Chinese brand Zeekr has already shown off some impressive new models in our market, with the Zeekr X small SUV and the Zeekr 009 luxury people mover already finding their way into buyer’s driveways.
But this model – the mainstream-focused Zeekr 7X mid-sized electric SUV – is arguably the most important model the new tech-led brand will launch.
Zeekr falls under the Geely umbrella and this model has plenty of amazing technology and battery stuff going on, and by golly it has an abundance of opulent finishes and fancy features, too.
Here’s a taster of what to expect when it arrives in the middle part of 2025.
How much does the Zeekr 7X cost?
That’s the most pertinent consideration for the success of this model.
In China, like for like, it undercuts the Tesla Model Y, but the brand admits that Tesla’s aggressive approach in our market (from $55,900 before on-roads for the base RWD) is unlikely to be targeted.
Besides, the Zeekr X small SUV starts around that price (from $56,900 before on-roads), so it would be weird for the larger, more high-tech model to cost less.
As a result of that, I’d be expecting this model to compete more closely with the likes of the Skoda Enyaq – which lists at $69,990 before on-roads for the base RWD, and tops out at $83,990 before on-roads for the performance-oriented RS dual-motor version.
It might be cheaper. It might cost more. Time will tell, and we’ll keep you up to date with the pricing and specs as information comes to light for the Australian market.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What is the Zeekr 7X like on the inside?
There’s nothing unprecedented in terms of the interior design of the 7X, with a huge central digital touchscreen and a plethora of controls managed through it. But I didn’t expect it to feel quite so plush.
The model I spent time in was the highest-spec version, with Nappa leather interior finishes, laser-etched configurable ambient lighting, and soft-touch elements all around.
Of course, that big screen dominates proceedings, with multiple menus and controls centralised through on-screen menus. There are no buttons for climate or fan controls, but Zeekr does seem to have pretty good voice recognition, so that might make living with it easier in our market.
I honestly didn’t dwell much on the screen – my understanding of Han is nonexistent – but I did manage to play with some of the go-to icons, including the car controls (things like all-windows down, mirror adjustment) and the camera system (which is excellent quality with dozens of different view modes), and I was impressed by the processor speed when it came to jumping between menus.
You can expect it will have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto when it arrives, and sat-nav with live traffic is expected by way of the car’s connected services system.
Along with a leather-lined steering wheel, there are also heated and cooled front seats with electric adjustment and massage functions, and those are mirrored in the second row. That’s right, back seats come with heating, ventilation, massage and electric adjustment, to the point that occupants can recline and relax.
Of course, there are also directional air vents, and the expected ISOFIX points and top-tether anchors for child-seats.
But the parent- and kid-friendly bits don’t stop there: the test vehicle had a deployable table for snacks or drawing, and there’s a hidden touchscreen tablet display with connected services and media, too.
Further, a B-pillar mounted camera offers a view of the back seat without the driver needing to take their full attention off the road ahead.
Parents will know that for little ones, this is a pretty enticing inclusion, with great potential to keep an eye on a road-trip snoozer.
The occupant space in the rear is good, enough for six-footers to be able to sit comfortably behind similarly sized units. I had no issues with head, shoulder or leg room, and it’s a broad feeling cabin with enough space for three adults across.
Of course, other amenities like an armrest with cupholders, a set of door pockets and map slots on the seatbacks are all fitted here too, so I have no doubt the 7X will tick the box for storage-conscious family customers.
On that topic, there’s a decent sized boot, with up to 616 litres of cargo capacity available, according to the brand. I suspect that’s the number with the rear seats up and measured to the ceiling, because at a glance it looks a little shallow.
There is, however, a divided secondary flooring system with a partition so you can split up the boot space, with a large well below the floor, and a second hidden storage under the front part of the boot area. There’s no spare wheel though – just a repair kit.
But there is a further storage add-on up front, with the front trunk offering 62 litres for RWD models, and 44 litres in the dual-motor AWD versions.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
The 7X is set to be offered with a selection of three different combinations when it arrives in Australia… well, that’s what we believe at this point in time, anyway.
There are likely to be two rear-wheel drive (RWD) variants, delivering 310kW of power and 440Nm of torque. It’s no slouch, accelerating from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.8 seconds.
The all-wheel drive (AWD) dual-motor version has a huge 475kW of power and 710Nm of torque. It claims staggering acceleration – 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds.
