BY COTY JUDGE SHAMSUL YUNUS
The Xpeng X9 arrives in the MPV segment with a clear mission: to challenge conventions. It blends a distinctly racy, angular profile with a deeply considered, high-quality interior experience.
Having spent time in the X9, it is evident that this isn’t merely another people-mover; it’s a confident, well-executed blend of family practicality and technological ambition that offers impressive value against its competitors.
Appearance
The Xpeng X9’s styling is undeniably its most polarizing feature—and one of its greatest strengths. The bold angular styling gives the large MPV a dynamic, almost futuristic presence that bucks the boxy trend of the segment.
The daring design continues inside the cabin, which is where the X9 truly delights. The adventurous detailing, particularly elements like the air-conditioning grille, which looks less like a typical automotive vent and more like an ornate piece of early 20th-century architectural detailing, provides a welcome touch of avant-garde flair.
This willingness to be unconventional, both inside and out, defines the X9’s unique personality.
Ergonomics
Despite the exterior’s racy profile, the interior space utilization is genuinely impressive. The design team has managed to carve out significant space within a surprisingly sleek shell.
For me, the ergonomics are pretty much spot on. Everything is where you expect it to be, minimizing distraction and allowing the driver to focus on the road.
The true testament to its comfort, however, lies in its seating: the seats were so comfortable that I was able to sleep overnight in them, an experience that speaks volumes about the X9’s ability to serve as a genuine mobile lounge.
Furthermore, the overall quality of materials within the cabin is clearly a cut above, reinforcing the sense of premium luxury.
Performance
In terms of raw power, the X9’s performance is more than sufficient for a family transport. The FWD variant, for example, delivers 315 hp and 450 Nm of torque, resulting in a respectable 0-100 km/h sprint of 7.7 seconds.
This means effortless overtaking and confident merging. The standard four-wheel steering is excellent, proving agile and effective in tight town environments and at low to moderate speeds, giving the large vehicle a surprisingly small turning circle of 5.4metres.
However, the tuning is not flawless; at high speeds on long curves on the highway, the four-wheel steering can induce some peculiar body movements that require a moment to get accustomed to. While it was not dangerous or unstable, it was certainly an odd sensation that briefly caught me out.
Technology
The X9 is a flagship for a tech-focused brand, and it delivers. The car’s overall drive system is well-tuned, exemplified by a throttle map that offers fine control, eliminating the jerking often felt in EVs during low-speed, stop-start city driving.
The infotainment experience is top-notch, powered by a high-end chip (such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon SA8295P in some trims), resulting in a system with very little lag and bright, clear displays.
The Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), known as XPILOT, is equally good. When the Level 2 autonomous driving with adaptive cruise control is activated, the system demonstrates excellent behavior. Its good peripheral vision allows it to calmly deal with cars sneaking into and out of the lane, providing confidence and relief on long highway journeys.
Safety
Safety is fundamentally addressed through an advanced structure and active assistance systems. The X9 is built on the brand’s SEPA 2.0 platform, featuring a high-torsional rigidity of 46,000Nm/deg achieved through integrated front and rear aluminum die-casting.
The body is composed of 83% high-strength steel-aluminum hybrid materials, including a 2,000MPascal Hot Press Formed safety cage.
The X9 also has a 70.9-litre extra-large side curtain airbag covering all three rows. It has achieved a five-star rating in the C-NCAP crash test.
The active safety suite includes the comprehensive XPILOT system mentioned above, featuring Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Centering Control (LCC), and a full array of sensors and cameras that elevate the car’s situational awareness.
Energy Efficiency
As a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), the X9 offers competitive energy efficiency, which is crucial for a large family vehicle.
For the Long Range variants with the 101.5 kWh ternary battery, the official WLTP driving range is up 590km.
The Standard Range, with an 84.5kWh LFP battery, is rated for up to 500km (WLTP). Critically, the X9 operates on an 800 volt architecture, which enables super-fast charging.
The Long Range variants can accept up to 317kW DC fast charging, allowing a 10% to 80% charge in approximately 20 minutes, making longer-distance travel more convenient. The overall energy consumption is generally favorable for a car of this size, with WLTP figures around 17.2kWh/100 km for the Long Range.
Value for Money
In the increasingly crowded premium electric MPV segment, the Xpeng X9 makes a compelling case for itself. When benchmarked against key competitors like the Zeekr 009 and the Denza D9, this is the best value for money proposition.
It provides a highly advanced technical package, genuinely premium materials, a vast and comfortable cabin (including the impressive third row and massive 2,554-litre maximum cargo space), and a unique styling identity—all at a price point that undercuts its rivals.
The only prerequisite is that the buyer can live with the unconventional styling inside and outside, which, for those who appreciate a bold statement, is a minor consideration.
Warranty
The warranty coverage for the XPeng X9 in Malaysia is comprehensive and addresses both the vehicle as a whole and the critical EV components.
The base warranty for the car is set at 5 years or 120,000 km, whichever comes first while crucial electric vehicle components get a significant extension which seems to be the standard in our market.
The High Voltage Battery Pack and Drive Motor Warranty is 8 years or 160,000 km, additionally, the overall ownership package is enhanced by a provision for 5 years of free scheduled maintenance or 100,000 km, whichever comes first, helping to manage the initial running costs for the owner.
The free maintenance package will help potential owners overcome their fear of new EV technology.
BY COTY JUDGE SHAMSUL YUNUS