Xpeng Motors celebrates its tenth anniversary. It has become a familiar face among new forces in the industry. Many competitors congratulate Xpeng and wish for MONA’s success. MONA is Xpeng’s new series. It stands for Made Of New AI. Xpeng aims to popularize AI smart driving globally. This approach resembles Volkswagen’s launch of the Beetle, making travel enjoyable for more people. After ten years of development, Xpeng has advanced in smart driving. It collaborates with Volkswagen to develop electronic and electrical architecture. The next decade looks promising.
Xiaopeng launched the MONA series’ first car, the M03. It has a guide price of 119,800 to 155,800 yuan (21880$). The car received over 10,000 pre-orders within an hour of its release. This high interest stems from its reasonable pricing. Many find it surprising and see good value for money.
The price starts at 119,800 yuan (16830$). This reminds me of the new Volkswagen car, the ID.3 Smart. Its official limited-time price starts at 119,888 yuan (16840$). Both cars have an official price threshold of 119,800 yuan (16830$). They are both pure electric vehicles in the “3” series. Will they compete with each other?
Xiaopeng MONA M03 offers advanced smart driving for 150,000. First, let’s look at the Xiaopeng MONA M03. This hatchback coupe has a wheelbase of 2815mm, placing it in the mid-size category. At the launch event, Xiaopeng focused on the M03’s design. Its unique lighting, coupe shape, low stance, and trendy color scheme attract urban attention. However, the M03’s main selling point lies in its intelligence.
The car features a 15.6-inch central control screen. It uses the 8155 chip and has 16GB of memory. This setup ensures fast response times. Voice interaction supports multi-turn dialogue and recognizes four voice zones. The car offers lane-level 3D navigation maps. It comes standard with over 20 hardware components for intelligent driving assistance. It supports LCC, ACC cruise control, and APA parking assistance. Additionally, it boasts the XNGP full-scene intelligent driving assistance, which claims to work well nationwide. These features highlight the M03’s intelligence, especially in driving.
Don’t compare just by price. Even under 200,000 yuan (28090$), the Xiaopeng MONA M03’s smart driving level ranks among the best. For the three configurations, the mid-range models priced at 119,800 and 129,800 yuan (18230$) offer standard L2 driving assistance. The main differences between these two versions lie in range and seat functions. The high-end version, priced at 155,800 yuan (21880$), supports the advanced XNGP smart driving. So, with a budget of 120,000 yuan (16860$), does the Xiaopeng MONA M03 still have an edge over the Volkswagen ID.3?
The Volkswagen ID.3 Smart version addresses its weaknesses. It offers good value with terminal discounts. For the entry-level model priced at 119,800 yuan (16830$), the ID.3 outperforms the Xpeng MONA M03 in range, in-car technology, and intelligence. The new ID.3 Smart upgrades to a larger screen and improved technology. However, this merely compensates for its previous shortcomings and does not establish a clear advantage over competitors. The ID.3 features a higher-cost CATL ternary lithium battery, rear-wheel drive, and a front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension. In contrast, the Xpeng M03 uses a Fudi lithium iron phosphate battery, front-wheel drive, and a front MacPherson and rear torsion beam non-independent suspension. The ID.3 excels in driving dynamics among similarly priced options. Considering the ID.3 offers terminal discounts on its 110,000 yuan (15450$) price, its lower smart technology configuration compared to the Xpeng MONA M03 becomes more acceptable.
In conclusion, the arrival of the Xiaopeng MONA M03 injects new energy into the new energy market. Its affordable price and advanced intelligent driving options attract many young consumers. However, if your budget is under 120,000 yuan (16860$) and you don’t need advanced driving features, the increasingly discounted Volkswagen ID.3 is a cost-effective choice for urban commuting. You can consider the high-end version at a final price of 120,000 yuan (16860$).
If your budget is around 150,000 yuan (21070$), skip the high-end Volkswagen ID.3. Choose the Xpeng MONA M03 with advanced smart driving. You will gain a superior experience.