XPeng unveiled the Mona M03 a while ago. This compact sedan immediately attracted a lot of attention and quickly became the company’s bestseller. It significantly undercuts the tesla Model 3 in terms of pricing, starting at RMB 119,800, which translates to roughly $16,900.
At that price point, you could expect a “cheap-and-cheerful” vehicle. The logic dictates that this has to be an EV with a lot of corners cut – cheap materials, a limited feature set. But since we got a chance to spend some time with Mona M03 we were actually able to check if that’s the case.
Design
The defining characteristic of the XPeng Mona M03 is its relentless pursuit of aerodynamic efficiency. That helps the car achieve solid range with a relatively small battery. The M03 has a drag coefficient of 0.194, which is the lowest ever recorded for a mass-produced electric sedan.
This allowing the EV to hit a range of 385 miles on the admittedly very optimistic CLTC, but even so it’s comparable to far more expensive rivals. This comes with a 62.2 kWh battery pack, supplied by BYD’s FinDreams. XPeng claims that this aerodynamic design adds about 37 miles of range compared to similarly sized competing EVs, proving that engineering can be more than just finding space for a huge battery. The vehicle is relatively lightweight, tipping the scales at 3,834 lb – and that certainly helps as well.
XPeng’s designers not only worked hard on the car‘s shape, but also added an active air intake grille that adjusts based on driving speed to improve airflow. The Mona M03 went through more than 100 hours of wind tunnel testing, which resulted in 15 key design changes to maximize its low-drag profile.
On the outside, the paintwork has a refined finish, and the doors close with a satisfying, high-quality “thud.” These seemingly small details make a huge difference in first impressions – we cannot stress enough that the Mona M03 does not feel at all like a vehicle at this price should. The quality of materials and finish is not far off premium European EVs.
Interior
Inside, the Mona M03 features a minimalist design anchored by a large 15.6-inch display. This screen is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, providing snappy performance for advanced features like 3D mapping and a 360-degree camera system. Drivers who prefer a traditional gauge cluster can opt for a small steering wheel screen for an additional RMB 599.
Air vents are hidden for a cleaner look and automatically adjust airflow, though you only get a single AC zone. The new interface has a youthful look, but its quirks do take some time getting used to. On a positive note, the 7.1.4 audio system delivers a rich, immersive sound that makes long journeys more enjoyable.
And then there are the materials used for the interior… Sitting in the driver’s seat, it is almost hard to comprehend the price of this vehicle. The seats are soft but supportive in that very special Volvo-like way, softer than VW or mercedes, and finished in high-quality leatherette. The details are well-thought-out, all the panels fit perfectly, and the plastics used in the cabin have high quality soft finish.
There is enough room inside the M03 for four adults to travel in comfort, even for extended periods. The rear passengers have as much room as the ones in the front, with the rear seats offering a comfy place to be. The full glass roof adds to the spacious cabin, making it airy and possibly much larger than it really is. Combined with the quality finishes, the M03’s interior is surprisingly well above its competitors, and it beats many European EVs that come at a much higher price.
Features
The Mona M03 makes one clear trade-off when it comes to passenger comfort for outstanding practicality. The car features a torsion beam suspension in the rear, which is bound to be felt on less than perfect roads. The simpler suspension does contribute to a generous 21.9 ft³ liftback trunk, though. With the rear seats folded down, cargo space expands to a massive 56.6 ft³, easily handling large suitcases and all your gear.
But the torsion beam setup means rear passengers may feel some jarring over bumps, and they sit in a slightly recessed position. The car‘s dimensions – almost 15.7 ft long with a 9.2 ft wheelbase – hide a remarkable agility. Its turning radius of just 17.4 ft is impressive, making the XPeng Mona M03 easy to maneuver in tight situations.
Performance in the 160 kW version is respectable if not thrilling, moving from a standstill to 62 mph in 7.4 seconds. Do keep in mind that 10 years ago, any sub-8-second car was considered to be very fast. In any situation on the road, this much acceleration is sufficient, and for many drivers, having this much power is a safer option anyway.
The steering is calibrated for a relaxed, comfortable cruise rather than sharp, precise turning at high speeds.
The tire and wind noise is well suppressed, hard to notice even at highway speeds. Again, these are qualities that are rare-to-nonexistent at this price point.
On the technology front, the M03 comes full Level 2 driver assistance system, with Lane Centering Control (LCC), Adaptive Cruise Control, and Automatic Emergency Braking in all trims. The car is quite strict about driver monitoring, using a torque sensor and an eyeline camera to ensure you keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
The XNGP (XPeng’s own Navigation Guided Pilot) is as good as it is in any other XPeng EV. It’s smooth and assertive, and in our short test drive, it didn’t need any help; there were no interventions, and the overall experience is that of being driven by an experienced driver. Taking the hand off the steering wheel is met with a quick reminder and a soft chime, nowhere near as annoying as it is in other vehicles.
First impressions
Chinese EVs are full of surprises these days, bringing great value, and a number of intriguing features. But the Mona M03 is arguably taking another step forward, offering a complete package that we didn’t think possible in these parts of the market until not that long ago.
The best bit? It’s coming to the Old Continent next year. A lot can change between now and then, but it definitely looks like it’s worth the wait.
