It feels like overnight Zeekrโs mid-size SUV has become one of the hottest incoming EVs in Australia โ and thatโs before full delivery even begins. The Zeekr 7X racked up more than 1,000 pre-orders in its first week on sale locally back in August. In the weeks since, that tally has swelled to over 2,000.
Itโs feature-packed, just as impressive in the metal as we hoped, and very good value for money. Zeekr 7X is going to be a serious seller, so letโs unpack all the details you need to know after our short time behind the wheel in Adelaide.
And in the interest of full disclosure, Zeekr paid for us to attend their launch in South Australia. These opinions, however, are my own.
Whatโs the story?
Zeekr, the latest from Geely Group (the same automotive powerhouse as Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus), launched in the market late last year. A small cross-SUV and large people mover warmed the waters for the arrival of the car in question today โ the 7X, broadening its appeal beyond early adopters into the mainstream electric SUV battleground. Given the sheer interest, expectations are high that the 7X could be the brandโs first true โvolumeโ EV in Australia.
Whoโs the buyer?
The Zeekr 7X casts the net far and wide. For families, it offers the practicality of a mid-size SUV with the promise of safety and space. For tech-savvy professionals or childless couples, itโs dripping in aura and gadgets, both inside and out.
Its sights are set firmly on cutting the Model Yโs grass and wrestling a bit of market share away from European marques. Those who donโt subscribe to sterile interiors will love the tactility and finish materials of the Zeekr 7X. You feel like you get more for your money, and thatโs because you do.
Tell us about your first impressions
Itโs undeniable that the 7Xโs exterior looks are striking โ the grey over black being our preferred spec. A close second would be the emerald green, followed by the pearlescent white. The wide interactive LED โStargateโ light strip across the front gives the car its own distinct presence on the road, and the front and rear axles are pushed as far apart as possible. The result? Some incredible cabin space that is truly commendable for a flyline as sleek as the 7X.
I had reservations that this car may have been a shiny new toy on the outside, but would fall short on the inside. Impressively, the interior is actually where the 7X does its best work. Not only is it feature-stacked โ 21 speakers, sexy interior lighting, chauffeur seats for the rear left passenger, and a sun shade to complement the moon roof โ but the materials donโt feel cheap.
Give us the top lines on performance and/or efficiency/range. Whatโs it like to drive?
In its flagship AWD variant, the Zeekr 7X is nothing short of rapid. The official claim is a 0โ100 km/h time of just 3.8 seconds, with Akebono brakes to bring this fast and heavy unit to a sharp stop. This dual motor performance variant is a bullet off the line but sacrifices range for extra punch. The RWD Long-Range 7X (the middle variant of the three on offer) is the sweet spot for efficiency, performance, and range in my opinion โ good for an estimated 615 km (WLTP) on a single charge.
The 7X features class-leading 800-volt architecture and new โGolden Batteryโ chemistry, claiming 10โ80% of charge in as little as 13 minutes when juiced up by a 360 kW DC fast charger. For the Long-Range and Performance models, that time creeps up slightly to 16 minutes. Good luck finding one, but itโs nice to know it can do it.
And while the reality is that most buyers would spend 99% of their time on the tarmac, we took that 1% and tackled some pretty gnarly off-road courses in the 7X to prove a point. It can and will get you through sand, mud, and gravel should you ever find yourself on an extra-curricular adventure โ be it a sandy trail to a campsite or a gravel driveway to a winery. The adaptable suspension does a commendable job here, yet itโs a plush and comfortable ride no matter the road surface.
Tech & connectivity โ whatโs the word?
This is where the 7X really flexes. The centrepiece is a 16-inch mini-LED infotainment screen, backed up by a 13-inch digital cluster and an optional augmented-reality head-up display. Together, alongside wireless phone charging, they deliver a tech suite that feels both expected and deserved in 2025. The system is wildly fast, with a very sharp resolution, and future-proofed with over-the-air updates, meaning it will only improve with time.
Zeekr hasnโt cut corners elsewhere either: multiple cameras, lidar, and high-powered processors feed its driver-assist systems, while higher trims pack in the aforementioned 21-speaker, 2,000-watt-plus sound system thatโll easily fill any EV silence. We didnโt get to play around with the charging functionality and interface during our short time at the launch, but we will do so in the near future.
And the lowdown on safety?
Safety credentials are strong and five-star rated. Structural integrity is reinforced by what the brand calls its โDome Armourโ design, while the extensive suite of cameras, radar, and lidar supports a very modern (and from what we can tell, well-calibrated) safety net of driver-assist features.
Inside, Zeekr has even integrated clever touches like an intelligent occupant monitoring system โ essentially a camera in the B-pillar so the driver can monitor children in the rear safely without having to take their eyes off the road.
The most memorable โ or heartbreaking โ thing about your drive?
Sitting in the cabin for the first time. Thereโs an inexplicable refinement to the Zeekr 7X that can only be understood when you experience it in real life. The materials are premium, the steering wheel is a joy to hold, and the screen responsiveness is lightning quick. Driving, from what Iโve experienced so far, is also a treat, but Iโve yet to drive on real-world roads enough to comment at this stage.
One thing you should know before a test drive?
Deliveries kick off in mid-October, with Zeekr pledging to have cars in driveways before the end of the year. Starting from $57,900 (before on-roads), the 7X cheekily undercuts the Model Y by a thousand bucks. But with 2,000+ pre-orders in the bank already, those who wait too long might have to watch others rolling around in it before them, which would be a real shame. Donโt be that guy.
The author was paid to attend the Zeekr 7X launch event in Adelaide. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
