Zeekr 7X

First Impressions

Walking up to the Zeekr 7X, the first thing that grabs you is the Stargate LED light bar stretching across the entire front fascia. It houses over 1,800 individual LEDs and can display customizable animations for welcome, lock, and daytime running light patterns. Every owner's car can look different on the road, and honestly, it's a proper party trick.

The overall presence is commanding — this is a big SUV with a nearly 2,900 mm wheelbase, and it looks it. The sloping rear glass, hidden rear wiper, and full-width tail light bar give it a clean, modern silhouette that photographs well.

Design and Exterior

The 21-inch wheels with orange Akebono four-pot brake calipers immediately signal this isn't your average family hauler. The frameless windows on all four doors add a sporty touch, though I was slightly disappointed they aren't acoustic laminated glass — a miss at this level.

The electric doors are the real headline. There are no traditional handles to grab. You press a small circular button and the door swings open, stopping if it detects you or an obstacle in the way. It's theatrical, futuristic, and surprisingly practical. The rear doors open to nearly 90 degrees, making entry and exit genuinely easy for anyone.

Interior and Tech

Inside, Zeekr has gone all-in on the digital cockpit. Physical buttons are reduced to about five, with everything else — mirrors, steering column adjustment, climate — living in the large central touchscreen. It takes some learning, but it's responsive and well-organized once you get used to it.

The Nappa leather seats are superb. The front pair offers heating, cooling, and a massage function that's genuinely aggressive — you can see the seat physically moving with deep kneading action. The rear seats recline electrically, which is nearly unheard of in this segment. There's also a massive panoramic roof with an electric shade, electric rear window blinds, hidden under-seat storage drawers, and even an interior camera to check on kids in car seats. The 21-speaker Zeekr Sound system is phenomenal — rich, enveloping, and one of the best stock audio setups I've experienced in any car near this class.

Dual 50-watt wireless charging pads, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless support, and ambient lighting that pulses to your music round out a genuinely impressive tech package.

Driving Experience

Floor the accelerator from 80 km/h and your stomach drops. The dual motors deliver their torque instantly and without any electronic softening — it feels like being shoved hard in the back. Even in standard mode, the hit is dramatic. Three selectable sound effects accompany the acceleration, and the spacey "Zeekr" sound is my favourite.

However, the air suspension doesn't match the powertrain's aggression. Even in Sport mode with the firmest damper setting, it remains comfort-biased — not wallowy, but not the tight, confidence-inspiring setup you'd expect behind this much power. The Continental EcoContact economy tires compound the issue. My first recommendation to any new Performance owner would be to fit proper sport rubber.

The steering is razor-sharp with virtually zero dead zone. Great for precise lane changes and spirited driving, but on long highway stretches it demands constant attention and creates fatigue. Regenerative braking is also overly aggressive in its lowest setting, making it hard to coast smoothly. A lighter regen option would be very welcome.

Practicality

Boot space is a generous 539 litres before folding the 40/60 split rear seats, with deep under-floor compartments that swallow more than you'd expect. There's a 66-litre frunk up front too. The 100 kWh battery supports rapid DC charging and 22 kW AC, which is double what most competitors offer. The air suspension can lower the car for easier loading — a thoughtful touch.

Value for Money

Feature-for-feature, the 7X Performance is arguably the most loaded electric SUV in its size class available here. Electric doors, air suspension, premium brakes, massage seats, electric rear blinds, a cabin camera — the list is relentless. The trade-off is that many of these highlights are exclusive to the top trim, so the entry-level variant is a noticeably different proposition. Long-term ownership costs for 21-inch tyres and air suspension components are also worth factoring in.

Final Verdict

The Zeekr 7X Performance is a feature bombardment wrapped in genuine straight-line brutality. It's not a polished sports SUV — the soft suspension and economy tyres hold it back from true dynamic excellence — but as an everyday powerhouse dripping with tech and luxury touches, it's extraordinarily compelling. If raw acceleration and gadget overload are your priorities, this is the one to beat. If you want a tighter, more focused driving experience, consider swapping the tyres and tempering expectations on the chassis.