Zeekr X Review
Zeekr is the luxury offshoot of the famed and versatile Geely Group, home to Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. Launched in 2021, the brand is still in its infancy, but thanks to Geely’s long‑standing reputation for reliability and accessible pricing, Zeekr has hit the ground running.
Zeekr X is a compact SUV designed for city driving, and it looks seriously futuristic. In fact, if someone told me this was a concept car, I’d probably believe it. But does it have the performance to match its bold looks? That’s where things get interesting.
This blog reviews the Zeekr X, discussing its design, available variants in the UAE market, and on-road performance. Finally, it answers whether this newcomer truly has what it takes to unseat the established luxury EV contenders.
Exterior and Interior Design
From the front, slim, vertical daytime‑running LEDs give it an almost predatory stare, while the lower light cluster (with its arrow‑shaped indicators) adds on tech artistry you rarely see on production EVs.
Glancing along the side, you’ll notice the flush door handles that neatly recess into the body on pressing. The frameless windows and the uninterrupted glass roof enhance that floating‑roof illusion. The charging port is concealed within the rear fender, providing the body a unified look. Around the rear, the continuous LED light bar spans the width of the hatch, illuminating the Zeekr logo in glowing script at night.
About size, the Zeekr X (4432*1566*2750 mm) is actually smaller than the Tesla Model Y. It’s more comparable in size to a Hyundai Kona. Yet, the interior feels remarkably spacious. That’s because it’s built on the SEA platform – the same EV architecture used by Smart and Volvo electric vehicles.
Inside, everything feels high-end. Your eye is immediately drawn to that enormous 14.6‑inch center touchscreen, which can glide on its motorized track toward the passenger at the tap of a button. Below it, the minimalist dash is almost entirely free of physical buttons; even the climate controls are woven into the screen’s UI.
There are soft materials everywhere – even in areas where you usually find hard plastics in rivals like the Model Y. The attention to detail is impressive. Even the way the cup holders pop out feels satisfying.
The front seats are ventilated and heated, there’s a massage function for the driver, and it even comes with a built-in fridge. Rear seat passengers are also treated to luxurious touches, including a reclining function and a surprising amount of legroom. One quirky omission: there’s no glovebox. But with ample storage space throughout the cabin, you won’t miss it.
As you start the car, the 24.3-inch augmented reality heads-up display (AR-HUD) lights up. It gets as bright as 12,000 nits. There’s a built‑in Yamaha 13-speaker array with customizable ambient lighting that traces the contours of the cabin in a gentle glow.
Available Variants, Colors, and Accessories
In the UAE markets, Zeekr X is available in two trims: a Premium RWD for AED 170,900 and a Flagship AWD variant for AED 185,900. You can choose from four eye‑catching paint schemes: Crystal White, Mist Grey, Palace Beige, and Pine Green. For the interior, there are two choices: Charcoal Black & Stone Grey, and Midnight Blue & Polar White. I personally liked the latter one.
All ADAS features are standard among the trims. But the flagship variant has dual motors, all-wheel drive, massage seats, 20‑inch rims, and a more expansive infotainment system.
Engine and Performance
The Zeekr X offers two very different powertrains. In Premium RWD, you get a single rear motor, rated at 200 kW (272 hp) and 343 Nm of torque. It goes from 0 to to100 km/h in 5.6 seconds.
With dual motors in the AWD variant, you get a combined power of 315 kW (428 hp) and 543 Nm of torque. In dual‑motor guise, the X turns into an absolute blast. It can reach 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds.
In my actual test on the latter variant, that was a little slower (around 4.3 seconds), possibly due to low battery charge or road conditions. Still, for a car this size and price, that’s very impressive. Other than that, the ride was smooth.
The steering is light and direct, perfect for city driving. The suspension is tuned for comfort more than corner carving, but it still handles confidently.
Mileage and Fuel Efficiency
Both versions share a 66 kWh lithium‑ion pack that takes you well beyond daily city commutes. In the single-motor variant, the brand claims a range of about 440 km (WLTP), and in the dual-range variant, that’s about 420 km (WLTP). I could test that, but the actual range, especially for the flagship variant, considering its power, will be significantly lower.
Regarding charging, on a 150 kW DC fast charger (not yet in common), you’ll hit 10–80% in about 29 minutes. But the regular AC charger (22 kW) takes about 4 hours.
Competitors and Market Comparison
At AED 170,900, the Zeekr X undercuts many premium competitors while offering up to 440 km WLTP range (RWD) and a 3.8 s 0–100 km/h sprint (AWD). In comparison, the refreshed Tesla Model Y starts around AED 209,000 with 586 km WLTP and 0–100 km/h in as little as 5.8s.
Another competitor, Smart #1, retails from about AED 149,900 but manages only 311–439 km WLTP (193–273 mi) and 5.8 s 0–100 km/h.
Among the options in this category, Zeekr X hits a sweet spot: premium performance and tech at a disruptive price. Tesla Model Y still leads on range, charging network, and brand cachet, but at a higher cost. If you’re balancing speed, luxury, and smart pricing in the UAE, the Zeekr X is arguably the most compelling newcomer. But it’s still not going to replace the luxury EVs.