Chinese automaker XPeng is expanding its reach in Europe with the launch of its new luxury SUV, the G9. The company, which has previously been active in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, will begin selling the G9 in Germany from autumn 2023, following the summer launch of the P7 sedan. XPeng says it will sell the vehicles through its own website, with dealerships to follow later. The G9 is as big as a VW T7, with a length of 4.9 meters and a weight of around 2.3 tonnes. It comes in three basic models, including an all-wheel-drive version with a large battery and motor on the front axle.
Inside, the G9 features high-quality materials and finishes, along with a range of standard equipment that includes heated and cooled front seats, a heated leather steering wheel, and panoramic glass roof. There’s also an optional comfort package that brings additional massage functions, a premium Dynaudio sound system, and fine Nappa leather. The back row offers ample space, with air-conditioned seats and a massage function available on higher models. The front storage compartment holds up to 71 liters.
XPeng’s XPilot autopilot function, which includes Lane Assist and traffic display, is similar in style to Tesla’s Autopilot function and is activated by pulling the gear lever twice. The G9 also has significantly more sensors than a Tesla, including five high-resolution radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and seven outdoor cameras. However, the Lane Assist can be overly sensitive, and XPilot occasionally applied phantom braking during our test drive. The instrument cluster also lacks a head-up display, instead showing much information in a central console.
The G9 sports some impressive charging capabilities. With 800-volt charging, it can reach up to 240 kW and reclaim around 150 km of range in just 10 minutes. Its battery, with its energy content of 98 kWh, is among the largest currently available, giving the G9 a range of up to 520 km in the WLTP test cycle. Overall, the G9 offers a spacious, well-appointed SUV option that should appeal to luxury EV buyers in Germany and beyond.
