It’s fair to say that Zeekr Australia probably wasn’t expecting the Zeekr 7X electric SUV to be such a hit.
The Chinese auto brand is in its infancy here, and insiders have told me that they’ve been blown away by the reception for this new model, which is a sweet-spot offering for so many buyers in the market for their first EV, or their next one.
And in this review, I’ll tell you why the Zeekr 7X could be the ideal first step, or the worthwhile upgrade, you’ve been thinking about.
But I’ll also tell you why I wouldn’t buy this top-spec variant in particular… so make sure you read the lot!
How much does the Zeekr 7X cost?
I would boldly suggest that, for the most part, you don’t need your electric SUV to be this fast. I’ll tell you why down below. But this dual-motor version of the Zeekr 7X offers extraordinary pace, if you do need that. And it’s the only AWD variant in the range, if you frequent the snow or sandy trails.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 Zeekr 7X RWD | $57,900 |
| 2026 Zeekr 7X Long Range RWD | $63,900 |
| 2026 Zeekr 7X Performance AWD | $72,900 |
The top-spec dual-motor model is a sizeable step up the budget ladder, but if you don’t need AWD and can do without the speed and spec this vehicle comes with (all the standard inclusions are listed below), the mid-spec model might be a better bet.
There are plenty of other dual-motor electric SUVs in this part of the market for similar money, like the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX, the Kia EV5 GT-Line, and the Cupra Tavascan VZ, not to mention the cut-price facelifted versions of the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. Oh, and the top-selling Tesla Model Y, plus the Xpeng G6, Deepal E07 Multitruck and others, too.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Let us help you find your new car
Buy your new car without the stress. It’s fast, simple and completely free.
Great service from Travis and team, second time I have used this business would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone
Craig C.
Purchased a Ford Ranger in Sunshine Coast, QLD
CarExpert helped Craig save thousands on his Ford Ranger, now let us save you on your next new car.
Find a deal
What is the Zeekr 7X like on the inside?
Before getting into the interior details, I want to talk about the doors.
The electric door opening and closing system is nifty. Press a button on the pillar and the door will open to welcome you in – it’ll even stop you from door-dinging the car next to you, with sensors to stop that from happening.
It’s a fantastic upsell gimmick in the showroom, that’s for sure. Especially when you just put your foot on the brake pedal and it shuts the door for you.
But I have some issues with it. The doors mightn’t get it right every time. They didn’t on my test, at times only opening a smidge, or not opening far enough if the car is parked on a gradient.
And I have a safety concern, as a parent. I’m not convinced that these will stop in time for a finger or hand to avoid being smooshed. They shut with force. And I wouldn’t want my digits to get stuck in the gap, let alone a kid’s fingers.
These doors are only on the top-spec 7X. So if you share my concerns, choose a lower grade.
Once inside, the first impression this cabin makes is upmarket, elegant, and premium-feeling.
Mind you, that’s the same feeling you get if you spend $15,000 less on one of the entry-level versions. Because, largely, they are the same inside.
Admittedly this high-grade one does have a few extra features that you will really love – including heated and ventilated front seats with massage function, but there’s also Nappa leather interior trim as opposed to fake leather.
Even so, in the lower grade versions with the same design and treatment, it’s a fashionable experience.
The material finishes beyond the seat trim are all the same, with a nice soft material trim on the doors and little openable pockets on the armrests up front as well.
The lighting signature throughout the cabin is a jewel-like ambient system that looks very fancy, and the overall general design language inside is opulent.
It’s also cleverly thought out in terms of storage, with lined pockets in the doors, and a good-sized centre section under the bridge which houses twin USB-C ports and lots of handbag space. Above is a pair of wireless phone chargers and an NFC card reader, as well as a covered section for cupholders. There’s a rear cubby with a lid that opens both ways. Neat!
That section is also modular – and while we don’t get the standard refrigerator in that armrest area, I’m sure you could find it if you want it.
Then there’s the steering wheel with its slightly squared-off shape, and it’s a lovely thing to hold onto. While it does have piano black finishing on the controls, they aren’t too smudgy and the tactility is excellent.
There are no paddle shifters to adjust the regen braking, which may disappoint some.
