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Zàijiàn, Zeekr…
Our long-term check of the Zeekr 7X Long Range RWD has come to an finish, with greater than 5000km travelled over the course of six months. In that interval we spent loads of time with this premium-leaning Chinese electrical SUV.
It wasn’t simply me driving it both. Our founders, editors and journalists all cycled by way of it, enterprise each quick journeys and lengthy journeys, and varied members of the CarSkilled Melbourne workplace used it to run errands and ferry individuals to and from the airport.
Essentially, we needed this check to be as broad and assorted because the use instances of most homeowners. So how did it go?
Without giving it away on the prime, we reckon the 7X is without doubt one of the finest SUVs you should buy from a Chinese model, particularly for the cash, and an important mid-size electrical SUV different to the all-conquering Tesla Model Y.
It’s no surprise CarSkilled receives so many questions and enquiries concerning the 7X, each on-site and through our social channels, and likewise why the Zeekr is rocketing up the VFACTS gross sales charts.
So, if you happen to’ve been questioning concerning the longer-term possession prospects of the super-popular Zeekr 7X, learn on to search out out what’s good and what’s not so good about dwelling with one for an prolonged interval.
How a lot does the Zeekr 7X value?
The Long Range RWD on check right here is priced at $63,900 plus on-roads and choices, commanding a $6000 premium over the bottom grade.
| Model | Price earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 Zeekr 7X RWD | $57,900 |
| 2026 Zeekr 7X Long Range RWD | $63,900 |
| 2026 Zeekr 7X Performance AWD | $72,900 |
The Crystal White exterior paint on our check automobile provides $1500, as does the optionally available ‘Black and Grey PU’ inside upholstery in lieu of the usual Black monotone colourway. So you are $66,900 plus ORCs, or about $73,400 drive-away in accordance with the Chinese model’s on-line configurator.
For reference, the Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range AWD prices $68,900 plus ORCs and, whereas it provides stronger dual-motor efficiency, it additionally delivers much less claimed WLTP vary (600km). The bigger, three-row Model Y L in the identical specification is dearer once more at $74,900 plus ORCs, and its larger battery quotes a lengthier 681km underneath the WLTP check regime.
Yes, there is a sea of equally sized Chinese electrical SUV rivals obtainable for much less cash, although few if any can match the Zeekr’s extra refined and complex bundle, a minimum of in our opinion.
To see how the Zeekr 7X strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What is the Zeekr 7X like on the within?
The 7X’s cabin is nicely thought-out and properly completed, and it largely dispenses with the chintzy really feel of another Chinese automobiles.
There’s an nearly European-style restraint to a few of the inside design parts, and general there is a good mixture of unpolluted strains and considerate touches blended in with some new-age tech and basic cues.
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For instance, whereas there is a huge 16-inch infotainment touchscreen jutting out of the dashboard, the slim digital instrument show forward of the driving force is recessed into the fascia behind the steering wheel like a conventional instrument binnacle.
Even the sporty steering wheel design with its flat prime and backside edges and round central hub are harking back to extra premium European designs somewhat than a few of the extra future-facing designs we have come to count on from quite a lot of Chinese manufacturers.
Further, the intricate perforation sample on the seat inserts and properly completed contrasting top-stitched parts all through additionally reiterate the Zeekr’s extra premium-leaning pitch.
The slim 13.02-inch (sure, that is peculiarly explicit) driver’s cluster is fairly fundamental in format, with a really Tesla-like stay driver-assistance show within the center bookended by an influence meter on the left and a visit pc on the correct with configurable widgets.
Given the true property obtainable, it feels somewhat underutilised, and it is a disgrace it does not supply a digital dial for velocity or energy meter just like the incoming range-extender 8X and 9X electrical SUVs – or many different digitised driver’s devices, for that matter.
Zeekr’s ‘36.2-inch’ head-up show augments the slim digital binnacle, and provides comparable ranges of graphics and data, projected onto the glass in entrance of you. It additionally options augmented actuality (AR) animations for turn-by-turn navigation prompts, that are a pleasant little add-on that work fairly nicely.
Then there’s the massive ol’ central touchscreen, tacked onto the dashboard like an iPad in an infotainment implementation answer that is frequent to nearly all Chinese manufacturers and now spreading to many others.
