Xpeng X9 Motor will be on the market during EXPO 2024, a better choice than Toyota Alphard

From a rational perspective, automotive technology is bound to improve over time. In the MPV segment, the Xpeng X9, which is a new addition this year, is likely to be a better MPV than the Toyota Alphard.

During the Motor EXPO 2024, Xpeng officially revealed the Thai version of the Xpeng X9. So, how will the X9 outperform the Toyota Alphard?

Xpeng's official product definition for the X9 is "intelligent," and honestly, the X9’s level of intelligent driving is indeed very high. The camera scanning effect is excellent, with the ability to recognize road arrows, speed bumps, and even brake lights from vehicles ahead!

This is due to the X9's extensive sensor array, including 7 environment perception cameras and 3 millimeter-wave radars.

As a result, the X9’s automatic parking function is extremely easy to use and is, in my personal experience, the most reassuring of all the brands I’ve tried so far. It doesn’t require any activation—while driving at low speeds, the X9’s intelligent driving system will automatically detect nearby parking spaces.

If you want to park, all you need to do is select the parking spot on the screen and confirm it. Then, you simply release your hands and wait for the X9 to park itself. In many cases, it parks perfectly in one go.

Since it can park itself, automatic driving is even less of an issue for the X9. On highways, the X9 drives like an experienced driver: it signals and changes lanes quickly, shifts to the closest lane to an exit about a kilometer ahead, and when driving in a speed-limited zone, it will go a little faster when possible. Apart from the driver, it’s hard for anyone else to notice that it’s the X9 driving.

The Xpeng X9 has done exceptionally well in terms of intelligence and driving performance. It was developed in Guangzhou, a very old city in China, where narrow streets are common. One challenge for the X9, however, is its large body, which is much bigger than the Toyota Alphard, as can be seen clearly through the model comparison feature on this website.

As someone with many years of driving experience, I can tell you that large vehicle sizes often come with a major issue: heavy handling. But why doesn’t the Mercedes-Benz S-Class have this problem? Because it uses rear-wheel steering technology.

The Xpeng X9 also employs rear-wheel steering, allowing it to have a turning radius of just 5.4 meters, which is similar to the Honda Jazz. Just imagine, the X9 has a body length of 5293mm but drives as nimbly as a Jazz.

Another thing I want to highlight is that rear-wheel steering is a highly complex technology in car chassis systems, and only a few cars feature it. The fact that Xpeng has integrated this advanced technology into the X9’s chassis shows just how mature their chassis technology is.

When driving, the X9 feels very reassuring. The dual-chamber air suspension provides excellent comfort, and the car is incredibly stable and quiet at high speeds. With only one-third throttle, I found myself speeding without realizing it.

Additionally, as a pure electric vehicle, the Xpeng X9’s acceleration and braking are very similar to those of a traditional combustion engine car, with none of the discomfort often found in Tesla’s single-pedal driving mode. If you have family members in the car, they can comfortably sleep or chat, which is an important factor for an MPV.

Speaking of comfort, I must commend the interior design of the X9. Overall, it looks very cozy and warm, with great attention to detail. For example, the diamond-shaped grille design of the air vents, the combination of leather and eco-friendly fabric materials on the door panels and dashboard—everything is meticulously crafted. I also noticed something impressive: there is almost no odor inside the car.

In terms of passenger experience, as mentioned earlier, the X9 has a larger body than the Alphard, so the interior space is also very spacious. The second-row seats come with massage, heating, and ventilation functions. The ceiling features a high-definition entertainment screen that is touchscreen-enabled, very thin, and has minimal heat generation (unlike the hot screens found in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class).

The X9’s ample space also makes the third row very comfortable. If a passenger in the third row wants to board, the front seats will automatically slide forward, making it very easy to get in. The longitudinal armrest on the left side is fully usable. The third-row seats not only offer generous space, but their backrests can almost be adjusted to a fully reclined position. Additionally, the third row has its own audio system, Type-C ports, and air conditioning vents, making it even more comfortable than the Alphard.

Furthermore, the trunk space is huge, extending down to the floor level. If that’s still not enough, you can electrically fold the third-row seats, which makes the trunk completely flat and allows for even more luggage.

Now, let’s talk about the range, which is a key concern for potential electric vehicle buyers. When we started driving the X9, the battery was at 89%, and the screen estimated a range of 461 kilometers (WLTP). We spent about 80% of our trip on the highway. After driving 193 kilometers, the battery was at 46%, with an estimated range of 238 kilometers (WLTP).

On the highway, we mostly drove at speeds of 120-130 km/h. The screen showed an energy consumption of 23.1 kWh/100km, which is quite good for such a large MPV.

Later, in the city, we drove 28.1 kilometers, and the energy consumption dropped to just 14.3 kWh/100km—lower than many pure electric sedans, despite the X9's total weight of over 2600kg.

Personally, I’m not a fan of driving large MPVs, but after driving the Xpeng X9, my perception of large MPVs has changed significantly. Compared to traditional MPVs like the Alphard, the Xpeng X9 is more competitive in terms of intelligence, space, and luxury. Moreover, the X9’s suspension and chassis tuning is top-notch, with the combination of dual-chamber air suspension and rear-wheel steering providing excellent handling for an MPV.