Overview

If you thought electric SUVs were getting a bit big, the XPeng G9L probably isn’t going to reassure you. At 5.12 metres long, it’s a properly substantial car, and it sits at the top of XPeng’s line-up as what the brand calls its “next-generation AI flagship SUV”. The L stands for Luxury, and it sits above the existing G9 rather than replacing it, with both continuing to be sold alongside each other.

The G9L launched in China in September and made its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. European buyers get a choice of six- or seven-seat layouts, while the UK will also get a five-seat version. That’s a slightly curious decision for a car this large, but it does suggest XPeng sees the British G9L as much as a luxury limousine as a family carrier.

Beyond the marketing, there’s plenty here worth paying attention to. Passenger space, comfort features and the technology underneath are all impressive on paper, and XPeng plans to build the G9L in Graz, Austria, as well as China, before launching it across 64 markets. This is clearly a big part of the brand’s international ambitions, and it’s squarely aimed at buyers who might otherwise be looking at an established premium SUV.

Driving

This is a first look, so we haven’t yet had the chance to put the G9L through its paces on UK roads. The specification does give us a good idea of what to expect, though.

European models are fully electric, with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. The seven-seat RWD Long Range Ultra produces 362bhp and 343lb-ft of torque, which is enough to get this big SUV from 0–62mph in 7.0 seconds. That’s plenty for a car of this type, and it should feel relaxed and effortless at motorway speeds.

If you want more, the AWD Performance Ultra produces a hefty 577bhp and 513lb-ft, cutting the 0–62mph time to 4.9 seconds. That’s seriously quick for something this size, although we suspect most buyers will be more interested in comfort than outright pace.

On that front, the chassis looks promising. Rear-wheel steering, dual-chamber air suspension and adaptive damping are all standard. Rear-wheel steering should be particularly welcome here, as it helps reduce the turning circle and makes a car of this length easier to manoeuvre at low speeds. Whether it all comes together to deliver a genuinely premium ride is something we’ll find out when we get behind the wheel.

Technology is a huge part of XPeng’s identity, and Ultra models get the brand’s Full-Scenario VLA system and Turing AI processors. XPeng describes this as supervised self-driving, though exactly which functions are enabled will depend on the market. UK buyers should note an important distinction: the five-seat version is listed with one Turing chip and no NGP or VLA functionality. Adaptive cruise control, lane centring, assisted lane changes, parking assistance and a 360-degree camera are all listed, along with driver monitoring, automatic emergency braking and tyre-blowout stability control.

Range and running costs

The Long Range configuration uses a 110kWh (gross) NCM battery pack. In seven-seat RWD Long Range Ultra form, the G9L has an official WLTP range of 367 miles. The more powerful AWD Performance Ultra manages a quoted 344 miles in six- and seven-seat forms.

As always, you should expect less in real-world driving, especially on the motorway or in cold weather. Based on the size and weight of the car, we’d estimate something closer to 290–320 miles from the RWD model in mixed driving, dropping further in winter. A heat pump is standard, which should help keep cold-weather losses in check.

Charging is where the G9L really stands out. It uses an 800-volt architecture, with XPeng quoting a maximum DC charging rate of 540kW and a 10–80% top-up in just 11.7 minutes under ideal conditions. Few public chargers in the UK can deliver anything like that yet, but even on a more common 150kW unit, the G9L should spend less time plugged in than many rivals.

A 22kW onboard AC charger is also standard, which is useful if you have access to a powerful three-phase destination charger. Most home wallboxes in the UK are 7kW, though, so expect an overnight charge from empty to take the best part of 16 hours at home. There’s also 6kW vehicle-to-load capability, so you can power appliances or camping kit from the car’s battery.

