Tested: The New Xpeng P7 Electric Sedan Arrives in Israel
The new Xpeng P7 arrives in Israel as a tech-heavy electric sedan priced at 200,000 shekels. Offering impressive performance and luxury features, it challenges the SUV dominance.
Early in the morning, the fastest charging station in Israel, located outside the massive IKEA complex in Rishon LeZion, is occupied. Technically, this station can charge the new Xpeng P7 with energy in ten minutes, an impressive achievement. The catch is that the spot is blocked by a Peugeot 206, a Subaru, and a Chery FX. Of these vehicles, only the Chery is electric, but no one bothered to plug it in. These cars are simply parked in spaces clearly marked "Electric Vehicle Only." Consequently, acrobatics are required: the Xpeng slightly climbs the grass behind the station, carefully navigates between palm trees, and reaches the station from the rear. Once connected, it turns out the promises of ultra-fast charging are true, taking the P7 battery from 30% to 95% in under fifteen minutes. Wonderful, though a pity for the grass.
To understand how the Xpeng P7 operates, one must examine the mindset of the Israeli automotive market. About four years ago, the Tesla Model 3 arrived in Israel. It was a sedan, featuring four doors, and Israelis rushed to buy it because it was practically the only electric sedan available. The Chinese automotive market naturally noticed this and began producing numerous competing sedans, a few of which have now reached Israel. The Xpeng P7 is an exemplary case—an electric sedan that previously lived in the shadow of electric SUVs. Now, the new P7 has arrived, sharing almost nothing with its predecessor. Someone at Xpeng realized that to sell sedans, they must be extreme in design, equipment, and everything else. Regarding design, while it is a family car or perhaps an executive sedan, one cannot ignore its massive proportions. This is a disadvantage when looking for parking, but an advantage for rear-seat passengers. The test car was silver, though another color might have flattered it more. The front bumper features two cooling vents that open silently while driving, and the rear liftgate slopes sharply. It exemplifies how Chinese manufacturers have chosen a bold direction that can sometimes be excessive, but in Xpeng's case, it is impressive.
A Technological Greenhouse on Wheels
The P7 handles long distances smoothly, boasting a claimed range of over 500 kilometers and an LFP battery with a capacity of nearly 75 kWh. Realistically, it will achieve 300 to 400 kilometers, which is far more sensible. The electric motor delivers 313 horsepower, more than enough for a vehicle of this size. On the road, the P7 acts as a technological greenhouse—which is not always a positive trait. First, the P7 is excessively chatty. It is difficult to spend a minute and a half without background alerts for lane departure, speeding, head movement tracking, and much more. While all these functions can be disabled, doing so requires navigating through a labyrinth of menus, submenus, and sub-sub-menus, in true modern automotive fashion. This can be quite frustrating.
Beyond that, one cannot ignore that this is a highly mature vehicle with a uniquely directed and usable interface. In front of the driver is a massive information display, including a side-view camera feed projected onto the windshield. The active cruise control system performs exceptionally well. Notably, while driving the car, occupants can watch YouTube broadcasts—a feature of questionable legality, and certainly one best ignored to avoid accidents. Ride comfort is superior to the previous model, though it is certainly no Toyota Camry. The suspension is active, but the rear still bounces over road bumps, and some road noise penetrates the cabin. Compared to a German luxury car, it falls slightly short, but compared to most Chinese competitors, it is quite reasonable. Another point worth noting: the seats are upholstered in genuine leather, neither artificial nor vegan. Plastic quality is acceptable, though assembly quality is occasionally uneven; for instance, the gap between the door and the dashboard on the right side of the vehicle is significantly larger than on the left.
The cabin deserves close inspection because it offers an overwhelming array of features. Control systems encompass so many functions that time simply runs out. Pre-scheduled charging, background screens, automated parking potential, massage seats, reclining modes, and adjustments of every kind are available. Unfortunately, controlling all of these functions, including the air conditioning, is handled through the central touchscreen, which requires a prolonged adaptation period. It is also unfortunate that the rearview mirror relies on a camera displaying what happens behind the vehicle, and storage options are somewhat limited.
As a side note, the rear bench is more successful than the front cabin, which is already quite good. Rear passenger space is abundant, reminiscent of executive cars costing over half a million shekels. Rear seats can be folded back for resting, and passengers benefit from effective climate control, massage functions, and audio controls. However, some road noise enters the rear seating area during travel—not critical, but something to mention. The trunk is enormous, though unfortunately lacks a spare tire.
The P7 devours kilometers quickly. In principle, it can accept over 400 kW/h at an ultra-fast charging station, though Israel lacks many such stations, and the most suitable one was occupied by non-electric vehicles. On intercity roads, it performs well overall. The rear suspension is slightly less refined than the front, despite having several adjustable suspension modes. It is hard to miss the fact that this car is designed for high-speed, long-distance cruising relying on ultra-fast charging networks, which unfortunately are scarce in Israel. Nevertheless, 400 kilometers covers the distance from Herzliya to Eilat.
At the end of the day, it is hard not to conclude that the Xpeng P7 is a vehicle made appealing by circumstance. If this were three years ago, during the height of the Israeli electric vehicle frenzy, Xpeng would likely cost more. Importers would have marketed it heavily using buzzwords like "premium" and "executive car," and buyers would have paid. Today, however, the Israeli public is no longer rushing to snap up family cars or electric vehicles, meaning competitive pricing is essential—hinting at the substantial profit margins previously enjoyed on such models.
Ultimately, all of that matters less than the fact that the P7 is priced at 200,000 shekels, while remaining massive and generously equipped. For anyone willing to overcome the impulse to purchase an SUV, this car offers significantly better driving dynamics and rich equipment. While it is not a perfect vehicle, in terms of value for money, it does an admirable job.
