At the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, something happened that made engineers at Range Rover, BMW X7, and Mercedes-Benz GLS nervous at the same time. Chinese manufacturer XPeng unveiled its flagship SUV, the GX — a six-seat luxury vehicle stretching over five metres, with a range of up to 750 km, Level 4 autonomous driving capability, zero-gravity leather seats, a built-in noise-cancelling refrigerator, and a starting price of $58,000. For reference: a Range Rover in a comparable configuration costs twice as much.
The XPeng GX is not another “affordable Chinese electric car.” It is a statement that the era in which the words luxury and advanced technology in an automotive context were exclusively associated with European brands is drawing to a close. In this article we examine the XPeng GX in detail: its origins, the platform, the two powertrain variants, the unprecedented equipment list, autonomous driving, safety, and what this car genuinely means for buyers in Moldova and the wider region.
XPeng: From Startup to BMW Rival in 10 Years
XPeng (official stylisation XPENG, also known as Xiaopeng Motors) was founded in 2015 in Guangzhou. The company was established by He Xiaopeng — an entrepreneur who had previously sold his startup UCWeb to Alibaba. From the very beginning, XPeng positioned itself as a technology company that makes cars, rather than a traditional automaker — and that is a fundamental difference in approach to product development.
By 2025, XPeng had become one of the most technologically advanced electric vehicle manufacturers in China. The company develops its own chips (Turing AI), autonomous driving systems, flying cars (AeroHT X2), and robotaxi platforms. In November 2025, XPeng recorded its first quarterly net profit in the company’s history, and gross margin reached a record 21.3%.
The XPeng GX was the logical step upwards in the model lineup. If the G6 is a compact crossover and the G9 is a large family SUV, then the GX is the absolute flagship, concentrating all of the company’s most advanced development work. The name itself is symbolic: X in XPeng’s numbering system is the Roman numeral 10 — above nine. GX stands for Greatest eXploration, representing maximum achievement and an aspiration to lead.
SEPA 3.0 Platform: The Architecture of the Physical AI Era
The XPeng GX is built on the latest SEPA 3.0 platform — an evolution of the Smart Electric Platform Architecture that the company calls the architecture of the Physical AI Era. This is not a marketing term: the platform was developed from scratch on the premise that the car would be governed by software to the same extent that it is driven by the person behind the wheel.
The key features of SEPA 3.0 include an 800-volt silicon carbide (SiC) electrical architecture enabling 5C ultra-fast charging. Native steer-by-wire on both axles — all mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the road wheels has been eliminated. Brake-by-wire with dual hydraulic and electronic redundancy. Rear-wheel steering delivering a minimum turning radius of 5.2 metres for a five-metre SUV. A dual-chamber air suspension with active ride-height adjustment. An onboard computing complex delivering up to 3,000 TOPS via XPeng’s in-house Turing chips.
The platform was developed alongside several key partners. The steer-by-wire system was created in collaboration with Bosch. The zero-gravity seats were developed jointly with Nissan. The AI-dimming glass is a co-development with Fuyao. Battery cells are supplied by CALB — one of China’s leading battery manufacturers.
Exterior Design: Budget Range Rover or Something More
The first thing that strikes you looking at the XPeng GX is its obvious resemblance to the Range Rover. The vertical body side, the rectangular silhouette, the visually imposing front overhang, the wide wheel arches — all of this references the British SUV. XPeng makes no secret of the source of inspiration and deliberately targeted the form factor that has become synonymous with the luxury SUV in the global imagination.
But the GX is not a copy. The front end differs radically: a closed grille without a traditional radiator aperture, low-set U-shaped headlights, and a continuous LED strip spanning the full width of the front. At the rear, a horizontal LED bar runs the full width of the body alongside a separate-opening tailgate. Flush retractable door handles. Electrically extending side steps.
The aerodynamic drag coefficient is 0.255 Cd — more aerodynamic than the Toyota Prius (0.27) or the first-generation Nissan Leaf (0.28), even though the GX is significantly larger than either. That is a genuine engineering achievement for a vehicle with this frontal area and height.
