XPENG X9 (Facelift) Review – Tech-Lux MPV That Wants to Do It All

Electric cars are everywhere these days; hatchbacks, SUVs, sedans, even commercial vans. So it was only a matter of time before the luxury MPV segment got electrified too: Enter the XPENG X9, the brand’s seven-seater EV spaceship… sorry, MPV.

Priced around S$350k for this FWD Premium Seat variant, this 2025 update brings a few minor but meaningful tweaks.

Founded in 2014 and based in Guangzhou, XPENG isn’t your typical EV maker. Beyond cars, it’s dabbling in flying vehicles and robotics, clearly aiming to make science fiction obsolete. The brand landed in Singapore in July 2024, with sales and service handled by Premium Automobiles.

Not Your Alphard Clone

The X9 stands out immediately. While most Chinese luxury MPVs borrow heavily from Toyota’s Alphard and Vellfire, XPENG went its own way. The X9’s trapezoidal silhouette and crisp lines give it a futuristic edge; something between a stealth shuttle and a posh family van.

For 2025, exterior updates are limited to a new front bumper insert and a redesigned set of 20-inch alloys (with floating centre caps ala Rolls-Royce) wrapped in 235/50 R20 Michelin e-Primacy tyres. Not much, but it subtly freshens things up.

A Big Car That Behaves Small

At 5,293mm long, 1,988mm wide and 1,785mm tall, the X9 is properly large, yet surprisingly easy to park. XPENG’s XPILOT Parking system uses cameras and sensors so comprehensive you could probably guide a plane with them. It’ll park itself too, though I still prefer the old-fashioned “do it myself and hope for the best” method.

Adding to the magic is rear-wheel steering, a feature usually seen on higher six-figure German saloons. It trims the turning circle and makes tight U-turns painless; and also especially useful when a hot hatch is tailgating down a series of bends and you want to get it off your tail.

The air suspension glides between Comfort, Standard and Sport. I’ll be honest: Sport mode in a 2.7-tonne MPV feels... unnecessary. Comfort is the sweet spot, and it shows. Also, you can raise or lower the car via the 17.3-inch touchscreen; handy for floods or letting passengers in gracefully. Even better, the rear suspension automatically lowers itself when the boot opens, making it effortless to load bulky luggage or pre-assembled IKEA furniture.

A Lounge With Seven Seats

Step inside and you’ll see XPENG has been paying close attention to the Germans. Fit and finish are excellent - leather everywhere, soft-touch materials where it matters, and plastics that feel premium. Even the air-con vents are cleverly integrated into the ceiling, giving the cabin a clean, high-end look.

The second row is the star attraction, especially for this updated version. Two captain’s chairs with more power adjustments than most recliners (and did I mention massage function and ventilation too?), complete with one-touch buttons for opening the sliding doors and sliding the seats forward for third-row access. And for those who like to travel flat-out - literally - there’s the ‘Zero Gravity’ mode, which transforms your seat into a first-class bed. And for the sake of convenience, there’s also a wireless phone charger now, hidden inside the armrest.

The third row, often an afterthought in most MPVs, is genuinely adult-friendly: Plush, supportive, and far from punishment seating. Your "favourite" brother-in-law will end up complimenting, instead of complaining, when he's put there...

Rolling Cinema Mode

Rear passengers are spoilt with a 21.4-inch entertainment screen, perfect for Netflix, YouTube, or gaming. Oh, there’s even a fridge to keep drinks chilled.

And if long trips get dull, the ‘KaraFun’ karaoke app lets you turn the X9 into a mobile singalong lounge - the car’s own speakers double as microphones. Ingenious, or utterly OTT? Probably both.

Verdict

After a weekend with the X9, I came away thoroughly impressed. XPENG has built a luxury electric MPV that’s smart, comfortable and distinctive. It’s well-made, brimming with features and looks different enough to make a statement. The WLTP range of 590 km doesn’t hurt either.

If there’s a downside, it’s that the X9 packs in so much tech you’ll need a manual the size of a novel. But that’s a small price to pay for this level of comfort, convenience and cleverness.

The XPENG X9 shows just how far Chinese carmakers have come - bold design, smart engineering and proper luxury. It’s the future of family travel, minus the smell of petrol and the Alphard déjà vu.

Photos by Azfar Hashim

---

Car you sell, Carousell. Get the highest quote for your car in just 24 hours, with assistance on paperwork too!