I was in Stockholm, where I had the opportunity for a brief encounter with the Zeekr X, which the Chinese manufacturer, with a well-established European base, describes as a compact and luxurious urban SUV.
The Zeekr X is available in two versions, with one or two motors, with prices starting at €44,990 in the Netherlands and Germany, which is quite competitive considering the technology, distinctive aesthetics, and available equipment levels. The two-motor version is priced €4,500 higher.
The headquarters of our operation were based at a hotel near the new Arlanda Airport, 40 kilometers from the Swedish capital’s center, so our test was more in a countryside setting than in the city. Not that the X has any limitations in that regard since, with its 69 kWh battery, it’s capable of up to 445 km of range in the RWD version and 425 km in the AWD version.
As is customary at Zeekr events, the most readily available model for testing is the most powerful and expensive one, in this case, the Privilege AWD. Its two motors offer a combined power of 315 kW (428 hp) and 543 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. The maximum speed is limited to 180 km/h in all models.
First on the road: the twin motor
Due to the limited availability of rear-wheel-drive models, I set off on the road with this powerful and compact model, which features a very distinctive exterior. In the interior, it’s clear that the front seats are the most privileged, with spacious and robust armchairs. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, there is ample space on board, but in the rear bench, the backside of the front seats is always present.
There is no start button, and all you need to do is sit behind the wheel with the key inside and select D or R. Driving is very smooth in the eco and normal modes, the first ones I experienced, saving the Sport mode for later. You can adjust the steering operation and choose between two regenerative braking modes. As is usual, I opted for the stronger one, although it doesn’t completely immobilize the vehicle. As a one-pedal driving enthusiast, this isn’t my preferred solution, especially in the city.
In the intermediate mode, I appreciated the increased progressiveness of the accelerations, which were quite vigorous when desired. In Sport mode, the engine’s response is too aggressive, and it didn’t seem to match the Zeekr X’s intended purpose.
Regarding the handling, you can notice the attempt to find a compromise between comfort and precision in more sporty driving, made possible by its power and all-wheel drive capabilities. However, with a passive suspension, combining MacPherson at the front and multi-link at the rear, it would always be challenging to please everyone. In this case, I feel Zeekr slightly prioritized comfort, even with the 20-inch wheels of this AWD version. The body control is quite good though, and any lack of precision in cornering and occasional momentary traction loss is only noticeable in a type of driving that is unlikely to be adopted by the targeted audience.
The combination between great power and all-wheel drive makes this vehicle a entertaining one to drive fast, with the instant response of the motors, excellent traction, and good tires. The Privilege AWD is very fast, and its compact dimensions provide good agility on winding roads.
The units we tested were still pre-series, so some details will undoubtedly be improved and have more active functionalities, as not all have yet been approved in the European Union. Perhaps some transitions, such as switching off the cruise control or engaging traction control, could be smoother, but these are refinements that can be made later on. Note that Zeekr’s traction system is very fast because it collects data not through wheel speed sensors but by monitoring the rotation of the traction motor.
Single motor in more than fine
After a short wait for the Long Range RWD, I finally got to drive it on a route of about 20 kilometers. This version has 19-inch rims and slightly narrower tires than the AWD. Its single motor on the rear axle has 200 kW (272 hp) and 343 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. The Long Range version is 105 kg lighter than the two-motor version, but I didn’t notice greater agility in corners. In fact, with the X — given the limitations of this brief encounter — I was more impressed with the AWD, which, for those who value moments of sporty driving, offers superior competence, as the all-wheel-drive system actively contributes to a more agile model on winding roads.
I’ve already mentioned the refined interior with excellent vegan materials, but I should also mention the intelligent cockpit that the X shares with the 001. There are two information screens, one near the steering wheel and the other in the center console, the latter with a 14.6-inch touch screen, complemented by a head-up display that can show navigation data, driving assistance systems, and more.
Through the central screen, you can configure the vehicle’s operation, including driving mode, throttle response, and steering.
Safety assured
The well-known SEA platform, also used in the 001, is characterized by the predominant use of high-strength steel, offering an excellent balance between safety and low weight. It has been tested to withstand high-intensity impacts, both in the passenger compartment and in the battery pack.
Furthermore, it is equipped with seven airbags and has an extensive list of driving aids, including adaptive cruise control, highway assistance, front and rear collision mitigation, among many others. Additionally, the X can be equipped with a Sentry Mode, which films the surrounding area if any suspicious activity is detected when the vehicle is parked.
Other interesting features include the Life Detection mode, which protects children and pets left inside, as well as the Theater mode for enjoying music. There is also a virtual assistant with artificial intelligence capable of activating various functions using voice commands.
Charging and Warranties
The Zeekr X’s lithium-ion battery pack uses NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) technology produced by CATL, with an eight-year or 200,000 km warranty. The X is equipped with a heat pump to increase energy efficiency in the air conditioning system, reducing consumption and preserving the vehicle’s range, especially in winter. The onboard AC charger has a power of 22 kW, but the X accepts DC fast charging at up to 150 kW. With one of these chargers, charging from 0 to 80% is completed in less than 30 minutes, according to Zeekr. Zeekr announced a partnership with the company Plugsurfing during this presentation, allowing owners of their vehicles to use over 550,000 charging points in 27 European countries.
Welectric take
The Zeekr X is well-suited for urban and suburban European areas, with its compact dimensions and a premium positioning, complemented by aesthetics, materials, and technology. It’s not hard to understand that for an urban and demanding audience that values local zero-emission vehicles, sustainable materials, without compromising on refinement, this model will be very appealing.
The distinctive aesthetics and high technology, powered by the innovative and powerful Qualcomm 8155 chip, are also enticing for an informed audience. In general, the Zeekr X is surprising, especially due to its all around competence, showing itself to be an atractive and capable product. We predict that it won’t be long before it’s frequently seen in urban areas of the markets where it’s being introduced.
The brand’s expansion in Europe will happen in the coming months in Germany, France, and Belgium. To see the Zeekr X in Southern European markets, some patience will be required but, according to my own experience behind the wheel, it might prove to be worth the wait.
