“L” is for “Luxury”: first seat test in the Xpeng G9L

For almost four years now, Xpeng has produced the G9. Last year, it received its first facelift, and this year, it gained a big brother: the G9L. This model is already available on the Chinese domestic market and is soon set to land in Europe. Xpeng will unveil the massive SUV at the Paris Motor Show and will only then release all the details. In the meantime, we were given an early opportunity to take a seat in the G9L - here's our first impressions.

Image: Xpeng

In terms of silhouette, the G9 and the L-version are similar, but the latter has a little more of everything: it’s 23 centimetres longer (with 12 centimetres added to the wheelbase) and 10 centimetres taller. This makes the Xpeng G9L a substantial 5.12 metres long, around 1.78 metres tall, and roughly 2 metres wide (excluding side mirrors). The G9L also features a sliding step to simplify entry. As soon as you open one of the doors, the sliding step extends electrically. Naturally, the doors also open electrically and can be controlled remotely.

Overall, the G9L also appears slightly fresher visually, thanks to a subtle redesign of the lights and grille. However, neither can disguise the fact that this is a fairly hefty vehicle – not particularly graceful, but it doesn’t aim to be. Thanks to its closed front, it comes across as less aggressive than some other oversized SUVs.

Xpeng G9L: plenty of space and plenty of premium

Contrary to conventional logic, Xpeng emphasises that the “L” in the model name does not stand for “Long Version” but for “Luxury”. The standard G9 already boasts a high-quality interior with numerous comfort features, so the difference between the two sibling models is minimal where the front seats are concerned. However, the rear seats are where the magic happens. In the second row, instead of a bench, there are two individual seats with all the trimmings: naturally, they include seat heating and ventilation, as well as a massage function.

For refreshments or a warm meal, there is a thermoelectric compartment that can keep items warm, cool, or even frozen.

A cinema in the second row

Naturally, there is not only an extra display to control the gadgets but also a retractable TV screen, similar to the one found in the BMW i7. To ensure that all this comfort isn’t disturbed by the outside world, there are various electric blinds that open and close at the touch of a button.

In addition to the six-seater variant we tested, a seven-seater will also be available in Europe. Exclusively for the UK, a five-seater version is planned.

The focus is clearly on passenger transport. With all seats in use, the boot space shrinks to 367 litres, including the spacious underfloor compartment. However, with the third row folded down, the luggage capacity increases to a generous 1,330 litres (six-seater) or 935 litres (seven-seater). The frunk offers an additional 65 litres. If that’s still not enough, the G9L can tow a trailer, with a maximum towing capacity of two tonnes. As befits a luxury vehicle, the tow hitch naturally deploys electrically.

Charging and driving: more is more

When it comes to charging power, Xpeng is known for impressive figures. With a peak DC charging power of 540 kW, the G9L holds its own and achieves a 10 to 80 per cent charge in under 12 minutes. To ensure the 110 kWh (gross) battery can also be charged in a reasonable time at a home wallbox, a 22 kW AC charger comes as standard.

The rear-wheel-drive base version delivers 270 kW and accelerates to 100 km/h in seven seconds. The 430 kW all-wheel-drive model takes almost three seconds less. As is often the case, the rear-wheel-drive version leads in range, with its 591 km WLTP range – 38 km more than the all-wheel-drive version.

Image: Xpeng

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Luxury liner or family hauler?

Xpeng has not yet disclosed pricing but has revealed that the six-seater will only be available as a Performance all-wheel-drive model. For the seven-seater, buyers can choose between Long Range and Performance. Even the standard G9 is not cheap at €59,600, and its Performance variant at €72,600 is even less so. Nevertheless, for larger families, the long version – assuming good leasing deals – could still be worth a look. Especially compared to premium German models, the G9 is still relatively reasonably priced, and perhaps Xpeng will maintain this approach for the luxury long version as well.