At 6 feet 8 inches tall, NBA star Paul George does not fit comfortably in most vehicles. So when he recently climbed into the XPENG G9L — a new electric SUV from Chinese automaker XPENG — he had good reason to be picky. His verdict? "10 out of 10," he said in a video posted on XPENG's RedNote page. "I need one."
The G9L is a five-seat electric SUV measuring 5,120 millimeters long — roughly the length of a small moving van. Despite its size, XPENG claims it sets the benchmark for vehicles in its class, with both front and rear seats able to recline into zero-gravity positions simultaneously. The front seats fold completely flat and merge with the rear seats without removing headrests. For a player entering his 16th NBA season as a nine-time All-Star, those adjustable seats matter. The adaptive seats contain 91 pressure sensors that adjust to each passenger's body, and all seats include heating, ventilation, and multiple massage settings. A dual-zone refrigerator can keep cold packs and water handy.
George compared the SUV's look to the Range Rover he drives in the United States, but the G9L is actually more aerodynamic than a Toyota Prius or even a Ferrari Luce, with a drag coefficient of just 0.238. He also praised the paint color — XPENG offers it in blue and green, colors George says he admires.
Under the hood — or rather, beneath the floor — the G9L delivers 430 kilowatts of power, equivalent to 577 horsepower. Its 800-volt platform can add 450 kilometers of range in just nine minutes. Based on early testing, the total range reaches up to 805 kilometers on the CLTC scale, a Chinese testing standard. An extended-range version offers up to 350 kilometers of battery-only range.
The vehicle comes loaded with technology. It offers 2,250 TOPS of computing power to run XPENG's latest intelligent driving system, which the company says is designed for global markets and is poised to be the first to meet new harmonized UN DCAS regulations. Rear passengers get a 21.4-inch 3K screen that folds down from the ceiling, along with a motorized tray table that folds out from the center armrest. Electric sunshades for the roof and side windows block light and prying eyes.
Cargo space totals 1,152 liters — more than many three-row SUVs with their third row folded down. Two carry-on suitcases fit below the rear floor, and there are numerous storage compartments throughout the cabin.
The G9L will launch in Europe at the Paris Motor Show in October. XPENG is also expanding into the Philippines, which could make the vehicle more accessible in Southeast Asia. Pricing has not yet been announced, but with features aimed at comfort, accessibility, and long-distance travel, the G9L seems designed for people who want a vehicle that works as hard as they do.