2026 Xpeng G6 review

February 27, 2026 Matt Allan

We review the 2026 Xpeng G6 to see if its claimed 20,000 updates make a big difference to this Model Y rival

Xpeng has confirmed that it will expand its UK operations this year with several new all-electric models.

It has already announced that the X9 MPV is on its way and the P7+ and G9 could also reach these shores before the end of the year. But until then, the brand is keeping busy launching an updated version of its Tesla Model Y-rivalling Xpeng G6.

Yes, the Xpeng G6 has only been on sale in the UK for a year but it has been on sale elsewhere for longer, hence the refresh.

Xpeng says it has made 20,000 incremental upgrades. These range from big changes such as visual updates and a revised battery to less obvious adjustments to the ride, steering and underlying software.

That all sounds impressive in a press conference, but what does it mean on the road?

Design, interior and technology

There might be 20,000 changes to the G6 but from outside you’d be hard-pressed to spot them. The front light bar has been extended across the full width of the car and the badge moved up onto the bonnet. At the rear there’s a new diffuser and subtle ducktail spoiler and, for the first time, the wheel arches are colour-coded with the bodywork for a neater look.

None of the changes are radical and the Xpeng G6 is still a decent-looking if faintly anonymous thing. It won’t cause anyone to point in horror, but nor will it turn heads like a Hyundai Ioniq 5, for example.

The interior changes are also pretty subtle. New door panels, a new steering wheel and reshaped cupholders are the sort of thing you won’t spot at first glance. The revised dashboard design is a similar story. It now features full-width vents and ambient lighting that runs its full span and onto the doors. Otherwise, it’s a familiar picture of a minimalist design with no buttons but two big digital screens.

Xpeng says it has improved the quality of the trim materials and, apart from a slightly flimsy dash insert, they look good and feel robust. It has also added lumbar support to the front seats to improve comfort.

Away from the updates, the G6 still feels big and airy, with plenty of space for four adults. Rear passengers get plenty of legroom, plus heated reclining seats. Up front the heated and cooled seats now also feature a massage function in higher-spec cars.

Xpeng proudly boasts that it’s a tech company that builds cars, not a car company. That shows in the amazing abilities of its batteries, and the fact we had to sit through a 10-minute demonstration of how we could manipulate the 10.25-inch infotainment screen, including how to create an anchored shortcut to activate our fog lights. The fact that cars have had this for decades in the form of a physical button appears lost on this tech-first brand.

It’s unnecessary elements like that – the tech for tech’s sake – that make it frustrating to use. I don’t know anyone who enjoys messing around in menus and submenus when they’re supposed to be driving. Xpeng says voice control takes over most of this work but our demonstration was a mixed bag of clever responses and the now-typical embarrassing failures. And too many functions – from air vent direction to cruise control settings – need you to dive into the screen.

Battery, motor and performance

As before, the updated G6 comes with two battery options – a “standard range” and “long range”. However, both are new LFP units that replace the previous NMC packs. The standard range model uses a 68.5kWh pack for a range of 292 miles while the long range uses an 80.8kWh battery for a range of 326 miles.

That’s actually slightly shorter than the pre-facelift car’s 354-mile maximum. However, the battery is now free of rare-earth metals (which is better for the planet and costs) and has a 30% improved lifespan thanks to the superior durability of LFP chemistry.

And, while range is marginally shorter, charging speeds have increased from an already impressive 280kW to 382kW for the smaller battery, and a market-leading 451kW for the larger one. If you can find a compatible charger, this will deliver a 10-80% top-up in just 12 minutes.

Regular versions of the G6 use a single rear-mounted motor. In standard range models this produces 248bhp, while long range cars get a boost to 292bhp. Both deliver peak torque of 325lb ft.

There’s also the two-motor AWD Performance variant – available for the first time in Black Edition in the UK. That packs 480bhp and a 0-63mph time of just 4.1 seconds. We’ll have to wait until we’ve driven it before passing judgement on how it stacks up against other high-performance rivals.

The performance of the regular long range car is already pretty sprightly. The 0-62mph run takes 6.7 seconds and there’s plenty of instantly accessible grunt from the motor via a well-calibrated throttle.

There are multiple driving modes but, as with everything else, these are managed via the touchscreen so most drivers will probably ignore them. That’s fine though, “normal” mode covers all the bases well.

The previous Xpeng G6 had a slightly mismatched ride and the recent chassis tweaks haven’t properly addressed this. It’s quiet, smooth and refined at higher speeds, but there’s still a firmness to the ride at lower speeds that leaves it feeling frequently unsettled.

The chassis tweaks also haven’t done much to change the overall driving experience. The G6 can press on quickly enough but on tighter roads you’re aware of the car’s mass and the slightly sensationless steering. It feels much more at home cruising on a motorway, where its easy power and refinement shine.

Price and specification

One area where nothing has changed for the G6 is price. As before, the rear-wheel-drive model starts at £39,990. The Long-range RWD is £44,990, while Performance comes in at a tenner under £50,000.

Those are seriously competitive numbers considering that a Skoda Enyaq with 148bhp, a 63kWh battery and 270-mile range is a shade over £39,000.

And you’re not short-changed on equipment. Full adaptive LED headlights, 20-inch alloys, a powered tailgate and panoramic sunroof are standard across all models. So too are heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, an 18-speaker stereo, dual-zone climate control, a heat pump and full suite of driver aids including adaptive cruise control, parking assist and a summon function.

The biggest differences between standard and long range cars are an upgrade from leatherette to Nappa Leather upholstery, a massage function for the front seats and a digital rear-view mirror.

Verdict

For a lot of buyers, that level of equipment and the ultra-competitive price will be enough to compensate for the G6’s less-than-stellar driving experience.

Despite the thousands of changes, the 2026 Xpeng G6 still demonstrates issues that affected the previous model. The user interface is unnecessarily complex and unintuitive, and the ride and handling still don’t come close to the best in class.

That said, as an alternative to a Tesla Model Y, it’s still worthy of consideration. Not only does it offer great value, but its range is up there with the best in its class and its charging speeds are unrivalled.