XPeng introduced the Mona M03 some time ago, and this compact sedan immediately drew a lot of attention, quickly becoming the company’s bestseller. It significantly undercuts the Tesla Model 3 on price, starting from around RMB 119,800 (approximately $16,900 / €14,400 / ₹1,410,000). At this price, you might expect a basic, cost-cutting electric car with cheap materials and limited features. However, after spending some time with the Mona M03, we were able to see whether that assumption holds up.
Design
The standout characteristic of the XPeng Mona M03 is its obsessive focus on aerodynamic efficiency. This is what allows the car to achieve a competitive driving range with a relatively modest battery size. With a drag coefficient of just 0.194, it currently holds the record for the lowest drag among mass-produced electric sedans.
This streamlined design gives the Mona M03 a claimed range of 620 km on the very optimistic CLTC test cycle, still putting it in the same league as far more expensive rivals. The car uses a 62.2 kWh battery pack supplied by BYD’s FinDreams division. XPeng says that the aerodynamics alone add about 60 km of extra range compared to similarly sized EVs. It is a strong demonstration that smart engineering can be more effective than simply installing a larger battery. The car is also relatively light for an electric sedan, weighing in at 1,739 kg, which further helps efficiency and performance.
XPeng’s designers worked not only on the overall shape but also on details like an active air intake grille that adjusts according to driving speed to optimize airflow. The Mona M03 spent more than 100 hours in a wind tunnel, resulting in 15 key design changes specifically focused on reducing drag.
Externally, the paintwork looks refined, and the doors close with a solid, premium-sounding “thud.” These small details create a strong first impression and make the Mona M03 feel far from a budget car. The quality of the exterior materials and fit and finish is surprisingly close to that of premium European electric vehicles.
Interior
Inside, the Mona M03 embraces a minimalist layout dominated by a large 15.6-inch central display. This screen is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, which keeps the system running smoothly and supports advanced features such as 3D mapping and a 360-degree camera view. For those who prefer a more traditional setup, a small screen integrated into the steering wheel can be added for an extra RMB 599 (about $84 / €72 / ₹7,000).
The air vents are hidden to create a cleaner dashboard design and automatically adjust the airflow, although there is only a single-zone climate control system. The updated user interface looks fresh and youthful, though it does take some time to get used to. On the positive side, the 7.1.4 sound system offers rich, immersive audio quality that makes long drives more pleasant.
The interior materials are one of the biggest surprises. Sitting in the driver’s seat, it is hard to reconcile the perceived quality with the car’s low price. The seats are soft yet supportive, reminiscent of Volvo’s approach to comfort, and softer than typical offerings from VW or Mercedes. They are finished in high-quality leatherette. The cabin shows careful attention to detail: panel gaps are tight and consistent, and the plastics have a soft-touch, upmarket feel.
Space inside the Mona M03 is generous enough for four adults to travel comfortably, even over long distances. Rear passengers enjoy nearly as much legroom and comfort as those in the front, with the back seats providing a genuinely pleasant place to sit. A full glass roof enhances the sense of space and light, making the interior feel larger and airier than it really is. Combined with the strong material quality and thoughtful design, the Mona M03’s cabin clearly outperforms many of its direct rivals and even some European EVs that cost significantly more.
Features and Practicality
The Mona M03 makes one deliberate compromise in the name of practicality: it uses a rear torsion beam suspension instead of a more sophisticated multi-link setup. This design choice can be felt on rough or uneven roads, where the ride is not as smooth as it could be. However, it allows for a very spacious liftback trunk of 621 liters. Fold the rear seats down, and that expands to a huge 1,603 liters, easily accommodating large suitcases and bulky items.
The trade-off is that rear passengers may experience more jolts over bumps, and their seating position is slightly recessed. Despite its size—almost 4.8 meters in length with a 2.8-meter wheelbase—the Mona M03 is surprisingly agile. Its turning radius of just 5.3 meters makes it easy to maneuver in tight urban spaces, car parks, and narrow streets.
In its 160 kW version, the Mona M03 delivers performance that is solid if not outright sporty, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. A decade ago, any car that could do this sprint in under 8 seconds would have been considered quite fast. In real-world driving, this level of performance is more than adequate, providing confident overtaking and merging. For many drivers, having this much power also contributes to a greater sense of safety.
The steering is tuned for comfort and relaxed cruising rather than sharp, sporty handling at high speeds. Tire and wind noise are well suppressed, remaining unobtrusive even on the highway. Again, these are qualities rarely found in cars at this price level.
Technology and Driver Assistance
On the technology side, the Mona M03 comes equipped with a full suite of Level 2 driver assistance features as standard across all trims. These include Lane Centering Control (LCC), Adaptive Cruise Control, and Automatic Emergency Braking. The system is quite strict about monitoring driver attention, using both a steering torque sensor and an eye-tracking camera to make sure you keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
XPeng’s XNGP (Navigation Guided Pilot) system in the Mona M03 performs just as well as in the company’s other models. It drives smoothly yet decisively, and during a short test, it required no driver intervention at all. The experience feels similar to being driven by a confident, experienced human driver. If you take your hands off the steering wheel, the car issues a gentle reminder and a soft chime, which is much less intrusive than comparable systems in many rival vehicles.
First Impressions
Chinese electric vehicles continue to surprise with strong value and an impressive list of features, but the XPeng Mona M03 appears to push this trend even further. It offers a remarkably complete package in a segment where such a combination of quality, technology, and practicality seemed unlikely not so long ago.
The most exciting news for European buyers is that the Mona M03 is expected to arrive on the continent next year. While much can change between now and its launch, everything we have seen so far suggests that it will be worth the wait.