Thankfully, in contrast to another Chinese manufacturers, the Zeekr mixes in some bodily toggle switchgear and a extra intuitive menu construction, even when it nonetheless manages to be a contact convoluted in some respects.
Resolution is splendidly crisp, as is the brightness and color. Processing energy is snappy and permits for buttery easy animations, which feels very high-end.
The everlasting digital toolbar on the base of the display screen homes the local weather controls and an array of shortcuts to infotainment and automobile capabilities, and it is supplemented by some helpful bodily controls which toggle key capabilities throughout the similar sub-menus.
I discover digital local weather controls fairly fussy usually – even in my Cupra – however you may simply go away all the things in ‘AUTO’ and easily set and overlook. Certain automobile settings should not be buried in menu although, together with issues like acceleration and steering response, in addition to regenerative braking modes.
Perhaps my greatest gripe is the truth that any fast changes to the steering wheel or facet mirrors require a sequence of presses by way of the touchscreen, after which toggling any changes through the steering wheel controls. Car manufacturers actually must cease doing this within the title of cost-saving – and I do not care which you could save presets, as a result of it is bloody annoying.
One spotlight although is the encompass digicam system, which provides glorious high quality imaginative and prescient in addition to a nifty 3D view which initiatives a digital 7X inside its environment. It’s a pleasant occasion trick whereas additionally giving good visibility of the automobile’s environment whereas navigating tight parking spots and the like.
The Long Range’s ‘Zeekr Sound Pro’ premium audio system is one other spotlight, with its 21 audio system, 7.1.4-channel format, and audio system constructed into the driving force’s head restraint. For a non-branded system (ie: not Bang & Olufsen or Harman Kardon), it provides nice sound high quality and depth, with a variety of adjustment if you wish to dial up the bass a bit.
You may also set it to centralise the audio expertise to the driving force while you’re within the automobile solo, in addition to utilizing solely the top restraint audio system for cellphone calls to forestall filling the cabin with dialog when you have firm. It is usually a little bizarre at first, however you may flip it on or off, and it is one other fascinating choice to have if you happen to prefer it.
The twin wi-fi cellphone chargers on the centre console are conveniently positioned and have a cooling vent so your cellphone does not overheat, given the excessive 50W charging charge can get ’em heat. As you’d count on, they cost pretty reliably, although in case your cellphone heats up it will possibly have an effect on the reliability of smartphone mirroring.
Speaking of, once in a while I had a problem the place the 7X’s infotainment system would not register my voice prompts to Siri nor learn messages out to me when requested.
To be honest, it is one thing I’ve skilled with quite a lot of Chinese automobiles with wi-fi Apple CarPlay, however while you’re on the go it’s kind of annoying. Fixing it normally required both disconnecting the cellphone and reconnecting, or turning off the automobile for a time period after which beginning it again up once more.
Comfort up entrance is nice, with the supple fake leather-trimmed seats providing good bolstering and help for the driving force and entrance passenger – I do not, nonetheless, agree that the dual-tone black and gray color scheme must be a $1500 upcharge. Full electrical adjustment for each entrance seats is helpful (14-way driver, 10-way passenger), as are the heating, air flow and reminiscence capabilities.
You even have therapeutic massage modes for each entrance seats, which works a deal with on longer journeys. I normally opted for the ‘Activation’ preset which loosened up my decrease again if I used to be feeling somewhat slouchy.
The Zeekr 7X’s lengthy 2900mm wheelbase opens up a beneficiant quantity of house within the second row for teenagers and adults alike. There is a heap of leg, knee and head room even for taller passengers behind taller drivers. Middle passengers aren’t all that a lot worse off both, due to the flat seat base and flooring.
A normal panoramic glass roof lets extra gentle in and makes the cabin really feel airier, and the powered sunshade means you will not simply sit there burning in the summertime solar, as in some rivals with mounted glass roofs.
Rear occupants will recognize the ability recline operate of the second row, which provides a claimed 10 inches of adjustability. You additionally get commonplace heating for the outer rear seats, and the fold-down centre armrest has a lift-up lid with USB-A and -C charging shops if you must juice up your iPad.
Other facilities within the again embody map pockets and a drawer behind the centre console, in addition to commonplace ISOFIX anchor factors within the outboard seating positions for baby seats. There are additionally top-tether factors behind all three rear seat positions, so each member of the household is catered for right here.
