When it officially launched locally last August, the Zeekr 7X staged a grand and unconventional launch event, but what truly left a lasting impression wasn’t just that, nor was it the figures on the spec sheet. Rather, it was the entry point it chose: a price range that offers a significant cost advantage within its segment.
In the market, wanting to combine generous space, a luxurious feel and performance all at once usually means a higher budget threshold. The Zeekr 7X attempts to break in with a more pragmatic approach, offering local buyers a new option that is high-spec yet doesn’t feel “out of reach.” It is even priced lower than its closest rival, the Tesla Model Y.
Speaking of which, sharp-minded readers might point out that the XPeng G6 is cheaper still. Yes, but strictly speaking, the two aren’t “exact rivals in the same class.” Because Zeekr’s brand positioning leans towards the premium/luxury end, the two have different priorities. The 7X clearly aligns more closely with traditional luxury brands in terms of comfort, equipment and a sense of luxury.
The Zeekr 7X is offered locally in three different variants: the standard single-motor rear-wheel-drive RWD Standard Range, the long-range-focused RWD Long Range, and the flagship high-performance dual-motor all-wheel-drive AWD Performance. The version we test-drove this time is the top-tier AWD Performance.
The Zeekr 7X price lineup in Malaysia is as follows (on-the-road price, excluding insurance):
- Zeekr 7X RWD Standard Range: RM179,800
- Zeekr 7X RWD Long Range: RM190,800
- Zeekr 7X AWD Performance: RM226,800 (the star of this test drive)
The above prices include the factory 5-year/150,000 km standard new-car warranty, an 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty, and 1 year of free access to the various services built into the Zeekr App, while also coming with a 22kW AC home charging wallbox and factory-fitted tint film.
The Zeekr 7X measures 4,825×1,930×1,666mm with a wheelbase of 2,925mm. It is a five-seater pure-electric SUV, and its dimensions already place it at D-Segment SUV standard. It is longer, wider and taller than the Model Y, and is also slightly larger than the XPeng G6.
The Zeekr 7X uses the PMA2+ platform derived from Geely Group’s SEA modular architecture, which means it shares its platform with the group’s smart #5, and it also adopts an 800V electrical architecture while offering two different battery capacity options (more on that below).
In terms of appearance, the Zeekr 7X doesn’t chase a strong first-glance visual impact, instead taking a more mature, composed design route. The overall proportions are solid, the body lines clean and flowing, with no deliberate emphasis on sporty elements.
Even on the AWD Performance version we test-drove, the exterior differences are quite understated; compared to the other variants, the main distinction is the addition of the Zeekr Stargate Integrated Smart Light Curtain made up of 1,831 LEDs.
This light curtain is rather cool, because it allows users to personalise the effects the light strip displays, which is a unique feature not found on other brands. Moving to the side, its profile and lines are full of tension, with the contours appearing especially powerful under light and shadow. At the same time, the 20-inch wheels paired with orange brake calipers that come as standard on the AWD Performance version add the perfect finishing visual touch.
The rear has a distinct sense of layering, and the lamp design maintains the standard style of today’s luxury electric SUVs. While not every detail may dazzle at first glance, the overall “premium minimalist feel” still has its own identity within the segment. On the whole, the Zeekr 7X’s design direction isn’t particularly “attention-grabbing,” but rather closer to the temperament a luxury SUV should have, making it acceptable across different age groups and usage scenarios.
Step inside, and the Zeekr 7X’s performance in material quality and build clearly opens up a gap over many mainstream pure-electric SUVs. The cabin makes extensive use of soft-touch coverings, complemented by fine stitching, with both the tactile feel and visual layering done quite well. Its centre console and overall layout take a clean approach, with clear functional zoning and intuitive operating logic, without deliberately overcomplicating things just to create a “high-tech feel.”
As for the rest of the equipment, the entry-level RWD Standard comes standard with frameless doors, a power tailgate, a panoramic glass sunroof with electric sunshade, interior ambient lighting, power leather seats with memory function, a 13.02-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16-inch mini-LED display supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, an active sound system made up of 10 speakers, and a tri-zone automatic climate control air-conditioning system.
The long-range RWD Long Range variant additionally gains a power-adjustable steering wheel, front seats with ventilation and massage functions, an AR head-up display (HUD) with a projection area of up to 36.21 inches, a Zeekr Sound Pro audio system made up of 21 speakers, and a 50W wireless phone charging pad.
As for the AWD Performance version we test-drove, on top of having all the above equipment, it adds one-touch electric opening and closing doors and electric rear-window sunshades. Overall, the equipment can be described as very generous, especially the electric doors, which rivals don’t have; this feature even comes with sensors, so even when opening the doors in tighter spaces they won’t bump into other objects.
In terms of safety equipment, the entire Zeekr 7X range comes standard with 7 airbags, full-speed-range adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane centring assist (LCA), lane keeping assist (LKAS), blind spot monitoring (BSM), automatic lane change (ALC), automatic parking, and a 360-degree parking camera system, fully meeting the standard of a Level 2 advanced driver assistance system.
In addition, the seats have thick foam padding, striking a good balance between support and bolstering, so even over long periods of sitting, comfort can be maintained at a relatively high level. In terms of space and practicality, the Zeekr 7X’s overall planning is likewise centred on daily use.
