The Xpeng P5 is a good choice for a family of four

XPeng is listed on the New York Stock Exchange but doesn’t offer cars in the United States. The G6 and G9 SUVs (the links lead to our hands-on experience with the two models) are major sellers for the Chinese brand, but the P5 and P7 sedans are equally crucial for its global expansion. Recently, I had the chance to explore the XPeng P5’s design, interior, comfort, features, and tech. Here’s what I found:

Design

The Xpeng P5 features a modern design characterized by the “X Robot Face,” which integrates LED headlights and a full-width tail light strip. The vehicle’s aerodynamic profile includes hidden door handles and a ducktail spoiler, resulting in a low drag coefficient of 0.223 Cd. These design measures, in person, help both aesthetics and efficiency.

In profile, the Xpeng P5 features a sleek, sloping roofline that flows effortlessly into the rear spoiler. The flush door handles not only look modern but also enhance aerodynamics, complemented by the specially designed wheels that minimize drag. The large windows flood the cabin with natural light and offer excellent visibility.

At the rear, a striking full-width LED light bar echoes the front design, ensuring a cohesive look. The rear bumper is softly sculpted with an integrated spoiler, adding a sporty flair. This combination of elements results in a design that is both simple and highly functional. My overall impression of the P5 is one of simplicity and functionality.

Interior & Features

The interior of the Xpeng P5 is designed with spaciousness and comfort in mind, suitable for family of four. The cabin is finished with soft-touch materials, offering a premium feel. Rear passengers have 991 mm (39 inches) of legroom, and the middle console includes USB and USB-C ports, as well as an air-conditioning vent, providing additional convenience in summer.

The infotainment setup boasts a 15.6″ central control screen paired with a 12.3″ digital dashboard, featuring applications like DAB radio, Spotify, smart navigation, and additional camera apps. The “Hey XPENG” voice assistant enhances user convenience by managing various in-car command functions.

Notable features include a surround sound system, noise reduction technology, a panoramic sunroof with an electric sunshade, and the Xfreebreath air purification system. The vehicle’s trunk can hold up to 520 liters (18.4 cu.ft) of cargo, split between a 450-liter (15.9 cu.ft) main compartment and an additional 70 liters (2.5 cu.ft) underneath.

Ingress

Approaching the P5, what struck me was its pop-out style handles, which are not electrical. As for getting in the car, it’s not extremely comfortable, given my six-foot frame, due to the lower roof.

Front seats

The front seats are electrically adjustable but lack adjustable headrests. Once I was seated in the car, the all-round visibility was fine. The electric sedan a nice glass roof up top, which is useful to enhance the airiness of the cab.

The headroom is average, but the seats are very supportive with good shoulder and under-thigh support. The quality of materials is notable, with a nice faux wood trim finish and white topstitching. There is a prominent vertically oriented screen and a large instrument cluster display. The steering wheel has scrollers and buttons that feel alright to operate, not the best quality but functional. Power window switches are on the door handles, and there are manually adjustable air vents that I find really convenient, instead of searching for them in the touchscreen.

Rear seat

Once the front seat is adjusted for a six-foot-tall person, the rear floor is almost flat. Sitting in the rear seat, it’s pretty comfortable, although slightly knee-up, which might be an issue for people with longer legs. The large rear windows and a quarter glass let in plenty of light. The cabin has little LED touch lights on the roof and rear AC vents. There’s a center armrest and additional AC vents at the back, which help keep the cabin comfortable.

For an entry-level sedan, the P5 does really well with ample knee room, good headroom, and comfortable seats that wrap around the pillars, providing a good posture. Overall, the rear seat in the Xpeng P5 offers a comfortable and spacious experience.

Specifications

The Xpeng P5 is equipped with a 66 kWh battery, offering a front-wheel-drive setup and a range of up to 465 km (289 miles, WLTP). It is powered by a single motor developing 155 kW (208 hp) and 310 Nm (229 lb.ft) of torque, giving it a 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) acceleration time of 7.5 seconds. It supports CCS2 charging, and the heat pump air conditioner is designed to reduce energy consumption, particularly in the winter. Xpeng says that the P5 has a DC fast charging time (30% to 80%) of about 30 minutes.

The vehicle incorporates the XPILOT 2.5 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and the Xmart OS in-car operating system. XPILOT 2.5 utilizes various sensors and cameras to support driving, parking, and safety features. These include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Centering Control (LCC), Adaptive Turning Cruise (ATC), and Active Lane Change (ALC). The Intelligent Parking Assist feature enables fully automatic parking under driver supervision.

Even a few minutes behind the wheel is enough to ascertain that the XPeng P5 has a relaxed setup to deliver comfort and ease of driving. The electric motor provides smooth, linear acceleration, while the suspension effortlessly absorbs road imperfections. The adjustable regenerative braking system allows for convenient one-pedal driving during daily commutes.

For future iterations, I’d love to see XPeng develop a performance version with an emphasis on sporty handling.

Price & Availability

In April 2022, Xpeng had announced the P5 for Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway, only to put plans on the backburner, renewing its focus on SUV models. In China, the 2024 Xpeng P5 is priced at RMB 174,900 (USD 24,123).