XPeng G9 Performance test: 575 hp and a charge that gave up on the charging station — is the Chinese SUV worth 80,000 euros?

You can watch the full, in-depth video interview / XPeng G9 Performance Test as part of the podcast below. Macarol Car Show, and below it, a photo gallery of the car from all angles awaits you. The title question should remain a mystery for now, as the entire story of this vehicle revolves around it.

First of all, size, because without it we don't understand anything

The XPeng G9 is the largest model from the brand that you can buy in Europe right now, and its size is something you have to really grasp. Measuring 4.89 meters long, it's exactly the middle ground between Tesla's Model Y and X — it's a tenth of a meter longer than the former, and a good half a meter shorter than the latter. It's also slightly longer than the electric Mercedes EQE SUV and a hair shorter than the BMW iX. In short, we're talking about a truly large premium class.

Under the sheet metal is a dual-motor AWD Performance version with all-wheel drive, which develops 423 kW or 575 horsepower and 695 Nm of torque. It accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds, and the final speed is electronically limited at 200 km/h. All this moves 2395 kilograms of empty weight. Its battery has a gross capacity of 93.1 kWh, is based on advanced LFP chemistry and operates on a modern 800-volt architecture. The price of the tested vehicle according to the official price list is 74,100 euros.

With this number, we have officially left the territory of cheap Chinese cars and entered a price range that is otherwise intended for a well-equipped Audi Q6 e-tron quattro or — and this will become key — an all-wheel drive electric Mercedes GLC. That is precisely why this test is actually one long answer to the question of whether you can spend more than 70 thousand for a brand that your neighbor can't even pronounce correctly.

Nice, correct and again somewhat anonymous

The visual image brings a light strip across the entire width of the front, without a classic mask and without unnecessary aggression. The flaps on the front only open when cooling components is needed. Frameless doors, automatic headlights and soft-closing doors are included as standard equipment. At XPeng, they call this a timeless European aesthetic, and we add that the design is beautiful, correct and at the same time a bit anonymous.

From the side, the vehicle measures 1.94 meters wide and sits on elegant 21-inch rims with 255/45 tires. The wheelbase, which at 2998 millimeters measures almost three meters, provides enough space in the rear for passengers to comfortably cross their legs, given the driver's height of 185 centimeters. The white color is free, most others cost 1050 euros, and the specialty is the kaitoke green for 1200 euros, which is available exclusively in the Performance version. We seriously advise you to consider it, because in the gray-white combination, the G9 is practically an invisible car on the road.

An interior where all prejudices are extinguished

Inside, the G9 is the most grown-up. Independent tests after more than 1,000 kilometers show that comfort and finish are on par with established premium rivals, so any concerns are completely eliminated. Soft materials, precise joints, two 50W wireless chargers with phone cooling, a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats are part of the extensive standard equipment.

Three screens are mounted in front of the driver and in the middle: a 10.25-inch driver's gauge and two 14.96-inch screens, central and passenger. The passenger can watch movies while driving without being disturbed, as the driver does not have a direct view of this screen from the control position. The only real discussion about the interior revolves around the optional Premium Seats & Sound package for 3,950 euros, which in our opinion is the most important choice on the price list.

For it you get prestigious nappa leather, massage diplomacy in the front and rear seats, adjustable side bolsters in the rear, a top-of-the-line Dynaudio sound system with 20 speakers and Dolby Atmos body experience technology, and two speakers integrated directly into the driver's seat, which are intended for discreet phone calls and navigation instructions. In the German competition, you would easily pay 10,000 euros for these items. Without this package, you buy a great car, but with it you buy a complete experience and the reason why the G9 exists at all.

Charging: the heart of the car and the core of the story

Its 800-volt architecture with new nickel- and cobalt-free LFP chemistry boasts a factory-declared maximum charging power of 525 kW. In a summer test at the Ionity charging station, the vehicle accepted the full 350 kW offered and maintained this power for a surprisingly long time and consistently in the range of 12 to 49 percent charge. The battery from It charges from 8 to 80 percent in just 14 minutes, and it takes a mere three minutes more to jump to 90 percent. While most electric cars find charging above 80 percent a real struggle, the G9 gains almost full range in just over a quarter of an hour.

Our conclusion is completely new: if charging is not record-breaking fast, it is not the car's fault, but the charging station's fault. You will practically not see the declared 525 kW in Europe simply because such infrastructure does not yet exist; however, the car is proven to be capable of accepting more than most stations can even offer. One drawback remains, however, as alternating charging at home is limited to 11 kW, which means about ten and a half hours for a fully charged battery. A car that literally outshines all competitors at a fast station charges quite averagely in a home garage.

Ride: comfortable roadster with brutal acceleration

On the road, the Xpeng G9 is extremely fast, and the launch assistance system ensures that all 695 Nm of torque launches the vehicle to a hundred in 4.2 seconds. However, the difference between the driving modes is significant and is not just a software backdrop. In the comfort program, the chassis softens and the vehicle comfortably sails over bumps, while in sports mode it noticeably firmes up. The smart two-chamber air suspension with electromagnetic shock absorbers, which is standard only on the Performance version, actually reads the road and adapts to it on the fly.