The in-cabin storage spaces are sensibly distributed, the front storage compartments are large enough to hold water bottles, phones and other personal items, and the hidden storage bins on the inner door panels are lined with flocking, with the details handled well.
The boot offers around 616 litres of capacity in its standard state, expandable to nearly 1,978 litres with the rear seats folded down, so family outings or carrying larger items are no problem. Front and rear seating space is well balanced, with ample head and leg room, and the rear floor is nicely flat so long periods of sitting don’t feel cramped.
At the same time, the relatively friendly ride height also makes it easier for the elderly and children to get in and out of the cabin. The overall space efficiency and ride comfort hit precisely what consumers actually expect from a “large-space electric SUV.”
Finally, we come to the key section of this test drive. Let’s first recap the powertrain lineup across the entire Zeekr 7X range. First, the entry-level RWD Standard is fitted with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 421PS/440Nm, with a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6 seconds, paired with a 75kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The officially claimed range is 480 km (WLTP standard), and it supports 22kW AC slow charging (4.5 hours from 10% to 100%) and 450kW DC fast charging (10.5 minutes from 10% to 80%).
The long-range RWD Long Range is fitted with the same rear-mounted electric motor with identical power output, and its 0-100km/h acceleration time is also a flat 6 seconds, but it carries a larger-capacity nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, specifically 100kWh, with range raised to 615 km. It likewise supports 22kW AC slow charging (10%-100% in 5.5 hours), but DC fast charging is slightly reduced to 420kW (10-80% in 16 minutes).
As for the AWD Performance we test-drove, it adds another motor on the front axle, with the two motors together forming an AWD all-wheel-drive system, for a combined output of 646PS/710Nm and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3.8 seconds, paired with the same 100kWh battery as the long-range version, with a range of 543 km.
It supports 22kW AC slow charging and 420kW DC fast charging, with the same charging times as the long-range version, and the entire range supports 3.3kW V2L reverse power supply, allowing the battery’s remaining charge to power supported household appliances.
It is worth noting that the AWD Performance version also exclusively gets an electronic air-suspension system. Out on the road, although the AWD Performance’s paper figures are very strong, in daily driving its character actually leans towards comfort, with a softer suspension setup that filters out small road bumps very well, making it very friendly in terms of comfort whether on city roads or at high speeds.
Of course, switch to performance mode and its power is awakened. The dual motors can deliver ample and instant power response across any speed range, with brisk launches and smooth mid-to-late acceleration that extends fluidly, so even overtaking on high-speed sections can be done in a rather composed manner. The way power is delivered leans linear, never giving a jarring sense of suddenly “being shoved,” and is instead easier to control.
Moreover, even with ample power in reserve, it still retains a rather mature and composed driving feel. Combined with the AWD system’s power distribution across different road conditions, whether on city roads, high-speed cruising, or sections requiring frequent acceleration and braking, the vehicle can maintain stable, predictable responses. This “performance on hand, but it doesn’t force you to use it” character actually fits better with its overall positioning as a high-spec luxury electric SUV.
In terms of braking and body control, its overall performance likewise matches the AWD Performance positioning. The brake system’s pedal feel leans linear, with an initial response that isn’t abrupt, but as the pedal travel deepens it becomes firm, giving the driver enough confidence during continuous deceleration or high-speed braking. Even when braking hard at higher speeds, the body posture remains stable, with no obvious nose-diving or side-to-side swaying.
At the same time, its body dynamics don’t deliberately chase an aggressive sporty style. Through corners, the suspension’s control of body roll stays within acceptable limits, and the weight-transfer process is gradual, never inducing a sense of unease. The AWD system’s power distribution mid-corner and on corner exit is quite natural, and the vehicle can follow the intended line through a manoeuvre without the driver needing to deliberately make corrections.
Furthermore, its steering feedback leans light, and the overall handling feel is comfortable and composed, more like a city + long-distance vehicle professionally tailored to daily needs. Even when maintaining a faster pace on high-speed sections, its noise insulation is satisfying, and the overall NVH performance meets expectations for its luxury positioning.
Conclusion:
If we place the Zeekr 7X within the current local segment’s competitive landscape, its product positioning is actually quite clear. By comparison, the Tesla Model Y still wins on efficiency, software ecosystem and brand pull, but in terms of interior quality, noise insulation and the cultivation of an overall luxurious atmosphere, the Zeekr 7X is clearly closer to the orientation of a traditional luxury SUV.
The XPeng G6, meanwhile, focuses on tech features and a price-driven approach; as for the BYD Sealion 7, it is competitive in product completeness and power specifications, but in the refinement of cabin materials and driving feel, the Zeekr 7X still demonstrates a more clearly defined premium positioning.
From this perspective, the Zeekr 7X isn’t trying to overwhelm its rivals on any single metric, but rather establishes its own foothold through the balance between space, quality, performance and price. It may not be the cheapest, nor the most talked-about choice, but for buyers who value generous space and a sense of luxury while also wanting to keep their budget in check, the combination the Zeekr 7X offers is quite persuasive within the segment’s pure-electric SUV market.
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