Xpeng L03 revealed: Model Y rival from €35,600, UK launch in 2027

Xpeng has priced its new L03 coupe-SUV for mainland Europe from €35,600, with up to 382bhp, and has confirmed it for the UK in 2027. Early estimates put the British starting price at about £35,000, which is roughly £5,000 less than the Xpeng G6.

The L03 is aimed squarely at the Tesla Model Y. Xpeng calls it a "next-gen AI SUV coupé". It was unveiled at the same time in 65 markets at a brand event in Munich in July. European deliveries begin before the end of 2026, and right-hand-drive cars follow next year. Electrive has now driven the car in the tri-border region around Basel, so for the first time there is a first-hand verdict to go with the spec sheet.

Xpeng L03 specs: batteries, power and range

All the versions sold in Europe so far are fully electric and use LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries. There are four versions:

• Standard Range RWD: 58.3kWh battery, 180kW (241bhp) rear motor, 0–62mph in 7.5 seconds, 445km (276 miles) WLTP.
• Long Range RWD: 71.2kWh battery, same motor, 0–62mph in 6.6 seconds, 520km (about 323 miles) WLTP.
• Performance AWD: a front motor brings the total to 285kW (382bhp) and 431Nm, 0–62mph in 4.5 seconds, 440km (about 273 miles).
• Performance Ultra AWD: the same mechanicals with more equipment.

Peak DC charging is 193kW on the smaller battery and 236kW on the larger one. Xpeng quotes under 20 minutes for a 10–80% charge on both. AC charging at 11kW is standard, and so is vehicle-to-load.

Auto Express understands the L03 uses a 400-volt system, unlike the G6's 800-volt platform. A range-extender (EREV) version is also planned. Xpeng hasn't given its specs, but Auto Express expects a combined range of more than 600 miles. That would make it one of very few range-extender cars on sale in Britain.

Design, cabin and practicality

The shape comes from Xpeng's design team led by JuanMa Lopez, a former Ferrari designer. It has a fastback roofline, frameless doors and a drag coefficient of 0.228Cd, which Xpeng says is the best in its class. The car is about 4.65m long. That is roughly 10cm shorter than a G6 and close to the Skoda Enyaq Coupe.

Inside there is a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, a head-up display that can show maps and the reversing camera, and Google Maps built into the navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, as is a cooled phone pad. The front seats are heated, ventilated and massaging. Electrive found the rear seats roomy, with good headroom, and thought the materials were better than many European cars at this price. The boot holds 367 litres, there is a frunk of 89 litres (RWD) or 44 litres (AWD), and the L03 can tow up to 1,500kg.

Electrive first drive: what the L03 is like on the road

The headline of Electrive's verdict is that the L03 doesn't nag. Its capacitive steering wheel detects your hands without constant tugging, and the alerts are kept to a sensible level. Many Chinese EVs, and plenty of European ones, have been criticised for exactly this.

On the motorway, the Level 2 assistance holds its lane and distance well, and it changes lanes confidently when you flick the indicator. Electrive called it almost stress-free up to 150km/h. On country roads it reaches its limits much sooner. Self-parking works well in an empty car park but is too slow for parallel parking on a busy street.

The tester found the car stable at speed but noted some body roll, light steering even in its sportiest mode, and regenerative braking that could blend more smoothly. Wind and road noise are a bit higher than in German rivals. Even so, the conclusion was that the car feels confident for its price. Xpeng's more advanced Next Generation Pilot (NGP) system runs on three in-house Turing chips and is due to reach Europe from 2027. In Britain it will arrive through over-the-air updates.

Expected UK price and how the L03 fits next to the G6

Xpeng UK hasn't confirmed prices. Auto Express expects a starting price of around £35,000, and EV Fleet World says under £35,000. EV Powered suggests a wider range of £30,000–£40,000. The German prices give a useful guide: the larger battery adds €3,000, and four-wheel drive adds another €3,000.

The L03 would sit below the G6, which currently starts at £39,990 with a range of up to 326 miles. Buyers would choose between the G6's faster 800-volt charging and larger body, or the L03's lower price, sleeker shape and newer software. The L03 will also join the X9 people carrier in an expanding UK range. You can see the whole line-up on our Xpeng brand page.

Rivals: which coupe-SUVs and electric SUVs are on sale now

The obvious target is the Tesla Model Y. The L03 also takes on the Skoda Enyaq Coupe, Kia EV6 and Ford Capri. Several Chinese rivals are already in UK showrooms:

• MG MGS6 EV: a family SUV from £37,995 with up to 329 miles of range.
• Leapmotor C10: from £36,500, with a range-extender sister model on sale in Europe.
• Changan Deepal S07: from £39,990, another sleek Chinese electric SUV at G6 money.
• MG IM5: from £39,950 with a 441-mile range, if you'd rather have a fastback saloon.
• BYD Sealion 7: a bigger coupe-SUV from £47,025.

For cheaper options, see our guide to the cheapest Chinese electric cars. If range matters most, our list of the longest-range Chinese EVs is the place to start.

What happens next

European deliveries start before the end of 2026. UK specs and prices should follow in 2027 alongside right-hand-drive production. A key question is whether the L03 could qualify for the UK Electric Car Grant. That is uncertain for Chinese-built cars, because the grant is tied to the carbon emissions of manufacturing. Trade policy is moving too. The EU's tariffs on Chinese EVs, and its new deal with Beijing on hybrid imports, will affect how the EREV version is priced in Europe. Meanwhile, rivals are moving production closer to home, as BYD's plans for a French factory show.