The Zeekr X AWD looks like a design case study, drives like a sports car, and costs less than you’d expect. Zeekr’s urban warrior makes a compelling case for avant-garde luxury at a steal
When a Zeekr representative casually mentioned that another journalist had compared the Zeekr X to “a Ferrari priced like a BMW,” we laughed. But after driving it, the laughter turned to disbelief.
This family-sized electric SUV sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Is it necessary? Not at all. Do we love that it can? Absolutely.
Launched in 2021 under Geely’s growing electric vehicle portfolio—which includes Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and Smart—Zeekr enters the market with serious pedigree, and expectations to match. The Zeekr X, the first model to arrive in Singapore, meets them with flair and confidence.
Golden ratio on wheels
Built on the same SEA platform as the Volvo EX30, the Zeekr X is slightly larger at 4.4 metres long and 1.8 metres wide, yet remains perfectly proportioned for urban use. These dimensions are no accident; the brand credits the golden ratio, often referenced in architecture and design, as its inspiration. The result is a form that feels sculptural without being showy—elegant, yet impossible to ignore.
Its silhouette draws faint comparisons to the BMW i3, though the true design appeal lies in the details you don’t immediately notice: frameless doors and mirrors, retractable handles, and concealed sealing strips that contribute to its clean, refined profile.
Inside, the aesthetic remains delightfully minimalist. A floating 14.6-inch touchscreen anchors a dashboard free of physical buttons. Mirror and climate controls are accessed digitally—not necessarily more intuitive, but undeniably stylish.
A panoramic glass roof comes standard, flooding the cabin with natural light. Concerns about heat are quickly dismissed—the roof offers heat insulation and UV protection equivalent to SPF 50.
Speed in a smart suit
We tested the all-wheel drive (AWD) flagship variant, which runs dual motors pushing a combined 428 horses and 543 Nm of torque to all four wheels, resulting in the aforementioned blistering acceleration. (The rear-wheel drive variant doesn’t disappoint either: it still offers a punchy 272 hp and a claimed century sprint timing of 5.6 seconds.) Both AWD and RWD variants share a 66kWh battery pack with 150kW fast-charging capability, and while the AWD offers slightly less range (420km vs 440km), it more than makes up for it with performance. Over three days and nearly 400 km of varied driving, the Zeekr X proved smooth, agile and highly responsive.
It’s not all speed and theatre, however. The Zeekr X is impressively composed over uneven roads and fast corners alike. Intelligent torque vectoring ensures power is distributed precisely across all four wheels, while a 360-degree panoramic imaging system uses wide-angle cameras to deliver a real-time, predictive view of your surroundings.
Perhaps the most unexpected delight is the 13-speaker Yamaha audio system, which delivers sound quality that rivals systems found in vehicles three times the price. We frequently found ourselves turning up the volume—reluctant to step out once parked.
Don’t let it chic, compact city silhouette fool you: the Zeekr X is built like a tank. We’ll spare all the technical details, but here’s what you should know: the roof withstands nine tonnes of force, and lateral protection against forces of up to 65,000kg. Add to that a full suite of advanced driver assistance features, and you get brains, brawn, and beauty all in one. Whether you go for the RWD or AWD, the Zeekr X feels like a slice of what the future of urban luxury might look like: compact, powerful, and rather clever.
This story first appeared in the July 2025 issue. Purchase it as a print or digital copy, or consider subscribing to us here
