Oddball looks aside this luxury MPV packs some serious errr… luxury things, and we think it is seriously very good
Singapore – You might get tired of seeing them, since close to fifty-percent of brand offerings are now Chinese. Many can be quite literally seen as the “white goods” of transportation, but among the many new energy vehicles on offer, there are some which I think stand out as pretty solid offerings. The XPENG X9 electric MPV is one of these.
Believe me when I say that this angular-blocky spaceship is the most left-of-field among the “big three” Chinese luxury electric EVs (the others being the Denza D9 and the Zeekr 009). It is one of those designs that either sits well with you, or sends a scowl. But if you feel that MPVs are generally boring, the X9 is edgy from the ground up – a refreshing take on a luxury people mover. That aggressive sloping rear windshield is perhaps the most unique feature.
The luxury people mover sits on 20-inch wheels, set with their own floating centre caps – possibly a nod to wafty Roller aspirations?
But whichever way you might see it, the Chinese have taken on the Japanese at their MPV ‘A-game’, and have won over quite a respectable customer base. The MPV is XPENG’s second offering, after the G6 premium SUV.
Futuristic lounge
Like its Chinese counterparts, the X9’s interior is lounge-like. Our test car’s white-on-black upholstery and fittings are comforting to the eye, and I have to say that the build quality is nothing short of impressive.
You’d be right to say that just about all the car’s features are located on the infotainment, which is a constant theme with many Chinese cars. The 17.3-inch “floating” infotainment screen features an easy to navigate interface, but although having a clean dashboard is neat, I would still want physical buttons and dials to properly adjust the air-conditioning. That said, while I like that XPENG has neatly incorporated the air-conditioning vents into the dashboard, the direction of airflow can only be adjusted via the infotainment à la Porsche Taycan.
The middle row captain seats are the best place to be. Over here, you get a super-comfortable one-touch recline ‘Zero-gravity’ set-up, ventilation and massage. There is even a wireless pad for you to charge your phone. There is also a drawer-style refrigeration unit located at the base of the centre console, just in-case you need a place to put that random fish you bought on the way to meet your friends.
XPENG’s efforts to keep things mellow within the passenger compartment include windless air-conditioning vents, which do the job silently, and without cold drafts – great, especially when you enter the cabin on an extremely hot day.
Entertainment comes in the form of a 21.4-inch retractable screen, pre-loaded with major streaming services. This is paired with a premium Xopera audio system which has 23 speakers in all.
I found the third row pleasantly spacious. Access to it is done with just a touch of a button to roll the corresponding middle seat out of the day. While you are not going to receive the same level of pampering as the middle, they do electrically recline, and you also get USB-C ports for charging your mobile devices.
What in the wafty flying carpet is this?
The XPENG X9 is powered by a single motor, producing 319hp and 450Nm, driving the front wheels. While you can get the front wheels to chirp at times, the luxury MPV delivers a confident drive, and I have to give it top marks for cabin insulation.
The XPENG’s sublime ride quality seems reminiscent of the ZEEKR 009, since it also is endowed with a dual-chamber air-suspension. The other bit of tech that you’d probably not think twice about is the anti-motion sickness algorithm, which utilises AI models to scan the road as you drive. Over here, the system not only makes fine adjustments to the suspension’s damping to mitigate pitch and roll, but also allows for greater wheel articulation where needed. Interestingly, the MPV’s suspension can be adjusted not just for access, but also for height.
Despite its size, and its 3,160mm wheelbase, the XPENG X9 is easy to manoeuvre around town and in tight spaces. It has a small 5.4m turn radius, which is achieved via the help of the rear wheels, which can steer 5-degrees in the opposite direction.
I guess you could call it a space-ship…
With its space-ship looks, where in some cases you’re not sure if it’s coming or going, the XPENG X9 delivers yacht-like comfort, with the space and the luxurious trappings you’d expect from ultra-luxury offerings.
Photos & Text: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sublime ride quality | Size can be an issue in some tighter carparks |
| Tight turn circle | Lack of physical buttons |
| Plenty of tech | Air-conditioning needs time to cool on a warm day |
XPENG X9 Electric Premium 101.5kWh
| Drivetrain | Full Electric |
| Layout | Single Motor, Front-wheel Drive |
| Motor power / torque | 319hp / 450Nm |
| Battery capacity | 101.5kWh |
| Efficiency | 20kWh/100km |
| Electric Range | 590km |
| 0-100km/h | 7.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200km/h |
| VES Band | A1 |
| Dealer | XPremium BEV |
| Price | S$336,999 with COE and VES |
| Verdict | Comfortable, futuristic, luxurious and easy to manage |
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