Many Chinese language EVs have two weaknesses: Blended, generally very low charging speeds and immature software program with transmission errors and stutters. Low costs compensate for each, however longer journeys are nonetheless not very a lot enjoyable with many of those autos. With Xpeng, the primary Chinese language OEM is venturing into the market that mixes “reasonably priced” and “high-quality”. We drove 1,700 kilometres within the splendid P7 sedan.
Acquainted environment
Our take a look at started with a shock: a motor helps if the door doesn’t shut utterly. Such a soft-close operate is quite uncommon on this worth section (our take a look at automotive prices 63,460 euros) and is normally solely present in very high-priced autos.
After getting in, you’re instantly reminded of assorted rivals: There’s a giant display within the centre, hardly any buttons and all the pieces may be very tidy. There isn’t any head-up show, however there’s a good speedometer readout, and the contents to the left and proper of the velocity show could be configured freely. Within the centre console, there’s a typical smartphone tray with an inductive charging operate, whereas the gears are chosen by way of a lever to the suitable of the steering wheel column, as in a Mercedes and older Teslas. The outside mirrors are adjusted utilizing the buttons on the steering wheel.
The air-con vents are operated by way of the touchscreen, which additionally prompts the air flow of the entrance seats. You sit fairly comfortably within the entrance seats. Nevertheless, within the rear row, the Xpeng P7 has a typical drawback: The battery within the underbody considerably limits the area obtainable. Nevertheless, there’s a stunning quantity of area upwards; as much as 1.80 metres, you’ll be able to nearly sit upright. However from 1.81 metres, it’s a must to tuck your head in. The place of the knees can also be not preferrred as a result of the excessive ground and the thighs don’t absolutely relaxation on the seat. Nevertheless, the legroom on the entrance is okay, and the quantity of area is mostly acceptable for an electrical saloon as a result of the battery has to go someplace. The minimal use of shiny surfaces and the abundance of leather-based are optimistic options. Some exhausting plastic continues to be utilized in locations, however even that is top of the range.
Quick charging
The outside of the automotive is as acquainted as its inside. At first look, the Xpeng P7 hardly stands out from the gang; it has a typical automotive face. A closed entrance finish, steady mild strips on the entrance and rear, retractable door handles and barely curved strains are hardly noticeable on the street as we speak – however they don’t catch the attention wherever both. It isn’t a traditional head-turner, at the very least not when driving. When locking and unlocking, nevertheless, passers-by all the time cease to ask questions once they hear the humorous melody with which the automotive acknowledges locking or unlocking. Solely then do many individuals discover the X-shaped brand.
Nevertheless, we don’t have a lot time for this on the charging stations: it takes simply 14 minutes to achieve 50 per cent state of cost (SoC), and it fees from 4 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes. In accordance with Ionity, the height output from the charging station is 189 kW, and we obtain this worth repeatedly with out being attentive to preconditioning or the optimum alternative of charging station.
Convincing on the lengthy haul
With a full battery, we hit the motorway, the place the automotive delivers many optimistic surprises and exhibits that there’s cutting-edge know-how beneath the bonnet of the ‘all-rounder.’ Beginning with the consumption, we will’t get above 27 kWh/100 km even with a really sporty driving model (there may be definitely room for enchancment, however not in the course of the summer season vacation visitors). If we restrict ourselves to 130 kph, the consumption meter solely simply exceeds the 20 kWh mark, which corresponds to an actual motorway vary of a great 410 kilometres with a internet usable battery capability of 82.7 kWh. The chassis can also be surprisingly ‘un-Chinese language.’ It’s comfy however not as mushy and unfeeling as that of different suppliers from the Far East. It presents extra contact with the street with out being as wood as a Tesla. The steering can also be straightforward to function however not as artificial as in lots of different Chinese language fashions.
There may be solely room for optimisation by way of cornering and at very excessive speeds: In accordance with the speedometer, the automotive is locked at 215 kph, into which it runs fairly abruptly and would clearly nonetheless have reserves for increased speeds. Above 180 kph, the suspension feels somewhat fluttery, and the steering might be extra direct. Nonetheless, hardly anybody does it higher on this worth section, particularly not anybody from China.
Good consumption figures
The consumption figures are additionally first rate off the freeway: the P7 consumes round 17 kWh/100 km in rural areas and solely 14 kWh/100 km within the metropolis, making 490-590 kilometres attainable for the on a regular basis commuter. It ought to be famous that we examined the automotive in summer season temperatures of 25 to 32 °C in southern Germany, so these figures ought to be seen because the optimum and might be a great deal decrease in winter.
We just like the driving modes: ‘Basic’ is properly balanced, ‘Eco’ is just like the accelerator pedal attribute of a combustion engine and is thus good for these switching to a brand new mode. In ‘Sport’, the automotive is as venomous and immediately related to the ability as a efficiency variant ought to be. Solely the one-pedal drive choice known as ‘X-Pedal’ wants additional enchancment. It’s a bit clumsy; for instance, BMW, Kia or Tesla have solved this extra superbly.
Spectacular software program
The infotainment runs flawlessly and really shortly. Due to the loudspeaker within the headrest, the sat nav whispers directions discreetly into your ear as an alternative of continually croaking into the music or telephone calls. The mixing of third-party apps is neatly carried out (all the pieces from Spotify to TikTok to Disney+ is included), and the logically structured menu navigation makes it straightforward to seek out your manner round. In 2024, the one-click deactivation of the velocity warning sound is basically necessary – particularly as a result of the system complains vigorously even in shiny sunshine for those who don’t stick with ’80 kph in moist situations.’
Though the voice management solely understands English, it does so completely. Not solely leisure, but in addition air-con, seat air flow or the headlights could be managed by way of voice management. The precision of the visitors jam warnings is spectacular. Whenever you hear a discreet ‘visitors jam forward’ from the headrest, you’ll be able to put your foot on the brake pedal as a result of there may be assured to be a visitors jam lurking behind the subsequent bend. There’s a small deduction for the charging planner, which repeatedly desires to move for gradual 50 kW charging stations on the motorway.
Weak level: help programs
The one severe downside we observed within the Xpeng P7 was the help programs. In concept, they’ll do the standard normal issues (maintain your distance, keep in lane and alter lanes after indicating), however the steering tends to shake backwards and forwards and feels somewhat unsafe. The ‘X-Pilot’ makes too many errors on nation roads and in roadworks, and the marginally jerky lane preserving can even grow to be disagreeable in the long term on straight stretches of street. The competitors from Germany does this even higher. The parking assist and 360° digital camera, alternatively, are actually good. All the pieces works because it ought to.
Right here to remain
Xpeng did just about all the pieces proper on the German market launch; the P7 is a extra mature and higher automotive than virtually all different Chinese language fashions. Particularly, the graceful software program, low consumption figures and excessive charging efficiency set it aside from the remainder of the Far Jap competitors. Minor faults could be missed in view of the great price-performance ratio.
We have now already seen many new stars within the automotive sky. The primary have already set once more, and lots of will most likely observe. Xpeng, nevertheless, appears to be right here to remain. Beginning at 49,600 euros, the P7 rolls to prospects as a rear-wheel drive mannequin – the German automotive trade has but to give you an ample reply on this worth vary. In August, we additionally examined the P7’s huge brother, the Xpeng G9 electrical SUV. Yow will discover our automotive evaluation right here.