1. Stable Chassis, Easy Handling
Since this is a test drive review, let's start with the driving dynamics. For a mid-to-large SUV, I believe that being easy to drive and comfortable to sit in is already meeting the standard. If the handling is also impressive, that's a bonus. The test vehicle I received was the Performance 650 Pro, which is the lower trim of the 650 series. Let’s dive into how it performs on the road.
Starting with the hardware, the car is equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, delivering a maximum power of 551 horsepower and a peak torque of 717 Nm. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 3.9 seconds. It comes with a 98 kWh ternary lithium battery pack, providing a CLTC range of 650 km, with an official energy consumption of 16 kWh per 100 km.
The XPeng G9 features a double-wishbone independent front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension, enhanced by dual-chamber air suspension and electromagnetic suspension technology, which helps the vehicle handle road bumps more efficiently and accurately. The tires are 255/45 R21. multi-spoke, dual-tone wheels fitted with Michelin PS EV tires specifically designed for electric vehicles.
Here’s a breakdown of my driving experience in key areas:
1. Power and Chassis
With 551 horsepower and 717 Nm of torque, this mid-to-large SUV has impressive acceleration capabilities, reaching 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. However, the XPeng G9 exhibits noticeably different characteristics depending on the driving mode.
The G9 offers seven driving modes (five on some models), with Comfort, Standard, and Sport modes being the most frequently used in daily driving. In Comfort mode, the throttle response becomes more relaxed, and the steering feels extremely light. The suspension also softens significantly, reducing the impact on the body over speed bumps and uneven roads, enhancing passenger comfort.
In Standard mode, the steering feels a bit heavier, offering a more realistic driving sensation. The suspension remains relatively soft, making it suitable for leisurely driving with passengers. When switched to Sport mode, the vehicle becomes more aggressive, with heavier steering and stiffer suspension. This stiffness is especially noticeable over speed bumps or rough roads, where the suspension feels less resilient, lacking the refined chassis feel found in some luxury SUVs.
During the event, XPeng also set up a test track with slalom, acceleration, braking, and consecutive speed bump tests. The G9 performed well across these tests. In the acceleration test, with Sport mode activated, flooring the throttle resulted in rapid acceleration, even inducing slight dizziness in the driver—a characteristic of high-power electric vehicles. In the braking test, the G9’s braking force was released in a linear manner, with smooth stopping action.
In the slalom test, the G9 demonstrated good steering accuracy and body control, despite its larger size, without the rear end lagging behind the front. The suspension provided confidence during compression and rebound. Finally, in the consecutive speed bump test, the vehicle, traveling at around 50 km/h, exhibited quick suspension response with controlled body sway. However, since the test track was not large, the vehicle couldn't be driven at higher speeds, so these impressions are based on safe driving in a controlled environment. For a more thorough experience, one should try it out in real-world conditions.
2. Noise Insulation
Noise insulation is crucial for a luxury mid-to-high-end SUV as it directly impacts the auditory experience of the passengers. During this test drive, a noise meter was provided. At around 61 km/h, the noise level inside the car was 57.2 dB, indicating a very quiet cabin. At around 103 km/h, the noise level was 64.3 dB. Overall, the G9 managed cabin noise well at both high and low speeds. However, the frameless doors and single-layer front glass do not favor noise reduction. If upgraded to double-layer soundproof glass or traditional doors, the cabin's noise insulation would be even better.
2. Comfortable Seating and Luxurious Features
Upon entering the XPeng G9. the first impression is one of luxury, largely due to the tech-filled cabin and comfortable seats. I’ll break this down into two parts: the tech cabin and the seating comfort.
The 14.96-inch central control screen and the 14.96-inch passenger entertainment screen on the dashboard are the highlights. The central control screen integrates various functions like external vehicle controls, driving modes, driving assistance, and climate control, resulting in minimal buttons on the dashboard. The passenger entertainment screen also offers numerous functions, such as climate control, music, and video apps, providing a good entertainment experience for the passenger. The system is responsive, with smooth screen transitions and clear resolution, making it as easy to use as a smartphone. This is largely thanks to the built-in Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, supporting 2K resolution (2400x1200), which enables the screen to handle multiple functions with ease.
A unique feature of the passenger entertainment screen is the "Beauty Space" app, which can be used in conjunction with the large makeup mirror on the sun visor. The app allows for adjusting the brightness of the makeup mirror’s lights, catering to the lighting needs of female passengers. Additionally, the app can play beauty videos from Bilibili, helping passengers learn makeup techniques. The beauty feature also integrates with the seats—when activated, the seats automatically adjust to the saved makeup position, eliminating the need to manually adjust the seat each time, making the vehicle even more user-friendly.
The XPeng G9 also boasts a 5D music cabin, equipped with 28 acoustic units, including 18 Dynaudio speakers, 2 speakers exclusive to the driver, 6 seat vibration units, and 2 external speakers. This high-end Dynaudio sound system has a total power output of 2250 watts. During actual use, the seats vibrate in sync with the music, complemented by multi-color ambient lighting and a fragrance system, creating a luxurious and immersive experience—a true XPeng concert hall.
Finally, in terms of seating, the G9 features a 5-seat layout, with all seats wrapped in premium NAPPA leather, featuring perforations and special textured stitching. Both the tactile and visual effects are on par with those found in luxury cars. However, the softness of the front and rear seats is slightly lacking, mainly due to the thin seat cushions, which don't provide a sinking feeling when sitting down.
Regarding trunk space, the G9 offers 660 liters in its standard five-seat configuration, expandable to 1576 liters with the rear seats folded down. The second-row seats can be folded electronically, but unfortunately, there is a small step between the folded seats and the trunk floor. Interestingly, the G9 comes with an inflatable mattress, and users can activate the camping mode from the central control screen. In this mode, the second-row seats fold down automatically, and the mattress inflates on its own, providing a large double bed space in the trunk.
3. Pure Electric Luxury Presence
As a pure electric luxury mid-to-large SUV, the XPeng G9's exterior design aligns with most people’s aesthetic preferences. The front face, featuring the X Robot Face and a full-width daytime running light, has been refined, with four LED strips in the split headlamp design adding visual appeal. The dual laser radars are integrated into the headlamp assembly, avoiding the awkward "horns" seen on other models, resulting in a cleaner look.
From the side, the G9’s dimensions are 4891/1937/1680(1670) mm with a wheelbase of 2998 mm. While the overall length is not particularly remarkable, the wheelbase is substantial. The long hood, short front overhang, and long rear overhang, coupled with the wide body design, give it an elegant side profile.
The rear design is equally clean, with full-width taillights that stand out. The G9’s lighting system consists of 316 LEDs across the vehicle, with the front three modules containing 108 LEDs and the rear three containing 208 LEDs. These, along with the front and rear full-width LED lights, support user-customized light shows for charging, unlocking, and autonomous driving scenarios.
Conclusion
Due to the limited time during this test drive, the review primarily focuses on driving impressions, interior tech features, and seating comfort. In these areas, the XPeng G9 left a strong impression. Additionally, the G9 boasts an 800V high-voltage SiC platform paired with S4 supercharging stations, enabling 480 kW ultra-fast charging. The long-range version offers a CLTC range of 702 km, highlighting its impressive capabilities. We’ll provide a more detailed review of these features once we get our hands on a production model.