Further again, there is no third row of seating however there’s a beneficiant 539 litres of cargo capability with all 5 seats in use, which expands to 1978L with the rear seatbacks folded down – although they do not stow fairly flat.
It’s an extended and extensive load space that proved fairly helpful for carting the baggage of a number of individuals on airport runs, and there is a 12V outlet within the rear if you must plug in one thing like an esky, plus purchasing bag hooks.
No, there is no spare tyre of any sort and, like nearly each EV on sale, the 7X forces you to make do with a tyre restore equipment. Oddly, there is no commonplace cargo blind both, regardless of the little mounting factors to accommodate one…
You do get an underfloor storage cubby although, which is helpful for storing charging cables.
| Dimensions | Zeekr 7X Long Range RWD |
|---|---|
| Length | 4787mm |
| Width | 1930mm |
| Height | 1650mm |
| Wheelbase | 2900mm |
| Cargo capability | 62L – Frunk 539L – Rear seats up 1978L – Rear seats folded |
To see how the Zeekr 7X strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s underneath the bonnet?
There’s a 62L ‘frunk’ underneath the bonnet, and on the rear there’s an electrical motor powered by a 100kWh lithium-ion NMC battery in Long Range specification, all operating an 800V electrical structure.
| Specifications | Zeekr 7X Long Range RWD |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electrical |
| Battery | 100kWh NMC |
| Power | 310kW |
| Torque | 440Nm |
| Drive sort | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2265kg – Kerb |
| 0-100km/h | 6.0 seconds – claimed 5.6 seconds – as examined |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 17.7kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as examined) | 17.3kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary | 615km – WLTP ‘goal’ |
| Max AC cost charge | 22kW |
| Max DC cost charge | 420kW |
It’s value noting that Zeekr just lately confirmed two separate updates for the 7X within the Chinese and European markets, which might each supply clues about what to anticipate in Australia.
In its Chinese home market, the 2027 Zeekr 7X will get a brand new 85kWh ‘Golden Brick’ LFP battery pack that is anticipated to exchange the present 75kWh unit in base grades throughout the fourth quarter of 2026. It’s based mostly on the Geely Group’s newest battery tech, which is claimed to last as long as a million kilometres, and as many as 3500 charging cycles.
Earlier this yr the bigger 100kWh lithium-ion NMC battery (just like the one in our check automobile) was additionally up to date in China to a 900V electrical structure (versus 800V) and a DC fast-charging capability of as much as 620kW.
Meanwhile, Zeekr revealed a refreshed 7X on the Paris motor present with minor design adjustments in addition to enhancements to electrical motor outputs and driving vary.
Other adjustments for the European market embody a brand new Bosch-based driver-assistance system, new colors and alloy wheel designs, in addition to a redesigned centre console.
As it stands at the moment although, all variations of the Zeekr 7X in Australia can take 22kW three-phase AC charging and now have 3.3kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) performance, permitting you to energy electrical home equipment.
To see how the Zeekr 7X strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How does the Zeekr 7X drive?
I spent quite a lot of time with the Zeekr 7X, in each on a regular basis driving situations in addition to long-legged stints, and whereas I’ve come away impressed general, the 7X will not be with out its flaws.
As different members of the CarSkilled staff have mentioned previously, the 7X is without doubt one of the finest Chinese-branded mid-size electrical SUVs with regards to consolation, refinement and dynamics, which is saying loads given that is the fastest-growing a part of the most important section in Australia’s new-vehicle market proper now, by way of each gross sales quantity and the variety of gamers.
There’s undoubtedly a leaning in direction of consolation for the chassis and experience high quality, with softer driver controls and a comfortable edge to the suspension. It’s significantly noticeable on my commute to the Melbourne workplace, which crosses from the Victorian capital’s japanese suburbs and thru inner-city streets both on the higher or decrease edges of Melbourne’s CBD.
In mentioned situations, which embody a mixture of potholed, rippled tarmac, tram tracks, roadworks and drain covers – you title it – there is a good stage of compliance to the Zeekr 7X’s experience, although at occasions that softness edges somewhat too near being wobbly. The large battery and 2265kg of kerb mass little doubt contributes to this.