Design

On the outside, the G9L takes a restrained approach, and it works. Rather than piling on unnecessary detailing to make an impact, it relies on its sheer size, clean surfaces and a focus on quality. It measures 5.12 metres long, almost two metres wide and around 1.79 metres tall, with a 3.1-metre wheelbase. That’s great news for interior space, but it’s worth measuring your driveway before you get carried away with the configurator. European models get 21-inch alloy wheels, with different designs for rear- and all-wheel-drive versions, plus standard matrix LED headlights and active grille shutters to help manage airflow. More elaborate DLP pixel headlights are part of a premium package. There are four colours to choose from: Arctic White, Diamond Black, Mirror Gray and Waving Green.

Inside, the G9L needs to justify its flagship status, and the specification certainly suggests it does. Nappa leather covers the first and second rows, with a choice of Tangerine or Meteorite Black interior colours. The driver gets an 8.8-inch digital instrument display, with a 17.3-inch central touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard. There’s also an augmented-reality head-up display that XPeng describes as 88 inches. Before you get too excited, that’s the apparent size of the projected image rather than an actual 88-inch screen sitting on top of the dashboard.

Comfort and practicality

There’s an awful lot of screen real estate in the G9L, and that’s great, provided turning the temperature down doesn’t require a tutorial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, alongside XPeng’s own voice assistant and over-the-air software updates, which should help keep the system feeling fresh. Three-zone climate control is standard, as are two ventilated 50W wireless charging pads, so your phones shouldn’t overheat on longer journeys.

There’s also a fridge built into the centre console as standard. It’s the kind of feature that sounds like a gimmick until you’re on a long summer road trip with the family, when cold drinks and snacks within easy reach of the front and rear passengers suddenly seem like a very good idea. It’s another sign that XPeng has designed the G9L as much around passenger comfort as around the driver.

It’s a good place to listen to music, too. The G9L gets a 23-speaker sound system, speakers built into the driver’s seat and road-noise cancellation, all of which should help make it a calm and refined place to spend time.

Rear-seat passengers are particularly well looked after. The second row gets powered backrest adjustment, adjustable lumbar support and footrests, plus heating, ventilation and a ten-point massage function. There’s a 21.4-inch roof-mounted entertainment screen and an eight-inch rear screen to keep everyone occupied. On six- and seven-seat models, the third row gets powered seatback adjustment, electric folding and reclining, and heating, which is far more generous than you’d usually find in the back row of a large SUV.

With all three rows in use, the six- and seven-seaters offer 367 litres of boot space, including underfloor storage. That’s fine for a weekly shop but tight for a family holiday. Fold the third row and that grows to 935 litres in the seven-seater and 1,330 litres in the six-seater. There’s also a small front boot, which is handy for storing charging cables. If you tow, the G9L has an electric tow bar and a quoted two-tonne towing capacity, although UK limits are yet to be confirmed.

Verdict

The XPeng G9L makes a strong first impression. Its focus on passenger comfort and space is clear, and its technology is genuinely interesting, particularly the ultra-fast charging and standard rear-wheel steering. It looks like a serious attempt to tempt buyers away from the established premium brands.

There are still some big questions to answer, though. Its sheer size won’t suit everyone, the UK five-seater misses out on some of the clever driver-assistance tech, and we’ll need to see how the comfort, efficiency and technology work together in everyday driving. Final UK pricing and specification will be crucial, too. A flagship SUV needs to offer more than an impressive list of features, but if XPeng gets the price right, the G9L could be a very convincing alternative.

Key Specs

Price (RRP OTR): From £64,990
Top speed: 124mph
0-62mph: 7.0 seconds (RWD Long Range Ultra), 4.9 seconds (AWD Performance Ultra)
Power: 270kW (362bhp) / 430kW (577bhp)
Torque: 343lb-ft / 513lb-ft
Driving range (combined): 367 miles (RWD Long Range Ultra), 344 miles (AWD Performance Ultra)
Charging time: approx. 10hrs (11kW, 0-100%), approx. 40min (130kW, 10-80%); 11.7min (540kW max, 10-80%)
Insurance group: TBC
Vehicle warranty: 7-year or 160,000 km
Battery warranty: 8 years or 160,000 km