XPENG G9 Performance review: Charge fast, drive further

After the XPENG P7 which we have already tested in detail here, now comes the brand's premium SUV. The G9 in the Performance AWD version, how it performed in everyday life and especially at the charging station with its high charging performance. You can find out in this report.
Jump to section
- 1 tl;dr: The competition needs to brace itself
- 2 Video report
- 3 Design: Modern Xtravaganza
- 4 Interior: Luxury meets high-tech
- 5 Sound system: Dynaudio with good sound properties
- 6 Infotainment: Simple and User-Friendly
- 7 Assistance Systems: Progress with Limitations
- 8 Driving: Really good air suspension
- 9 Topic: Charging: The best charging curve in its class?
tl;dr: The competition needs to brace itself
While German brands such as Audi, VW and Mercedes now offer fully electric SUVs such as the Q6 e-tron, VW ID.5 and Mercedes EQS SUV, only the Q6 e-tron from Audi has a truly outstanding charging performance with its 800-volt system. XPENG extension in really big style. The G9 is available in three engine versions, the standard range comes with a 75 kWh LFP and 313 hp at the rear. This means it charges at up to 260 kW peak at fast charging stations.
But the real highlight comes with the top model, the Performance. While a good 94 kWh battery is installed, you get an all-wheel drive system with 551 hp and a brutal acceleration of 3,9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h.
The charging power is just as brutal for a 2,3 ton SUV as the acceleration. With up to 300 kW, it goes from 15 to 20 percent in just 80 minutes according to the manufacturer's specifications. However, review we were even able to measure 320 kW at the charging station. The Performance is the only variant to include a 2-chamber air suspension, which glides along extremely comfortably.
The G9 is currently selling well as a company car in Germany. Unfortunately, the leasing rates are still quite high for private individuals, considering that the purchase price for our test vehicle is 75.560 euros (including 19 percent VAT). At least for the G9, they are on a par or even cheaper than for example for Audi. Unless you want the trailer hitch, which can tow a good 1,5 tons with brakes, then you will have to pay another 1.260 euros according to the configurator.
Video report
Design: Modern Xtravaganza
The XPENG G9 Performance AWD impressively shows how modern SUV design can be combined with a distinctive look. While many vehicles - especially from China - often use similar design elements such as narrow light strips and split headlights, the G9 manages to stand out with its striking appearance. The clear and at the same time dynamic rear design is particularly eye-catching and gives the vehicle a distinctive touch that sets it apart from the crowd.
- Picture: TechnikNews
- Picture: TechnikNews
- Picture: TechnikNews
- Picture: TechnikNews
The G9 comes standard with large 21-inch alloy wheels, which not only look sporty, but also have a racing-like character in conjunction with the protruding wheel nut covers. Despite the premium orientation, the G9 is also functionally well thought out. The electric tailgate offers a generous opening, although you could wish for a little more flexibility in everyday situations. Dynamic indicators at the front and rear underline the modern look, while the clear edges and the elegant silhouette progressive design of the SUV.
With its distinctive design language and combination of sportiness and elegance, the XPENG G9 makes a clear statement in the premium SUV segment.
Interior: Luxury meets high-tech
The interior of the XPENG G9 Performance AWD combines modern luxury with advanced technology and offers an exceptional feel-good atmosphere. The seats are covered in brown nappa leather, which not only looks classy, but also offers particularly pleasant seating comfort. The front seats are heated, ventilated and electrically adjustable, while the rear seats are equipped with a heating function and an adjustable backrest. Multi-colored ambient lighting and touch-functional interior lights underline the premium character. If you prefer something classic, there is also white or black as an option. Oh, and there is also a really good massage function on all 4 seats in the vehicle. Unfortunately, the rear, middle seat has to go empty.
- Picture: TechnikNews
- Picture: TechnikNews
- Picture: TechnikNews
- Picture: TechnikNews
The impressive displays are at the heart of the cockpit: a 10,25-inch driver display and a 14,96-inch touchscreen for the central infotainment, complemented by an entertainment screen for the passenger. Thanks to the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon® 8155 chipset, the system responds lightning fast and offers a really good picture. Other highlights include the XfreeBreath® air purification system, a fully automatic air conditioning system with self-cleaning function and the option to preheat or cool the interior. Complemented by generous storage space solutions - including a 660-liter trunk and a 71-liter frunk. Many functions can also be controlled remotely via XPENG's own smartphone app. I also used this diligently during the test.
Sound system: Dynaudio with good sound properties
The XPENG G9 Performance is equipped with a high-quality Dynaudio sound system that impresses with its clear bass reproduction without being intrusive. The mids and highs are reproduced in detail and precisely, creating a balanced sound. The bass could be adjusted a little more precisely, but it meets most of the requirements I have for a premium sound system.
