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Chinese maker Xpeng turns its attention to the segment for luxury super-large MPVs with this X9 model. There's plush passenger-carrying capacity for seven in all-electric silence. And plenty of technology too.
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Background
'A new benchmark for premium mobility'. That's what the Xpeng X9 is, according to its Chinese maker. In this case, the 'premium mobility' in question refers to the segment for super-large luxury MPVs and it's a claim we've already recently heard in this sector applied to products like the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Seven-Seat and the Mercedes VLE.
Xpeng thinks, rightly, that there's space in this class for something more luxurious and spacious than the lwb ID.Buzz but less pricey than the Mercedes - and hopes to have nailed that remit with this X9. Though very Chinese in outlook, this seven-seat People Carrier is actually European-built (in Austria by Magna Steyr) and aims to 'redefine the standard for style and technology in all-electric MPVs'. Let's take a closer look.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 74990 | 84990 |
| Insurance group 1-50 | 50 | 50 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 124 | 124 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 8.2 | 5.9 |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 332 | 332 |
| Min | Max |
| Length (mm) | 5316 | 5316 |
| Width (mm) | 1988 | 1988 |
| Height (mm) | 1785 | 1785 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 721 | 2554 |
| Power (ps) | 320 | 503 |
| Torque (lb ft) | 450 | 640 |
Driving experience
As it should be, the X9 drive experience is all about cosseting its passengers. And built around dual-chamber air suspension with what Xpeng calls an 'AI chassis'. This uses a camera system to identify bumps, potholes and road undulations 30 metres before you reach them so that the springs glide you over road imperfections.
The mainstream powertrain choice is between either a Standard Range 84.5kWh model with 332 miles of range. Or a Long Range 101.5kWh variant with 382 miles of range. Both use a front-mounted electric motor with 320PS and 450Nm of torque, which accelerates this big MPV to 62mph in either 8.2s or 7.75s respectively, en route 124mph.
The other alternative is the twin motor X9 AWD, which adds an extra rear axle motor to facilitate intelligent all-wheel drive and boost power to 503PS with 640Nm of torque. The 0-62mph sprint time is 5.9s. The same 101.5kWh Long range battery is used and range is rated at 360 miles.
Expect all X9s to be surprisingly manoeuvrable around town thanks to a rear-axle steering system that turns the rear wheels by up to 5-degrees to facilitate a 10.8-metre turning circle (the same as a MINI Cooper).
As you'd expect, there are a whole host of semi-autonomous ADAS systems, with much of the functionality operated by the right-hand column stalk. With everything engaged, the X9 can drive safely straight on the highway, automatically maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front, come to a full stop on its own then automatically start off again, assist with lane changes and account for and avoid surrounding traffic.
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Design and build
Xpeng calls the X9 'a starship of tomorrow'. It certainly looks like nothing else, especially at its unusually extended rear. If you were thinking of a VW ID.Buzz Seven-Seat or a Mercedes VLE, you probably won't like it at all, but it will certainly suit trendier folk in search of something different. There's lots of metal for your money, with 5,316mm of body length - about the same as a Mercedes VLE but a substantial 354mm longer than that lwb ID.Buzz.
Apart from the strangely-angled rear end (where the Xpeng script is illuminated), perhaps the most notable styling touch is the overt diagonal side panel crease extending from the mid-level in the front door to the base of the rear wheel arch. At the front, where there's a continuous lighting strip across the nose, a big lower intake manages the AGS Intelligent Variable Air Intake system to cool the front motor and contribute to the ultra-low 0.23Cd drag coefficient. Finally, look closely and there's a touch from really exclusive limousines - a stationary emblem wheel hub on the big 20-inch alloy rims.
The X9 interior is what Xpeng calls 'a sanctuary on the move'. That might be memorable; the front-of-cabin experience from the intelligent XOS Cockpit dashboard design won't be, dull and minimalist with an uninspiring two-spoke bi-colour heated steering wheel and the usual Chinese model small (10.25-inch) instrument display and big (17.3-inch) landscape central screen and high centre console. You do at least have a vast view out through the enormous windscreen, with side turning visibility aided by large A-pillar quarterlight glass inserts.