The 7X is based on the Geely Group’s PMA2+ platform (based on the Sustainable Experience Architecture) with an 800V electric architecture. That means mega-fast charging.
The entry-level 7X will likely rock the 75kWh Golden Battery with 605km of CLTC claimed driving range.
It uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry and is stated to recharge from 10-80 per cent in just 10.5 minutes at the maximum charge rate. That’s right – Zeekr claims you can recharge as much as 241km of driving range in just five minutes… if you can find a charger that outputs enough power and isn’t broken.
There’s also the bigger ‘Kirin’ battery pack, which is expected to be offered in two model grades, with up to 780km of driving range for the RWD, and a bit less for the heavier dual-motor AWD.
That 100kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) pack is said to increase the range by 546km in just 15 minutes.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Zeekr 7X drive?
I wish I knew.
I mean, I got a few minutes of drive time in the car park of the Ningbo International Racetrack, but it wasn’t enough to make any massive definitive calls on whether this is going to be a serious contender in Australia.
But what was evident, even over just a short stint of time and distance, was that this is going to be a confident addition to the Zeekr range.
It’s a solid and smooth drive, with comfort-focused air suspension in the model on test. The steering felt accurate as well – not as pointy as a Model Y, but still with a relatively nimble response to its reactions.
And while the full potential of the powertrain wasn’t unleashed during my brief time in the car, the numbers are promising, and even in more sedate driving modes the acceleration was assertive, and the brake pedal feel was positive, too.
I also piloted it (and passengered in it) on an ‘off-road course’ set on tarmac, where the suspension was challenged by sharp turn manoeuvres, sharp repetitive bumps, and a steeply angled side-on climb that provoked some cross-up with wheels up in the air at opposing corners of the car.
The air suspension (set to high mode) coped well, and even in that setting it was pretty stable during cornering and handled relatively flatly.
I really cannot wait to get into this car in Australia to see what it’s like. It could be a significant player in our market.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
Expect a rich standard spec level for the 7X when it comes Down Under, though the details aren’t confirmed yet.
We aren’t expecting that the Stargate LED light curtain will be offered here due to Australian Design Rule restrictions on lighting tech for cars.
Exact specs will be determined soon and we will update you with a full rundown on the standard spec when it’s announced.
Expected Zeekr 7X equipment highlights include:
- LED lighting front and rear
- 20-inch wheels with Continental tyres
- Nappa leather interior trim
- Electric front seat adjustment
- Electric rear seat adjustment
- Heated front seats
- Cooled front seats
- Massage front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Cooled rear seats
- Massage rear seats
- 16-inch 3.5K miniLED screen
- 21-speaker sound system
- Head-up display with augmented reality
- Laser-etched ambient lighting array with colour configuration
- Air suspension (possibly only on the top-spec model)
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the Zeekr 7X safe?
This model hasn’t been independently crash tested yet, but you’d expect it’ll tick all the boxes in terms of safety technology and equipment.
The features fitted to the 7X include the expected autonomous emergency braking systems designed to prevent collisions with pedestrians, cyclists and other cars, and of course there’s an array of cameras and sensors to perform cruise control and steering assistance functions, while a surround-view camera is expected to be standard for parking moves, as well as front and rear parking sensors and a self-parking system.
Blind-spot monitoring with braking assistance, cross-traffic alert functions with braking, and many other features like speed sign recognition and driver monitoring camera technology will also be standard.
Don’t expect it to be available here, but the brand has also developed a ‘world-first’ child seat for the 7X with an integrated airbag.
There’s also a window-break button that allows you to quickly shatter the glass if you need to evacuate during a water emergency.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Zeekr 7X cost to run?
The final details aren’t confirmed yet, but it is likely that Zeekr will offer the same aftersales ownership program for this model as it does for the Zeekr X.
In that instance, there’ll be a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty, which is on par with the industry standards for EVs.
Beyond that, you’ll get roadside assistance and connected services included.
Scheduled servicing is expected to be every two years or 40,000km – whichever occurs first.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Zeekr 7X
This will be one of the most enticing new electric models to arrive in the bustling mid-sized SUV market this year. It has the right tech and specs, standout design and enough desirable features to make it a very attractive proposition compared to some of its current mainstream rivals.
But will the price be right? That’s the big-money question.
Click the images for the full gallery
MORE: Everything Zeekr 7X