Body dimensions: length 5,265 mm, width 1,999 mm, height 1,800 mm, wheelbase 3,115 mm. For comparison, the Range Rover Long Wheelbase measures 5,252 mm on a 3,120 mm wheelbase. The GX is marginally longer than the British flagship. Standard-fit wheels are 22 inches in diameter.
The colour range includes five options: Everest White, Polar Black, Fjord Grey, Danxia Red, and Cloud Gold (matte). A special two-tone version called Kunlun Cloud Realm is available separately, featuring 15 layers of paint with a total thickness of 230 microns — comparable to the hand-painting process applied to luxury automobiles.
Interior: A Moving Living Room for Six People
If the XPeng GX borrows ideas from Range Rover on the outside, inside it surpasses it for technology density — and that is not an exaggeration.
The cabin layout is 2+2+2: six independent seats in three rows. First row: driver’s seat and front passenger seat, both electrically adjustable in 16 directions, with 16-point massage, heating, and ventilation. The front passenger seat reclines to 180 degrees — a fully flat position for resting on longer journeys.
The second row is what XPeng calls the Boss Area. Two independent zero-gravity seats, developed jointly with Nissan, with extended longitudinal travel on the runners and an electric footrest. Perforated Nappa leather upholstery. Every detail carries a note of premium air travel: entertainment screens, tri-zone climate control, and a dedicated noise-cancelling refrigerator. All four doors close with an electric soft-close mechanism — no slamming required.
The third row is the rare case of a full-size SUV’s third row that is genuinely comfortable. Independent headrests, reclining from 0 to 180 degrees into a fully flat position, and electrically folding seatbacks. With the third-row seats folded, boot volume expands from 673 litres to 1,748 litres. The BEV version additionally offers a front trunk (frunk) of 109 litres. The manufacturer states that with all six seats occupied, six 24-inch suitcases can be carried in the boot.
The driver’s digital instrument cluster is 8.8 inches. The central touchscreen is 17.3 inches at 3K resolution. The augmented reality head-up display has an 88-inch projected diagonal. The ceiling entertainment screen for the second row is 21.4 inches at 3K resolution. The audio system has 33 speakers, including drivers built into the headrests of the second-row seats. The steering wheel is a two-spoke design compatible with the steer-by-wire system.
The headline interior technology is the AI glass with automatic dimming. XPeng, in partnership with Fuyao, developed rear-row windows with automatic tint adjustment: the AI changes the transparency level based on ambient light and cabin occupancy in 0.16 seconds. This is the first serial application of such technology in a production car. No manual blinds, no button pressing — the glass thinks for the passenger.
Powertrains: BEV 750 km and EREV 1,585 km
The XPeng GX is offered in two fundamentally different powertrain variants, both with all-wheel drive.
The BEV (pure electric) version uses the 800-volt silicon carbide platform with two electric motors. The rear motor, produced by Luxshare, develops 270 kW (362 hp); the front motor, XPeng’s own design, adds 160 kW (215 hp). Total system output is 430 kW (577 hp). It is offered with two battery options: 91.9 kWh LFP with 635 km range (AWD) and 110 kWh NMC with 750 km range (rear-wheel drive) or 720 km (AWD) on the CLTC cycle. Ultra-fast 5C charging via the 800V architecture brings the battery from 10 to 80% in approximately 12 minutes.
The EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle) version uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 110 kW exclusively as a generator — it never connects mechanically to the wheels. Two electric motors with a combined output of 210 kW (280 hp) drive the car. The traction battery is 63.3 kWh LFP. Pure electric range is 430 km on the CLTC cycle. Total range with a full tank and a fully charged battery is 1,585 km on the CLTC cycle — completely eliminating range anxiety even for the longest inter-city routes.
Both versions launched at a single starting price of 399,800 CNY (approximately €49,500 / $58,000) in the Chinese market.
