- The updated Xpeng G6 feels significantly more refined and premium than before.
- Ultra fast 451kW charging is one of the strongest features in its class.
- Performance is impressive, but the driving experience lacks excitement.
Chinese EV makers are moving at a pace that traditional automakers simply cannot match. While European and Japanese brands often take years to roll out meaningful updates, companies like Xpeng are refining their cars almost in real time. The latest Xpeng G6 is proof of that relentless speed.
Less than a year after the original European launch, the company has returned with a heavily revised version of its electric SUV, claiming more than 20,000 upgrades and refinements across the vehicle. That sounds dramatic, but after driving the updated G6, it is clear that Xpeng has genuinely listened to criticism and acted quickly.
The result is a far more polished machine that edges closer to genuine Tesla Model Y territory. Yet despite all the improvements, the G6 still struggles with one major issue. It feels like a car designed to imitate success rather than create its own personality.
Faster development, better refinement
At a launch event in Portugal last year, Xpeng engineers repeatedly asked journalists for brutally honest feedback. They wanted opinions on ride comfort, cabin quality, road noise, driver assistance systems, and overall usability. Most manufacturers politely collect feedback and quietly move on. Xpeng clearly took those comments seriously.
The revised G6 immediately feels more refined than before. Suspension tuning has been adjusted for rougher European roads, the accelerator pedal response is smoother, and cabin insulation is noticeably improved at motorway speeds.
The steering still lacks communication, but the overall driving experience feels calmer and more mature. It is no longer trying too hard to impress with gimmicks. Instead, it focuses on comfort and usability.
Inside, the improvements are even more obvious. Softer materials now cover more surfaces across the dashboard and doors, while ambient lighting and suede trim give the cabin a more premium atmosphere. The new seats are excellent too, offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions that genuinely elevate long journeys.
Space remains one of the G6’s strongest qualities. Rear passengers get generous legroom and headroom, while the huge glass roof creates an airy feel throughout the cabin. It is practical, spacious, and very easy to live with day to day.
Strong performance, but little excitement
The model tested was the all wheel drive Performance Black Edition, which produces an impressive 480bhp. Acceleration is brutally quick, launching from 0 to 62mph in just over four seconds.
On paper, those figures place it directly against high performance versions of the Tesla Model Y. In reality, though, the experience lacks emotional connection.
The G6 is fast in a straight line, but there is very little driver engagement beyond that. Steering feedback is muted, cornering feels safe rather than exciting, and the overall driving character is surprisingly flat.
That might not matter to many buyers, especially those simply looking for a practical electric SUV. But enthusiasts hoping for something memorable will likely come away disappointed.
Visually, the story is similar. The refreshed styling is modern and clean, but also generic. Full width lighting, smooth body panels, and minimal detailing make it blend into the growing sea of tech focused EVs.
Unlike brands such as Renault, Peugeot, or Mini that inject personality into their electric cars, the Xpeng feels more like an appliance. Functional and efficient, but difficult to emotionally connect with.
Charging speeds become the headline act
Where the G6 truly shines is charging technology. Xpeng has introduced a new 80.8kWh lithium iron phosphate battery that removes the need for expensive materials like cobalt and nickel.
Range figures are slightly lower than before, with the all wheel drive model officially achieving 316 miles under WLTP testing. Rear wheel drive versions stretch slightly further at 326 miles.
But the real headline is charging speed.
The updated battery supports charging speeds of up to 451kW, allowing a 10 to 80 percent recharge in as little as 12 minutes under ideal conditions. That places the G6 among the fastest charging EVs currently available in Europe.
For drivers regularly covering long motorway journeys, this could become a major advantage over rivals, including Tesla.
The infotainment system has also received upgraded hardware through a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, making menus and animations smoother than before. Yet despite the faster software, usability remains inconsistent.
Simple features are often buried deep inside menus, and voice controls still struggle with natural language commands. Even adjusting mirrors can become unnecessarily complicated.
Improved, but still missing identity
There is no question the new Xpeng G6 is better than its predecessor. It is quieter, more comfortable, faster charging, and more premium feeling throughout.
However, the core personality of the car remains unchanged.
The autonomous driving systems still feel overly aggressive at times, lane keeping assistance can become intrusive, and self parking lacks confidence in tighter spaces. More importantly, the car still feels heavily influenced by Tesla in almost every area, from design to cabin layout and technology philosophy.
That comparison is impossible to avoid because Xpeng clearly wants to compete directly with Tesla. In many respects, it succeeds. The value proposition is strong, the technology is impressive, and the rate of development is genuinely remarkable.
But while Tesla built its reputation by creating something disruptive and distinctive, the G6 still feels like it is following rather than leading.
For buyers wanting a practical, high tech electric SUV without supporting Elon Musk’s brand, the G6 makes a convincing argument. It simply needs a stronger sense of individuality before it can truly stand alongside the segment leaders.
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