Xpeng L03 Performance Ultra (2026): A Technophile's Electric SUV with Competitive Pricing and Features

With the Xpeng L03, the emerging brand is diving into the competitive electric SUV market, aiming to attract tech enthusiasts and families alike. This model, measuring 4.65 meters in length, positions itself below the G6 and boasts appealing pricing, impressive features, and efficient charging capabilities despite its 400V electric architecture. The Xpeng L03 aims to challenge established rivals such as the Peugeot E-3008, Skoda Enyaq Coupé, Volkswagen ID.5, and Tesla Model Y.

Market Positioning and Design Highlights

Xpeng is ramping up its presence in France, having delivered 3,300 vehicles in 2025 and targeting over 6,000 sales in 2026, with 1,500 units of the L03. This new offering embodies the brand's "Vital Flow" design language, featuring a sleek fastback silhouette with an inclined roofline, frameless doors, and smooth body contours. The front end showcases a plunging hood and distinctive semi-X headlights that ensure the model stands out without veering into extravagance.

Aesthetically, the Xpeng L03 presents balanced proportions, with a striking rear that includes a steeply sloped window and a light strip that enhances its dynamism. Unfortunately, while the standard and mid-range versions offer up to five color choices, the Performance Ultra in France is currently limited to black, and the violet hue showcased in the test model is not available.

Pricing and Variants

Starting at €34,990, the Xpeng L03 already promises a competitive offering with 245 horsepower and a WLTP range of 445 kilometers. The Grande Autonomie version, available for €37,990, boosts the range to 520 kilometers. Although these prices are competitive, it’s notable that the vehicle’s Chinese production disqualifies it from several state subsidies in France. The Performance Ultra, which features two motors generating a total of 388 horsepower and priced at €46,990, represents the top-tier option.

Driving Impressions

The L03 prioritizes onboard technology and comfort over dynamic driving sensations. Its compact, almost square steering wheel—a format gaining popularity—might not singularly enhance driving experience. Maneuverability is somewhat compromised in urban settings, partly due to notable blind spots. Nonetheless, Xpeng makes up for this with sophisticated automation features, such as self-parking capabilities. Simply position the car on the desired spot via the screen, and the vehicle will park itself, much like technologies seen in Mercedes models.

Should you find yourself in a tight turnaround situation, the L03 can autonomously reverse out of a cul-de-sac using its memory of the last hundred meters traversed. These advanced features come standard even on the base model, while the more sophisticated Level 3 autonomous driving—dubbed NGP—is made possible through two in-house Turing AI chips available on the Ultra variants. The lower-tier models utilize a simpler Bosch-based ADAS system, providing more conventional driving aids.

However, some of the ADAS systems tend to be overly aggressive in their interventions, such as the driver attention monitoring system, which can become intrusive by continuously vibrating the steering wheel after alerting the driver, even once the car displays that it’s back under full control. This issue wasn't isolated and was also noted during the test of the P7+, Xpeng's luxury sedan.

Performance and Ride Quality

On highways, the 388 horsepower produced by the L03 can be enjoyed without excessive harshness. When selecting driving modes, the "Sport" setting is preferable for a more responsive steering feel and a less vague throttle response. That said, the steering remains somewhat muted in feedback. Overall, the L03 performs better on highways rather than winding country roads, where the suspension may struggle with irregularities, resulting in noticeable body movements under rapid directional changes. However, it maintains competent handling as long as the driving is of a reasonable nature.

Braking is effective and quickly responsive but can feel somewhat aggressive. While one would expect a softer release, regenerative braking proves more nuanced. The absence of a true one-pedal driving experience is evident, but reports indicate that European branches of Xpeng are advocating for this feature, which may be incorporated via software updates in the future. On long drives, the L03 excels at maintaining comfort and keeping cabin noise levels low.

Efficiency and Range of the Xpeng L03 Performance Ultra

During a day spent primarily on secondary roads, the L03 managed a consumption of 16 kWh per 100 km, affirming its technical specifications. The claimed mix-cycle range of 440 kilometers appears feasible under these conditions. For enhanced efficiency, it would be ideal if the L03 allowed for on-the-fly power regeneration adjustments directly via the steering wheel. Unfortunately, users are limited to choosing between two levels via the central touchscreen, which isn’t practical while driving.

Notably, the specifications across the Grande Autonomie and Grande Autonomie Ultra versions reveal only a 40-kilometer range difference despite both models sharing identical motor, battery, wheels, tires, and equipment. Furthermore, although Xpeng utilizes a reasonably sized battery, it compensates with impressive charging capabilities that peak at 236 kW DC, enabling a transition from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes under optimal conditions.

