Design driven: Xpeng G6 refresh

We last drove the Xpeng G6 in June 2025 and found it to be an accomplished, inoffensive electric crossover for not a lot of money. That description positions it in quite contested territory, but we felt there was limited visual intrigue to help it stand out from the crowd. Has its recent refresh helped? Perhaps marginally.

Updates are rather subtle and primarily tech-based with faster charging, a new dual-motor performance variant and a more "intuitive, responsive and connected driving experience." Indeed, press materials lead with the fact that this updated model "represents a significant step forward in Xpeng’s engineering, technology and design capability." Is it too cynical to note that design sits last in that list? 

At first glance, a comparison of the 'old' G6 against this refreshed version reveals almost no tangible difference to the exterior. That's not necessarily a negative. The G6 is quite a good looking thing in the metal, despite what some polluted comment sections may say. In many ways it epitomises the "is it a coupe/is it an SUV" aesthetic, with a fast, swooping roofline and long wheelbase, aggressive wheel design and 'floating' boot spoiler, but its height ultimately pushes it much closer to the three letter acronym. 

Look a little closer, for a little longer, and there are tweaks here and there. The Xpeng logo now sits above the DRL and is no longer integrated within it, while the front grille has a new meshed pattern. The wheel arches are now smoothed without the half-moon contrast outline like before, and the upper boot spoiler is joined by a lower ducktail-esque flick below the window line.

With the logo moved, it is now officially a full-width front light bar. These designs already feel a little played out, and even with its bow-like flick at either corner the G6 might easily be confused with a competitor brand. 

The auxiliary question — do potential buyers care — is an important follow up that will no doubt become clear over time. Less a criticism of Xpeng and more a reflection of broader homogeneity: so many brands associate a horizontal DRL with "the future." We appreciate the effort to avoid a completely flat line across the nose of the car, but in the broad scheme of things, it is too nuanced to separate the G6 from the pack. 

The interior is finished very nicely with soft touch materials in most areas. It feels premium and well put together, and ultimately a strong execution of the spacey-minimalist aesthetic. It takes a while for the updates to become obvious, but we are told the cabin has been "refined [...] with upgraded materials and acoustic insulation." The centre console features wireless charging for two phones and a hefty cupholder, with storage underneath the floating unit (ambient light makes it easy to later find items that have been tossed down there flippantly). 

The oblong-shaped wheel took a little getting used to. Initially, it feels cumbersome and somewhat awkward, but soon becomes comfortable and — paired with exceptionally tight steering and pin-point turning — makes for very responsive steering indeed. That open shape also makes it easy to see the small 10.25" display housing the instrument cluster, which is no longer integrated and now appears 'tacked on' to the air vents behind. There is no danger of missing the much larger 15.6" central screen on the IP. 

In a market where more is more — and 'new' becomes 'old' faster than ever — it is refreshing to see a conservative revamp

On the ambient lighting front, a pleasant series of fluted bars form a horizontal line along the dash — purple by default — which ties in with a similar bead of light that swoops across the door cards. It's not to this writer's taste, but we can report it was not distracting at night. One comment of note: our test car had a slight whiff of glue or plastic, something we have noticed with several cars on test recently. Anecdotally, this has been attributed to the compounds of some vegan leathers. We suspect the smell would fade after a while.

There is now a broader range of colours on offer too, including a pleasant lilac dubbed 'Stellar Purple' that reminds us of the Taycan in 'Provence'. Unlike the Porsche, the G6's lilac is more of a sparkled matte finish. There is also a 'Black' edition, which should not need too much description: body, wheels and trim are all black, while bright orange brake calipers break the theme. 

Credit must go to whoever opted for top spec Michelin tyres which beyond silent, sticky performance, carry a soft velvet-like coating on the outer sidewall. Another example to bolster the argument that tyres add aesthetic value when done right. 

Final thoughts on the G6 below, but more interesting forms ultimately lurk elsewhere in the Xpeng portfolio, created by a strong European-centric design team which counts former Ferrari man JuanMa Lopez, Rafik Ferrag (ex-Honda), Joan Melenchon (SEAT) and Alain Simon (Lamborghini). Head clay modeller, Mat Nicholson, also brings hefty experience from the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes and Bugatti. 

The P7+ (revealed in Brussels last year) is certainly distinctive with its stretched fastback silhouette and split-level tail. The X9 minivan also cuts an interesting figure with its folded paper side creases and funky window graphic — with a wheelbase that almost rivals the enormous Li Auto Mega. 

The G6 remains a well rounded and handsome product that does look better on the road than it does on a phone screen. And in a market where more is more — and new becomes old faster than ever — it is refreshing to see a conservative revamp. Perhaps the answer to standing out is sticking when other brands twist.