XPeng G6 vs Tesla Model Y, which is worth your money?
The XPeng G6 is taking on the Tesla Model Y with a lower price, rapid charging and plenty of technology. But is it actually the better electric SUV?
The XPeng G6 and Tesla Model Y are competing for much the same buyer, but they go about it in rather different ways. Both are electric family SUVs with plenty of range, lots of technology and a relatively minimalist approach to the interior.
One comes from a Chinese manufacturer still trying to establish itself in Britain. The other helped create the market in the first place.
The XPeng G6 starts at around £40,000, while the current Model Y range begins at roughly £42,000, depending on version and specification. The gap isn’t enormous, which makes this a much more interesting comparison than simply saying one is cheaper than the other.
Which has the better range?
The G6 makes a particularly strong argument on equipment and battery technology. The Long Range model has an 80.8kWh battery and a claimed 326-mile range, while the Performance version produces around 480bhp and can reach 62mph in 4.1 seconds.
Tesla counters with a more mature overall package. The latest Model Y can offer up to 387 miles of claimed range in Premium AWD form, while the Premium Long Range RWD version is rated at up to 378 miles, and Tesla says the latter can add up to 160 miles in 15 minutes under its stated charging conditions.
For drivers who regularly cover long distances, that extra range could make the Tesla the easier choice. The XPeng’s charging capability still remains one of its strongest selling points, though.
Which electric SUV is more practical?
Both cars are designed around family use, and neither is short of space. Tesla claims more than 2,100 litres of cargo capacity with the seats folded, while the G6 offers a similarly spacious cabin and a 571-litre boot.
The bigger difference comes in how the cars feel to use. The G6 puts a lot of its functions through screens, while Tesla has taken that philosophy even further by removing many traditional physical controls.
Some buyers will appreciate the clean interiors. Others will find themselves wishing that simple functions were easier to operate without navigating a touchscreen.
Is the XPeng G6 better than the Tesla Model Y?
There’s also the question of what you want the car to say about you. The Model Y is now an extremely familiar sight, whereas the G6 is still unusual enough that people will ask what it is.
That shouldn’t determine a £40,000-plus purchase, but it does illustrate how XPeng is trying to tempt buyers away from the obvious choice.
If you want the safest all-round decision, the Tesla remains difficult to ignore. If you’re prepared to consider a newer name, and want as much equipment, space and charging ability as possible for your money, the G6 deserves a proper look.
The difference between them is much easier to judge once you’ve actually sat in both, and probably why you should book a test drive before making a decision.
If you’re considering the XPeng G6, City AM readers can book a test drive here.