Electric Zeekr X in test: Is it better than the Volvo and Smart twins?

Price: NIS 185,000

Competitors: Smart 1, Volvo EX30, Jeep Avenger

Liked: passenger compartment, safety, equipment

Disliked: driver interface, gimmicks, climate control

Rating: 8/10

From the Chinese perspective, all roads lead to Rome, Rome as an example for all of Europe. But not all Chinese cars choose the same path, at least not at the current stage, and the general title "Chinese car" is proving itself as not accurate the moment we delve into higher resolution. We've seen this in the past when the first waves of Chinese electric cars that arrived here were not impressive to say the least. Cars like Seres 3, JAC, and GAC were very mediocre products. Above them, there is a group of products slightly more advanced, still leaning on converted gasoline cars, but slightly better like Skywell ET5 or MG ZS and also the Geely Geometry C (we will return to it shortly). Above these, there are Chinese cars already displaying technological capabilities, performance, and features that certainly challenge the automotive industry, such as Xpeng and NIO as examples. Zeekr is targeting the third tier.

This is another brand of the homeowner Geely, and in this model, it comes with a base with Volvo EX30 and with Smart 1. Two cars that impressed us in our initial meetings with them even before we approached the X Zeekr, the expectations from it are at least to present the same impression.

Design: There are cars that you look at and immediately know what it is. Kia Carnival, Jeep Wrangler, Mazda Miata - a very distinctive look that declares its content. The Zeekr X deceives at first sight. It definitely presses the buttons that say "different" meaning "electric." But it is difficult to fit it into a familiar category, whether it is a small crossover or a compact SUV. I'm not sure this binary pose works out. It serves its purpose well in the first goal of design - to grab your attention.

Passenger cabin: One glance at the passenger cabin starts to tell a story that will repeat itself in every aspect of operating the Zeekr X - the absolute absence of switches, strange door handles, a giant screen, buttonless console, shadowless giant sunroof - it is very familiar to us from somewhere - oh yes, Tesla. This design becomes a kind of code name for advanced technology, except that it's a double-edged sword - make it successful and it will become an icon and a model for emulation, make it bad and it will be a continuous operational nightmare. The Zeekr X is right in the middle.

On the one hand, she manages the gimmicks of listening to voices and sounds, adjusting displays, adjusting the direction of airflow, and even operating the lights from the screen. On the other hand, she has a few things that can definitely be credited to her - the first is that she allows setting driving preferences such as regenerative braking and driving in one pedal, and remembers them so you don't have to do it every time you hit the road. The second thing is the ability to easily cancel her driving aids via shortcuts. Like other systems, she suffers from excessive sensitivity of safety systems to the point of real annoyance. Overall, it is possible to get used to this operation, but it could have been done a little better. We would also give up the strange operation of the cruise control lever shift and the limited display option on the driver's screen.

The rest of the cabin is very interesting, presenting excellent material quality and assembly, excellent front space, and very good outward visibility except for the rear. It is nice to place your hand and encounter soft and pleasant materials, storage solutions may not be many but are clever, like a flexible compartment at the bottom of the console with a retractable hanger. The absence of glovebox will require you to look for the strength to cope, the lack of a panoramic sunroof cover, and the air conditioner starting its workday just a few minutes after the start of the journey, it's hard for me to believe you will find forgiveness.

The spacious rear is good in all directions, but the seat itself is short, so don't build on sitting more than two adults in full size over time or two children due to width. The original design touches continue here, there are smartly positioned USB merging outlets on the door frames and two charging sockets.

Cargo space: With a volume of 362 liters, the cargo space is between a very spacious supermini and a compact car. But it's not just the volume, it's the low structure and the hard shelf that doesn't lift for some reason with the door. The additional 15 liters upfront don't really make it more useful.

Equipment: We are used to the low level of finish of the two of these in the Zeekr X, the more premium one, the Krypton, is adapted to the two very powerful engines version. And here too, the list is long and impressive. Built-in camera, electrically adjustable seats, electric cargo door, LED lighting, 19-inch alloy wheels, vegan leather seats, a 14.6-inch multimedia screen with compatibility for Android and Apple, a top display with navigation instructions on the screen, and the option to operate external electrical devices from the car's battery (V2L).

Performance: As mentioned, the base version with the single engine and rear-wheel drive, but that doesn't mean it's weak or inadequate. 272 hp and 35 kg/m for a 1.8-ton car is a combination that provides a quick pace and definitely enough power north of it for all everyday usage scenarios. With strong regenerative braking, it can be driven in One-Pedal Drive mode, but it's not the best we've encountered.

Electricity consumption and range: On paper, Zeekr declares that the range of the X in this version is 445 km with a 66 kWh battery. In our test, the range stood at about 370-400 km depending on driving habits and outside temperature. The Zeekr X supports fast charging of up to 150 kW.

Comfort and behavior: Despite wheels that are too large for a non-sporty car, the noise insulation of the Zeekr receives a very good rating. However, from here on, it is difficult to say that this package travels at the level of the best in Europe. The suspension tuning is noticeably on the soft side. As a result, as long as the speed is low or the road imperfections are mild, it will absorb them comfortably. But if the pace is slightly faster, the suspension's ability to "follow" the road decreases, resulting in a car that sways and bounces.

It also pretty much rules out any fun driving events, if any of its customers are interested. Because this softness is also expressed in the differences between what the front wheels are doing and the exaggerated swaying of the rear end that cannot support weight transfer. And that's a shame, because driving a Smart Brabus, sister platform, reveals excellent potential.

Bottom line

As we said at the beginning, in the range of products that the Chinese are spreading on us, Zeekr aims to rise to the top. Because if the destination is Europe, in order to overcome patriotic preferences, and reduced taxation, you cannot come with a half-baked product. In addition, Zeekr's tendency to soar to the gimmicky regions, to make technology advanced, toys and flashing lights at the expense of substance, tarnishes the essence.

And this is very unfortunate, because the X is an excellent car at its core, in design, material quality, assembly, comfort and safety equipment, drive unit - everything puts it in the first row with the best products on the market. It is only the gap in implementation and execution in the areas of user interface and final calibration of the car's convenience features that steals its successful completion.

At a price of NIS 185,000, it stands out with a gap of about NIS 10,000 above the Geely Geometry C or BYD ATTO 3, the main players in the electric vehicle market in general and in the public sector in particular. Is it worth this gap? In our view, despite criticism of its lagging behind, for the customer looking for a quality, equipped electric vehicle, not afraid of smart operation and not seeking sophisticated driving - definitely yes.

On the technical side: Zeekr X

Engine, propulsion: Electric, single motor, rear

Battery: 66 kWh

Power (kW): 272

Torque (Nm): 35

Gearbox: Single-speed automatic

Dimensions:

Length (m): 4.43

Width (m): 1.84

Height (m): 1.57

Wheelbase (cm): 275

Cargo space (liters): 362

Performance:

Acceleration 0-100 (seconds): 5.6

Maximum speed (km/h): 180

Range (test): 400 km

Range (manufacturer): 445 km

Safety:

European crash test rating: 5 out of 5 stars (2024)

Active safety: adaptive cruise control, lane departure correction, automatic braking, off-road vehicle alert, child lock system including window and air conditioning opening, speed limit detection, detection of cross-traffic during reverse driving including braking

Air pollution:

Group 1 out of 15

Warranty: 5 years or 100,000 km for the vehicle, 8 years or 160,000 km for the battery