Among the various new car manufacturers, XPeng Motors has shown commendable performance both in product quality and market presence. Their first model, the XPeng G3. received positive reviews. Following this, XPeng introduced their first all-electric sedan, the P7. The P7’s standout feature is its impressive NEDC range (up to 700 km in the rear-wheel-drive long-range version), making it one of the longest-range vehicles currently available. This has sparked significant discussion about the P7. Given that the price range of various P7 configurations is close to that of the Tesla Model 3 (around 250.000 RMB), consumers naturally compare these two models. Recently, I had the opportunity to thoroughly test drive the XPeng P7 rear-wheel-drive long-range version (NEDC 586 km). Below, I will share my driving impressions of this model and compare it to the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (NEDC 468 km) to help you make an informed choice.
Exterior and Interior Design
The XPeng P7 has been on the market for some time, and many are likely familiar with its exterior. Overall, its design is youthful and trendy, attracting attention on the streets. It also features various lighting effects that look quite cool, likely appealing to a younger demographic.
In terms of interior design, the P7 marks a departure from the style of the G3. The P7 does not rely solely on a large screen; instead, the screen integrates well with the interior, avoiding a jarring appearance. Additionally, the steering wheel retains some physical buttons for easy adjustment of settings or voice assistant activation. There’s also a camera above the steering wheel to monitor the driver’s condition, reminding you to take a break if you show signs of fatigue. However, one issue is that with my seating position (seat adjusted to the lowest and slightly reclined), the top edge of the steering wheel can block the upper part of the instrument cluster. Therefore, I recommend adjusting the seat during a test drive to suit your personal needs.
Overall, the P7’s interior is also geared towards a tech-savvy and youthful feel while maintaining a bright and modern ambiance. However, the materials and craftsmanship of the center console and door panels are quite good, creating a sense of luxury that surpasses the Tesla Model 3 in this price range. The Model 3’s interior is often criticized for being basic and poorly finished, which is widely acknowledged in the industry.
Human-Machine Interaction
In terms of human-machine interaction, the XPeng P7 primarily relies on the central touchscreen, supplemented by the digital instrument cluster in front of the steering wheel. Overall, the response speed of the P7’s infotainment system is comparable to that of the Tesla Model 3. However, in terms of menu interaction logic and design, the Model 3 is simpler and more intuitive, while the P7’s menu layers can be somewhat complex, with some functions requiring a bit of searching. Fortunately, you can use voice commands to adjust settings, such as changing driving modes while driving.
It’s worth mentioning that the P7’s digital instrument cluster and central screen both have high resolution, with excellent color saturation and clarity. This enhances the experience when using features like the reversing camera or 360° panoramic view. In this respect, the P7 outshines both the Model 3 and the BYD Han EV. The BYD Han EV's screen resolution is not very high, leading to a somewhat rough display, while the Model 3. despite its larger screen size, also lacks high resolution, and the camera's resolution is average, making it less detailed than the P7.
Space and Comfort
In terms of space, the front seats of the XPeng P7 offer plenty of room, and despite its coupe-like design, the rear headroom is also decent, with ample legroom and lateral space.
The P7’s seat materials feel comfortable and somewhat luxurious. The seats are well-cushioned, both in the front and back, though the front seats could offer better lateral support. However, the biggest issue with the P7’s rear seats is the relatively high floor, which means that although legroom is sufficient, the thighs lack adequate support. This could lead to discomfort during long journeys. Another downside is the steep angle of the rear seatbacks. Overall, the rear seat comfort of the P7 is not as good as the BYD Han EV, but it’s much better than the Tesla Model 3. The Model 3’s rear seats suffer from a high floor, short and firm seat cushions, and steep seatbacks, which can make long rides uncomfortable, forcing passengers into a cramped position.