XPeng GX 2026 — Technical Specifications
| Specification | GX BEV (AWD, 110 kWh) | GX EREV (AWD) |
|---|---|---|
| Length / width / height | 5,265 / 1,999 / 1,800 mm | 5,265 / 1,999 / 1,800 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,115 mm | 3,115 mm |
| Total system power | 430 kW (577 hp) | 210 kW (280 hp) electric |
| Battery | 110 kWh NMC (CALB) | 63.3 kWh LFP (CALB) |
| Electric range (CLTC) | 750 km | 430 km |
| Total range | 750 km | 1,585 km |
| DC fast charging | 5C, 10–80% in ~12 min | — |
| Electrical architecture | 800 V (SiC) | 800 V |
| Braking distance 100–0 km/h | 34.4 m | 34.4 m |
| Wheels | 22 inch | 22 inch |
| Drag coefficient (Cd) | 0.255 | 0.255 |
| Boot volume (max.) | 1,748 litres | 1,748 litres |
| Frunk (front trunk) | 109 litres | — |
| Price (China, from) | 399,800 CNY (~€49,500) | 399,800 CNY (~€49,500) |
Autonomous Driving: The First Production Car With Level 4 Hardware
The XPeng GX is officially positioned as the first mass-produced consumer vehicle with hardware ready for Level 4 autonomous driving. This is not a promise — it is a technical fact registered in regulatory documentation. The GX has already received a licence for intelligent connected vehicle testing in Guangzhou, including in robotaxi mode.
The computing backbone for autonomous driving is four of XPeng’s in-house Turing chips, delivering up to 3,000 TOPS of total processing power (in the production configuration three chips provide 2,250 TOPS, with the fourth held in reserve for fault tolerance). For comparison, NVIDIA Orin — used in most competing systems — delivers 254 TOPS. The GX’s advantage is approximately tenfold.
XPeng’s second-generation autonomous driving system — VLA (Vision Language Action) — operates exclusively on cameras without lidar (vision-only). This is XPeng’s principled technological position: the system does not require an expensive and mechanically vulnerable lidar scanner. The same VLA/VLM software stack fitted to the GX is the system that Volkswagen Group agreed in February 2026 to licence for its own future vehicles — a fact that speaks for itself regarding the maturity of the technology.
The functional capabilities of the autonomous driving system include: automatic highway following in traffic flow without driver intervention; autonomous parking in car parks without the driver remaining in the vehicle; navigation in challenging conditions including heavy rain, fog, and low light, with obstacle avoidance; road marking and sign recognition; AEB (autonomous emergency braking) active up to 150 km/h — significantly above the 60 km/h standard used in Euro NCAP testing; AES (autonomous emergency steering) active up to 130 km/h including on ice and snow; and a driver incapacitation assistance system: if the driver stops responding while the highway assist is active, the car independently identifies a safe stopping place and calls for help.
The headlights are intelligent digital projection units. They can project signals onto the road surface: warning a pedestrian that the car is about to move, signalling a lane-change intention, and alerting to a hazard ahead. This represents a new level of communication between the vehicle and its surroundings.
Bosch Steer-by-Wire: Why This Is a Revolution
The steer-by-wire steering system is one of the defining technical features of the XPeng GX. In 2026 this remains a rare technology in production cars: its current users include the Lexus RZ 450e, Nissan Ariya, and a small number of other models.
The operating principle is straightforward: there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the road wheels. The wheel’s rotation is registered by a sensor, the signal travels through an electronic channel, and an actuator steers the wheels accordingly. This is exactly the architecture used in aircraft flight control (fly-by-wire) — which is why XPeng describes the GX’s safety systems as aviation-grade.
The practical benefits for the driver are meaningful. Steering precision is consistent at all speeds, independent of mechanical losses in the column. Road vibration filtering isolates the steering wheel from surface noise, reducing driver fatigue on long journeys. Variable steering ratio without mechanical constraints: different sensitivity in a car park and on a motorway. Steering noise is reduced by 8% compared to a conventional rack system.
The redundancy level of the steer-by-wire system is four independent layers. If one circuit fails, three backups remain. This is the same principle applied to commercial aircraft — a plane continues to fly even if several systems fail. The GX’s braking system and power supply are engineered to the same standard.
Passive Safety: 16,000-Tonne Die-Casting and 11 Airbags
In the field of passive safety, the XPeng GX applies a number of solutions that go beyond standard regulatory requirements.
