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 at the moment are making their means 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 point out off his child and even agreed to an illustration of the ability of his app. I feel he does the identical in purchasing centre carparks to intrigue the locals. The Xpeng G6 reverse parks itself whereas he stands there with cellphone in hand.

At roughly AU$55,000 (US$35,000), the Xpeng costs itself between the Polestar 4 and the Leapmotor C10 that now we have reviewed lately. Majella tells me that the Xpeng is actually extra luxurious and cozy than our previous 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 value 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 odor a surge within the value wars! True EV is the unique importer, distributor & retailer in Australia.

When Majella acquired into the automotive, it spoke to her and mentioned “Buckle up, let’s go.” It comes with quick access. She did have some bother discovering the door swap — it was hidden on the aspect 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 turning into her most well-liked choice.

Marc has solely had the automotive a number of weeks and may be very enthusiastic and eager to point out it to folks, particularly reverse parking on autopilot. “I want I had it when the children have been youthful. No door dings. There could be no likelihood of hitting the automotive subsequent to them in slim 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 referred to as About Danger. “My Xpeng G6 is used primarily to go to our shoppers, and for leisure, together with towing my jet ski often.” He purchased the Lengthy Vary model and paid $59,800. This turned $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 spread of about 700 km.

The Xpeng G6 has about 500 km of vary, with modern styling. Double rubber across the doorways decreases the highway noise. Below the bonnet there may be room for a small frunk — you should purchase an aftermarket insert if you want. Within the boot was a tyre equipment and charging cable. Marc loved exhibiting off his automotive to the EV neighborhood a lot that he introduced the Xpeng G6 to our sister espresso morning, on the south aspect of Brisbane, per week later. As soon as once more, it was the star of the present. I used to be capable of 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 car was nice in its personal distinctive means and experiencing every car helped me to raised decide what car dimension & options suited my private wants. Till newer 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 funds of $70,000. While I may see hybrid automobiles could also be a unbelievable transition car 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 price, together with security, vary, efficiency, reliability, charging infrastructure, and so on. I had satisfied myself to consider it was solely a matter of ‘when’ I’ll make this variation. I continued watching my traditional YouTube EV opinions and information (together with The Electrical Viking) and I turned concerned about China’s dominant drive within the international EV market. That is the place my curiosity in Xpeng started. In 2023, I turned conscious of Volkswagn Group’s attraction to Xpeng once 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 severe contender, as I beloved the 800V structure. The excessive price ticket of $92,000 on-road was over my funds, & WLTP just below my requirement.

“Tesla Y — I used to be deterred as a result of excessive recognition, I needed one thing completely 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 regarded like low-cost wheel covers. Price was growing as I included my most well-liked specs, akin to 20” wheels. The Tesla charger community shouldn’t be vital to me, over 90% of my charging is from dwelling 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 funds.

“BYD Sealion 7 Premium 230 kW — Nice worth. This was one in every 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 funds.”

What was the shopping for expertise like?

“I logged onto the web site the day order taking went stay in August 2024. I didn’t proceed as I turned chilly on the thought of ordering a car model that my household and mates 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 the whole 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 clear, however my degree of concern reduces as their framework continues to develop. I collected my car 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 employees have been nonetheless bouncing between a number of places. My car was prepared on the proposed time, the employees have been neatly introduced, skilled, and useful. The car connectivity and total handover course of was seamless.” 

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

“Self-parking: On a number of completely different events I attempted to search out the car limitations by deciding on tough parking places. I’ve examined poor lighting circumstances in underground carparks, tight/obstructed parks with concrete posts over the road markings, light and completely different color line markings, and so on. 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 function 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 after I enter the car and shut the door. I’ve created 9 completely different welcome messages for the car to play randomly, akin to ‘Buckle up, Let’s go!’ The app presents a number of well-liked pre-made X-Combos for added comfort, akin to 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 anyplace. The Xpeng app is unbelievable, and I additionally love that I’m 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:

• Quicker charging velocity functionality, i.e. 10% to 80% in solely 18 minutes.
• Larger vary (i.e., WLTP 570 km)
• Capacity 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 to date:

“Wonderful worth!

• Cellular charger and Type2 to Type2 cable included.
• 10 12 months guarantee on battery and 10 12 months guarantee on car.
• 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 automobiles (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 might concern different potential consumers. I consider the big quantity of space for storing within the centre console compensates for the lack of this compartment. Nowadays, there aren’t 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 significantly better in comparison with my earlier automobiles, 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 car appears to be like greater and sportier than the web photographs and movies.’ Apparently, this was additionally the primary impression each my spouse and I felt after we initially inspected the bodily car for the primary time in Portugal final 12 months. Heads flip when folks see an unoccupied automotive self-parking.”

Marc actually has the driving expertise to make a thought of resolution. 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 swap 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 car to the dealership many instances to handle each new and pre-existing points. I consider most of those points might have been rectified, or prevented, with OTA know-how. I change into conscious of the advantages of OTA know-how by way 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 car manufactured by a ‘status model.’ My car had uneven panel gaps and misaligned trim they refused to rectify. As you possibly can 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 verify Xpeng’s construct high quality is much superior to Jaguar’s. There are a lot of different options which are higher than my Jaguar, akin to/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 vital to me because of the excessive solar we obtain. The overall price of my Xpeng G6 was virtually $50,000 cheaper. Go determine!”

Welcome to the EV neighborhood, Marc — hold exhibiting your automotive round! Does the Xpeng G6 have extra tech than a Tesla? Test it out! The long run is vivid, electrical, and teched up.