XPENG Declares VLA 2.0 Superior To Tesla’s FSD In Dramatic Real-World Test

• According to the XPENG video, the XPENG P7 with VLA 2.0 required only two driver takeovers across the tested routes.
• In contrast, the Tesla Model 3 with FSD needed seven takeovers.
• Critics noted that Tesla’s FSD rollout in China uses restricted or non-latest versions compared to what is available in the U.S.

In a head-to-head real-world showdown promoted by Chinese EV maker XPENG (XPEV), two prominent U.S.-based Tesla enthusiasts traveled more than 10,000 kilometers from the U.S. to China to compare Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system against XPENG’s VLA 2.0 autonomous driving technology.

Tesla’s FSD, short for full self-driving software, is a driver assistance technology to automate several driving tasks. The system still requires active driver supervision, though Tesla has voiced optimism for the technology solving vehicle autonomy in due time. VLA 2.0, meanwhile, is XPeng’s own autonomous driving system, which also requires active driver supervision.

TSLA Vs. XPEV In Autonomous Driving

The comparison, detailed in a video posted today by XPENG’s official account on X, pits the two systems against each other on identical routes through dense urban traffic, scooter-filled streets, pedestrian crossings, and unpredictable road conditions typical of Chinese cities. The testers — auto vlogger Rich Rebuilds and his collaborator Joe — are shown driving both an XPENG P7 equipped with VLA 2.0 and a Tesla Model 3 running FSD.

According to the XPENG video, the XPENG P7 with VLA 2.0 required only two driver takeovers across the tested routes. In contrast, the Tesla Model 3 with FSD needed seven takeovers. The clip shows the XPENG system smoothly navigating around scooters, bicycles, parked vehicles, and oncoming traffic, while the Tesla system is depicted hesitating, attempting incorrect turns, or requiring manual intervention in congested intersections and construction-like scenarios.

XPENG, in a post on X, framed the test as a fair, same-road comparison under “real-world conditions” and “same chaos,” positioning its VLA 2.0 technology as more capable in the complex, high-density traffic environment of China.

The post has drawn mixed reactions on X. Some users praised the demonstration as evidence of XPENG pulling ahead in autonomous driving, while others questioned the fairness of the test. Critics noted that Tesla’s FSD rollout in China uses restricted or non-latest versions compared to what is available in the U.S.

Tesla is currently eyeing approvals to expand FSD into Europe and China. Last month, the Netherlands approved the technology, making it the first European country to do so.

How Did TSLA Retail Traders React?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around TSLA stayed within the ‘extremely bullish’ territory over the past 24 hours while message volume remained at ‘high’ levels.

Meanwhile, sentiment around XPEV stock was ‘bullish,’ coupled with ‘high’ message volume.  

While TSLA stock has gained about 28% this year, XPEV stock has fallen 23%. 

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