The body structure employs large-format integrated die-casting at 16,000 tonnes of pressure — applied to both the front and rear sections. This is one of the highest die-casting pressures in series production (Tesla uses 9,000 tonnes; many others use 6,000–8,000 tonnes). The result is a monolithic structure without welded joints, significantly more resistant to deformation in a collision.
The airbag configuration: 11 airbags in total. A driver’s frontal airbag, a 125-litre front passenger airbag, a three-chamber side airbag between the front seats at 41 litres, four side airbags for the first and second rows, two seat-cushion airbags in the zero-gravity seats, and two full-length curtain airbags running the full length of the cabin — maintaining pressure for up to six seconds post-deployment to protect against secondary impacts.
Braking distance from 100 km/h: 34.4 metres. This is one of the best figures in the class of full-size six-seat SUVs. AEB engages up to 150 km/h — substantially above the 60 km/h standard threshold used in Euro NCAP assessment. The 720-degree collision protection system: the body structure is engineered for simultaneous impacts from the front, rear, sides, roof (rollover), and underfloor (obstacle strike).
Comparison With Rivals: Range Rover, Li Auto L9, NIO ES8
The XPeng GX occupies a specific market segment — full-size six-seat premium SUVs — and has a well-defined set of competitors.
| Model | Range | Power | Price (from) | Autonomous driving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XPeng GX BEV | 750 km (CLTC) | 577 hp | ~€49,500 | L4-ready (Turing 3,000 TOPS) |
| XPeng GX EREV | 1,585 km | 280 hp (electric) | ~€49,500 | L4-ready (Turing 3,000 TOPS) |
| Li Auto L9 (EREV) | ~1,500 km | 449 hp | ~€47,000 | up to L2+ |
| AITO M9 (EREV) | ~1,400 km | 380 hp | ~€50,000 | up to L2+ |
| NIO ES8 (BEV) | up to 580 km | 480 hp | ~€65,000 | up to L2+ |
| Range Rover LWB (PHEV) | ~110 km (electric) | 510 hp | from €130,000 | basic ADAS |
| BMW X7 xDrive50e | ~80 km (electric) | 489 hp | from €115,000 | up to L2 |
The XPeng GX’s price advantage over European rivals is simply enormous: a Range Rover costs approximately 2.5 to 3 times more with shorter electric range and substantially less capable autonomous driving technology. The BMW X7 costs twice as much. Against Chinese rivals such as Li Auto L9 and AITO M9, the GX wins on autonomous driving computing power and ultra-fast charging speed, at a comparable price point.
GX and XPeng as an AI Company: Robotaxi, eVTOL, and the Future
The XPeng GX cannot be viewed in isolation from the company’s strategic transformation. He Xiaopeng has stated repeatedly that XPeng is transforming from an automaker into an AI Mobility Company.
XPeng’s development directions in 2026 include robotaxi: the company is developing three driverless taxi models (for 5, 6, and 7 passengers). The GX robotaxi has already obtained a testing licence in Guangzhou. Commercial operation with a safety driver is planned for the second half of 2026; fully driverless operation is targeted for early 2027. Flying cars: subsidiary AeroHT already produces the X2 flying car. Humanoid robots: XPeng Robotics is developing humanoid robots.
The GX is the centrepiece of this ecosystem: it is the first accessible consumer car with hardware that can be upgraded to fully autonomous operation through software updates. XPeng emphasises that the buyer is not just purchasing a car but a platform — a system that will become more intelligent with each OTA update.
It is particularly notable that the VLA software stack developed by XPeng for the GX attracted the attention of Volkswagen Group. According to information from February 2026, VW Group agreed to licence XPeng’s VLA autonomous driving system for its own future models. For a European buyer, this is the most compelling signal of technological maturity: if Volkswagen — a company traditionally conservative in its choice of technology partners — entrusts XPeng with its driving systems, that speaks for itself.
Production and Availability
Series production of the XPeng GX began on 19 March 2026 at the Guangzhou factory. Pre-orders at the single starting price of 399,800 CNY opened on 15 April 2026. By the time of the public premiere at the Beijing Auto Show (April–May 2026), the car was already reaching dealers across China.
For international markets, XPeng has announced active expansion: the company is targeting a doubling of overseas deliveries in 2026. In Australia, XPeng ANZ has already confirmed its intention to evaluate the GX for the local market. In Europe, XPeng sells through official dealer networks in a growing number of countries.
