Chinese automakers are eager to plant a flag in Europe, but some come across as more credible than others. Among the credible players, Xpeng stands out, already offering a well-rounded lineup that includes four SUVs and a sedan. Yet apparently four SUVs weren’t enough, because the manufacturer has confirmed that its new Xpeng L05 will soon arrive in Europe.
An Electric Family-Friendly SUV
Xpeng’s SUV lineup is already substantial. It features the G6 and the G9, and more recently the L03 and G9L. Yet Xpeng still makes room for another model: the L05, a large 4.87-meter-long family SUV, i.e., just about as long as a G9.
The design is close to that of the Xpeng L03 with its plunging hood. The headlights appear identical, and you’ll spot the same rear light strip. However, the roofline is less sharply raked, which adds cargo space. Early figures put the trunk at 702 liters and up to 1,913 liters with the rear seats folded. There’s also a 103-liter front trunk (frunk).
Inside, there’s a prominent 17.3-inch screen. The dashboard is very clean, with ambient lighting running from the doors to under the windshield. The steering wheel and the center console look identical to what’s already shown on the L03.
Two Electric Drivetrains and a Hybrid?
The Xpeng L05 is already announced in China with two electric versions. The entry-level model uses a 58.2 kWh battery, delivering up to 560 km of range. This figure is based on the Chinese CLTC cycle, which would translate to roughly 450 km under the WLTP cycle.
The second electric variant uses a larger 71.1 kWh battery for up to 635 km, again in CLTC terms, which corresponds to a little over 500 km in WLTP.
In China, a range-extended version is also planned, as with the L03. It uses a petrol engine to recharge the battery when needed. You can plug the car in to run in full electric mode before the engine starts producing electricity to reach up to 1,310 km CLTC, about 1,100 km WLTP. However, this version may not reach France: the French tax regime is more favorable to fully electric vehicles. The L03 with range extender isn’t sold in France, but it is offered in other European countries.
The Xpeng L05 is expected to debut in Europe at the Brussels Motor Show in January 2027.
