Chinese AI technology plus Ferrari design equals a left-field performance EV

Find Xpeng L03 driven: Can China's 'next-gen AI' SUV rival Europe's best? deals
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The Xpeng L03 may well be the most interesting-looking electric SUV from China yet, and not just because it was designed by the man behind some of Ferrari’s most striking modern berlinettas.

Sure, the L03’s bonnet has swelled arches like Juanma López’s 458 Italia, but it also has a swooping roofline and flick of spoiler at the back to satisfy coupé-SUV tastes. Wide hips clear space at the rear for a light bar that’s flanked by two racy vents. Safe to say that from more than just a few angles, the Xpeng L03 is a bit of a looker.

Ferrari inspirations aside, there's also a hint of Polestar in the headlights and MG IM6 in the rear light bar.

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DESIGN & STYLING

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It’s certainly more striking than the bigger and more blob-shaped G6, which introduced Xpeng to Britain in early 2025. And while the L03 uses a 400V electrical architecture instead of the G6’s 800V one, it’s the smaller car that makes more significant use of Xpeng’s advanced AI technology, which it has been developing as a technology company since 2014.

L03s in high-spec Ultra form each feature three of Xpeng's Turing chips (which take their name from legendary British computer scientist Alan Turing), giving them level-three autonomous driving abilities, at least in China.

Going for the Performance model means you compromise on range, meaning those not needing 425bhp might be better-served by the rear-drive Long Range.

If the the rear-wheel-drive, single-motor, small-battery car that opens the L03 range (and lacks those fancy chips) starts from £33k, as is expected, it will comfortably undercut the popular Skoda Enyaq.

It could even run the equally great Renault Scenic very close and should easily undercut the BYD Atto 3 Evo, although the Geely EX5 might retain budget class honours with its £32k entry price.

The top-of-the-range Performance Ultra that we’re driving looks as compelling of an option on paper as it does in Phantom Purple on 20in wheels. An anticipated sub-£45k price could rank it several thousand pounds under the Skoda Enyaq vRS. Yet this quickest of L03s gets 425bhp from its dual-motor powertrain, which is 90bhp more than the sporty Skoda.

In short, those willing to take a punt on a new brand might see more than just a low starting price and some Ferrari bragging rights in the L03.

It has a slippery drag coefficient of 0.23, but its claimed range of does fall behind the competition. The entry-level RWD car uses a 58.3kWh battery for 277 miles, while the Long Range version uses a 71.2kWh battery for a 323 miles. That’s 49 miles short of Skoda’s leggiest Enyaq and 69 miles behind Renault’s most efficient Scenic. The 4WD Performance Ultra is good for 273 miles, but that’s still 70 miles down on the Enyaq vRS.

For those who spend their lives on motorways, the L03 might well prove the least convenient option.

INTERIOR

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It isn’t half comfortable, though. Whereas the Enyaq vRS and Kia EV6 GT have sporty seats and Alcantara trim, even the hottest L03 Performance Ultra is clearly more focused on comfort inside. It uses soft-touch synthetic leathers backed by cushioning, meaning everything - from the heated, vented and massaging seats to the armrests and dash top - feels plush.

The oval-shaped steering wheel looks odd but it feels good in your palms, so long as you don’t mind being forced to drive with your hands at ten-to-two.

While one of the steering wheel buttons controls the L03's autonomous driving functions, UK-market cars won't get the full capabilities, due to local regulations.

Somewhat ironically, given the L03's tech credentials, the biggest frustration comes with the Xpeng’s infotainment system. It reacts rapidly to your fingers like the best smartphones, understands conversational commands, thanks to its advanced AI, and even allows you to turn off ADAS with only two taps; but it features small shortcut widgets that are tricky to press on the move.

Thankfully, those who use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will see that the 15.6in touchscreen is large enough to ensure Apple's and Google’s widgets are much bigger.

But with the climate control menu being fully digital too, those who prefer a more analogue interaction for key interior functions may struggle with the L03.

Rear seat space, however, is fantastic, with plenty of leg, head and even foot room for a 6ft frame to sit comfortably. Extending the vertical space are proper footwells and a full-length panoramic sunroof.

There’s a hidden storage drawer under one of the seats and the middle seat is usefully wide, plus it can fold down to reveal a ski hatch.

The rear bench’s 40/20/40 split may be needed for more than just skis though, because the L03’s swooping roofline has clearly hampered space versus rivals, the boot measuring 367 litres.

At least there’s a frunk (44 litres in a 4WD car or 89 litres in a RWD car) in which to hide away your charging cables.

ENGINES & PERFORMANCE

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The L03 Performance Ultra is obviously a quick car, but it’s also not headache-inducingly violent under full power.

There are no fake engine noises or gears, unlike in the EV6 GT, but the cabin feels well insulated from wind and road noise. So while progress can be swift, the comfort focus remains prominent on the move.

You can't fully switch off the electronic stability control, so even in Sport mode the L03 Performance Ultra forces you to drive smoothly.

RIDE & HANDLING

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The ride feels squishy and soft, ensuring that this Performance-badged car is actually more effortless than sporting.

That does, however, mean that the plus-two-tonne SUV rolls through bends more than its hot rivals. It’s never aloof or out of control, and the damping never needs more than a couple of strokes to gather things up, but it’s not playful or particularly exciting to chuck about. Just composed, quick and grippy on its 245-section Goodyear EV boots.

VERDICT

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There are weak points, like steering that is both void of feel and a little too sensitive on the motorway to let you relax your hands, even when the road is straight, while Switzerland’s coarser motorway surfaces seemed to encourage a small vibration through the body; but overall first impressions suggest that the L03 Performance Ultra is a genuinely nice thing to drive.

With punchy performance and a squishy ride, not to mention smart autonomous functions and a brilliant head-up display that can project the reverse camera view directly onto the windscreen, the car makes great case for itself.

Suffice to say, like the G6 before it but in a wholly different way, the L03 could very well be another left-field option worth considering.