Chinese language model Zeekr has already proven off some spectacular new fashions in our market, with the Zeekr X small SUV and the Zeekr 009 luxurious folks mover already discovering their method into purchaser’s driveways.
However this mannequin – the mainstream-focused Zeekr 7X mid-sized electrical SUV – is arguably an important mannequin the brand new tech-led model will launch.
Zeekr falls below the Geely umbrella and this mannequin has loads of wonderful expertise and battery stuff occurring, and by golly it has an abundance of opulent finishes and fancy options, too.
Right here’s a taster of what to anticipate when it arrives within the center a part of 2025.
How a lot does the Zeekr 7X value?
That’s essentially the most pertinent consideration for the success of this mannequin.
In China, like for like, it undercuts the Tesla Mannequin Y, however the model admits that Tesla’s aggressive method in our market (from $55,900 earlier than on-roads for the bottom RWD) is unlikely to be focused.
Apart from, the Zeekr X small SUV begins round that value (from $56,900 earlier than on-roads), so it will be bizarre for the bigger, extra high-tech mannequin to value much less.
On account of that, I’d expect this mannequin to compete extra carefully with the likes of the Skoda Enyaq – which lists at $69,990 earlier than on-roads for the bottom RWD, and tops out at $83,990 earlier than on-roads for the performance-oriented RS dual-motor model.
It may be cheaper. It may cost a little extra. Time will inform, and we’ll maintain you updated with the pricing and specs as info involves mild for the Australian market.
To see how the Zeekr 7X traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What’s the Zeekr 7X like on the within?
There’s nothing unprecedented by way of the inside design of the 7X, with an enormous central digital touchscreen and a plethora of controls managed by means of it. However I didn’t count on it to really feel fairly so plush.
The mannequin I frolicked in was the highest-spec model, with Nappa leather-based inside finishes, laser-etched configurable ambient lighting, and soft-touch parts throughout.
After all, that massive display dominates proceedings, with a number of menus and controls centralised by means of on-screen menus. There aren’t any buttons for local weather or fan controls, however Zeekr does appear to have fairly good voice recognition, so that may make dwelling with it simpler in our market.
I actually didn’t dwell a lot on the display – my understanding of Han is nonexistent – however I did handle to play with a few of the go-to icons, together with the automotive controls (issues like all-windows down, mirror adjustment) and the digital camera system (which is great high quality with dozens of various view modes), and I used to be impressed by the processor velocity when it got here to leaping between menus.
You’ll be able to count on it is going to have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto when it arrives, and sat-nav with dwell site visitors is anticipated by means of the automotive’s linked providers system.
Together with a leather-lined steering wheel, there are additionally heated and cooled entrance seats with electrical adjustment and therapeutic massage features, and people are mirrored within the second row. That’s proper, again seats include heating, air flow, therapeutic massage and electrical adjustment, to the purpose that occupants can recline and chill out.
After all, there are additionally directional air vents, and the anticipated ISOFIX factors and top-tether anchors for child-seats.
However the parent- and kid-friendly bits don’t cease there: the take a look at automobile had a deployable desk for snacks or drawing, and there’s a hidden touchscreen pill show with linked providers and media, too.
Additional, a B-pillar mounted digital camera presents a view of the again seat with out the motive force needing to take their full consideration off the highway forward.
Dad and mom will know that for little ones, this can be a fairly attractive inclusion, with nice potential to control a road-trip snoozer.
The occupant area within the rear is sweet, sufficient for six-footers to have the ability to sit comfortably behind equally sized models. I had no points with head, shoulder or leg room, and it’s a broad feeling cabin with sufficient area for 3 adults throughout.
After all, different facilities like an armrest with cupholders, a set of door pockets and map slots on the seatbacks are all fitted right here too, so I’ve little question the 7X will tick the field for storage-conscious household clients.
On that subject, there’s a good sized boot, with as much as 616 litres of cargo capability out there, in keeping with the model. I think that’s the quantity with the rear seats up and measured to the ceiling, as a result of at a look it appears to be like slightly shallow.
There may be, nonetheless, a divided secondary flooring system with a partition so you may cut up up the boot area, with a big nicely beneath the ground, and a second hidden storage below the entrance a part of the boot space. There’s no spare wheel although – only a restore package.
However there’s a additional storage add-on up entrance, with the entrance trunk providing 62 litres for RWD fashions, and 44 litres within the dual-motor AWD variations.
To see how the Zeekr 7X traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What’s below the bonnet?
The 7X is ready to be provided with a number of three totally different mixtures when it arrives in Australia… nicely, that’s what we consider at this time limit, anyway.
There are prone to be two rear-wheel drive (RWD) variants, delivering 310kW of energy 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 model has an enormous 475kW of energy and 710Nm of torque. It claims staggering acceleration – 0-100km/h in simply 3.8 seconds.
The 7X relies on the Geely Group’s PMA2+ platform (primarily based on the Sustainable Expertise Structure) with an 800V electrical structure. Which means mega-fast charging.
