2026 XPeng G9 interior, design and features review

We've been told for many years that if a driver wanted a fancy SUV that felt like a private lounge, they usually had to go straight to a German car dealership. Brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi have owned the "premium" world for a long time. But XPeng is working hard to change that tradition.

Its newest flagship model, the 2026 XPeng G9 AWD Performance, is designed to go head-to-head with the likes of BMW iX and the Audi Q6 e-tron. We have seen many new brands try to break into the luxury market and fail because their cars feel cheap or poorly made. But after looking closely at the G9, it is clear that XPeng might be onto something. This is a vehicle that offers a level of comfort and technology that might make the European car makers feel a little nervous.

Design

When you first walk up to the XPeng G9, it definitely looks like a "big-city" vehicle. It has a presence that is hard to ignore. To give you an idea of its size, the car is 192.6 inches long and 76.3 inches wide when the mirrors are folded. It stands 65.7 inches tall and has a very long wheelbase of 118 inches. In the world of electric cars, a long wheelbase is great because it usually means there is more room for the heavy batteries under the floor and more legroom for the people inside.

The design of the G9 is clean and handsome. It does not look messy or overdone like some other modern SUVs. The front of the car has a smooth look that reminds a bit of the BMW X7, while the back has a touch of the Mercedes GLS. Even though it takes some inspiration from these brands, the G9 still looks like its own unique machine. It has smooth sides, door handles that sit flush with the body, and windows without frames. These little touches make the large SUV look sleek and expensive. The Performance model even comes with big 21-inch alloy wheels that fill the wheel arches perfectly.

A cabin that challenges the best

Inside is where the G9 really shows its quality. Usually, when we talk about affordable EVs, we expect to see a lot of hard plastic and simple fabrics. This car does the exact opposite. XPeng wants to be seen as a true luxury brand, so they used very high-quality materials.

The seats are wrapped in Nappa leather, which feels soft and premium. These seats do much more than just hold you in place while you drive. They are like high-end furniture. They can heat up on cold mornings, cool you down on hot summer days, and even give you a massage while you sit in traffic. The best part is that this luxury is not just for the driver. If you choose the right options, the people sitting in the back can enjoy the same heating, cooling, and massage functions.

The dashboard is dominated by two 14.9-inch touchscreens that stretch across the front. One screen is in the center for the driver to use for navigation and music. The other screen is right in front of the passenger. This allows the person in the front seat to watch movies or look at maps without distracting the driver. The software on these screens is very fast and responsive. It feels a lot like using a high-end smartphone or a Tesla.

However, there is one small problem. XPeng decided to remove almost all the physical buttons. This means if you want to adjust your mirrors or turn on your headlights, you have to find the setting on the screen. This can be a bit frustrating and distracting when you are trying to keep your eyes on the road. We wish they had kept a few simple buttons for the things we use every day.

Practicality and daily living

Even though it is a luxury car, the XPeng G9 still has to work as a family vehicle. Storage is quite good throughout the cabin. There is a large storage area under the armrest between the front seats that opens from both sides. Below the center console, there is even more room for bags or snacks.

On top of the console, you will find two high-speed wireless phone chargers. These chargers are special because they have tiny fans to keep your phone cool while it charges. We all know how hot a phone can get when it's charging, so this is a very smart feature. There is also an ultra-fast 180-watt USB-C port for those who need to charge a laptop or a tablet quickly.

Interestingly, XPeng decided not to put a glovebox in this car. It is a strange choice, and we are not sure where you are supposed to keep your car manual or extra napkins. The door bins are large, which is nice, but they aren't lined with carpet or rubber. This means if you put a set of keys or a water bottle in there, you might hear them rattling around while you drive.

In the back, the outer seats are very comfortable, and there is plenty of headroom for tall adults. The legroom is okay, but it isn't as huge as you might expect from a car this big. Also, the middle seat in the back is a bit narrow, so it's best for a child rather than a grown-up. One thing everyone will love is the giant glass roof. It makes the whole car feel bright and airy. XPeng used special heat-reflecting glass, so the sun won't make the cabin too hot.