But this car is really about its rear seat experience. Powered sliding side doors reveal the two individual power-adjustable chairs that make up the second row. These are a highlight, offering a 'Zero Gravity' mechanism allowing for almost complete reclining, with 14-way electric control, massaging, heating and cooling. The fortunate two occupants get to view a 21.4-inch entertainment screen that drops out of the ceiling. And sliding out of the console in front of them between the front seats is an integrated heating and cooling refrigerator drawer. Plus, like occupants in the rest of the car, they can enjoy a 27-speaker XOPERA premium sound system.
The second row seats slide forward (over a 1,100mm electric slide rail) to free up access to quite a spacious three-seat third row bench, helped by the lengthy 3,160mm wheelbase length. As for cargo capacity, well out back, with all seats in place, there's still 721-litres of luggage space, which you can extend to 1,846-litres with the third row bench folded. Fold the second row seats as well and you can further extend capacity to as much as 2,554-litres. There's no under-bonnet 'frunk'.
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Market and model
There's only one high standard spec. And prices start from around £75,000 for the Standard Range model. You'll probably want to stretch at least to the Long Range version (around £80,000). The top AWD variant costs around £85,000.
There are four colour choices - including standard 'Arctic White', with optional alternative 'Silver Frost', 'Midnight Black' and 'Graphite Grey' panel shades. The interior is finished in 'Meteorite Black' leather - or there's the option of lightening things with an optional 'Moon Shadow Coffee' finish.
As you'd hope, there's lots and lots of standard kit. Including fully-reclining 'Zero Gravity' second row seats with 14-way power adjustment, ventilated, heated and 10-point massaging seats in the first two rows, a 21.4-inch Entertainment Screen for second and third row passengers and a pull-out fridge drawer in the second row that can heat and cool items. Plus you get an XOPERA sound system with 27 speakers and access to a wide range of music, video, entertainment and social media apps.
Upholstery is a Nappa leather, there's multi-colour ambient lighting, premium materials to create a lounge-like atmosphere and acoustic soundproof glass further enhances cabin serenity. The Intelligent XOS Cockpit centre screen gets regular over-the-air updates. And there's an 'XPILOT ASSIST' set-up powered by a high-performance XP5 Tuning chip that enhances driving, parking and safety. And oversees adaptive cruise control, an 'Adaptive Turning Cruise' system, a 360-degree camera with a 'transparent chassis' feature; plus forward, side and rear collision prevention systems. All are standard.
There's also an enhanced automatic parking assistant with remote parking for difficult spaces (you will be to stand outside the car and park it using the Xpeng app on your 'phone). And navigating tight spaces is made easier with a 'Reversing Assist' system. This set-up can automatically retrace the vehicle's previous path, helping you reverse safely and confidently out of narrow roads, confined spaces and dead ends with minimal driver input. Apart from all the ADAS drive assist systems. Safety's covered off by nine airbags, a 2000Mpa ultre-high-strength safety cage body and an 'Enhanced 5C battery safety' system with thermal and collision protection.
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Cost of ownership
The X9 sets a high standard for DC charging. Both it's batteries can, thanks to the 800V architecture, be completely replenished in under 30 minutes. Though that's only if you were to DC-charge at its impressive 542kW maximum - which is currently impossible in the UK. The fastest 10-80% DC charge time is just 12 minutes, which makes us one of the fastest-charging EVs in the world.
As for AC charging from home, well with the Standard Range 84.5kWh version, a 5-100% 7.4kW wallbox charge would need 11 hours 30 minutes - it'd be 9 hours 30 minutes if you can use a three-phase 11kW supply. With the Long Range 101.5kWh model, a 5-100% 7.4kW wallbox charge would need 14 hours - or 10 hours 3 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 service intervals are every year or 12,500 miles, whichever comes first and there's a 'Vehicle Health' menu of the centre screen. The insurance grouping is high, pitched right up at 50U. 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
This is what Xpeng calls 'AI mobility', a vague term that in this case seems to define a large luxury MPV that does most of the thinking - and driving - for you. It doesn't quite have the level of satisfying premium quality of a rival Mercedes VLE (or that People Carrier's range or charging speed); but this Xpeng doesn't have that Merc's exorbitant price tag either - and comes much better equipped.
And since the X9 is much more spacious and not a lot more expensive in comparable form than the only other full-EV segment rival, Volkswagen's ID.Buzz Seven Seat, we can see why you might be minded to consider one. Like the Buzz, it looks unusual, though not in such a universally accessible way. And you'd have to like Chinese car interiors to get on with the front-of-cabin experience. But if you're happy on both these counts and this is the kind of MPV you need, then a rather different 'benchmark for premium mobility' awaits here.
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