Power Performance and Braking
During the test drive of the XPeng G3. the smoothness of its power delivery was evident. It’s well known that electric vehicles can instantly deliver significant torque with quick response, propelling the vehicle rapidly, as exemplified by the Tesla Model 3. However, this can cause dizziness for passengers, severely affecting comfort. The P7 has further optimized this aspect, maintaining strong power (officially 0-100 km/h in about 6 seconds), but the delivery is smoother and more refined, avoiding any abrupt jolts. In this regard, the P7 is on par with the Model 3. Notably, even with rapid acceleration, the P7 doesn’t induce dizziness, a rarity among electric vehicles, showcasing the engineers' focus on comfort. One minor issue is that at speeds over 60 km/h, releasing the accelerator can cause a slight pause, though it’s not severe.
One significant issue with the previous XPeng G3 was the initial stiffness of the brake pedal. This problem has been thoroughly resolved in the P7. with a more refined pedal feel and linear brake force output.
The P7 outperforms the Tesla Model 3 in two key braking aspects: 1) The P7 supports CRBS (Combined Regenerative Braking System), where the initial brake phase uses regenerative braking, with mechanical brakes engaging if needed—something the Model 3 lacks. 2) The P7’s regenerative braking is smoother than the Model 3’s. When you release the Model 3’s accelerator, the deceleration is more abrupt, even when set to the highest regeneration level, which can make passengers dizzy. The P7’s regenerative braking is much gentler, and when set to standard or sport mode, the deceleration is minimal. Even in economy mode, it’s not as harsh as the Model 3. Therefore, the P7 provides a more comfortable ride, avoiding the motion sickness common in other electric vehicles.
When you activate ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), if the system detects a vehicle ahead, the P7 decelerates smoothly, ensuring driver and passenger comfort.
Steering Feel and Vehicle Dynamics
The XPeng P7’s steering is lighter than the Model 3’s, and as speed increases, the steering wheel’s self-centering force also increases. However, the steering return force doesn’t scale up significantly, making city driving easier compared to the Model 3. which feels sportier. But when changing lanes, the P7’s steering feels slightly vague, lacking the precision of the Model 3. In cornering and lane changes, the P7 is clearly tuned for comfort, not as sharp or responsive as the Model 3.
Noise Isolation and Ride Comfort
The XPeng P7 offers significantly better noise isolation than the Model 3. especially at higher speeds (above 60 km/h) on city roads, where it does a better job of blocking wind and road noise. Noise isolation is a known weakness of the Model 3.
The P7’s suspension is relatively soft and provides good compliance, comfortably absorbing bumps and potholes without feeling harsh, while the Model 3’s suspension is notably stiffer and less comfortable. However, the downside of the P7’s suspension is the noticeable rear axle rebound, especially when traversing large bumps. Also, when going over single-side speed bumps, the vehicle exhibits lateral body roll, unlike the Model 3. which handles such situations more cleanly and smoothly.
Overall, the XPeng P7 has effectively addressed and optimized the issues seen in the G3. offering smoother and more refined power delivery and braking feel, making it a more polished option compared to earlier electric vehicles. In terms of powertrain refinement, the P7 surpasses the Tesla Model 3. offering a more comfortable experience (e.g., no dizziness during hard acceleration, CRBS braking, smoother regenerative braking). The P7 prioritizes comfort in its driving dynamics, chassis tuning, and interior space, while the Model 3 leans more toward sportiness. Considering the interior design and build quality, if you prioritize everyday driving comfort, the XPeng P7 is a better choice.
Lastly, regarding the autonomous driving features, although Tesla’s system is considered among the best in production vehicles, it’s still fundamentally Level 2 and has many imperfections, such as phantom braking and misjudging surrounding objects. Even with FSD installed, it can behave unpredictably, such as suddenly braking hard when merging onto an off-ramp with no vehicles ahead. Therefore, it’s crucial not to overly rely on these systems, including XPeng’s. While the P7’s braking is smooth when adaptive cruise control is engaged, it struggles in heavy traffic and requires constant driver oversight. The P7’s auto-parking feature is relatively well-developed but still occasionally misidentifies parking spaces, so caution is necessary when using these smart assistance technologies.
