Chinese automakers have been bombarding us with new and updated models faster than our browsers can keep up, but every once in a while, one stands out for more than just novelty. The Zeekr X is one of those. A sibling to the Volvo EX30, it carries sharper styling, a dash of swagger, and a promise of premium polish that suggests it’s aiming a little higher than your typical Chinese EV.
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The Geely-owned brand has recently landed in my home country, Greece, giving me the chance to see what the compact-sized Zeekr X is all about and, more importantly, take it for a drive.
QUICK FACTS
| Model | Zeekr X RWD | Zeekr X AWD |
| Powertrain | Single Electric Motor | Dual Electric Motors |
| Output | 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and 343 Nm (253 lb-ft) | 422 hp (315 kW / 428 PS) and 543 Nm (401 lb-ft) |
| Battery | 49 kW / 69 kWh | 69 kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 446 km (277 miles) | 425 km (264 miles) |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | 5.6 seconds* | 3.8 seconds* |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h (118 mph)* | – |
| Length | 4,432 mm (174.5 inches) | – |
| Width | 1,836 mm (72.3 inches) | – |
| Height | 1,566 mm (61.6 inches) | – |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm (108.3 inches) | – |
| Weight | 1,885 kg (4,156 lbs)* | 1960 kg (4,321 lbs)* |
| Price | €34,990 ($40,700)** €39,990 ($46,500)** |
€44,990 ($52,300)** |
SWIPE
* Manufacturer | **Prices in Greece including a €3,000 local incentive for EVs
The X was introduced in late 2023 as the entry-level EV in Zeekr’s growing lineup. It has already been updated in China with more powerful motors and new color and trim options, but those have yet to reach export markets.
Like its Volvo EX30 and Smart #1 relatives, it rides on Geely’s SEA platform, which also underpins the Lynk & Co 02. It even made headlines as Euro NCAP’s safest EV, outperforming some far pricier rivals, including the Porsche Macan. Still, there’s more to this compact SUV than a glowing safety score.
Aggressive Looks, Familiar DNA
Zeekr is still a young brand, having been born in 2021. In terms of styling language, there’s a clear family resemblance with Geely stablemate Lynk & Co, yet Zeekr sits higher in the group’s hierarchy, positioned above Volvo and Polestar in terms of its premium aspirations.
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The Zeekr X has a sharp and modern exterior that will make you look twice when it passes by. Its “double-edged” headlights, greenhouse, door handles, mirrors, and taillights are reminiscent of the Lynk & Co 02, though without the coupe-SUV stance.
Other highlights include the glossy black cladding around the wheel arches and a sharp character line on the profile that extends to the side windows.
Photos Thanos Pappas for CarScoops
At 4,432 mm long, it’s 199 mm longer than the Volvo EX30 and 28 mm shorter than the Lynk & Co 02. That puts it right among Europe’s compact premium EV-SUVs, including the BMW iX1, Audi Q4 e-tron, and Mercedes EQA.
Our press tester was the Long Range RWD variant, which sounds like a sweet spot in the lineup. It pairs a single 268 hp (200 kW) motor with the larger 69 kWh battery for up to 446 km (277 miles) of WLTP range. Visually, it rides on 19-inch alloy wheels rather than the 20-inch option which is reserved for the 422 hp AWD flagship.
Premium Aspirations
Open the frameless doors and you immediately sense that this brand aims for BMW territory in terms of perceived quality. Soft-touch materials cover most surfaces, complemented by futuristic ambient lighting and ASMR-friendly switchgear finished in copper.
The configurable switches on the steering wheel are a nice touch, as they can also serve as physical controls for the A/C so you don’t have to fiddle with the screen all the time.
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The seats are upholstered in soft vegan leather and feature hard outer shells adding a futuristic note. Geely designers played safe in terms of the dashboard layout, combining a 14.6-inch central touchscreen with an 8.8-inch instrument cluster.
There is also a 24.3-inch augmented reality head-up display helping keep your eyes on the road. Equipment is generous, including a panoramic sunroof, a 13-speaker Yamaha sound system, and a full suite of ADAS.
