No need to run, and hide. The ZEEKR 009 takes luxury MPV travel to a new high, proving it can make life wonderful
Singapore – While the idea of the luxury MPV was pioneered by the Japanese, and in a very small way, the Germans, it looks to me that the Chinese are the ones who have truly nailed it. And in my eyes, the ZEEKR 009 luxury MPV has set that bar very high.
But before I continue, I must say that it is absolutely mindblowing, looking at how far the Chinese have come, in just the last few years. The cars produced have found their place due to their affordability, and often, their high levels of equipment. Also of late, improvements in overall quality, have turned them into serious enough competition, that the West has taken notice.
I am writing this review while spending a few days in Shanghai, where ultra modern architecture rises above that of the late Qing era, and where I am surrounded by a good handful of brands that are not (yet) available in our home market. Domestic competition in China is stiff, with many brands maxing out their touchpoints, including having their showrooms located in malls across the city. Just yesterday, while at one of these, I had two sales people from the Xiaomi showroom approach me, as I was about to walk into a Starbucks. To meet their KPIs, they had to either draw people into their showroom or obtain their contact details.
It is in this competitive environment, where each brand tries to outdo the other, that would be the perfect catalyst for brands to improve on the quality of their vehicles and their features. And it is in this environment that the ZEEKR 009 is born.
What is a ZEEKR 009?
One of the few times I found a brick beautiful, was when I set eyes on the Volvo 850 T5R Estate in Primerose Yellow. The ZEEKR 009 to me is one of those ‘few times’. Perhaps ZEEKR had taken a leaf off its Swedish relative? But speaking of Volvo, their EM90 is very heavily based on the ZEEKR MPV. And funny enough, it is the Swedish car that is the rounder of the two.
With simple creases on the bodywork, together with an imposing grille and “inverted U” Daytime Running Lights, the ZEEKR 009 exudes the sort of commanding road presence, which prompts a would-be roadhog to make way.
In ensuring the best use of the 009’s footprint, the front-end has a cab-forward design, adding to more cabin space. The gem-like Starlight aero wheels, which I feel should be kept as they are, perfectly complement the luxury MPV’s grille.
They say, its what’s inside that truly counts
I would almost fully agree, because I am already into the 009’s styling. On the inside, you’re greeted by mounds of supple full grain Nappa leather. At the front, where I’ve spent most of my time with the car, you get a sense of space, due largely to large its steeply-raked windshield.
The dashboard is a neat and uncluttered affair, where its “barely there” air-conditioning vents, is a pleasant touch. A 15-inch super-sharp 2.5K OLED infotainment touchscreen whcih sits in the middle of the dash, is driven by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset, which generates quick and smooth transitions. It also has pretty good voice-assistance, although it still pales in functionality (and humour) in-comparison to those found on higher-end BMW and Mercedes-Benz cars.
It is clear that ZEEKR have taken the good in European automotive knowhow, and charted their own course. This is especially evident with the infotainment’s functionality. Where some Chinese brands have gone for that overkill of senseless features, the 009’s infotainment shows thoughtful restraint. Don’t get me wrong though. There is plenty here, and much of the car’s features, including the front and middle row’s body relaxation programmes, and ventilation controls are just a few swipes away.
Premium audio is from a 30-speaker Yamaha system, which includes speakers mouted in the front and middle row headrests. Where serenity is paramoint, the navigational instructions can be piped solely into the driver’s headrest.
There are however two things I’d love to have changed. Adjusting the servo-assisted air-conditioning vents from the screen can prove to be quite frustrating. I always feel that manual adjusters are always the way to go. Secondly, the huge glossy plastic panel across the dashboard does cheapen the look of the interior. Perhaps they could have considered dark grey open pore wood instead… I know, it is a wish, but never say never, the Chinese are known to move very quickly.
Like all luxury MPVs, the middle row has the best seats. In the ZEEKR’s case, the left seat would be dank, as it also has a footrest, which is deployed from the front passenger seatback. I particularly like the small touchscreen clocks on both the door cards, whcih swipe to reveal individual climate control and seat memory. Also on the panel, there are controls for the power windows. Both seats also have their own physical function controls, which allow you to toggle the reclining angle, and very importantly the massage intensity.
Of-course if you’re seated here, you’re going to need to feel important. A ceiling-mounted 17-inch screen, and a camera can be deployed for you to to take meetings, or do things other than business, including YouTube. For further spoils, the 009 is also equipped with a built-in fridge drawer, located at the rear of the centre compartment.
If you are the “unfortunate” passenger seated at the third row, you are definitely going to feel left out, but not overly, as the rear confines can accommodate a pair of average-sized adults. The seats and headrests do also have some sculpting to cradle you in relative comfort.
I note that what is lacking in some MPVs, is their inability to handle decent cargo, while on full passenger mode. But over here, there is little compromise, as even with the third row deployed, the 009 is still able to take in 574 litres of luggage – which is similar space as a BMW X3’s, albeit being more upright. On the flip-side, if you do need more luggage space, the fixed third row does limit how much you can really load, even with the seatbacks folded.
Wafty-soft and pillowy around town, dynamic enough where you’d need it
If you are chasing for that gold standard for road-ironing plushness, for a dollar less than $400k, the 009 probably rides almost better than anything this side of the Rolls-Royce Spectre I just dropped off. The twin air-chamber adaptive air suspension system, paired with a CCD (Continuous Damping Control) electromagnetic dampers is quite the engineering gem. Being able to buffer-out the harshest of dips, which is great, be it carrying the extended family or doing TowKay things in our westerly hinterlands. Within the soundproofed cabin, things are serene, where away from actual driving, your only worries could be about the intensity of your seat’s massage and how much ventilation your behind needs.
When you feel the need to take things quicker, the 009 does so without protest. The twin motor setup which produces 450kW (612hp) and 693Nm, propels the almost 2,900kg lux-o-barge to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds – meaning that it would edge a Volkswagen Golf R Performance Pack to the century mark by point-one of a second.
But while it is certainly quick in getting your family “there”, at speed, the luxury MPV holds its own, as it picks through twisting side roads. The now stiffened suspension, just remarkable in mitigating weight transference while still fending-off B-road coarseness.
An active and passive strongbox
It almost seems that ZEEKR had tapped onto their group’s Volvo safety knowhow, when building the 009. The chassis is reinforced, with the most notable feature being the strong single-cast rear-end. This is complemented by seven airbags in-case there is a collision.
There is also a miles-long list of driver assistance and active safety to keep the car in-check. This includes a 360-degree camera, and a suite of advanced assistance systems, including Cornering Brake Control (CBC), which acts like an electronic limited-slip differential to help keep the 009 safely in its turning line.
Simply brilliant
You can definitely tell that ZEEKR has gotten just so many things right with the 009 electric MPV. From its near Rolls-Royce-like ride quality, to its passenger-pampering feature-rich interior, it is simply that good.
Words & Photos: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Road presence… plenty of it | Needs manual air-conditioning vents |
| Premium cabin | Cheap-looking plastic panel on dash needs work |
| Luxurious ride comfort |
ZEEKR 009 Flagship 115kWh
| Drivetrain | Full Electric |
| Layout | Dual Motor, AWD |
| Motor power / torque | 612hp / 693Nm |
| Battery capacity | 116kWh |
| Efficiency | 22.2kWh/100km |
| Electric Range | 582km |
| 0-100km/h | 4.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210km/h |
| VES Band | A1 |
| Dealer | ZEEKR Singapore |
| Price | S$399,999 with COE and VES |
| Verdict | Rides almost better than anything this side of the Rolls-Royce Spectre |