Interior Features and Cargo Space

The interior of the L03 follows a minimalist digital design theme. The dashboard is well-finished with synthetic materials that feel premium, hosting a 15.6-inch touchscreen alongside an 8.8-inch driver display that is less effective outside the speedometer. While physical controls are scarce, the car boasts a remarkable thirty-seven storage compartments, including a conveniently designed two-level center console and a 10-liter drawer accessible to rear passengers. As an Ultra variant, it offers dual interior color choices and customizable ambient lighting with 256 color options.

Up front, the L03 features heated, ventilated, and massaging power-adjustable seats that ensure comfort and adequate lumbar support. The spaciousness of the rear seats provides ample legroom and headroom, despite the fastback profile. However, the central rear seat remains tight, with a steeply angled cushion that could compromise comfort on longer trips while potentially restricting cargo space—set at a disappointing 367 liters, which is low for a vehicle of its size. While a front trunk (frunk) adds 44 liters to the overall cargo capacity (89 liters for the single-motor version), the split-folding 40/20/40 rear bench permits flexible loading, expanding the total cargo volume to 1,640 liters.

Multimedia and Connectivity

Focusing on its digital aspects, the L03 is equipped with XOS version 6.0 on the central 15.6-inch screen—housing infotainment, navigation, and the majority of vehicle settings, including built-in Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google Maps. The audio system features 20 speakers with custom equalizer settings across nine frequency ranges, enhancing audio quality. While the updated XOS interface is user-friendly, it isn’t particularly groundbreaking, and basic settings, such as side mirror orientations, require navigation via touch, which can be cumbersome.

Availability and Pricing

The new Xpeng L03 will officially launch in France during the October 2026 Paris Auto Show. The Performance Ultra variant starts at €46,990, a competitive price given its features and technical specifications. For comparison, the Tesla Model Y Performance is nearly €63,474, offering a stronger 460 horsepower with a 0 to 100 km/h time of just 3.5 seconds and a WLTP range of 580 kilometers—a definite edge in performance, efficiency, and charging network access.

The Skoda Enyaq Coupé 85x, with 299 horsepower and all-wheel drive, begins at €52,560, while the RS variant with 340 horsepower is priced at €58,330. It poses a stronger challenge against the Xpeng with superior range and a sizable cargo area of 570 liters. While the L03 Performance Ultra may fall short in raw performance and range, its proposition offers substantial value for under €47,000.

Overall Impression of the Xpeng L03

Ultimately, the Xpeng L03 Performance Ultra impresses with its price-to-feature ratio and its comfort on highways. The vehicle appeals to tech-savvy buyers seeking spaciousness and quiet driving environments. However, its drive quality falls short on less-than-ideal roads, steering feedback could be improved, and its trunk space is somewhat lacking given the car's overall dimensions. The model leans towards being a better long-distance cruiser than a dynamic sports SUV and is more likely to attract those with a penchant for technology.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Attractive price-to-feature ratio
• Comfortable and quiet on highways
• Ample rear seating space

Cons:

• Disappointing trunk capacity
• Heavy dependence on touchscreen controls
• Stiff ride quality on rough surfaces

Specifications and Dimensions of the Xpeng L03

Pricing and Warranty for the Xpeng L03 in France

Standard Equipment of the Xpeng L03

Standard Range

• 18-inch wheels
• Full LED headlights
• Head-up display
• Heated and ventilated front seats with power adjustments
• Heated steering wheel
• Pano glass roof
• Audio system with 9 speakers
• Heat pump
• Electric tailgate
• XPilot Assist
• Dual-zone climate control
• Split folding rear bench (40-20-40)
• DC charger (193 kW)
• Bidirectional charging (V2L)

Long Range (In addition to the Standard Range)

• 71.2 kWh battery
• DC charger (236 kW)

Long Range Ultra (In addition to the Long Range)

• 20-inch wheels
• Three Turing AI processors
• Autonomous driving level 3 capability
• XOpéra audio system with 11 speakers
• Assisted parking
• Five color options

Performance Ultra (In addition to the Long Range Ultra)

• 4x4 drive
• Massaging front seats
• XOpéra audio system with 20 speakers

Options for the Xpeng L03

• Metallic paint: €950
• Removable tow hitch: €990

In conclusion, the Xpeng L03 Performance Ultra presents a compelling package for those prioritizing technology and comfort in an electric SUV under a competitive price point.