Driving the Xpeng P7+: Experience Tesla Model S Luxury at a Model 3 Price

Some compromises have been made to maintain an attractive price: the use of hard plastics in lower parts and the absence of truly premium materials on some surfaces. However, the overall package remains coherent and pleasant for everyday life, especially with the huge panoramic roof that floods the cabin with light.

The P7+ leaves no one indifferent with its sleek silhouette, measuring 5.06 meters in length and 1.94 meters in width. Xpeng has taken the “spaceship” concept to the extreme: daytime running lights shaped like axes, a dragonfly-like logo, and especially, that famous drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.206, making it one of the most aerodynamic cars on the market.

The fastback design, with its sloping roofline that ends with an integrated dual spoiler, gives it a decidedly futuristic look. While the front remains in line with the brand’s latest creations, the rear is divisive: some love its avant-garde look with a continuous light bar. It’s clear that the design really comes into its own on the roads in China, where the P7+ distinctly stands out from the crowd.

Personally, I’m not a fan of this rear part: the sloping roofline ending in this slight integrated spoiler, combined with the third brake light nestled in, makes it a bit too complex for my taste.

One downside: the absence of a front trunk (frunk), unusual for Xpeng, is compensated by a generous rear trunk of 725 liters, expandable to 2,221 liters with the seats folded down. Enough for a family vacation.

And on the road? On the road, the P7+ impresses with its energy efficiency. During the test conducted by JC from LaChaine EV on a mixed route with three passengers, he noted an average consumption of only 11.5 to 13 kWh/100 km, which is excellent for a car of this size.

The sedan will be available in two versions:

• A 245 hp version with a 60.7 kWh LFP battery (602 km CLTC, about 540 km WLTP)
• A 320 hp version with a 76.3 kWh LFP battery (710 km CLTC, about 630 km WLTP)

A major advantage, thanks to its 800-volt architecture, is that rapid charging can go from 30 to 80% in just 16 minutes. This is a significant difference compared to Tesla.

A Smooth Ride… Perhaps Too Smooth?

This is where the P7+ reveals its character: it clearly prioritizes comfort over dynamism. Unfortunately, I couldn’t drive it myself (a Chinese license is required to drive in China), but JC from LaChaine EV was able to test the road behavior for us. According to his impressions, the suspension developed in-house by Xpeng remarkably absorbs road imperfections. This is especially noticeable in the back.

The brand claims a 50% reduction in the impact of speed bumps and a 24% reduction in road vibrations. In practice, JC confirms: the car literally glides over the asphalt.

On the flip side, our tester notes that enthusiasts of sporty driving might be left wanting more. The steering lacks feedback, and the car tends to “bounce” a bit too much over major compressions.

The performance is decent (0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds for the 320 hp version), but it’s clearly not the primary focus of this sedan, as JC emphasized.

Xpeng’s Take on Autonomous Driving

A major new feature: the P7+ debuts Xpeng’s Eagle Eye Vision system, which eschews LiDAR in favor of relying solely on cameras and Nvidia Orin-X chips. A similar choice to Tesla’s, but with a different approach.

In practice, the NGP (Navigation Guided Pilot) system impresses with its smoothness and ease. The car handles lane changes, overtaking, and even complex urban situations with remarkable ease. During the test carried out by JC, the system required no interventions on the highway and proved very convincing in urban environments, despite some hesitations in truly complex situations.

Note that in France, it will need to adapt to local standards, particularly regarding autonomous driving (limited to level 2 in Europe).

Ultimately, an Appealing Proposition

The Xpeng P7+ is a car that doesn’t try to please everyone. It is designed primarily for those who value comfort, space, and technology over driving sensations. In this regard, it succeeds brilliantly.

We don’t yet know its price in France, but as Xpeng pointed out: “the P7+ should interest those who own a Tesla Model 3.” I therefore expect a price tag of around €45,000 to €50,000.

Its good value for money, comfort, energy efficiency, and advanced technological level make it a credible alternative to Tesla. Despite some flaws, such as a divisive rear design and uninspiring driving dynamics, it has everything to appeal to families and tech enthusiasts.