The 7X can at occasions take one or so further physique actions to settle than I’d like, each round city and on the freeway. A suspension improve to higher tie the 7X down with out ruining its experience consolation might actually elevate the Zeekr into rivalry alongside the section leaders with regards to dynamics.
However, steering response is nice, and commendable accuracy and weighting give the 7X a nicely balanced character behind the wheel, which will be dialled up or down utilizing the 7X’s selectable drive modes. It’s moderately fast to react throughout all modes, with the Zeekr’s rounded front-end being moderately pointy and responsive with out feeling overly sporty.
General suggestions is much less spectacular, with a obscure really feel by way of the steering wheel at occasions. For the goal client that is maybe not a prime precedence, however in comparison with the newest Model Y, which is broadly thought of a benchmark for mid-size electrical SUVs by way of on-road behaviour, the Zeekr leaves somewhat room for enchancment.
Another gripe that cropped up throughout my time with the automobile is the tendency for the frameless facet home windows to rattle a bit over corrugations like cobblestones. For a ‘luxurious’ automobile, this type of factor is not significantly rewarding.
That mentioned, nonetheless, basic refinement from a sound insulation perspective is somewhat good. Wind and highway noise are impressively suppressed, particularly given the shortage of powertrain noise to drown any of that out. You may also activate a number of synthesised powertrain sounds if you need some audible response as you speed up, however the droning at a cruise on the freeway proved far too irritating for me to go away on.
Regen braking is one other key space of evaluation for EVs, and on this space the 7X provides a number of completely different settings from nothing to one-pedal driving. I typically most well-liked the extra conventional coasting operate as I used to be out and in of various automobiles usually, although the one-pedal drive mode is without doubt one of the higher ones we have sampled.
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Visibility out of this almost 4.8m-long, over 1.9m-wide household SUV is mostly alright, with an excellent outward view through the entrance and facet home windows, in addition to the help of the aforementioned encompass digicam system.
Rear imaginative and prescient by way of the raked rear window is somewhat slim through the rear-view mirror although, and the small facet mirrors might use somewhat extra dimension to supply a wider viewing angle. The thick rear pillars additionally harm over-the-shoulder visibility, however as soon as once more you could have help from the parking cameras in addition to commonplace blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic help.
Speaking of driver-assistance programs, the Zeekr’s suite of lively security applied sciences is among the many finest we have sampled from Chinese manufacturers – largely as a result of they really all work.
For instance, the adaptive cruise management and lane-centring capabilities will be auto-activated along with a double pull down of the drive selector stalk, they usually reliably maintain the 7X centred in its lane whereas maintaining a protected preset following distance from the automobile up forward.
The auto lane change function additionally works nicely, however can often be too gradual or hesitant, and also will disengage if you happen to apply any steering lock. This one will be left off.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic help work as you’d count on, and the programs additionally present visible warnings within the cluster and head-up show, along with the standard lights and sounds.
We did loads of driving at evening and the slim LED headlights did an excellent job of illuminating the highway forward, whereas the auto high-beam operate got here in helpful on poorly-lit roads and highways, the place they activated and deactivated on the appropriate occasions to forestall dazzling oncoming highway customers. Given the section this mannequin competes in, nonetheless, adaptive or Matrix LED lighting tech could be on our wishlist for a future replace.
The driver consideration monitor can often get somewhat annoying too, prompting you to maintain your eyes on the highway if you happen to look over on the touchscreen or the left-side mirror for too lengthy, however with a few changes within the touchscreen you may flip off the incessant beeping tones which might be so irritating in fashionable automobiles.
To see how the Zeekr 7X strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What do you get?
The Zeekr 7X is already fairly nicely geared up from base stage, although the mid-spec Long Range provides extra equipment to go together with its larger battery and longer driving vary.
2026 Zeekr 7X RWD gear highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Panoramic glass roof incl. energy sunshade
- Autonomous parking help
- Sentry Mode
- 13.02-inch digital instrument cluster
- 16-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Wireless
- Satellite navigation
- 10-speaker sound system
- 2 x 50W wi-fi cellphone chargers
- Tri-zone local weather management
- 4-zone voice command
- Ambient lighting
- Leatherette upholstery
- 14-way energy driver’s seat incl. reminiscence
- 10-way energy passenger seat incl. reminiscence
- Heated entrance, rear seats
- Rear bench with 10-degree energy recline
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel – heated
Long Range RWD provides:
- Rear privateness glass
- 36.2-inch head-up show
- Power-adjustable steering wheel
- Massaging entrance seats
- Ventilated entrance seats
To see how the Zeekr 7X strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument
Is the Zeekr 7X protected?
