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If you're searching for a very fast mid-sized electric crossover, it's almost certain that you're probably overlooked the top AWD Performance version of the improved Xpeng G6. Should it be on your short list?
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Background
So how quick does a very fast mid-sized electric crossover need to be? Chinese maker Xpeng hopes it's hit the sweet spot with this top 483bhp AWD Performance version of its G6 model.
Actually, total output figures don't always tell you that much in this segment of the market. A rival Tesla Model Y Performance is down around 20bhp on this Xpeng yet is nearly a second faster to 62mph. That Tesla virtually matching the sprint time of contenders in this class with over 600bhp, like BMW's i4 M60, Kia's EV6 GT and the Hyundai IONIQ 5N and 6N models. And all the contenders we mentioned are over £10,000 more than this Xpeng - in most cases much more. So is this top G6 with a look?
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 49990 | 49990 |
| Insurance group 1-50 | 44 | 44 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 125 | 125 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 316 | 316 |
| Min | Max |
| Length (mm) | 4758 | 4758 |
| Width (mm) | 1920 | 1920 |
| Height (mm) | 1650 | 1650 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 571 | 1374 |
| Power (ps) | 483 | 483 |
| Torque (lb ft) | 659 | 659 |
Driving experience
Xpeng hasn't really put any effort into a bespoke handling package for this top AWD Performance model. And if that saves you £10,000-£15,000 on the asking price, as it does in this case, then you might think that's fair enough. Rivals are significantly more engaging - and in most cases nearly a second faster to 62mph. But this G6 AWD Performance model's sprint time of 4.1s is quite as fast as you need to go on a public road and its 483bhp output with 659NM of torque is not to be sniffed at. Top speed like all G6s is 125mph.
There's a proper front double wishbone suspension set-up and the twin motor drive system has well balanced weight distribution. The AWD Performance shares the same 80.8kWh LFP battery pack as the ordinary 292bhp Long Range G6 model. Which is different from the 87.5kWh NCM battery pack this AWD Performance was launched with back in 2025. With the change in battery chemistry, range has fallen a bit - to 316 miles for this AWD Performance model (24 miles less than before). For reference, the normal Long Range G6 manages 326 miles.
All G6s offer a choice of four driving modes - 'Normal', 'Sport', 'Eco' and 'All-terrain'. And, unlike with a Tesla Model Y, you get to select varying levels of brake regen. There are four; light, medium, high and 'X-Pedal', the latter slowing the car dramatically when you come off the throttle.
As before, Xpeng also provides a choice of three 'drive sounds'; 'Traditional Engine' doesn't sound anything like a traditional engine, but it's certainly better than the other-worldly feel you get with the other two options - 'Space Floating' and 'Time Warp'. And you can choose between three Power Steering settings, with the 'Sport' option quite direct but none of them particularly feelsome.
There's quite a firm ride, despite the advanced 5-link rear suspension and supposedly sophisticated multi-valve Sachs multi-valve passive dampers - adaptive damping isn't offered. Despite that, perhaps predictably, the driving dynamics aren't especially involving, though to be fair the G6 is reasonably agile through the bends for a 2.1-tonne EV crossover, helped by the stiff SEPA 2.0 platform. Obviously, it's much more in its element at a cruise, where you'll appreciate the vast number of 'XPilot 2.5' camera drive assist features and the fact that all the binging and bonging that comes with them isn't too intrusive. You'll also appreciate this car's excellent refinement, helped by the double-glazed glass.
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Design and build
This top AWD Performance model comes only with the brand's 'Black Edition' styling, which gets you black 20-inch alloy wheels and Smoked Grey badging. Otherwise, it's just as with the ordinary model.
You probably won't choose a G6 just because of how it looks, but there's nothing to repel you here either. Not much has changed as part of this update. Smarter front lights have shifted the badge position, the wheelarches have become colour-coded and a rear diffuser sits below a small ducktail spoiler.
As before, the shape is slightly more Coupe-SUV than most of its rivals and broadly replicates the mid-sized crossover dimensions of the Tesla Model Y whose sales it wants to replicate. At 4.75-metres long, 1.92-metres wide and 1.65-metres tall, this car fits squarely in the mid-sized EV crossover segment. Xpeng says the styling was influenced by 'the world of sci-fi fantasy', but to us, the influences seem to be far more those of segment rivals. Still, a lot of thought's gone in here. There are hidden door handles, a grille with active flaps that shut at speed, a flat underbody and a streamlined raked-back tail, all of this combining to make the G6 one of the most aerodynamic cars in its class.
Inside, where there's a redesigned steering wheel and the dashboard has been subtly redesigned, there are more small but significant changes as part of this update. Someone who owned the original version of this model would notice a materials upgrade, particularly around the A-pillar and the bits you touch. Plus the ambient lighting now runs right across the dashboard into the doors, there's a new 9-inch digital rear view mirror and the front seats (which already heated and cooled you) now feature adjustable lumbar support and massaging features. Perhaps more significantly, the landscape-orientated 15.0-inch Xmart OS central monitor has gained updated software and is now easier to use, with much more intuitive 'Hey Xpeng' voice control.
