If you haven't heard of XPeng yet, you will soon.
The Chinese electric automaker is one of a flourishing number of marques challenging recognised names in the United Kingdom, and it brings oodles of technology with it.
XPeng was ushered in here in 2025 with the G6, a mid-sized electric SUV designed to go head-to-head with Tesla’s Model Y.
Now revised for 2026, the G6 has new LFP batteries, quicker charging and a range-topping Performance edition boasting nearly 500PS.
But what makes the XPeng G6 appealing for average drivers?
Here are five things that captured our motoring journalist Tim Barnes-Clay’s attention.
1. Charging is mega quick
Fear of running out of electric juice is often a major concern for anyone thinking of pulling the trigger on an EV, and hanging around while the battery charges is another.
The XPeng G6 makes that far less of a problem.
The EV’s 800V electrical architecture lets the Standard Range version take 382kW of DC charging, while the Long Range and Performance editions can handle up to 451kW.
Under perfect conditions, a 10-80% charge can take 12 minutes. That's not much more than a coffee and bathroom break on a long journey.
Obviously, you'll need a compatible ultra-rapid charger to reach those figures, and real-world charging duration will largely depend on the charger you’re using and battery temperature.
Nonetheless, the G6 is a hugely impressive car when it comes to charging.
2. You get loads for your money
One of the most tempting things about the XPeng G6 is its kit list.
You don’t get an endless options menu where you could add hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds to the price to get the equipment you want.
Instead, the G6 comes standard with a wealth of features.
Depending on the G6 edition you want, you get heated and ventilated front chairs, a heated rear bench, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and a posh panoramic glass roof.
The Chinese whip also houses a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital driver's display, and an 18-speaker XOPERA sound unit.
The G6’s stock package also encompasses an electric tailgate, wireless smartphone charging, power-folding mirrors and double-glazed front windows.
Basically, you're not likely to find yourself wishing you'd gone for a long list of pricey options.
3. It's very practical
This XPeng might look like an athletic coupe-SUV, but there's just so much space inside.
In the front, there's plenty of room for the driver and front-seat passenger, while those in the rear have seriously good legroom.
The rear chairs can also recline, which is a handy touch if you're transporting passengers on extended journeys.
Boot space is top-notch, too. You get 571 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats up, swelling to 1,374 litres when you fold them down.
That is plenty for the weekly shop, a holiday with the kids, suitcases, or a couple of bicycles, plus a whole heap of other weekend gear.
Valuable storage areas dot the G6's tasteful cabin, including big door bins, a cavernous central cubby, and extra space under the centre console.
So, regardless of its aerodynamic shape, the G6 doesn't lose too much practicality.
4. The Performance edition is genuinely quick
You might think an electric SUV would put efficiency first, and thrills – if there are any - second.
Not the XPeng G6.
Even the Standard Range delivers 258PS and does the hallowed 0-62mph sprint in 6.9 seconds.
The Long Range version boosts output to 296PS and axes that figure to just 6.7 seconds.
Then you’ve got the heady Performance Black Edition.
With twin electric motors whipping up a monstrous 487PS and all-wheel drive, it can dash from 0-62mph in a mere 4.1 seconds.
That's properly fast.
Push the accelerator and the G6 surges forward with the sort of instant thrust that never gets dull.
Of course, most people probably won’t need nearly 500PS in a family-sized SUV. The Long Range version is likely the more sensible choice for daily driving.
But there's something rather engaging about knowing you've got sports-car acceleration on tap whenever you want it.
5. It feels more premium than you might imagine
Perhaps the biggest revelation with the G6 is how classy it feels inside.
The cabin follows the up-to-date minimalist style, with a big central touchscreen taking centre stage and very few physical controls.
The materials feel great, the build quality is decent, and there's a whole bunch of equipment to make longer trips more comfortable.
The G6 is also remarkably hushed.
Double-glazed front windows keep wind and road noise suppressed, while the electric powertrain effortlessly provides a smooth, almost muted experience.
The touchscreen itself looks superb, too. The graphics are sharp, and its responses are, on the whole, quick.
There are a handful of niggles. Some functions are buried deep in menus, meaning a few basic tasks can take more taps than you’d like.
But overall, the 20206 XPeng G6 feels like a seriously premium car.
Verdict
The XPeng G6 might not yet be as recognisable as a BMW, Tesla or Mercedes-Benz, but that may be part of the Chinese car’s appeal.
It's different – and, significantly, it brings a lot to the table.
The G6’s charging speeds are outstanding, kit levels are substantial, there's a ton of room inside, and the Performance edition is bewilderingly quick.
The car isn't perfect, but which whip is? The ride can feel stiff over rougher tarmac, the sloping roofline inhibits rear visibility, and the touchscreen-laden cabin won't charm everyone.
But the updated G6 is a considerable step forward for XPeng.
If you're looking for a family-sized electric SUV and have been simply sniffing around the usual legacy brand suspects, it could be well worth stepping outside your comfort zone and checking out what the XPeng G6 has to offer.