XPeng G9L first look: three-row electric and range-extender SUV for NZ

XPeng’s G9L, a three-row SUV revealed at the Paris motor show this week, is coming to New Zealand with the choice of a fully electric drivetrain or a range-extender. We got a first look at a pre-production car ahead of its local launch.

XPeng says New Zealand and Australian pricing, specifications and launch timing will be confirmed in the coming months. An XPeng representative told us the company would like to see it priced under A$100,000 in Australia. Six and seven-seat layouts will be offered.

The G9L sits below XPeng’s GX flagship and will join the G6, X9 and L03 in XPeng’s local line-up. It went on sale in China in September as a five-seater. Right-hand-drive production began at XPeng’s Guangzhou plant the same month, and European cars will be built by Magna Steyr in Austria.

Range-extender

XPeng is leading with the range-extender, which it calls Super Electric REEV. It uses a 63kWh LFP battery for up to 287km of WLTP electric range, and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that only generates electricity and never drives the wheels. Combined WLTP range is up to 1200km.

Outputs are 430kW and 695Nm, and XPeng quotes 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds. It says the system prioritises battery power around town, brings in the engine on the highway and blends both under heavy load, and that it is targeting a noise difference of less than 1dB between range-extender and battery-only running.

Electric

The fully electric G9L has the same 430kW and 695Nm. Its 110kWh battery gives up to 553km of WLTP range, according to XPeng’s Australian and New Zealand release. The European version is quoted at up to 591km.

Both versions use an 800-volt system. The EV charges at up to 540kW DC, and XPeng claims a 10 to 80 per cent charge in under 12 minutes on a fast enough charger, with the range-extender quoted at about 12 minutes.

Size and chassis

The G9L is 5120mm long, 1998mm wide and 1788mm tall, on a 3100mm wheelbase. Suspension is double wishbone at the front and multi-link at the rear, with dual-chamber air springs and continuously adjustable dampers. Rear-wheel steering is standard, and XPeng says it gives the G9L a smaller turning circle than a Mini Cooper. We will reserve judgement on how a car of this size handles until we drive one on New Zealand roads.

XPeng quotes a drag coefficient of 0.238 and two tonnes of braked towing. The headlights can project images onto the road, and XPeng says they can work as a projector for screenings of up to 98 inches.

Safety and assisted driving

Nine airbags are standard, along with autonomous emergency braking that XPeng says works at up to 150km/h, and stability support after a tyre blowout. XPeng says the G9L covered more than 6.74 million km of testing in 26 countries and regions over three years. It has not yet been rated by ANCAP.

XPeng’s NGP assisted driving system, built on its second-generation VLA model, is designed to handle navigation-based driving on city streets and highways, including lane changes, traffic lights, intersections and roundabouts. XPeng plans to roll it out to New Zealand and Australian customers during 2027.

Inside

The pre-production car we saw was trimmed in tan Nappa leather. A large central touchscreen handles most functions, including opening the glovebox and adjusting the steering wheel, and sits alongside a small instrument display that stays fully visible even with the wheel set to its lowest position. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fitted, along with a built-in dashcam and 50W wireless phone charging. Voice control was not working on the preview car.

The front seats have heating, ventilation, memory, 16-point massage and adaptive side bolsters, and the passenger seat reclines into what XPeng calls a zero-gravity position. The front doors open electrically, and a 26-speaker audio system is fitted.

In the second row, the seats are power adjusted, heated, ventilated and massaging, with memory and electric window sunshades. Passengers get a roof-mounted fold-down screen, their own control panel for media, climate, seats and the fridge, two USB-C ports and fold-out tables. The 12.5-litre fridge can heat, cool and freeze.

The third row is power adjusted, heated and reclines, and has its own cup holders and USB-C ports. Access was the weak point on the car we tried, as the powered button for moving the second row did not work, although space once seated was reasonable for an adult.

Storage

With the third row folded there is 1152 litres of boot space, plus an underfloor well and buttons in the boot to fold the seats. Under the bonnet, the range-extender has a 60-litre front boot and the electric version 109 litres.

We will bring you New Zealand pricing and specifications when they are announced, and a full drive review once the G9L arrives.