Test: Zeekr

Another Chinese brand?

Zeekr, uh sure. And not a completely new brand. Not only did we recently test the brand’s first car with the fascinating name 001, but Zeekr is part of the Geely group, just like Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Lynk & Co and Smart (which is 50 percent owned by Mercedes). . Apparently the Chinese themselves haven’t quite figured out how to tell all those brands apart, because Zeekr has to be premium, but so is Volvo. And oh yes, Polestar too. If we ask, because Zeekr has to distinguish itself from its brothers, there is no clear answer (“A bit more dynamic, a bit tighter design.”), although Zeekr should be placed above Volvo! It is ambitious. Zeekr also clearly presents itself as a brand with many Swedish roots; the Chinese part is less important. Especially for the home market, the fact that the car is designed in Sweden is strongly emphasized and, unlike BYD, for example, the Chinese branch is not so actively mentioned.

A refined and comfortable chassis.

That Zeekr 001 was good, I read. What is the X for car?

The 001 indeed turned out to be a surprisingly dynamic car, which also had an interior quality that we had never seen before from China. A car that really arouses desire. Truly a smashing entry for a Chinese debutant! And now, just a few weeks later, it is already the turn of the second model. No, it is not called 002, but X. A somewhat smaller car, which shares a lot of technology and is on the same platform as a car we already know, the Smart #1. The new Volvo EX30 can also be seen as a technical sister of this Zeekr On the other hand, while the car in the photos still had some SUV features, it is really more of a hatchback. One that is slightly higher, such as the Volkswagen ID3 and the Renault Megane E-Tech. The sleek design continues the line of the 001 and the car is anything but boring, at a time when new EVs are becoming increasingly similar. The headlights resemble those of the Lynk & Co, with a touch of Pagani Zonda.

A new level of interior for a Chinese brand.

What is the Zeekr X like on the inside?

The trunk is not very spacious at 360 liters and the legroom on the back seat is somewhat disappointing, although the quality of the bench itself is above average. The thick C-pillar also gives you a very built-in feel; a child will hardly be able to see outside. The cockpit is, just like the 001, particularly high-quality, although that model is still at a higher level. The materials in the X are particularly beautiful for this segment and the finish is good, even astonishing for a Chinese brand. The ergonomics are also excellent. Most options are incorporated into the multimedia screen, but in a clear and orderly manner. We sometimes see that worse. A smaller TFT screen in front of you gives you the information you need and a large head-up display even offers good augmented reality as standard. The audio is from Yamaha, which is not the best and is the first in a car.

The back is nice, but not very spacious.

And how does that drive?

It is equally important to report that there will be two versions: a RWD with 272 hp on the rear wheels and a 4WD with 428 hp. Both have a 69 kWh battery that will give you a range of 400 to 440 kilometers. We try the long range with RWD, which is fast enough for the type of car. The power can be controlled very well and there are plenty of options in terms of throttle response and regeneration power. The car drives well and solidly and does not flinch when we increase the pace in corners. The steering is just too light and too distant to speak of sporty driving behavior. Not a disaster, but Zeekr does present itself as a dynamic brand. Something that works noticeably better with the 001, because it involves you much more in driving than the X. A strikingly big difference, especially in terms of steering feel. A Volvo C40 is also not a sporty car, but it involves you more in driving than the X, which is a bit more anonymous. A bit like Honda and Renault can do. In a double test with the electric Megane E-Tech and a Volkswagen ID3, it would be very interesting to see where Zeekr stands. In any case, in terms of interior, the Chinese beats both brands with ease and with its electrical specifications too! The WLTP range of 440 kilometers is decent, but the fast charging with 150 kW is above average for this segment. In addition, a 22 kW AC charger is standard and that is rare. Unfortunately, charging at home with 22 kW in the Netherlands is difficult, but it is worth the effort if you have the resources and your grid operator is willing to think along. The Zeekr 001 is the best Chinese car we have driven so far. BYD and Nio will have to work hard to reach this level. The

Zeekr