The market for electric vehicles (EVs) is getting more competitive, and the Xpeng P7 is a strong candidate from China’s quickly growing car industry. Xpeng Motors, which started in 2014, released the P7 in 2020. It’s a sleek, tech-filled midsize sedan that competes with the Tesla Model 3 and high-end European cars like the BMW i4 and Mercedes-Benz EQE. The P7 is making waves in China and is now available in other countries as well. It has a long range, advanced driver assistance systems, and prices that are competitive. Here’s a closer look at what makes the Xpeng P7 stand out in the crowded world of electric vehicles.
Design and Build: A Look from the Future
The Xpeng P7 has a sleek, simple design that is both stylish and aerodynamic. With a wheelbase of 2,998 mm, a length of 4,888 mm, a width of 1,896 mm, and a height of 1,450 mm, it is bigger than the Tesla Model 3 but smaller than the Model S. This makes it a roomy midsize sedan. With a full-length LED light bar at the front and back, its sleek fastback shape gives it a futuristic look that feels both modern and timeless. The low-set front and hidden door handles help the car have a drag coefficient of 0.236, which makes it more efficient and gives it a longer range.
The inside of the P7’s cabin is a mix of high-end and high-tech. The simple dashboard has a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.96-inch central touchscreen that runs Xpeng’s Xmart OS. The high-quality materials, like Nappa leather or leatherette upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof, give it a premium feel. Some reviewers, on the other hand, say that the fit and finish is better than that of early Chinese EVs but not quite as good as that of established luxury brands. They also say that hard plastics are sometimes used in less-touched areas. The boot has 440 liters of space, but the saloon-style opening makes it harder to get to than a hatchback.
Power Meets Efficiency in Performance and Range
There are many different versions of the P7, so you can choose one that fits your needs for performance and price. The rear-wheel-drive single-motor model has 272 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. The Performance model, which has all-wheel drive, has 467 horsepower and 558 lb-ft of torque, and it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Both versions get their power from an 86.2 kWh battery (82.7 kWh usable). The single-motor model has a WLTP range of up to 358 miles, while the Performance model has a CLTC range of 379 miles. Tests in the real world have shown that the P7 can go more than 4 miles per kWh, which makes its range competitive with the best EVs.
Charging is another area where it shines. Thanks to Xpeng’s smart thermal management system, the P7 can charge quickly, going from 10% to 80% in about 29 minutes. It doesn’t have the 800-volt architecture of some competitors, but for most users, its efficiency and charging speed are more than enough.
The way the P7 drives is one of its best features. Reviewers like how sharp and responsive the steering is and how well the body controls itself, which makes it feel sportier than its G9 SUV sibling. The P7 doesn’t have as many features as a BMW i4, but it rides well and handles bumps in the road well. However, the base model’s standard suspension may not be as advanced as that of competitors that use air springs. There are two regenerative braking modes: high and low. This lets you drive with just one pedal or with a more traditional feel, and the transition between regenerative and mechanical braking is smooth.
AI-Powered Innovation in Technology and Driver Assistance
The P7 shows off Xpeng’s tech-forward approach, which is what makes the company strong. The Xmart OS infotainment system is quick and has a lot of features. The “Hey XPENG” assistant lets you control everything from windows to climate settings with your voice. But the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a big problem because Xpeng cares more about its own ecosystem. Some testers said that early European models had problems with their systems that made them slow, crash, or show Chinese text that wasn’t translated. However, these problems can be fixed with over-the-air (OTA) updates.
The P7’s XPILOT 3.0 (which is upgraded to 3.5 in the P7+ version) is a great feature that gives you advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). It has 31 sensors, such as 5 millimeter-wave radars, 14 high-definition cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. It can do things like adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, and parking by itself. The P7i’s XNGP system lets it do city-level navigation-guided pilot (NGP) in China, which is a step toward Level 3 autonomy. However, European models are only able to do Level 2 because of rules. The P7+ has a vision-based “AI Hawkeye” system instead of Lidar, which is similar to Tesla’s approach. However, its effectiveness is still being tested.
Pricing and Market Position: A Value Proposition
The P7 is a good deal in Europe, with prices starting at about €43,500 (£36,530) for the single-motor model in places like the Netherlands. This is less than the Tesla Model 3 Long Range. Prices in China range from RMB 209,800 ($29,545) for the P7+ to RMB 429,900 ($67,550) for the best Performance model. The P7 is a good value because it has high-end features for less money than many competitors. But the way the inside fits and finishes and the software problems may turn off people who are used to buying German or American brands.
The Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and BYD Seal are all tough competitors for the P7. It has the same or better range and price as the Model 3, but it might have problems because it isn’t well-known and there isn’t much service infrastructure in Europe. Xpeng is growing quickly. It already sells in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands, and by 2025 it plans to sell in Germany, the UK, and more. There is talk of making a right-hand-drive version for the UK, which could come out in late 2025 or early 2026.
The P7+: A Big Change
The new P7+, which was shown off at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, is based on the P7 and has a bigger body (5,056 mm), a drag coefficient of 0.206, and a huge trunk that can hold 725 liters of stuff and can be expanded to 2,221 liters. It has a range of up to 710 km (CLTC) and an all-wheel drive option with two motors that can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The XNGP ADAS system, which uses AI and vision-based autonomy instead of Lidar, is a step toward making self-driving features available to everyone. People like the car’s roomy interior and high-tech features, but its liftback design and controversial styling (especially the “double-end” tailgate) may turn some people off. The P7+ is marketed as a family-friendly choice, but its size may make it more appealing in the US than in Europe.
Verdict: A Strong Candidate with Room to Improve
The Xpeng P7 is a huge success for a company that has only been around for a few years. Its combination of range, performance, and technology is on par with those of established competitors, but its prices are lower than those of many others. The driving experience is fun, the inside is luxurious (if not perfect), and the software has a lot of promise, even though it had some problems at first. The P7 is a great choice for buyers looking for a high-tech EV that offers a lot of value, especially in places where Xpeng has a strong service network.
But there are still problems to solve. It may not be as appealing because it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the software doesn’t always work well, and the brand isn’t very well-known around the world. As Xpeng improves its software and grows its business, the P7 and its P7+ sibling could become real threats to Tesla and other old car companies. It’s a brave step forward for a young company that is clearly here to stay.