The main conclusion of the test confirms that this is an excellent highway cruiser. At a speed of 130 km/h, the soundproofing is superb, the car lies calmly on the road and remains stable even at higher speeds. We are talking about a comfortable touring cruiser with incredible power reserves, not a nervous sports racer.

For a completely objective assessment, however, we must highlight two perceived shortcomings. At highway speeds, the engine hood vibrates visibly, which does not affect the ride itself, but certainly takes away from the feeling of prestige in a vehicle with such a high price. The body paint also seems too sensitive for this class, as it is thin and shows small scratches too quickly. These two details are the main reason why the rating for the feeling of quality stops at 6.5; the passenger compartment impresses, but the listed exterior details leave a bit of a bitter taste.

Prices, versions and warranty as a safety belt for your purchase

There are three versions available to buyers. The entry-level Standard Range model for 53,900 euros offers a smaller battery and extremely fast charging, while the Long Range version for 64,100 euros brings a larger battery and the longest range of 585 kilometers according to the WLTP standard. The most powerful Performance for 74,100 euros adds a second electric motor, all-wheel drive and, all-important, air suspension, which cannot be ordered on the cheaper versions. This time, the emotional choice of the most expensive model is based on very solid arguments.

Perhaps the strongest selling point of the entire offer is the warranty. In Slovenia, XPeng offers a seven-year warranty on the entire vehicle and eight years or 160,000 kilometers on the battery. For a brand that does not yet have a long European history, such a warranty is of key importance and serves as a real safety belt for the entire investment when making a purchase decision.

Soul, heritage and factory in neighboring Graz

The question that constantly hangs over the entire test is ultimately no longer related to mere quality or price, but to the story or identity of the brand. When purchasing vehicles from established manufacturers, the buyer gains decades of heritage and a recognizable social status, while XPeng is a young and innovative company, founded only in 2014. At a price of around 30 thousand euros, the lack of tradition would be insignificant, but at 74 thousand it represents almost half of the decision.

But we must realize that every tradition must begin somewhere, and this is where XPeng plays a strong card. This particular car has been assembled for the European market since September 2025 at the facilities of the established Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria, just 45 minutes from the Slovenian border. European deadlines and proverbially strict production standards right next to our border prove that this is no longer just another anonymous direct import from Asia, but a carefully planned and permanent settlement on the old continent.

The big dilemma: G9 or an electric Mercedes GLC with a recognizable star?

In the end, we inevitably face a big dilemma. If we put the XPeng G9 Performance for 74,100 euros and the electric Mercedes GLC 400 4MATIC with a special price of around 68,000 euros side by side in the showroom parking lot, we find that price alone is no longer the most powerful Chinese weapon. The XPeng is significantly more powerful with 423 kW and accelerates to a hundred in 4.2 seconds, but the Mercedes with 360 kW and an acceleration of 4.3 seconds is not significantly behind in the real world. The main advantage of the G9 model is shown in the fast charging, where the battery is charged to 80 percent in an exceptional 12 to 14 minutes, while the German competitor needs at least 22 minutes for the same task. The Chinese SUV also offers a larger trunk (660 versus 570 liters), standard air suspension and a much longer warranty.

On the other hand, Mercedes strikes back with a much longer real range of around 700 kilometers against the Chinese 540 kilometers, the option of faster, 22-kilowatt domestic charging and the undisputed reputation of the brand, which brings a more predictable loss of value at resale. With XPeng, you buy most of the vehicle strictly rationally, with your mind, with Mercedes, the safer decision comes from tradition. If you spend a lot of time on highways and regularly charge at public ultra-fast stations, the G9 is a technically and equipment-wise superior choice. However, if you charge mostly at home and the final range and stable value are more important to you than the top charging power, the Mercedes remains a completely legitimate decision.

Verdict: Would Jan have it at home? XPeng G9 Performance Test

The XPeng G9 Performance is a technically remarkable engineering achievement and currently one of the most complete family electric cars on the market, which absolutely deserves its price. With my chosen combination, which includes the Kaitoke Green paint and the Premium package, the final price comes to 79,250 euros. As a technical product, it simply offers more car for the same money than its direct competitors.

And yet — if I had to dig into my own pocket right now, I would choose the Mercedes for now. Not because it would be technically better, but because for 80 thousand, I'm not just buying a car, but also the next five years of ownership: worry-free range, a recognizable brand, and stable resale value. XPeng I was extremely surprised, but a car's soul needs time. Until it builds itself, the star remains the safer choice. This time, the story narrowly beat the technology, but maybe in three years our answer will be completely different.

Macarol final assembly rating: 79 / 100

The overall score is 79 out of 100 points. The scores for each category are as follows: fuel economy 9.5; design 8.5; interior 8; usability 8; technology 8; application 8; infotainment 7.5; value for money 7.5; driving feel 7.5 and feel of quality 6.5. The car received the highest points for fuel economy, and the lowest for the feel of the final body quality. A car that beats almost everything on paper and at the filling station loses points mainly where dry numbers no longer help.