XPeng’s top-tier SUV for the Australian market, the G9L, is shaping up to become the brand’s first seven-seat electric SUV locally when it reaches showrooms toward the end of next year, assuming there are no delays to its rollout. The G9L is expected to be a more advanced and larger evolution of the existing G9, which is already sold in overseas markets. The standard G9 is a five-seat, mid-to-large electric SUV comparable in size to models such as the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, and it offers a driving range of up to 585km under WLTP testing. The addition of the “L” badge strongly suggests a stretched body and longer wheelbase, which would allow space for a third row of seats and position the vehicle as a competitor to seven-seat electric SUVs like the Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 9, and Mercedes-Benz EQB.
According to Jason Clarke, chief executive of XPeng’s Australian distributor TrueEV, the G9L appears to be a noticeably larger and upgraded version of the G9 currently being evaluated in Australia. While full specifications have not yet been confirmed, Clarke indicated that the longer wheelbase implied by the “L” designation points to increased interior space. When asked directly about seating capacity, he noted that although a seven-seat layout has not been officially confirmed, the company is aiming for a “five-plus-two” configuration. This typically refers to a vehicle with two smaller third-row seats designed mainly for children or shorter passengers rather than full-size adults.
Beyond added seating capacity, the move from G9 to G9L is also expected to bring visual and technological enhancements. The updated model is likely to adopt a refreshed exterior design consistent with newer XPeng vehicles, along with upgraded in-car technology. It may also sit on an improved platform better suited to right-hand-drive markets such as Australia. Clarke acknowledged that new styling, technology, and revised underpinnings are all part of the current direction for the G9L, although final details have yet to be locked in.
A key benefit of the new platform could be an increase in driving range, potentially pushing beyond the 600km mark and surpassing rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 9. The existing G9 offers a rear-wheel-drive setup producing 258kW and 465Nm, paired with either a 78.2kWh or 92.2kWh battery. These configurations deliver WLTP-rated ranges of 502km and 585km respectively. An all-wheel-drive version with dual motors boosts total output to 423kW and 695Nm, enabling a claimed 0–100km/h time of just 4.2 seconds, though range drops slightly to 540km.
XPeng also highlights impressive fast-charging capabilities for the G9, with the ability to charge from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 12 minutes under ideal conditions. This is possible thanks to peak DC charging rates of up to 445kW with the smaller battery and 525kW with the larger pack, provided compatible charging infrastructure is available.
In terms of pricing, the current G9 in Germany is priced between €59,600 and €72,600, which converts to roughly $105,500 to $128,600 Australian dollars. However, local pricing is expected to be significantly lower. Based on the positioning of the smaller XPeng G6 in Australia, the standard G9 could arrive with a price tag between $75,000 and $90,000. Factoring in an estimated $5000 premium for the larger and more advanced G9L, the flagship SUV would still be priced competitively, undercutting the entry-level Kia EV9 and many other seven-seat electric alternatives.