For the Moldovan market, the XPeng GX is currently available through parallel import. Official pricing in Moldova will depend on the applicable customs regime and logistics: accounting for the European duties on Chinese electric vehicles introduced in September 2024, the estimated price range will be approximately 65,000 to 80,000 euros — which is still several times lower than European equivalents.
Who Is the XPeng GX For in Moldova
The XPeng GX is not a mass-market car. It is a flagship product addressed to a specific audience, and it is important to assess realistically for whom this car makes sense.
The GX is built for a family of six, or for anyone who regularly needs to transport three generations — children, parents, grandparents — with a full complement of luggage. It is built for the entrepreneur or senior executive who covers Chisinau daily in a moving office, values silence, massage seats, and the ability to work or rest in the rear. It is built for the driver who regularly travels the Chisinau–Bucharest–Warsaw route or similar international corridors: the EREV version with 1,585 km of combined range makes such journeys entirely free of range anxiety. And it is built for those who were previously considering a Range Rover, BMW X7, or Mercedes GLS but are not prepared to pay 2.5 to 3 times more for a European badge alongside a noticeable technology deficit.
The GX is less suitable for buyers who need a compact city car: at 5.2 metres in length, parking in Chisinau’s denser districts is a genuine challenge. The rear-wheel steering helps here, however — a minimum turning radius of 5.2 metres is surprisingly tight for a car of this size.
Standard Equipment: What Comes as Standard
The standard specification of the XPeng GX at the Chinese market launch includes the following.
- Six independent seats in a 2+2+2 configuration
- Zero-gravity seats on the first and second rows (16-way adjustment, 16-point massage)
- Front passenger seat reclining to 180 degrees
- Tri-zone climate control
- Built-in noise-cancelling refrigerator
- AI glass with automatic tinting (rear windows)
- 17.3-inch central touchscreen (3K resolution)
- 21.4-inch ceiling entertainment screen for the second row (3K resolution)
- Augmented reality head-up display with 88-inch projected diagonal
- 33-speaker audio system
- Steer-by-wire (co-developed with Bosch)
- Rear-wheel steering (turning radius from 5.2 m)
- Dual-chamber air suspension
- Turing AI chips (2,250–3,000 TOPS)
- VLA 2.0 — second-generation autonomous driving system
- AEB up to 150 km/h, AES up to 130 km/h
- Driver incapacitation assistance system
- 11 airbags
- Intelligent digital projection headlights with AI communication
- Electric side steps, electric soft-close doors
- Separately opening electric tailgate
- 22-inch alloy wheels
- OTA software updates
- 8-year warranty on the high-voltage battery
Warranty and Service
XPeng provides a standard vehicle warranty on the GX (conditions vary by market) and an 8-year warranty on the high-voltage battery — in line with the company’s policy across its entire lineup. Production has been underway at the Guangzhou facility since March 2026. OTA systems allow autonomous driving and multimedia software to be updated wirelessly, improving functionality over time without a service visit.
An important consideration for Moldovan buyers: at the time of publication, XPeng’s official service network in Moldova is still being established. For purchases made via parallel import, we recommend clarifying warranty service conditions and the availability of authorised service centres in the region before completing a transaction.
What the Press Said After the Beijing Auto Show
International automotive publications that saw the XPeng GX in person at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show were unanimous in their impressions.
Electrek, visiting the XPeng stand: the interior is even more impressive than the exterior. Build quality, space, and the technology package are world-class. The fact that this car — with ultra-fast charging, Level 4 autonomous driving hardware, 750 km of range, and aviation-grade safety systems — costs $58,000 is an extraordinary value proposition compared to what European and American manufacturers offer at that price.
CleanTechnica: a drag coefficient of 0.255 for a vehicle this size is an achievement in itself. The level of electric actuation — doors, steps, sunroof, rear glass, and even a refrigerator — signals clearly where the segment is heading.
ArenaEV: XPeng is changing from a car company into an AI mobility company. The GX is the centrepiece of that transformation. If the autonomous driving technology delivers on its promises, the price premium will prove well justified.
