XPENG G6

It isn't only the styling that has a Tesla look.

So does the powertrain line-up.

Things kick off as before with the Standard Range rear-driven model that uses a 68.5kWh LFP battery that energises a 262bhp motor with 440Nm of torque, able to propel the car to 62mph in 6.9s; EV range is 292 miles (22 miles more than before).

Most though, are expected to want the mid-level rear-driven Long Range variant, which has 292bhp and makes 62mph in 6.7s.

This volume variant now has a newly-introduced state-of-the-art lithium-iron-phosphate LFP battery, but because its capacity has fallen to 80.8kWh (down from the 87.5kWh figure of the previous NCM battery pack), range has fallen to 326 miles (down from 354 miles before). At the top of the line-up, as you'd expect, is an AWD dual motor model badged 'AWD Performance'.

Here, the same 80.8kWh LFP battery powers a motor on both axles that together generate 483bhp with 680Nm of torque, enough to take the G6 to 62mph very rapidly indeed - 4.1s on the way to the 124mph top speed that all versions of this car share.

EV range is 316 miles (24 miles less than before). All G6s offer a choice of four driving modes - 'Normal', 'Sport', 'Eco' and 'All-terrain'.

And, unlike with a Tesla Model Y, you get to select varying levels of brake regen.

There are four; light, medium, high and 'X-Pedal', the latter slowing the car dramatically when you come off the throttle.

As before, Xpeng also provides a choice of three 'drive sounds'; 'Traditional Engine' doesn't sound anything like a traditional engine, but it's certainly better than the other-worldly feel you get with the other two options - 'Space Floating' and 'Time Warp'.

And you can choose between three Power Steering settings, with the 'Sport' option quite direct but none of them particularly feelsome. There's quite a firm ride, despite the advanced 5-link rear suspension and supposedly sophisticated multi-valve Sachs multi-valve passive dampers - adaptive damping isn't offered.

Despite that, perhaps predictably, the driving dynamics aren't especially involving, though to be fair the G6 is reasonably agile through the bends for a 2.1-tonne EV crossover, helped by the stiff SEPA 2.0 platform.

Obviously, it's much more in its element at a cruise, where you'll appreciate the vast number of 'XPilot 2.5' camera drive assist features and the fact that all the binging and bonging that comes with them isn't too intrusive.

You'll also appreciate this car's excellent refinement, helped by the double-glazed glass.

You probably won't choose a G6 just because of how it looks, but there's nothing to repel you here either.

Not much has changed as part of this update.

Smarter front lights have shifted the badge position, the wheelarches have become colour-coded and a rear diffuser sits below a small ducktail spoiler. As before, the shape is slightly more Coupe-SUV than most of its rivals and broadly replicates the mid-sized crossover dimensions of the Tesla Model Y whose sales it wants to replicate.

At 4.75-metres long, 1.92-metres wide and 1.65-metres tall, this car fits squarely in the mid-sized EV crossover segment.

Xpeng says the styling was influenced by 'the world of sci-fi fantasy', but to us, the influences seem to be far more those of segment rivals.

Still, a lot of thought's gone in here.

There are hidden door handles, a grille with active flaps that shut at speed, a flat underbody and a streamlined raked-back tail, all of this combining to make the G6 one of the most aerodynamic cars in its class. Inside, where there's a redesigned steering wheel and the dashboard has been subtly redesigned, there are more small but significant changes as part of this update.

Someone who owned the original version of this model would notice a materials upgrade, particularly around the A-pillar and the bits you touch.

Plus the ambient lighting now runs right across the dashboard into the doors, there's a new 9-inch digital rear view mirror and the front seats (which already heated and cooled you) now feature adjustable lumbar support and massaging features.

Perhaps more significantly, the landscape-orientated 15.0-inch Xmart OS central monitor has gained updated software and is now easier to use, with much more intuitive 'Hey Xpeng' voice control. Otherwise, things are much as before.

Unlike Tesla, Xpeng doesn't make you view the drive instruments on the centre screen, these accommodated in the letterbox-shaped 10.2-inch instrument cluster.

All the fixtures and fittings are of decent quality and there are some nice touches like twin wireless charging mats so powerful (50W) that they have to be carefully cooled.

The upholstery is soft-touch leatherette and there are plenty of places to put things (though a glovebox is missing). Thanks to a 2.89m wheelbase length, it feels very spacious in the back, the airy feeling helped by the standard-fit panoramic glass roof.