The entry-level 7X will probably rock the 75kWh Golden Battery with 605km of CLTC claimed driving vary.
It makes use of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry and is acknowledged to recharge from 10-80 per cent in simply 10.5 minutes on the most cost price. That’s proper – Zeekr claims you may recharge as a lot as 241km of driving vary in simply 5 minutes… if you could find a charger that outputs sufficient energy and isn’t damaged.
There’s additionally the larger ‘Kirin’ battery pack, which is anticipated to be provided in two mannequin grades, with as much as 780km of driving vary for the RWD, and a bit much less for the heavier dual-motor AWD.
That 100kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) pack is alleged to extend the vary by 546km in simply quarter-hour.
To see how the Zeekr 7X traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How does the Zeekr 7X drive?
I want I knew.
I imply, I obtained a couple of minutes of drive time within the automotive park of the Ningbo Worldwide Racetrack, however it wasn’t sufficient to make any large definitive calls on whether or not that is going to be a critical contender in Australia.
However what was evident, even over only a quick stint of time and distance, was that that is going to be a assured addition to the Zeekr vary.
It’s a strong and clean drive, with comfort-focused air suspension within the mannequin on take a look at. The steering felt correct as nicely – not as pointy as a Mannequin Y, however nonetheless with a comparatively nimble response to its reactions.
And whereas the complete potential of the powertrain wasn’t unleashed throughout my temporary time within the automotive, the numbers are promising, and even in additional sedate driving modes the acceleration was assertive, and the brake pedal really feel was constructive, too.
I additionally piloted it (and passengered in it) on an ‘off-road course’ set on tarmac, the place the suspension was challenged by sharp flip manoeuvres, sharp repetitive bumps, and a steeply angled side-on climb that provoked some cross-up with wheels up within the air at opposing corners of the automotive.
The air suspension (set to excessive mode) coped nicely, and even in that setting it was fairly steady throughout cornering and dealt with comparatively flatly.
I actually can’t wait to get into this automotive in Australia to see what it’s like. It might be a big participant in our market.
To see how the Zeekr 7X traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What do you get?
Anticipate a wealthy normal spec degree for the 7X when it comes Down Underneath, although the main points aren’t confirmed but.
We aren’t anticipating that the Stargate LED mild curtain shall be provided right here as a consequence of Australian Design Rule restrictions on lighting tech for vehicles.
Actual specs shall be decided quickly and we are going to replace you with a full rundown on the usual spec when it’s introduced.
Anticipated Zeekr 7X tools highlights embrace:
- LED lighting entrance and rear
- 20-inch wheels with Continental tyres
- Nappa leather-based inside trim
- Electrical entrance seat adjustment
- Electrical rear seat adjustment
- Heated entrance seats
- Cooled entrance seats
- Therapeutic massage entrance seats
- Heated rear seats
- Cooled rear seats
- Therapeutic massage rear seats
- 16-inch 3.5K miniLED display
- 21-speaker sound system
- Head-up show with augmented actuality
- Laser-etched ambient lighting array with color configuration
- Air suspension (probably solely on the top-spec mannequin)
To see how the Zeekr 7X traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
Is the Zeekr 7X protected?
This mannequin hasn’t been independently crash examined but, however you’d count on it’ll tick all of the bins by way of security expertise and tools.
The options fitted to the 7X embrace the anticipated autonomous emergency braking programs designed to forestall collisions with pedestrians, cyclists and different vehicles, and naturally there’s an array of cameras and sensors to carry out cruise management and steering help features, whereas a surround-view digital camera is anticipated to be normal for parking strikes, in addition to entrance and rear parking sensors and a self-parking system.
Blind-spot monitoring with braking help, cross-traffic alert features with braking, and lots of different options like velocity signal recognition and driver monitoring digital camera expertise may also be normal.
Don’t count on it to be out there right here, however the model has additionally developed a ‘world-first’ little one seat for the 7X with an built-in airbag.
There’s additionally a window-break button that permits you to rapidly shatter the glass if it is advisable evacuate throughout a water emergency.
To see how the Zeekr 7X traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Zeekr 7X value to run?
The ultimate particulars aren’t confirmed but, however it’s probably that Zeekr will provide the identical aftersales possession program for this mannequin because it does for the Zeekr X.
In that occasion, there’ll be a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee and an eight-year, 160,000km battery guarantee, which is on par with the business requirements for EVs.
Past that, you’ll get roadside help and linked providers included.
Scheduled servicing is anticipated to be each two years or 40,000km – whichever happens first.
To see how the Zeekr 7X traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Zeekr 7X
This shall be some of the attractive new electrical fashions to reach within the bustling mid-sized SUV market this 12 months. It has the precise tech and specs, standout design and sufficient fascinating options to make it a really engaging proposition in comparison with a few of its present mainstream rivals.
However will the worth be proper? That’s the big-money query.
Click on the photographs for the complete gallery
MORE: The whole lot Zeekr 7X