Off the steering column there is a left-side stalk to operate the wipers and blinkers, while the right stalk is your column-shift gear selector. That gear selector also doubles as your actuator for cruise control or Pilot Assist features, and it will take a little bit of getting used to if you are uninitiated with that kind of action.
When it comes to screen tech, there is a digital instrument cluster with a level of configurability to it – and I like the fact it has a slimline finish and isn’t too overbearing with the information layout, either.
In this high-grade version you also get the large head-up display which has a rich mixture of detail and info, including map directions, your current driving status, your ETA if using mapping, and speed readout with speed sign information.
One thing about this car I really love is that it doesn’t chime at you to tell you there’s a new speed sign or that you are going over the speed limit. And nor does it chime in to tell you if it thinks you are too close to the car ahead while you’re on the freeway. Instead, around the driver info display it will pulse red to warn you of your proximity, while at low speeds it will chime to tell you that you need to apply brake force, or it will autobrake for you!
The central touchscreen media system is not like some others – it’s a little lower on the dashboard, which makes it seem better integrated than some of the other tablet-style tack-ons we’ve seen from different brands.
The menus will take quite a bit of learning. There is a lot of depth to the software here, but over a few days I found myself well and truly accustomed to the layout of things.
That’s helped by the fact there is a home bar down the bottom of the screen with some quick controls available – including climate, seat adjustments, and shortcuts to car menus, plus the surround camera, and home menus as well.
It will remain on screen even when you have Apple CarPlay active, and there’s a top section at the bezel of the screen as well to give you a quick glance at some of your vitals for the vehicle including battery status, your connectivity, and more.
At the top there’s also an assistant which you can speak to if you wish, or you can swipe down on the drop-down box to get to some of the quick menus you might want to get used to – you can even customise it to your preferences, to a degree.
A lot of the stuff you need to learn is through that screen, so if you are considering this SUV it is well worth spending a little bit of time in the showroom to see whether you’ll be able to get to terms with it for a long-term relationship.
Below the screen there is still a volume scrolling wheel, and that also doubles as a push button for play/pause. There are a couple of other controls, including a mode selector, boot opening button, glovebox button, and a custom button. In this car, it was set for the rear-seat interior camera, which can film, photograph or even create a GIF. Or you can cover it with the integrated camera cover.
On the topic of the back seats, this SUV has more legroom and foot room than some cars five times the price in the luxury limousine segment. It really must be applauded for how capacious the cabin is for rear-seat riders.
There’s also a good amount of headroom, and you will be able to fit three adults across the back if you need to. If you have kids, there are ISOFIX child seat anchors in the window seats and three top-tether points too, and you can electrically adjust the backrest recline angle as well.
But what’s perhaps even more impressive is the comfort on offer back there, thanks to a super supple and soft rear seat cushion, but there’s still some upper body support so you don’t flop around.
The seat base doesn’t slide or move forward, but there’s plenty of other great amenities in the rear, including directional air vents and a flip-down armrest with cupholders. However, that’s the only place you will find rear USB charging ports, so if you have three occupants in the back you might have an issue if it’s a long trip and they need to charge up.
Beyond that there are map pockets, bottle holders in the doors, soft padding where you need to rest your elbows, and a great amount of comfort and amenity on offer.
There is lighting at the sides on the ceiling (great for parents), as well as grab handles for all positions, and coat hooks on the B-pillars.
The glass roof is big in this car, but thankfully it has a relatively thick shade that is effective at blocking out the heat.
What about the boot space? There is an ample amount of luggage and cargo capacity, plus with some clever amenities like shopping bag hooks.
You do not get a standard cargo cover, and underneath the boot floor there is no spare wheel – instead you get a tyre repair kit. But you can also store your cables under there.