Frequently Asked Questions About the XPeng GX
How does the XPeng GX differ from the G9?
The G9 is a mid-size crossover of approximately 4.9 metres with five to seven seats. The GX is a full-size flagship of 5,265 mm with an exclusively six-seat 2+2+2 layout, an entirely new SEPA 3.0 platform, steer-by-wire, Turing chips, Level 4 hardware, and 5C ultra-fast charging. In terms of technology level and market positioning, these are fundamentally different vehicles.
What is EREV and why is it better than a conventional PHEV?
EREV stands for Extended Range Electric Vehicle. The key difference from a PHEV is that in an EREV the petrol engine never connects mechanically to the wheels — it functions exclusively as a generator to charge the battery. The wheels are driven only by the electric motor. This is closer to the architecture of a pure electric vehicle, delivering smoother torque, fewer vibrations, and no mode-switching. The GX EREV’s combined range of 1,585 km means that even with a depleted battery the car continues moving, with the generator maintaining the charge level.
What does L4-ready mean in the context of the GX?
Level 4 autonomous driving means fully autonomous operation within defined conditions without driver intervention. L4-ready for the GX means that the hardware — Turing chips at 3,000 TOPS, cameras, radars, and the full sensor suite — is already installed and capable of running L4 algorithms. Full software implementation of L4 is being rolled out incrementally through OTA updates as regulatory authorisation is obtained in each country. In China, the GX robotaxi version is already undergoing testing in Guangzhou.
How fast does the GX BEV charge?
The GX BEV uses an 800-volt platform with support for the 5C charging standard. This means charging from 10 to 80% in approximately 12 minutes when connected to a compatible ultra-fast charging station. For a 110 kWh battery, this is an exceptional result — comparable to the Porsche Taycan and Hyundai Ioniq 6, which were among the first to deploy 800V architecture among European and Korean manufacturers.
Can you buy or rent an XPeng GX in Moldova?
At present, the XPeng GX is available in Moldova through parallel import. As XPeng’s official regional presence expands, this situation will change. Watch for updates on RentCarMoldova.md — we will be among the first to announce the arrival of the XPeng GX and other flagship electric vehicles in our rental fleet.
How realistic is the claimed 750 km range?
The 750 km figure is measured on the Chinese CLTC cycle, which is consistently more optimistic than the European WLTP standard by approximately 15–25%. A realistic real-world range estimate for the BEV version with 110 kWh in moderate conditions is 580–650 km. For the EREV version, the combined 1,585 km CLTC range means that with a full tank and a fully charged battery, the realistic real-world figure is approximately 1,200–1,400 km. For any routes within Moldova or the wider region, this is more than sufficient.
What is steer-by-wire and is it safe?
Steer-by-wire is steering via an electronic signal with no mechanical linkage between the wheel and the road wheels. Safety is provided by four independent redundancy layers: if one circuit fails, three backups remain. This is the same principle applied to aircraft flight control (fly-by-wire). The technology has been in series production since 2022 (Lexus RZ, Nissan Ariya) and has demonstrated its reliability in extended real-world use.
Conclusion
The XPeng GX is not simply a new Chinese electric vehicle. It is a manifesto about the direction automotive engineering is taking: towards the integration of artificial intelligence, aviation-grade safety standards, and genuine luxury in a single product, available at a price significantly below European equivalents.
Longer than a Range Rover. More intelligent than a BMW X7. Faster to charge than most European electric vehicles. With 1,585 km of combined range in the EREV version — first in its class by practical range. With Level 4 autonomous driving hardware that no rival in this price range can match. That is why the XPeng GX was the defining automotive moment of the 2026 Beijing Auto Show.
For Moldovan buyers considering a flagship family SUV within an 80,000-euro budget, the XPeng GX is one of the most technologically advanced and practically thought-through options on the market in 2026. A car that grows with you — thanks to OTA updates to the autonomous driving system, your GX will be more capable in three years than it is on the day you take delivery.
Want to find out about XPeng and other advanced electric vehicle availability for rental, or get personalised advice on choosing a flagship SUV for your budget and requirements? Contact us through the form on RentCarMoldova.md — our team will help you find the right vehicle.