Otherwise, things are much as before. Unlike Tesla, Xpeng doesn't make you view the drive instruments on the centre screen, these accommodated in the letterbox-shaped 10.2-inch instrument cluster. All the fixtures and fittings are of decent quality and there are some nice touches like twin wireless charging mats so powerful (50W) that they have to be carefully cooled. The upholstery is soft-touch leatherette and there are plenty of places to put things (though a glovebox is missing).
Thanks to a 2.89m wheelbase length, it feels very spacious in the back, the airy feeling helped by the standard-fit panoramic glass roof. Two six-footers can be seated behind a couple of lanky front seat occupants and the rear seats can be adjusted in 12 positions with a maximum angle of 38.4-degrees. There's plenty of head space too. There's unfortunately no under-bonnet 'frunk' compartment for the charging leads like Tesla and others provide in this segment, so it's just as well that at 571-litres, the boot is decently sized. There's up to 1,374-litres with the rear bench folded.
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Market and model
This top AWD Performance 483bhp version of the G6 requires around £50,000 from you, which is about £5,000 more than the ordinary Long Range version with the same 80.8kWh battery. It comes only in 'Black Edition' trim. At first glance, that represents a useful saving over high performance mid-sized EV crossover segment competitors. You'd need around £60,000 for a 641bhp Kia EV6 GT, around £62,000 for a 466hp Tesla Model Y Performance, £66,000 for a 641bhp Hyundai IONIQ 6 N and over £71,000 for a 609bhp BMW i4 M50 xDrive.
Equipment levels are generous. You can expect to find 20-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof, Enhanced AutoParking assist, Remote Parking Assist and a Surrounding Video System. Plus an advanced X-HP3.0 heat pump. Inside, there's 8-way power-adjustable heated leatherette-upholstered seats that are ventilated too and have 4-way lumbar support and massaging. There's also a heated steering wheel, four USB ports and two 50W induction charging points for smartphones. And you get a 960-watt XOPERA sound system with 18 speakers and access to a wide range of music, video, entertainment and social media apps.
You will access much of this through the 15-inch central screen that's powered by the brand's 'Xmart OS' operating system and features "Hey XPENG" voice control and over-the-air updates. And you get 7 airbags and a wide range of semi-autonomous drive functions too, including Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centring Control, as part of a safety portfolio that earned the car a top 5-star EURO NCAP safety rating. The only real option is a tow bar, which Xpeng has had to make available for the European market: apparently tow bars aren't popular in China.
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Cost of ownership
We gave you the EV mileage figure in our 'Driving' section - 316 miles for this 80.8kWh AWD Performance model. As before, there's an advanced 800V charging infrastructure (other brands like Tesla are still stuck with old-tech 400V systems); and the DC charging speed is rated at up to 451kW.
That's a big increase on the maximum 280kW DC charging figure the G6 AWD Performance managed in its original form. Which means it can now charge from 10 to 80% in 12 minutes (8 minutes quicker than before). Making this improved G6 the fastest-charging EV in its segment, though to some extent the increased 451kW figure is of limited benefit as the UK public infrastructure currently tops out at 350kW. Still, the 800V set-up means that the car can use the latest ultra-rapid chargers that are springing up around Europe. An ex-Tesla owner though, might miss the lack of access to the American brand's wonderful Supercharger network.
As for AC charging from home, a full 7.4kW wallbox charge would need 14 hours - or 9 hours 30 minutes if you can use a three-phase 11kW supply. It's worth noting that 11kW is still the maximum you can AC charge with; Xpeng still doesn't provide the faster 22kW speed that some competitors offer.
What else? Well maintenance should be straightforward thanks to the brand's network of International Motors brand dealerships, most of them Subaru and Isuzu franchises. Service intervals are every year or 12,500 miles, whichever comes first and there's a 'Vehicle Health' menu of the centre screen. Insurance is group 44. You'd want peace of mind from an unknown brand; Xpeng provides it. There's a five year warranty (though it's capped at 75,000 miles), with the usual EV 8 year 100,000 mile battery warranty and a 12 year unlimited mileage bodywork warranty.
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Summary
If all you want to do is go very fast in your mid-sized electric crossover and not pay over the odds in doing so, we can imagine you might be quite satisfied by this AWD Performance version of the Xpeng G6. What it loses to more powerful segment rivals in speed is irrelevant for public road use. And your passengers certainly won't know that you don't have over 600bhp beneath your right foot.
Only if you want a car of this kind to be truly involving might this top G6 start to disappoint. Because Xpeng hasn't put much R&D effort into upgraded handling, there's nothing particularly engaging about the way this car tackles the tarmac. That's where it's more expensive competitors start to pull away. But if you don't need that, you love a rush of power and you'd like a smart, well-equipped mid-sized EV crossover no one else you know has, then here is as good a place to start your search as any.
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