Recently, the XPENG MONA series unveiled its third model, the MONA L05, for pre-sale. The moment the price was revealed, it triggered widespread public debate. Many netizens claimed that the price of this “intelligent and trendy large five-seater SUV for the youth” is set too high. Frankly speaking, for a mid-size SUV, a pre-sale price range of 169,800 to 191,800 yuan is not unjustified. After all, the market is flooded with all-electric mid-size SUVs with starting prices surpassing 160,000 yuan, and top-tier variants exceeding 200,000 or even 250,000 yuan.

The crux of the issue lies in the fact that since its inception, XPENG MONA has positioned itself as an affordable sub-brand under the XPENG umbrella. However, the pre-sale price of the XPENG MONA L05 fully overlaps with the price range of the XPENG G6 and even nears that of the XPENG G7. It’s somewhat perplexing how a model from an affordable sub-brand can command a higher price than a main brand model with a higher market positioning. From another angle, the price range of the first model in the XPENG MONA series, the MONA M03, is merely 119,800 to 151,800 yuan, and the price of the second model, the MONA L03, has only marginally increased to 123,800 to 156,800 yuan. The top-tier variants of these two compact cars are priced just over 150,000 yuan. Although the XPENG MONA L05 is positioned as a mid-size SUV, the price gap between it and the two compact models seems somewhat excessive.

It’s also worth noting that the pre-sale price of the entry-level variant of the XPENG MONA L05 is 25,000 yuan higher than that of the Mazda EZ-60, a mid-size all-electric SUV. It’s 30,000 yuan more expensive than the base model of the Qiyuan Q06 and a staggering 40,000 yuan more than the entry-level variant of the Volkswagen ID.AURA T6. It’s even 33,000 yuan pricier than the starting price of the ARCFOX Alpha T7, which is positioned as a mid-to-large SUV. In summary, from any perspective, the pre-sale price of the XPENG MONA L05 appears somewhat ambitious. Of course, to appeal to the youth, the XPENG MONA L05 has put in considerable effort.

Firstly, in terms of design, the MONA L05 was co-created by Juanma Lopez, the former head of exterior design at Ferrari, and a post-2000s design team. The XPENG MONA L05, with its dynamic coupe-like silhouette, exudes youthfulness and vitality. Details such as large dual-tone wheels, floating island-style exterior mirrors, yellow brake calipers, and frameless doors are all tailored to cater to young people's aesthetic preferences. Moreover, the MONA L05 is a sizable vehicle, with overall dimensions of 4870mm x 1930mm x 1636mm and a wheelbase of 2940mm, ensuring ample space for two rows of seating and luggage.

What’s even more noteworthy is the intelligent driving capabilities of the MONA L05. Official information reveals that the Max version is equipped with one Turing AI chip, boasting an effective computing power of 750 TOPS, and features the second-generation Turing VLA Lite model. The Ultra SE version is outfitted with two Turing AI chips, with an effective computing power of 1500 TOPS, supporting the full-fledged second-generation VLA. Some commentators have pointed out that the intelligent driving capabilities of the MONA L05 are at a leading level within its price range and also constitute a major selling point.

However, these factors cannot overshadow the significant flaws in the MONA L05’s product offering. It’s unavoidable that the MONA L05 is built on a 400V platform, whereas many models on the market currently come standard with an 800V platform. Although the 400V supply chain is mature and cost-effective, it feels somewhat “outdated” compared to the 800V platform. Additionally, the MONA L05 utilizes a 58.2-71.1 kWh battery from CALB, with a corresponding CLTC range of 535-635 kilometers. The battery capacity and range have raised eyebrows among users. Among several potential competitors in the same price range, models such as the ARCFOX Alpha T7 and Qiyuan Q06 offer a starting range of 600 kilometers, with high-end variants providing over 700 kilometers of range. Faced with these competitors, the range of the MONA L05 seems somewhat inadequate.

Some netizens commented that the 400V architecture, McPherson suspension foundation, and a range starting with a 6 cannot justify such a steep price premium. In the eyes of consumers, if they can purchase an 800V ultra-fast charging and 700-kilometer range at the same price, why would they opt for a 400V fast charging and 600-kilometer range? Therefore, some netizens bluntly expressed their views as follows.