Power and speed

Driving the G9 AWD Performance is a bit of a mixed bag. Let's start with the power. In the world of electric cars, we are getting used to very fast speeds, and the G9 does not disappoint. It has two motors that provide all-wheel drive. Even though this SUV weighs 5,291 lb, it can move very fast. It can go from zero to 62 mph in just 4.2 seconds. When you push the accelerator pedal down, the car pushes you back into your seat. It has plenty of power for passing slower cars on the highway.

The way the car handles the road is interesting. XPeng used a very advanced suspension system. It has air springs and dampers that can change how soft or firm they feel. When you are driving at high speeds on the highway, the G9 is wonderful. It is incredibly quiet and feels very stable. It cruises along like a luxury boat.

However, the steering feels very light. This makes it easy to turn the wheel with just one finger, but it doesn't give the driver much "feel" for the road. It is definitely a car built for relaxing trips rather than racing around corners. The biggest surprise was how the car feels in the city. Even with the fancy air suspension, it can feel a bit "clunky" and bumpy over small potholes or speed bumps. It doesn't soak up those small bumps as well as a BMW or a Mercedes might - there's still some room for improvement here.

The magic of fast charging

One of the most impressive parts of the XPeng G9 is the battery technology. It uses a 93 kWh battery, and while a range of 336 miles is good, it isn't the best in the world. Some other electric cars can go further on a single charge. During our short time with the car, the computer that tells you how much range is left was a bit confused. One minute, it would say you have plenty of energy, and the next, it would drop. In real-world driving, you can expect to get about 280 miles to 311 miles before you need to plug in.

The real "magic" happens when you stop to charge. The G9 features "5C" charging technology. This is a technical way of saying it can handle a massive amount of electricity at once - up to 525 kW. Most fast chargers you see today are only 150 kW, and you'd be lucky to find a 350 kW charger in Europe. But if you can find a charger powerful enough, you can fill the battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 12 minutes.

In theory, you could plug the car in, go inside a shop to buy a drink and a snack, and by the time you come back, the car is ready to go another 249 miles. This definitely fixes the "range anxiety" that many people feel when they think about buying EVs.

Safety and extra features

Like most modern electric cars, the G9 is packed with safety technology. It has cameras all around the vehicle that give you a "bird's eye view" on the screen. This makes parking this large SUV very easy. It also has adaptive cruise control, which can automatically keep a safe distance from the car in front of you.

Some of the safety systems can be a bit too bossy. The "lane-keeping" system, which tries to keep the car in the middle of the lane, can sometimes pull on the steering wheel when you don't want it to. It can be a bit annoying on narrow roads, and many drivers might find themselves turning it off.

Another cool feature is called "Vehicle-to-Load" or V2L. This allows you to use the car's big battery to power other things. You can plug in a coffee machine, a laptop, or even a set of lights if you are out camping. It basically turns your car into a giant mobile power bank. You could probably run an entire house off the G9 during a blackout.

Final thoughts on the XPeng G9

So, is the XPeng G9 a good choice for someone looking at electric cars? The price is expected to be between $70,000 and $82,000 for the base models, and the AWD Performance version will cost even more. That is a lot of money, but when you compare it to the price of German luxury SUVs, it actually looks like a bit of a bargain. You get a beautiful interior, amazing screens, and charging speeds that are faster than almost anything else on the road today.

The G9 isn't perfect. The ride in the city could be smoother, and the steering is a bit too light for people who love to drive. But for most families who want a comfortable, high-tech, and fast electric SUV, it is a very strong contender.

XPeng might be a young company, but with the G9, they have proven that they can build a car that is just as luxurious as the famous brands we have known for years. As the world moves away from gasoline and toward electric power, keep an eye on XPeng. They are proving that the future of luxury might just come from a brand you haven't heard of yet.