Day: September 28, 2022

The young company unveiled the G9 last year but just announced new details about the tech-packed model as it prepares to start customer deliveries.

Depending on the specific version chosen, the G9 will cost buyers between $43,800 and $66,400 in China (at current exchange rates).

Xpeng also has its sights set on Europe and says you’ll be able to buy a G9 in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands.

The G9 doesn’t disappoint on that front, according to estimates Xpeng provided.

The SUV promises to travel an impressive 702 kilometers (436 miles) per charge in its longest-range trim.

Base models can drive 570 kilometers (354 miles) between fill-ups, Xpeng says.

Xpeng claims the G9 is the “world’s fastest-charging electric SUV.”

Some models will be able to add 124 miles of driving range after just five minutes plugged into one of Xpeng’s high-powered charging stations.

Like Tesla, Xpeng is building out its own charging network. It has 1,000 locations in China and plans to add another 500 stations featuring its highest-powered plugs in 2023.

Tesla owners can expect to add up to 200 miles in 15 minutes of charging at a Supercharger, the company says.

Standard G9 models aim to recharge their battery packs from 10% to 80% in a brief 15 minutes.

The SUV will also have bidirectional-charging capability, allowing it to share battery power with outside appliances and devices.

The G9 won’t lack power either, with the all-wheel-drive performance model promising to hit 62 mph in 3.9 seconds.

In addition to speedy acceleration, solid range, and impressive charging speeds, the G9 gets smooth, upscale styling with flush door handles.

The interior looks sufficiently swanky.

It includes calf rests for front passengers…

… an expansive touchscreen …

The steering wheel has an unusual two-spoke design, rather than the usual three.

Xpeng also equipped the G9 with its latest semi-automated driving feature, which rivals Tesla Autopilot.

It promises to navigate highways (including interchanges), change lanes, and automatically drive to saved parking spots.

The G9 goes on sale in China in October, followed by international markets.

Slowly but surely, car companies are going electric. More buyers than ever are considering the switch from fossil fuels.

What’s great for early adopters is that automakers are using cutting-edge electric models as a testing ground for new and interesting designs and capabilities.

It’s a bonus, one-of-a-kind storage area running between R1T’s back seats and bed.

Plus, buyers can add on a slide-out Camp Kitchen complete with a sink, cutting board, utensils, and induction cooktop.

The Gear Tunnel opens from both sides. Both doors house extra goodies like a first aid kit.

Rivian’s R1S SUV sets itself apart with extraordinary off-road capability.

Simply point the seven-seat SUV at a deep creek, steep incline, or mass of boulders, and step on the accelerator. Its four powerful motors, adjustable air suspension, and advanced all-wheel-drive system handle the rest.

In Tesla’s Model Y, the star of the show is its minimalist, technology-packed interior.

Tesla rejects almost all conventional buttons and gauges in favor of a sleek and uncluttered look.

And tech geeks will get a kick out of the big, snappy touchscreen that controls basic vehicle settings and receives software updates.

Fun built-in features like a racing game (which uses the actual steering wheel), drawing pad, and Netflix ensure you’ll never be bored while charging up.

Kia’s spaceship-like EV6 has a trick up its sleeve in the form of bidirectional charging capability.

The clever feature involves using an adapter that plugs into the charge port.

From there, you can power things things like speakers, an electric cooktop, or a coffee maker. I used the EV6 to make breakfast.

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 shares its guts with the EV6, so it can also power your toaster or hair dryer on the go.

But the best thing about driving the Ioniq 5 is just how cool it makes you feel.

Its retrofuturistic styling — complete with origami-like angles and lights comprised of dozens of little pixels — makes it stand out from regular blob-shaped SUVs.

In addition to top-tier handling and absurd acceleration, the Porsche Taycan delivers astonishingly quick charging speeds.

It can charge at a peak rate of 270 kilowatts, faster than most electric cars, meaning 5% to 80% can happen in just 22.5 minutes.

The Polestar 2 showed me that big touchscreens in cars don’t have to be scary.

The thought of going without regular buttons may repel some buyers. But the sporty sedan’s Google-powered infotainment system isn’t clunky like some other vehicle touchscreens.

Instead, both the main display and digital instrument panel are remarkably intuitive, simple, and pretty to look at. Hyper-realistic graphics of the vehicle are a nice touch.

BMW’s first electric SUV for American buyers makes up for its polarizing, slightly buck-toothed looks with a palatial interior.

The $96,000 iX I drove cocooned me in generous amounts of supple leather.

It had a massaging driver’s seat, a slim, floating screen, and plenty of gold trim.

The Ford F-150 Lightning’s biggest superpower is how normal it feels. Ford took the F-150 and injected it with electric power without sacrificing the familiarity of America’s favorite truck.

But the Lightning brings some big advantages. It has outlets throughout that can provide serious amounts of electricity for power tools and tailgating accessories.

The Lightning’s goofily named Mega Power Frunk also deserves a mention. The front trunk gives truck buyers something they’ve never really had before: Lockable, weather-proof storage outside of the bed.

It also offers power outlets and a big, wide opening to make loading things even easier.

Likewise, one of the Ford Mustang Mach-E’s handiest features is its frunk.

It’s made of hard plastic and has a drain hole, making it the perfect spot to stow muddy shoes and wet gear. Lots of electric SUVs go without a frunk, giving the Mach-E a leg up.