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Final yr, over 17 million EVs had been produced globally, and China made most of them.
Our reviewer drove the XPeng X9, a seven-seater EV minivan, round Singapore for 3 days.
The again seats felt like enterprise class, and it made him rethink what a individuals mover could be.
Chinese language EVs are coming in each form and dimension — together with luxurious minivans.
I spent three days driving the XPeng X9 round Singapore to search out out what this futuristic people-mover is all about. I used to be critically impressed.
XPeng, based in 2014 and based mostly in Guangzhou, is not simply making EVs — it is also dabbling in flying automobiles and robotics, making it one of many extra bold gamers amongst a cutthroat international battle for transportation dominance.
“Competitors in 2025 will probably be fiercer than ever,” XPeng’s CEO, He Xiaopeng, wrote in a letter to workers final yr. He added that the following two years mark the “elimination spherical.”
In 2024, over 17 million EVs had been produced globally, a 25% soar from 2023. Over 70% of them had been made in China, per the Worldwide Power Company.
As of March 2025, XPeng is promoting automobiles throughout Asia and Europe, with plans to broaden to the Center East and Africa.
The X9 was impressed by the CEO’s expertise balancing household life along with his position as an entrepreneur and a “hands-on father,” Alex Tang, the top of XPeng’s worldwide gross sales and repair division, instructed Enterprise Insiderin a press release.
“He envisioned a car that drives with the agility of an SUV, carries the modern silhouette of a coupe, and delivers the consolation and practicality of a premium MPV,” Tang stated.
On the surface
The form of the minivan has a daring trapezoidal twist.
Azfar Hashim
The seven-seater X9, first launched in October 2023, is priced between 359,800 and 419,800 Chinese language yuan, or $50,185 and $58,550.
It grabbed my consideration immediately, principally due to its form. As a substitute of following the standard luxurious minivan system, XPeng gave it a daring, trapezoidal twist.
It feels just like the Tesla Cybertruck of the EV multipurpose car world: sharply styled, tech-packed, and constructed to rethink what a individuals mover could be. The proportions and features are spot-on, topped off with modern 20-inch alloys.
Getting behind the wheel
The X9 is massive and longer than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Azfar Hashim
The X9 is massive — actually massive. At 208 inches lengthy, 78 inches large, and 70 inches tall, it is the longest of any Chinese language electrical minivan available on the market. Whereas it isn’t the slimmest in width, its total dimensions nonetheless make it probably the most space-efficient in its class. For perspective, it is even longer than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
However the actual shock was how simply it maneuvered into tight parking spots, even parallel ones. XPeng has outfitted it with an easy-to-use park help system.
XPeng X9 is supplied with an easy-to-use park help system.
Azfar Hashim
It may park itself in order for you it to. However for those who’re like me and like doing it your self, the community of cameras and sensors makes the job stress-free.
The system is known as XPilot Parking. Whereas it isn’t a operate that is distinctive to the XPeng, no BYD fashions — the world’s largest electrical car maker — provide the identical function.
One other neat social gathering trick: rear-wheel steering. It provides the X9 an edge in maneuverability — a function sometimes reserved for high-end luxurious sedans just like the BMW 7 Collection. It actually shines on winding roads or when a sizzling hatch is tailgating and you could keep sharp.
XPeng says the X9’s WLTP vary exceeds 350 miles on a single cost. I could not validate it, as I solely coated 160 miles in the course of the three-day drive.
On the within
Air suspension could be set to Consolation, Commonplace, or Sport.
Azfar Hashim
The X9 comes fitted with customary air suspension, which you’ll be able to set to Consolation, Commonplace, or Sport on your completely different driving moods.
I discovered that for a luxurious minivan like this, Sport appeared pointless.
The setting stiffens the suspension. Whereas it reduces physique roll and improves total dealing with, it additionally transmits extra bumps and street imperfections, compromising trip consolation for everybody on board.
Lots of the options could be managed from the 17.3-inch touchscreen.
Azfar Hashim
This suspension permits drivers to boost or decrease the automotive on the contact of a button on the 17.3-inch touchscreen. Elevate it when there’s flooding, or drop it for simpler entry when passengers are getting in or out. No different EV minivan presents this function.
The Chinese language have actually nailed the artwork of crafting luxurious interiors, and the X9 is not any exception.
Many Chinese language automobiles, together with the X9, now come customary with huge screens, premium supplies like leather-based and high-quality plastics, and even reclining rear seats with therapeutic massage capabilities. Options that had been as soon as reserved for top-tier German manufacturers are actually frequent within the newest era of Chinese language autos.
One of many coolest touches of XPeng’s minivan: The rear air con vents are seamlessly built-in into the ceiling, like one thing you’d see in a conference corridor.
Journey within the again
The second row has a pair of captain’s chairs.
Azfar Hashim
A automotive just like the X9 makes calling “shotgun” pointless — the perfect seats are within the again. A pair of captain’s chairs presents loads of controls to search out your candy spot, plus a 3rd row that is actually probably the most comfy and well-cushioned I’ve seen in my 23 years of reviewing automobiles.
As soon as once more, XPeng exhibits critical consideration to element: The third row, normally the place you stash somebody you’d slightly not hear yapping the entire trip, isn’t solely simple to entry however really comfy for adults.
A mini fridge to maintain drinks chilly for these seated within the again.
Azfar Hashim
Since this can be a luxurious minivan, passengers within the again get pampered with perks like a built-in fridge to maintain drinks chilled and a 21.4-inch leisure display screen.
And for those who’ve received youngsters, you possibly can hook up an Xbox to maintain them entertained as a substitute of listening to them confuse you with their Gen Alpha slang.
There is a 21.4-inch leisure display screen for motion pictures or to hook up an Xbox.
Azfar Hashim
XPeng’s X9 is full of all of the creature comforts you possibly can need — after which some. This is not the sort of minivan millennials and Gen X grew up driving in.