What is it?

You’ve probably lost count of the number of new Chinese car manufacturers that have come over to the UK. But, just to add to the already overcrowded party, we have another offering from Xpeng.

It’s kicking off into the electric SUV market with the G6, a direct rival to the top-selling Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6, but aims to offer more standard equipment with a lower price tag.

So, can the G6 compete in one of the most fiercely competitive segments in the car market? We’ve been finding out.

What’s new?

You’ve probably never heard of Xpeng before, but the firm has big plans for the UK market. It currently has franchised dealerships located in Southampton and Nottingham but aims to expand its network by a further 20 sites in the next 12 months.

Here in the UK, the G6 is Xpeng’s first and only offering, but it does produce other models for lots of different markets across the globe, with it highly likely that future models will follow in years to come.

What’s under the bonnet?

Under the bonnet, this electric SUV can be specified in two different guises with Standard and Long Range versions.

We’re driving the former setup, which comes with a single electric motor and has a claimed electric range of up to 270 miles on a single charge. In terms of power, the electric motor produces 255bhp and 440Nm of torque, while 0-60mph is dispatched in 6.3 seconds.

Also, the car can be charged at speeds of up to 280kW, which means a 10 to 80 per cent top-up will take under 20 minutes when connected to a suitable charger.

What’s it like to drive?

Behind the wheel, the G6 is smooth and quiet. You get a good view of the road ahead, thanks to the raised driving position, and it delivers its power seamlessly.

However, the car’s ride at slower speeds feels unpolished and is agitated by very minor imperfections in the road, and when you increase the speed, it feels unstable and top-heavy.

One of the biggest concerns with the characteristics is the lack of communication you get from the front wheels. The steering feels numb and disconnected, which doesn’t give you much confidence when driving around corners. But at least the efficiency is decent enough through a mixture of different driving conditions and the G6’s claimed electric range was matched, too.

How does it look?

The car’s design is minimalist and subtle, giving it a rather plain look.

At the front, the slim headlights morph into a single lightbar, which is joined by the Xpeng logo, while at the back there is another lightbar that runs around the boot lid with a curved back window. Meanwhile, the flush door handles and sloping roofline help with the car’s aerodynamics.

It’s just a shame that there aren’t many exciting exterior colour choices available with only the top-spec ‘Fiery Orange’ paintwork bringing a bit of vibrance to the G6’s design.

What’s it like inside?

Like with a lot of Chinese cars, Xpeng has gone down the route of screens rather than physical buttons.

That makes accessing certain functions trickier to operate when on the move, such as the climate control settings.

However, the G6 makes up for those shortcomings with the amount of interior space that is on offer. In the back, there is loads of headroom, despite the sloping roofline, and the completely flat floor makes sitting three people in the back easier.

Boot space is good too, offering up to 571 litres, which is just 14 litres shy of the Skoda Enyaq.

What’s the spec like?

The range kicks off at under £40,000 – making it exempt from the ‘Expensive Car Supplement Scheme’.

But, what makes the G6 stand out from the crowd is the list of standard equipment you get including 20-inch alloy wheels, a glass panoramic sunroof, heated seats and a 14.96-inch infotainment screen.

Apple CarPlay is also included, but it’s just a pain that it takes up the whole screen, meaning you have to ‘exit’ it if you want to change something as simple as the radio station or a driver assistance setting.

In comparison, the Skoda Enyaq comes in at £39,010 – but lacks creature comforts such as electric front seats and has a slower charging speed, but does have a better ergonomically-designed interior.

Verdict

To summarise, the Xpeng G6 is the middle ground when it comes to electric SUVs. It has a very practical and spacious interior while offering tons of standard equipment. Plus, with 280kW fast-charging capabilities, it should make living with an EV easier.

However, we’d like to see more physical buttons in the cabin, as this will improve the car’s usability and ergonomics.

But, if you want an electric SUV that is practical and represents decent value for money, then this new offering from China may be worth a look.