The ZEEKR X may be the Chinese luxury automaker’s smallest car here, but the electric Compact SUV packs an impressive list of features
Singapore – Just two years ago, I would not have believed that Chinese automakers would make such an impact in our automotive landscape. ZEEKR is just one of the many brands today, who have set up shop on our tiny island, known as the most expensive place to own a car.
While our market may be an insignificant dribble of sales for carmakers, we are often seen as a lighthouse of innovation, and as the first movers for many things (something which I do often find quite debatable). Our positioning has often spurred many carmakers to choose Singapore as the first location they’d launch cars in the region. The United States and Europe have become somewhat unfriendly markets for Chinese cars, hence they have been busy enticing countries within the ASEAN region with their offerings.
The ZEEKR X is just one of the many of these Chinese cars you can find along our automotive belt. This is a C-segment premium electric SUV, which shares close bonds with the Volvo EX30, and the smart #1, is quite indistinguishable from its European siblings. Perhaps visually, the only component which is a carry-over are the wing mirrors, which are shared with the Volvo, and also the Polestar 2.
Just in-case you do not know, Geely is the parent of both Volvo and Zeekr. Smart on the other hand, which has been part of Mercedes-Benz from almost the beginning, now also has Geely’s hand in the brand.
The X’s styling, with its bold lines and swishes, departs from its Sino contemporaries, all thanks to designers based in Gothenburg. Over here, Geely money has attracted the likes of Stefan Sielaff (of first generation Audi A1 fame), who is the head of design for the X.
While it shares plenty with the Volvo, EX30 is actually classified as a B-Segment SUV, while ZEEKR has chosen to have the X stretched by some 200mm in length, and it also has a wheelbase of 2,750mm, which is a crucial 100mm more than its cousin, which I will come to later.
Sadly, due to restrictions from the authorities, buyers here will have to do without the fancy illuminated ‘ZEEKR’ badging at the rear.
Looking on the Inside Through Rose-Tinted Glasses
ZEEKR has kept the interior clean and simple, only lifted with the clever use of ambient lighting, together with rose gold trim. An elegant approach, where clutter will only make the small SUV’s interior looking even tinier. I like that unlike the Volvo EX30, Zeekr has opted to have a proper instrument cluster, as-opposed to the Swedish car’s more minimalistic approach of having everything displayed on the infotainment screen.
The 14.6-inch touchscreen is chock-full of features. So while it is quite easy to navigate, it is not one of those you can get acquainted with just toying with it at the lights.
Also, a constant with Chinese luxury marques is their penchant to load their cars with features-on-top-of-features. Perhaps they did take a leaf from Roy Orbison, because it really is a case of “anything you want, you got it”. From ventilated front seats with massage, a wireless phone charger, to premium audio by Yamaha; and our car even had an actual refrigerator (not one of those powered by the air-conditioning). They have also gone a little extra with a lightshow and projected animal noises… I kid you not, that you can make the car meow like a cat.
Cargo space at 362 litres, is quite decent. For scale, it is about 20 litres less than what you would have in a Volkswagen Golf. What I find impressive is that despite its relatively small boot lid, ZEEKR had even bothered to electrify its tailgate.
If in Doubt, Just Add (Even) More Power
As this is the flagship SUV, it comes equipped with dual motors, which puts out 315kW (422hp), and 543Nm… which is around a third more of what the RWD variant delivers. All of this grunt gets the X to 100km/h in a greyout-inducing 3.8 seconds, which is actually 0.3 seconds quicker than a BMW M2! And I have to say that it is very fast for something this unsuspecting.
However, I find that its handling feels like it is not all cut-out to match its performance. The suspension is still tuned more for comfort, hence it wallows around turns, and that rear-end does come across as a little vague at times.
When driven normally, the electric SUV gets you there comfortably. Its luxurious appointments are probably what will sell the car the most. Would I need the AWD, and all that acceleration it brings to the table? I feel that the less expensive RWD variant is good enough, and its road tax will not cost you something like $3,700 per year.
Text & Photos: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Way too powerful | Way too powerful |
| Loaded with features | Does not have the handling to match its performance |
| Unique in looks |
ZEEKR X Flagship AWD
| Drivetrain | Full Electric |
| Layout | Dual Motor, AWD |
| Motor power / torque | 422hp / 534Nm |
| Battery capacity | 66kWh |
| Efficiency | 17.8kWh/100km |
| Electric Range | 420km |
| 0-100km/h | 3.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180km/h |
| VES Band | A1 |
| Dealer | ZEEKR Singapore |
| Price | S$244,999 with COE and VES |
| Verdict | Probably the X variant you would want to test drive before you buy the RWD. |