The Zeekr 7X lineup has a five-star ANCAP security ranking with a 2025 date stamp – and this is applicable to all variants.
| Category | Zeekr 7X |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant safety | 91 per cent |
| Child occupant safety | 87 per cent |
| Vulnerable highway person safety | 78 per cent |
| Safety help | 78 per cent |
Standard security gear consists of:
- 7 airbags
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous emergency braking – AEB
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- Pedestrian
- Cyclist
- Car
- Junction
- Auto Lane Change
- Auto park help
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Cross-traffic alert – entrance, rear
- Driver monitoring
- Lane-centring
- Lane-keep help
- Parking sensors – entrance, rear
- Speed signal recognition
- Surround-view digicam
To see how the Zeekr 7X strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Zeekr 7X value to run?
Zeekr Australia provides a five-year, unlimited-kilometre new-vehicle guarantee with 5 years of roadside help. Meanwhile, the high-voltage battery is roofed for eight years or 160,000km – with the battery’s state-of-health (SoH) warranted for 70 per cent of its unique capability.
| Servicing and Warranty | Zeekr 7X Long Range RWD |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 2 years or 40,000km – Mandatory 1 yr or 20,000km – Optional |
| Capped-price servicing | 8 years or 160,000km |
| Average annual service value | $596.25 |
| Total capped-price service value | $4770 – 8 years |
When it involves present service pricing for the 7X, the Long Range RWD prices $4770 over the primary eight years or 160,000km of possession. Scheduled servicing is required each two years or 40,000km – whichever comes first.
Owners can decide to have yearly upkeep as an alternative, although because it stands the eight-year service bundle already averages out to $596.25 every year, which is costly for an EV.
Range Test
To get a gauge of the real looking driving vary the ‘Long Range’ 7X provides, I carried out a spread check during which the automobile was pushed from a 100 per cent cost to 5 per cent over every week or so, together with completely different staff members and driving situations.
According to the journey pc, we ended up protecting 483.8km earlier than the 7X battery hit 5 per cent, at which level there was an indicated 23km of remaining vary left. So, in a chilly and wet Melbourne winter, you may count on simply over 500km of whole real-world vary at an indicated vitality consumption charge of 17.7kWh per 100km and a median velocity of 45km/h.
It’s value noting that myself and Paul Maric, who had been probably the most common drivers of the automobile throughout this time, have freeway-heavy commutes into our Melbourne workplace, so extra lower-speed driving could have elevated our recorded vary. Still, we had been nicely off the model’s “target” WLTP declare of 615km for the Long Range variant.
Something else to remember is the indicated vary readout, which I observed all the time confirmed 615km when the battery was full. If you desire a extra real looking indication it’s a must to change the vary from ‘Standard’ to ‘Dynamic’ within the Energy Management menu. The latter makes use of present journey pc metrics to provide you with a extra correct projection.
For instance, whereas the automobile was charging and at ~28 per cent state of cost (SoC), the ‘Dynamic’ vary readout confirmed 130km whereas the ‘Standard’ vary was 180km. As I’ve discovered of late, that is one thing frequent to quite a lot of Chinese PHEVs and EVs, which frequently have settings to point out both the official claimed vary relative to battery cost, or a dynamic readout based mostly on present vitality consumption.
To see how the Zeekr 7X strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument
CarSkilled’s Take on the Zeekr 7X
As our six-month stint with the 7X attracts to an in depth, it is turn out to be fairly clear why Australian consumers are flocking to Zeekr showrooms.
The 7X is not simply ‘good for a Chinese automobile’, it is good – interval. While it does not fairly match the Model Y by way of on-road dynamics or effectivity, it does provides a extra typical and premium-feeling cabin expertise, a pointy design with good color and trim choices, and a give attention to comfortable consolation and tech that really works.
It’s an effortlessly highly effective and refined automobile to commute in, handles nicely sufficient for a automobile this dimension, has loads of house for the household and their stuff, and simply provides 500km-plus of real-world driving vary – although that is nonetheless