Otherwise you could use the 44-litre frunk – which is smaller in this dual-motor version than in the rear-wheel drive models, but still large enough to fit charge cables and that puncture kit if needed.
| Dimensions | Zeekr 7X |
|---|---|
| Length | 4787mm |
| Width | 1930mm |
| Height | 1650mm |
| Wheelbase | 2900mm |
| Cargo capacity | 539L (rear seats up) 1978L (rear seats folded) |
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Okay, to make it clear you’re getting significantly more for the extra money you’re spending, we’ve made the Performance AWD specs bold for your ease of reference. And wow. What a performance jump it is!
| Specifications | RWD | Long Range RWD | Performance AWD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electric | Single-motor electric | Dual-motor electric |
| Battery | 75kWh LFP | 100kWh NMC | 100kWh NMC |
| Power | 310kW | 310kW | 475kW |
| Torque | 440Nm | 440Nm | 710Nm |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 6.0 seconds | 6.0 seconds | 3.8 seconds |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 17.8kWh/100km | 17.7kWh/100km | 19.9kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as tested) | – | – | 18.9kWh/100km |
| Claimed range (WLTP, targeted) | 480km | 615km | 543km |
| Max AC charge rate | 22kW | 22kW | 22kW |
| Max DC charge rate | 450kW | 420kW | 420kW |
The question you need to ask yourself is whether you need a sub-four-second electric SUV… because I know from experience that, while it’s fun to blast from a silent standstill to licence-loss territory a few times, the novelty wears off. And it’s not like the lower-grade versions are slouches, either.
Maybe you just want the ‘best’ one. Maybe you love the orange brake calipers. Maybe you really need AWD. Whatever the motive, I’d say you would be very happy with the extra $9000 in your bank and the mid-spec RWD model in your driveway.
Efficiency-wise, the Zeekr 7X AWD is decent, with a claim of less than 20kWh per 100km – that’s good for a car with this level of performance. In my real-world driving, I saw a displayed average of 18.9kWh per 100km – so, yes, better than the claim! Impressive.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Zeekr 7X drive?
For many people out there, buying the top-spec 7X will be a matter of thinking you’re getting the best drive experience – and obviously having an electric SUV capable of hitting 100km/h in less than four seconds might be the cherry on top.
Trusted Reviews, Smarter Choices, Better Prices
Where expert car reviews meet expert car buying – CarExpert gives you trusted advice, personalised service and real savings on your next new car.
But I don’t think you need this much grunt.
And I also don’t think you are necessarily getting the best drive experience if you choose the top version.
Why? Because the adaptive air suspension system can at times be a little bit flimsy feeling, and at freeway speeds when it automatically lowers itself down to be more aerodynamic, it can occasionally dramatically bounce up or bang down over bumps in the road surface.
Admittedly, Australian freeways have some of the worst surfacing in the world – including the ones that we have to pay to drive on! – but the reality is that you will probably have a more serene and predictable experience if you choose one of the versions without air suspension. I certainly found that, having driven both a RWD and this AWD.
At lower speeds, with the dampers set to comfort mode, and with the vehicle at its standard height, it offer a very well mannered and quite composed experience in terms of the ride and the body control.
However, as I said, at high speeds it can feel like it is making the wrong decision – and as far as I can tell, you cannot override the ride height setting on the road, despite the fact you can adjust the damping to be firmer or softer. For my preferences I set the dampers to firm on the freeway and comfort around town.
I also set the steering to one of the lighter-feeling settings, because with sport steering mode engaged it added extra weight but not necessarily extra enjoyment.
It is still a relatively joyful thing to drive for those looking for an enthusiastic experience, but I don’t think it’s the cutting edge or the sharpest tool in its segment in terms of outright handling nous.
But obviously, all that might mean nothing to you if you just want the fastest one, and this is certainly an extremely fast electric SUV.
With sport mode engaged and your foot flat, you will hurtle towards the horizon at a mind-bending pace. And you must be mindful of the fact this is a relatively heavy vehicle – so stopping that momentum is also a crucial consideration.
Thankfully, the braking performance is admirable, although it will take some acclimation in terms of pedal actuation and feel. Because of the regen system, the progression of the pedal can feel a little bit unnatural.
But that regen braking system does have a couple of different modes available so you can tailor it to your preferences to some degree, and it is relatively effective.
And the refinement levels? Well, I think this car could be perfectly described as a luxury SUV because of the level of isolation it offers from most elements of the driving experience.
You still have a bit of tyre rumble coming into the cabin at higher speeds, but it’s not too badly affected by wind or road noise.
