The XPeng MONA L05 launched tonight with official prices of RMB 144,800-176,800. Order before 24:00 on December 15, 2026 and a further RMB 5,000 is deducted, bringing the limited-time price to RMB 139,800-171,800 - RMB 20,000 below the pre-sale price for the same specification. A new entry-level PLUS variant has also been added, so the MONA L05's starting point is a full RMB 30,000 lower than during pre-sale - a pleasant surprise for anyone who had been waiting with cash in hand. XPeng has also prepared 5,000 units of stock. Once the deposit is paid and the order locked, a car can be allocated as early as the night of launch, with the first deliveries on November 1. Including the new PLUS, the range totals six configurations across electric and range-extended powertrains. Is it worth buying, and which version suits you? Below we work through positioning, perks and specification differences one by one. How are the five configurations split? First, the rules. In one sentence: the range is split into three tiers, Plus, Max and Ultra SE. The Plus does not support XPeng's second-generation VLA driver-assistance system and is electric-only. The Max and Ultra SE tiers support the Lite and full versions of the second-generation VLA model respectively. Every tier is available as both an EV and a range extender. The EV is split into two cars by long and short range, while the range-extender versions all have identical range whatever the trim. Now the features common to the whole range. Whether range extender or EV, every car uses a single rear motor producing 183kW and 280Nm - power is not cut back on cheaper trims. The chassis pairs MacPherson struts with a five-link independent rear suspension, supports DCC continuously variable damping and comes on 18-inch wheels with 225/50 R18 tyres. The platform is 400V across the range but supports 3C fast charging: 10-80% takes 19.1 minutes on the EV and 14.7 minutes on the range extender. The range extender uses a 1.5L naturally aspirated unit and will run on 92, 95 or 98 octane fuel. Standard equipment is generous: double-glazed acoustic front glass, rear privacy glass, a power memory tailgate, front seats with power adjustment, ventilation, heating, massage, memory and welcome function, power rear backrest adjustment, heated rear seats, a 10-litre drawer under the seat, a panoramic roof with power sunshade, a heated steering wheel, a rear table, 50W air-cooled wireless phone charging, a velvet headliner, 256-colour ambient lighting and a 750 TOPS Turing chip supporting full-scenario NGP and the second-generation VLA Lite model. The centre screen is a 17.3-inch unit running a MediaTek 8676 chip, paired with a head-up display and no instrument cluster. Safety kit includes seven airbags, and there are nine speakers. A zero-gravity passenger seat is optional. Now the configurations one by one. EV 560 Plus. Although it is the cheapest car, it loses none of the standard equipment listed above; it simply does not support the second-generation VLA driver assistance. For anyone who likes driving themselves or has little interest in assistance systems, this is the trim most worth recommending. Rating: 5/5 EV 535 Max. A 58.2kWh battery, 535km of CLTC range and 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds. Specification is not low - everything above is included - and the Max supports the second-generation VLA Lite model, which is the core difference from the Plus. Even in Lite form it covers the vast majority of scenarios, and as a bonus feature the VLA Lite system remains a first-tier assistance system today. The problem is range: a five-seat SUV 4,870mm long with a 2,940mm wheelbase offering just over 500km of electric range in 2026 is hard to justify. This version therefore suits owners with modest range needs, mainly urban commuting and convenient charging. Any long-distance use will make 535km of CLTC range feel tight. Rating: 3/5 EV 635 Max. It costs RMB 10,000 more than the 535 Max, with 13kWh more battery for 71.1kWh, 100km more CLTC range than the entry car and a 0-100km/h time improved from 7.3 to 6.8 seconds. That RMB 10,000 spent on range is worth it in my view, and 635km covers the vast majority of use cases. As the pick of the electric line-up, if the budget allows, the 635 Max is the safe choice. Rating: 5/5 EREV 1310 Max. The range extender uses a 37.2kWh battery for 310km of CLTC electric range, a 1.5L naturally aspirated generator and 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds. Its advantage is clear: daily commuting can be done almost entirely on electricity, long trips carry no charging anxiety, and the generator runs on 92 octane, so running costs stay friendly. It suits owners with limited charging access or frequent long journeys. Rating: 5/5 EV 635 Ultra SE and EREV 1310 Ultra SE. We will cover both Ultra SE cars together. The premium over the equivalent Max is RMB 12,000 for either powertrain. The upgrade is straightforward: two Turing chips for 1,500 TOPS in total, support for the full second-generation VLA model, more computing headroom and stronger assistance, plus map-free NGP roaming and NGP from a standstill. Put simply, the RMB 12,000 buys the full-fat version of XPeng's second-generation VLA model and the computing reserve for future higher-level capabilities. It is not cheap, so the choice comes down to budget and priorities. For assistance enthusiasts, heavy users, or anyone buying the car specifically for XPeng's assistance, paying up for the Ultra SE makes complete sense. For most family buyers, the Max is already more than enough. Rating: 4/5 Perks and options - read the maths first. On the basic perk, a RMB 1,000 deposit counts as RMB 3,000 against the car, effectively a RMB 2,000 discount. On limited-time option offers, the front seat upgrade pack (driver's AI adaptive seat plus zero-gravity passenger seat) and the 20-speaker audio system are free for a limited period; both are genuinely useful and worth recommending. The 17.3-inch rear entertainment screen is RMB 1,499 for a limited time, and whether it is worth it depends on real need. The ROMA package is RMB 9,999 normally and RMB 6,999 in the promotion, but note that the 20-inch wheels alone are RMB 6,000, or RMB 4,000 in the promotion. The ROMA package at RMB 9,999, or RMB 6,999 promoted, includes the special 20-inch wheels, a sporty exterior kit, leather seats, a suede headliner and a custom UI. If you are going to order the wheels separately, it makes more sense to add RMB 3,000 and take the whole ROMA package. XPeng's pricing strategy here is genuinely clever. Buying advice. 560 Plus: generous comfort equipment and a clear range advantage; the first choice for buyers with no interest in driver assistance. 535 Max: suits buyers who want assistance and tech, but range comes first - consider it only if you mainly commute in the city, and think twice if you regularly drive long distances. 635 Max: the best pick in the electric range, with more relaxed range; the RMB 10,000 premium is well spent. 1310 Max: suits owners with limited charging access or frequent long trips - 310km of electric range plus a generator covers both daily and long-distance use. Ultra SE: for buyers specifically chasing high-level intelligence. Two Turing chips and the full VLA model justify the extra outlay, but for ordinary users the Max is enough and the RMB 12,000 is unnecessary. Overall, the MONA L05 line-up is clearly tiered. The Plus covers honest, practical needs with plenty of space and equipment; the Max adds richer assistance and tech; the Ultra SE is aimed at assistance enthusiasts and heavy users. (Text by Autohome, Liu Mingyang)