The Zeekr X is a mid-sized SUV that bridges the gap between established premium marques and volume brands – a compelling proposition for buyers seeking high-end features without the painful price tag.
Zeekr is part of the Geely group who own brands including Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. This ownership structure provides Zeekr with bona-fide European credentials. The design team in Gothenburg is led by former design chief of Bentley and Audi, with a philosophy of attainable luxury. With European design and Chinese technology, the Zeekr brand is destined primarily for Western markets. Distributed and backed by Giltrap Group in New Zealand, this partnership ensures access to one of the largest parts distribution centres and significant resource knowledge.
X builds on the Volvo EX30 platform. You immediately notice the Zeekr X is stylish. The body panels look right at home alongside the Volvo range. Frameless windows and mirrors are part of that premium touch where details matter. Buyers can choose from five colours, ranging from white to a pine green, and the paint quality is impressive, featuring a pearlescent finish that stands out in the sunlight. The car sits on handsome 19- or 20-inch rims that look at home on any high-end vehicle. Wrapped in Continental tires, they fill the arches giving a planted stance.
The cabin offers restraint and calm. Clean lines lead the interior, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Space is excellent for a car of this size: a six-foot-two person can sit comfortably in the rear seat. A smoked fixed glass roof spans the cabin, affording a fabulous view and adding to the sense of airiness. The interior comes in three colourways: charcoal black, blue, or mulberry rose.
The standout feature of the interior technology is the powerful Yamaha stereo. It includes 13 speakers and metal speaker grilles that look exceptional. The sound quality exceeds expectations with professional, crisp, high-quality audio. The infotainment system is slick and responsive, intuitive and configurable. The interface allows for easy wireless phone integration. Great news is that with the heads-up display projecting vital information onto the windscreen you can keep your eyes on the road.
The voice control system works well without requiring specific training. It understands natural commands for navigation, music, and temperature adjustments. For those who prefer physical control, the steering wheel features customisable buttons. You can set these to trigger a range of frequent functions.
X builds on the Volvo EX30 platform.
You immediately notice the Zeekr X is stylish.
Practicality is everywhere and we can’t list everything here. The car features V2L (Vehicle to Load) technology: that is a power socket for appliances, a practical feature for camping or road trips. The comprehensive safety suite uses five cameras, five radars, and 12 sensors to monitor the environment. It includes blind spot detection, automatic parking assistance, and seven airbags.
It’s an easy car to live with in town due to excellent manoeuvrability, visibility and an accurate camera package. The all-wheel drive (AWD) model puts down 315kW of power and sprints to 100km/h in an extraordinary 3.8 seconds. Acceleration is effortless. The Zeekr X beats most cars off the line with the instant torque. On main roads, the car possesses a gliding feel that is pleasant. It remains quiet, thanks to the well-insulated cabin, and the ride quality on highways is good.
The one-pedal driving mode works well and is configurable to your style. The car features snow and off-road modes, including hill descent control. While this is no dedicated off-roader, these systems provide extra confidence if conditions deteriorate. The adaptive cruise control and lane holding assist work reliably, maintaining distance and keeping the vehicle centred.
Positioned as a brand that sits at the higher end of the value market, the package at this price is good and backing that up is the warranty package – five years with unlimited kilometres, and eight years or 160,000km for the high-voltage battery. That is peace of mind!
If you’re looking for a good family car, it’s hard to go wrong with the Zeekr X. It offers a safety heritage, great design, and a lot of equipment for the money. A stylish and rapid vehicle that challenges the norm.
The rear-wheel drive version starts at $59,990, while the performance-focused all-wheel drive model is $69,990. Sitting in between is the RWD + Convenience package which adds Yamaha hi fi, electric passenger seat controls, heated steering and more.
