New Zeekr X 2023 review
The distinctive Zeekr X SUV is coming to Europe, but we try an early Chinese version before it arrives
4.0 out of 5
Verdict
The Zeekr X redefines what we can expect in a small electric SUV. The X combines distinctive looks with a level of luxury (in the four-seat model) that we have not yet seen in such a diminutive car. Range and charging seem competitive, while performance is strong, too. The design is also well thought out and makes the X a practical choice, but the only area that currently doesn’t quite live up to the promise is driving engagement. Hopefully this will be improved on European cars.
The name Zeekr might be new, but the brand does have some history, having started life as an offshoot from Geely-owned Lynk & Co, which is also offering sales in selected European markets. And there’s more familiarity because the Zeekr X SUV is closely related to the Smart #1 and based on the same SEA platform.
Sales of Zeekr’s all-electric cars are set to start in Europe this year, with UK business likely to get under way by the middle of the decade. It’ll be this car, the X, along with the larger 001, that begins the push, and we’ve had an early taste of a Chinese-market model to find out what Zeekr’s mass-market entrant has to offer.
It’s officially branded as an SUV, yet it feels far more like a small hatchback from behind the wheel. Sharp lines make for a distinctive if potentially divisive design, but the Zeekr X certainly stands out.
Things are even more interesting on the inside. Not only is there a choice of single-motor rear-wheel-drive or dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrains, but there’s also the option of a traditional five-seat layout or, as on our test car, a four-seat configuration.
Zeekr’s aim with the X is to bring luxury in a small package. And by and large, with the four-seat model, it achieves it.
First off, the four-seater features a ‘zero-gravity’ reclining seat for the passenger. To free up enough space, the rear seat behind moves out of the way electrically. The seat behind the driver can also pop up to create enough room to transport a pet. Both front seats get heating and ventilation, but only the passenger seat has a massage function.
Much of the interior is modular, and either moves electrically or is removable. The centre console can move forwards
and backwards and has the option of a removable heated and cooled storage unit; the centre screen on the four-seat model slides across the dashboard to act as a dedicated passenger screen; and the rear- bench centre cushion, which doubles as
storage, is also removable. In some places, though, the design is a bit too busy – the dash, for example, has three layers and uses four colours. However, a lot of thought has been put into the design, particularly to maximise usability, which is refreshing.
The boot capacity is not particularly impressive, at 362 litres, but there is also a small hidden compartment as well as a very small storage area in the car’s nose. The tailgate is powered, too.
As with most Chinese cars, the chassis set-up largely focuses on comfort, so the X’s suspension is on the soft side. Making refinement and a smooth ride the priority is also reflected in the car’s steering, which feels on the light side around town, with a little more weight added at speed. It makes the car nicely manoeuvrable, while the steering does have a reasonable degree of feedback and doesn’t seem as artificial as that found in many alternative EVs.
Overall, the Zeekr X’s handling seems acceptable, with a fairly composed feeling from behind the wheel – and we’re led to believe that it’s likely to be tightened up further when the car goes on sale in Europe.
The 311-mile range from our car’s 66kWh battery (up to 348 miles is possible in other models) might also be adjusted too, because these figures were recorded under Chinese testing. The 30-to-80 per cent charge time of 30 minutes should remain.
In all-wheel-drive guise, the car has blistering pace, although this is really only accessible in Sport mode. Both Comfort and Standard are more sedate and there is far less difference between them.
| Model: | Zeekr X You 4-seat |
| Price: | RMB 229,800 (approx £25k) |
| Powertrain: | 66kWh battery/2x e-motor |
| Power/torque: | 422bhp/543Nm |
| Transmission: | Single-speed automatic, four-wheel drive |
| 0-62mph: | 3.8 seconds |
| Top speed: | 118mph |
| Range: | 311 miles (CLTC) |
| Charging: | 150kW (30-80% 30 mins) |
| On sale: | 2025 (est) |
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