What's the difference?
The XPeng G6 is this Chinese brand’s rival to the Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X and I am testing the updated version of the model that originally arrived in Australia in 2024.
This new and vastly improved G6 has some important differences compared with the original. But fear not, I’ll take you through all of this.
The grade on test is the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Long Range which I think is the pick of the line-up that also includes an entry grade Rear Wheel Drive Standard Range and the top-spec Performance. There’s also a Performance Black that sits above this too, but it’s more of a cosmetic styling package to add a bit of ‘attitude’ to this SUV.
My family and I lived with the updated XPeng G6 RWD Long Range for a week. I am impressed, but I have a few notes of what I'd change as well.
Unveiled globally in 2022 before arriving here in late 2024 as a plug-in hybrid GT, the Peugeot 408 has been a niche player for the long-established French brand with less than 100 examples finding homes here last year.
But 2025 marked the transition to a new ‘plug-less’ mild-hybrid powertrain for the mid-size crossover-style SUV with the hope it may take a bigger swing at segment heavyweights.
We spent a week with the current 408 GT Premium Hybrid to see if its efficiency-focused petrol-electric set-up has what it takes to win a spot on your upscale five-seat SUV shopping list.
I can’t say this was the verdict I was expecting going into the XPeng G6 with no major expectations, but I really like this car. It's not only a fantastic EV with future-proof tech, but it’s practical, stylish and a great car to drive.
Mainstream carmakers should be worried if we’re seeing cars this good from brands that have only been building vehicles for a few years.
The Peugeot 408 GT Hybrid delivers heaps of standard equipment and safety tech for what is now a much more competitive price. It’s also super fuel-efficient, which is right for these turbulent times, offers thoughtful practicality and the wagon-fastback-crossover-SUV look is striking. The price paid for miserly economy is a peaky small-engine powertrain and the ownership promise isn’t exactly class-leading. That said, it deserves consideration in its new, even more competitive under $60K mid-size SUV segment.