Photos Thanos Pappas for CarScoops
Rear passengers are also treated well. Thanks to the longer wheelbase, the X offers noticeably better rear legroom and headroom than the Volvo EX30, making it a far more comfortable choice for adults or small families.
There is also plenty of in-car storage including a multi-functional central armrest. However, the boot is equivalent of a subcompact hatchback with a capacity of 362 lt (12.8 cubic feet), and the tiny 21 lt (0.4 cubic feet) frunk is mostly for storing charging cables.
Comfort Is the Key
My drive was brief, just a few hours during the local media presentation, so this is not a full review, but it was enough to get a good feel for the Zeekr X’s personality.
As with the Volvo EX30, the excellent SEA platform has the robustness of larger segments. Here, it is combined with a softer suspension setup for even higher levels of comfort and slightly better soundproofing.
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The steering has a nice feel, although I didn’t notice enough differentiation between the available modes (Comfort, Standard, and Sport). Still, the Zeekr X is more engaging than your average Chinese EV while keeping a neutral and predictable character in line with its Swedish R&D genes. The ADAS worked well overall, but a few over-eager alerts popped up on roads with faint lane markings.
Photos Thanos Pappas for CarScoops
Performance-wise, the 268 hp RWD version feels plenty quick for daily use, making the 422 hp AWD variant seem somewhat indulgent. Interestingly, China’s updated models have bumped outputs to 335 hp and 489 hp respectively, hinting that future exports could get an extra jolt of power.
Overall, the extra range that should be around 400 km (250 miles) in real-life conditions and the extra playfulness of the RWD make it the preferred choice from my point of view – especially considering it offers a nearly identical equipment at a lower price.
The 69 kWh battery pack doesn’t have the ultra-fast charging capabilities of the Zeekr 001 flagship, but can go from 10-80% in under 30 minutes when connected to an 150 kW DC charger.
How Much Does It Cost?
In Greece, where we tested it, the base Core RWD starts at €34,990 ($40,700), while the Long Range RWD sits at €39,990 ($46,500), and the top Privilege AWD costs €44,990 ($52,300). Each trim comes fully loaded.
The closely related Volvo EX30, by comparison, ranges from €36,175 to €48,448, while the larger Tesla Model Y starts from €36,175. All prices include Greece’s €3,000 EV incentive.
Another indirect competitor at a similar price point is the larger and more practical Tesla Model Y that currently starts from €36,175 ($42,100) in the same market. Keep in mind that all of the aforementioned prices include a €3,000 incentive for EVs.
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Zeekr representatives told us that the company plans on keeping prices consistent across all European markets. This means that the X will start from around €38,000 ($44,200) before incentives in Germany, undercutting its Volvo sibling and the Tesla Model Y by a couple of grand, while being almost €10,000 ($11,600) cheaper than the entry-level BMW iX1.
Eyes on Europe
Photos Thanos Pappas for CarScoops
Zeekr has sold a total of 550,000 vehicles since its inception in 2021. The European rollout of the brand started in 2023, with new countries being added every year. The next step is to enter major European markets including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the UK by the end of 2026.
The brand’s R&D and design hub in Gothenburg, Sweden and regional offices in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, complement its Chinese operations, signaling long-term European ambitions.
Beyond the X compact SUV, Zeekr is currently offering the 7X midsize SUV and the 001 flagship shooting brake in the Old Continent. Still, the company’s Chinese lineup is much broader, including the 007 sedan, the Mix and 009 minivans, and the new 9X flagship SUV.
Verdict
After a short but telling encounter, the Zeekr X left a lasting impression. It feels more spacious, more comfortable, and more polished than the Volvo EX30 it shares bones with, while coming in cheaper. The ride quality, cabin refinement, and safety credentials suggest it’s one of the most convincing Chinese EVs yet to reach Europe.
If you can get past the unfamiliar badge, the Zeekr X makes a compelling case as a smart, well-rounded alternative in the compact electric SUV space.