I’ve got to hand it to Zeekr for its approach to safety technology too, with very little annoyance or frustration presented by this SUV.
Some rivals will chime and bing-bong at you incessantly, enough to make you wish you didn’t buy the car, but this one is different.
If you turn off the lane-keep assist, it will stay off. And during my time with this car, I didn’t need to turn off the speed sign recognition (because it doesn’t chime), and nor was it necessary to disable the driver monitoring camera system, which is a welcome consideration in the modern era.
Overall the safety technology integration in this vehicle is executed better than in the vast majority of rivals in this segment, and also the fact you’re getting the surround-view camera system with configurability and an auto-parking system as standard make it a very appealing prospect for those who are concerned about how that tech could or should be applied to new cars like this.
As I said, overall, this is a very impressive electric SUV, but personally I think I would prefer the slightly more predictable level of handling (even if it’s not as outright enthusiastic) offered by one of the more affordable models – provided that all-wheel drive is not a necessity for you.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
Zeekr is fitting out its cars impressively in Australia. Have a look at what you get across the different grades.
2026 Zeekr 7X RWD standard equipment highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Panoramic glass roof with power sunshade
- Autonomous parking assist
- Sentry Mode
- 13.02-inch digital instrument cluster
- 16-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- 10-speaker sound system
- 2 x 50W wireless phone chargers
- Tri-zone climate control
- Four-zone voice command
- Ambient lighting
- Leatherette upholstery
- 14-way power driver’s seat with memory
- 10-way power passenger seat with memory
- Heated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Rear bench with 10-degree power recline
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
Long Range RWD adds:
- Rear privacy glass
- 36.2-inch head-up display
- Power-adjustable steering wheel
- Ventilated front seats
- Massaging front seats
Performance AWD adds:
- 21-inch forged alloy wheels
- Air suspension
- Continuous damping control
- Automatic doors
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Rear side glass power sunshade
There are a number of colour choices inside and out, too – some of which add some cost to the equation.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the Zeekr 7X safe?
ANCAP hasn’t assessed the Zeekr 7X locally yet, but it achieved the maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating earlier in 2025. The breakdown was: 91 per cent adult occupant protection; 90 per cent child occupant protection; 78 per cent for vulnerable road user protection; and 83 per cent for safety assist tech.
Standard safety equipment across the range includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking with:
- Pedestrian
- Cyclist
- Car
- Junction
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Front cross-traffic alert
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Automatic lane-change
- Lane keeping assistance
- Traffic jam assist with stop, start and steer adaptive cruise (auto pilot)
- Driver monitoring camera
- Speed sign recognition
- Surround-view camera
- Front, rear and side parking sensors
- Autonomous parking assist
The Zeekr 7X has seven airbags – dual front, front centre, front side and full-length curtains.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Zeekr 7X cost to run?
Zeekr in Australia offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for private buyers, but business buyers get a limited-distance coverage of 150,000km.
| Servicing and Warranty | Zeekr 7X Performance |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 20,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years or 100,000km |
| Average annual service cost | $477 |
| Total capped-price service cost | $2385 |
The battery pack – no matter which grade – is covered by an eight-year/160,000km warranty, with 70 per cent state of health guaranteed by the end of that period. Again, business buyers get a shorter 150,000km distance allowance.
The brand has servicing intervals of 12 months or 20,000km, whichever occurs first. There’s a five-year servicing plan spanning 100,000km. The first service is optional and free, and the third and fifth services ($330 each) are also optional.
Zeekr also includes five years of roadside assistance at no cost.
To see how the Zeekr 7X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Zeekr 7X Performance
There is so much to like about the way the Zeekr 7X goes about things.
And if you’re the sort of person that insists on their electric vehicle being cutting-edge and having technology and performance that your friends and family will never have seen before, then the Performance model could be the pick.
But for me, the mid-spec model makes a more impactful argument for less money, and it has regular doors and suspension… and those things may prove more important than dual-motor acceleration and spec-showmanship in the longer term.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Zeekr 7X. Click here to get a great deal.
Click the images for the full gallery
MORE: Explore the Zeekr 7X showroom
Source link