Particularly noteworthy is the support for Dolby Atmos, which enables an immersive sound experience. However, there is currently no native way to play Dolby Atmos content directly via popular streaming services such as Tidal or Amazon Music Unlimited - a disappointment for audiophiles. Although an Amazon Music app is integrated, it does not yet allow Dolby Atmos content to be activated (as of October 2024). Apart from that, the system impresses with its sound quality and offers an impressive listening experience that acoustically enriches every journey.
Infotainment: Simple and User-Friendly
The XPENG G9 Performance AWD's infotainment system offers a remarkable user experience, which from the 2024 model year will also support wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay across the entire screen. The operation is extremely smooth and intuitive, so that users have no difficulty finding their way around quickly in everyday life. Pre-installed apps such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Amazon Prime expand the entertainment offering, but as mentioned, there is still no music app like Tidal to play Dolby Atmos content natively. Nevertheless, the app selection is very successful overall, and the XPENG App Store could be further enhanced with additional apps or perhaps cloud streaming services for games.

There are already many well-known streaming apps as standard, which the passenger can also enjoy with their own headphones while driving. (Image: TechnikNews)
Compared to other Chinese brands, XPENG is one of the leading manufacturers when it comes to infotainment systems. The design is extremely user-friendly and the clear structure allows you to get used to it quickly. The German translation is also successful and ensures an all-round positive user experience. The XPENG mobile app also offers practical functions such as the digital key, remote parking and the option of moving the vehicle forwards or backwards using the app - however, steering is not possible for legal reasons.
Even though the app could be a bit “fancier” in terms of design, it offers extremely high added value in terms of functionality and reliability and is on a par with the NIO or Tesla app.
The charging plan works as we would expect it to today. The only thing we would like to see is a "replace" function, so that individual charging stops can be replaced.
Assistance Systems: Progress with Limitations
The European version of the XPENG G9 Performance AWD continues to offer the XPilot 2.5 system, which operates at level 2 of autonomous driving. Although fully autonomous systems at level 4 or 5 are already being worked on in China, we are still dependent on the tried and tested XPilot 2.5 in this country due to EU regulations. The system works reliably by keeping the vehicle in its lane on the highway and steering it around bends, provided the driver has their hands on the steering wheel. XPilot 2.5 is activated via the gear selector, similar to older Tesla models.
An outstanding feature of the G9 is autonomous parking, which works both while sitting in the car and remotely via the app. During our test, this function worked very well and impresses with its well-thought-out technology. The car can even drive forwards and backwards independently, similar to what Hyundai models can do using the key.
It remains to be seen whether and when Chinese vehicles in Europe will upgrade to level 3 or higher, as this also depends on the further development of EU legislation. Despite these limitations, the G9 can shine in the area of assistance systems. We are particularly impressed by the autonomous parking, which is one of the best systems in this area. The steering assistant is generally good, but could be fine-tuned a little in some situations, such as stop-and-go traffic. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) sometimes reacts too abruptly in such situations and could be optimized for more pleasant driving behavior. Overall, however, the G9 offers a strong package of assistance functions that other manufacturers often only offer in higher equipment variants or as expensive extras.
Driving: Really good air suspension
The adaptive air suspension of the XPENG G9 Performance AWD shows what it can do in everyday life. It confidently compensates for bumps in the road and ensures a pleasant balance of comfort and control. Whether on long motorway journeys, tight bends or bumpy city streets - the chassis adapts effortlessly to the conditions and always offers a stable, safe driving experience. Especially in combination with the precise steering, the G9 cuts a fine figure in every situation.
Range & consumption
With the XPENG G9 Performance AWD, we were particularly impressed by the combination of realistic range and moderate consumption. In everyday use, we had an energy consumption of around 22 to 23 kWh/100 km - a strong value for an SUV of this size and performance. This means that a realistic range of a good 450 to 490 kilometers can easily be achieved in summer.
Even on longer journeys, consumption remains within limits, even if the route consists of motorway sections with higher speeds. Thanks to the efficient 800-volt platform and intelligent recuperation, the G9 impresses in terms of energy consumption and proves that electromobility can be suitable for everyday use and efficient even in larger vehicles.
Topic: Charging: The best charging curve in its class?
The XPENG G9 Performance sets standards when it comes to charging. With an impressive charging capacity of up to 320 kW at DC fast charging stations, it is one of the fastest electric vehicles in its class. It goes from 20% to 80% battery capacity in just 15 minutes - perfect for long journeys where short stops are enough to restore the range. We needed around 10 minutes to go from 85 to 25%, which is a very good value. The battery conditions itself automatically with the charging plan or can also be pre-conditioned manually.
When charging with AC, we would have ideally preferred a battery size of 22 kW, but unfortunately only 11 kW is possible here. In addition, the Vehicle-to-Load function (V2L) offers the option of supplying external devices with up to 3,3 kW, which is practical for camping or operating smaller electrical devices on the go. Overall, the G9 proves that charging times no longer have to be an obstacle for modern electric vehicles. Volkswagen in particular needs to step up its game here.