’t quite up to scratch with the Renault Scenic (379 miles) or Tesla Model Y (387 miles).
It’s not all bad news, though, as these new batteries are capable of charging at particularly high voltages – 382kW for the RWD Standard Range and 451kW for the two more expensive options. At that speed, the upper-spec models are able to charge from 10% to 80% in just 12 minutes – considerably faster than any rivals. Nevertheless, the fastest public chargers in the UK can only reach a maximum of 350kW, meaning the network will need to catch up.
As before, the two cheaper models in the G6 range get a single motor – 248bhp in the RWD Standard Range and 292bhp in the RWD Long Range). The flagship AWD Performance variant gets an extra motor for all-wheel drive, producing 480bhp. The G6’s acceleration times remain the same, with the top-spec version sprinting from 0-62mph in just 4.1 seconds.
Inside, the facelifted G6 gets the same minimalist design as before, with a button-free dashboard and a large 14.9in infotainment touchscreen. While we found Xpeng’s own Xmart software to be rather fiddly to use when we tested it earlier this year, the new G6 will come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The G6 remains a very spacious car, offering plenty of head and leg room for five adults. Rear passengers are particularly well catered for because the seat backs can be reclined a fair few degrees. As standard, you also get heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. The 571-litre boot is better than the Peugeot e-3008 (548 litres) and Renault Scenic (545 litres), but is still significantly less than the Tesla Model Y (854 litres).
Nevertheless, one sorely needed change to make the Xpeng G6 a worthy rival to the Tesla Model Y is better driving dynamics. When we drove the current model, we found the steering to be unfortunately vague – worsened by a fair amount of body lean around corners and an electronic stability control system which abruptly cuts in and out. The ride quality is also poor over bumps, although lack of noise from the motors and wind helps to improve refinement on smooth surfaces.
Pricing isn’t yet revealed, but the new batteries will likely see the price of the Xpeng G6 increase slightly from its current starting price of £40,000.
The new batteries will likely see the price of the Xpeng G6 increase slightly from its current starting price, so expect to pay £42,000 – which would make it more expensive than the Renault Scenic (£40,995) but cheaper than the Tesla Model Y (£44,990).
