2026 XPENG G9 Performance
Published Date :
With 575 PS, a luxurious five-seat cabin, adaptive air suspension and lightning-quick 525 kW charging, the AED 232,000 XPENG G9 Performance combines serious pace with premium-SUV comfort, making it a dark horse among its Chinese rivals.
XPENG may still be unfamiliar to many UAE buyers, but it is a brand with plenty to offer. The G9 sits in the mid-to-large premium electric SUV segment, often classified as the E-segment in Europe, with prices starting at AED 192,500 or approximately $52,400. We sampled the dual-motor AWD Performance version, priced at AED 232,000, or around $63,200.
Exterior design: Sleek silhouette sparks intrigue
Measuring 4,891 mm long, 1,937 mm wide and 1,680 mm tall, with a 2,998 mm wheelbase, the G9 is a large five-seat electric SUV. XPENG calls its styling the signature XBOT design, featuring a grille-free front and a slim LED daytime-running-light strip spanning the fascia. Separate headlamps and a large lower air intake add visual interest.
The gently tapering roofline, flush door handles and restrained surfacing create a sleek silhouette that disguises its size. Its minimalist front and flowing profile recall other premium models, including the NIO ES9 and Li Auto L9, with hints of Lucid from certain angles.
Our black Performance test car looked understated yet purposeful on intricate 21-inch black multi-spoke wheels, with orange brake callipers adding a subtle performance accent. At the rear, a full-width light bar incorporates dotted detailing to create a distinctive signature.
Overall, the G9 looks modern and premium, befitting a 21st-century EV without relying on an oversized grille, excessive chrome or exaggerated bodywork.
Interior
The G9’s interior is another example of daring simplicity, maintaining visual interest while remaining functional. Its dual-tone orange-and-black cabin makes a strong statement, with perforated Nappa leather covering the broad, supportive seats and orange trim extending across the dashboard and doors. Matching orange seatbelts add an unexpected sporting touch.
Material quality is convincing, with metallic Dynaudio speaker grilles, neat stitching, damped door grab handles and a soft-opening glovebox. The Dynaudio system also delivers clear, powerful sound.
A compact two-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a 10.25-inch digital driver display. Beside it are two floating 14.96-inch screens—the cabin’s technological highlight—with one serving the central infotainment system and the other providing entertainment for the front passenger.
The displays are bright and impressive, but the infotainment system could be more intuitive. Several steering, mirror and vehicle settings are buried within menus. However, the navigation system works well, showing alternative routes with different journey times, while the clear 360-degree camera simplifies manoeuvring.
Air-conditioning performance is strong, although the low-mounted central vents are not ideally positioned. XPENG’s Mindfulness Space feature combines lighting, audio and seat settings to create a relaxing environment while parked. The fixed panoramic roof brightens the cabin, but its lack of a retractable blind may be less appealing during the UAE summer.
The centre console includes two wireless chargers, cupholders and a lower shelf with USB-A, USB-C and a 180W outlet.
Rear space is excellent, with around four inches of knee clearance behind a seat adjusted for a six-foot driver. The outer rear seats offer electric adjustment, massage and ventilation, with cooling controls on the doors and USB-A and USB-C ports nearby.
The 660-litre boot expands to 1,576 litres with the electrically folding second row lowered. It includes a tonneau cover, storage net, loading plates, a Dynaudio woofer and another 180W outlet.
Powertrain and performance
The G9’s interior is another example of daring simplicity, maintaining visual interest while remaining functional. Its dual-tone orange-and-black cabin makes a strong statement, with perforated Nappa leather covering the broad, supportive seats and orange trim extending across the dashboard and doors. Matching orange seatbelts add an unexpected sporting touch.
Material quality is convincing, with metallic Dynaudio speaker grilles, neat stitching, damped door grab handles and a soft-opening glovebox. The Dynaudio system also delivers clear, powerful sound.
A compact two-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a 10.25-inch digital driver display. Beside it are two floating 14.96-inch screens—the cabin’s technological highlight—with one serving the central infotainment system and the other providing entertainment for the front passenger.
The displays are bright and impressive, but the infotainment system could be more intuitive. Several steering, mirror and vehicle settings are buried within menus. However, the navigation system works well, showing alternative routes with different journey times, while the clear 360-degree camera simplifies manoeuvring.
Air-conditioning performance is strong, although the low-mounted central vents are not ideally positioned. XPENG’s Mindfulness Space feature combines lighting, audio and seat settings to create a relaxing environment while parked. The fixed panoramic roof brightens the cabin, but its lack of a retractable blind may be less appealing during the UAE summer.
The centre console includes two wireless chargers, cupholders and a lower shelf with USB-A, USB-C and a 180W outlet.
Rear space is excellent, with around four inches of knee clearance behind a seat adjusted for a six-foot driver. The outer rear seats offer electric adjustment, massage and ventilation, with cooling controls on the doors and USB-A and USB-C ports nearby.
The 660-litre boot expands to 1,576 litres with the electrically folding second row lowered. It includes a tonneau cover, storage net, loading plates, a Dynaudio woofer and another 180W outlet.
Verdict
The 2026 XPENG G9 Performance makes an impressive first impression. Its sleek, almost slithering silhouette—especially in black—suits the urgency of its nearly 600 PS electric powertrain, which should excite enthusiasts and teenagers alike, without compromising its adult responsibilities as a spacious and comfortable five-seat family SUV.
The cabin feels genuinely premium, with supportive Nappa leather seats, generous rear accommodation, strong air conditioning, an excellent Dynaudio system and distinctive orange-and-black trim. A wealth of technology, composed ride quality and a practical 660-litre boot complete the package.
Its claimed 540 km range appeared realistic based on our initial display reading, while 525 kW charging places it among the fastest-charging production EVs available.
It is not perfect: the infotainment system requires familiarisation, too many settings are buried within menus, the low central air vents are not ideally positioned and the panoramic roof lacks a physical blind. XPENG may also lack the marketing presence of some Chinese rivals. Even so, at AED 232,000, the G9 Performance should appeal equally to performance-focused EV buyers and families seeking a fast, refined and practical electric SUV.