Two six-footers can be seated behind a couple of lanky front seat occupants and the rear seats can be adjusted in 12 positions with a maximum angle of 38.4-degrees.

There's plenty of head space too.

There's unfortunately no under-bonnet 'frunk' compartment for the charging leads like Tesla and others provide in this segment, so it's just as well that at 571-litres, the boot is decently sized.

There's up to 1,374-litres with the rear bench folded.

Prices for this updated G6 are much as they were for the original version, which means that the figures start at around £40,000 for the RWD Standard range version most will want.

There's also a dual-motor AWD Performance Black Edition flagship model pitched at around £50,000. Whichever G6 you choose, an advanced X-HP3.0 heat pump is included and standard equipment levels are generous.

You can expect to find 20-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof, Enhanced AutoParking assist, Remote Parking Assist and a Surrounding Video System.

Inside, there's 8-way power-adjustable heated leatherette-upholstered seats that are ventilated too and have 4-way lumbar support and massaging.

There's also a heated steering wheel, four USB ports and two 50W induction charging points for smartphones.

And you get a 960-watt XOPERA sound system with 18 speakers and access to a wide range of music, video, entertainment and social media apps.

You will access much of this through the 15-inch central screen that's powered by the brand's 'Xmart OS' operating system and features “Hey XPENG” voice control and over-the-air updates.

And you get 7 airbags and a wide range of semi-autonomous drive functions too, including Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centring Control, as part of a safety portfolio that earned the car a top 5-star EURO NCAP safety rating.

The only real option is a tow bar, which Xpeng has had to make available for the European market: apparently tow bars aren't popular in China.

We gave you the EV mileage figures in our 'Driving' section - 292 miles for the 68.kWh Standard Range version, 326 miles for the 80.8kWh Long Range model and 316 miles for the 80.8kWh AWD Performance variant.

As before, there's an advanced 800V charging infrastructure (other brands like Tesla are still stuck with old-tech 400V systems); and DC charging speeds are rated at up to 382kW for the Standard range and up to 451kW for the two 80.8kWh models.

That's a big increase on the maximum 280kW DC charging figure the G6 managed in its original form.

Which means it can now charge from 10 to 80% in 12 minutes (8 minutes quicker than before).

Making this improved G6 the fastest-charging EV in its segment, though to some extent the increased 451kW figure is of limited benefit as the UK public infrastructure currently tops out at 350kW.

Still, the 800V set-up means that the car can use the latest ultra-rapid chargers that are springing up around Europe.

An ex-Tesla owner though, might miss the lack of access to the American brand's wonderful Supercharger network.

As for AC charging from home, well with the Standard Range version, a full 7.4kW wallbox charge would need 10 hours 30 minutes - it'd be 7 hours 30 minutes if you can use a three-phase 11kW supply.

With the Long Range model, a full 7.4kW wallbox charge would need 14 hours - or 9 hours 30 minutes if you can use a three-phase 11kW supply.

It's worth noting that 11kW is still the maximum you can AC charge with; Xpeng still doesn't provide the faster 22kW speed that some competitors offer.

What else? Well maintenance should be straightforward thanks to the brand's network of International Motors brand dealerships, most of them Subaru and Isuzu franchises.

Service intervals are every year or 12,500 miles, whichever comes first and there's a 'Vehicle Health' menu of the centre screen.

Insurance groupings at pitched at 43 for the Standard Range model or 44 for the Long Range version.

You'd want peace of mind from an unknown brand; Xpeng provides it.

There's a five year warranty (though it's capped at 75,000 miles), with the usual EV 8 year 100,000 mile battery warranty and a 12 year unlimited mileage bodywork warranty.

There's real substance here, as you would expect from a car made by a company with an R&D department accounting for over 40% of its 15,000-strong workforce.

If you've ever wondered why cars in the Tesla Model Y segment can't charge faster, be better equipped or be more affordable, this Xpeng G6 is for you, especially in this updated form.

Unlike that Tesla, it won't frustrate you with the lack of an instrument cluster and mandatory heavy regen braking.

And there are no expensive options to add either. True, you might wish for more involving driving dynamics, easier-to-use screen functions or less derivative styling.

But if you can live with all those things, there's now even more to like here.

Some Chinese car makers are going to stand the test of time in our market.

And if it keeps producing products like this G6, Xpeng will be one of them.