Chinese luxury SUV gets a new version: Zeekr 9X targets buyers who want space, power and electric range

The Zeekr 9X, a large luxury plug-in hybrid from Geely's premium brand, is getting a new five-seat version that will be launched in China on July 28. The news is interesting because it shows how Chinese manufacturers are increasingly aggressively attacking a segment that has long been dominated by European and Japanese premium SUV models: they offer huge dimensions, very powerful powertrains, advanced equipment and an electric range that, for many drivers, can cover everyday driving without starting the gasoline engine.

According to available data, the five-seat Zeekr 9X is 5.239 millimeters long, 2.029 millimeters wide and 1.819 millimeters high, with a wheelbase of 3.169 millimeters. This puts it in the company of the largest luxury SUVs, but the new five-seat configuration changes the focus: instead of a third row, the emphasis is on the comfort of passengers in the back. Electric legrests, a “zero-gravity” seat position, heating, ventilation, massage, physical controls in the center backrest, wireless phone charging and a built-in refrigerator are mentioned.

Technically, the 9X remains a very ambitious car. The basic plug-in hybrid system combines a two-liter gasoline engine and an electric drive, and 55 kWh and 70 kWh batteries are available. The weaker battery delivers up to 300 kilometers of electric range in the Chinese CLTC cycle, while the larger one allows for up to 380 kilometers. These numbers cannot be directly translated into real-world range in European conditions, but they clearly show the direction in which the Chinese market is heading: the plug-in hybrid is no longer just an “auxiliary” electrified drive, but a car that can be driven as an EV for a large part of the week.

The most attention is drawn, however, to the more powerful, three-motor version. It is said to have a total output of 1.030 kW, or 1.381 hp, and to accelerate to 100 km/h in around 3,1 seconds. Another important fact is the fast charging: the high-voltage system and 6C battery allow for a charge from 20 to 80 percent in around nine minutes, according to data reported by Chinese automotive sources. This is particularly important because it erases one of the key differences between conventional fuel and electrified drive: the time to continue the journey.

The price of the five-seat version has not yet been officially confirmed, but it is expected to be close to the six-seat model, which in China ranges from around 465.900 to 599.900 yuan, or approximately $68.800 to $88.600. It is not a cheap car, but it is a strong message to the competition: Chinese brands no longer want to be perceived as just an affordable alternative, but as manufacturers that can attack the luxury top of the market with equipment, technology and performance.

For European buyers, this news is important even if the 9X does not appear in every market immediately. Zeekr is already building a presence outside of China, and this model shows what kind of cars can come in the next wave: large, electrified, very richly equipped and priced to upset traditional premium brands. The five-seat 9X is therefore not just a new configuration of an SUV, but another signal that the fight for the luxury segment is increasingly moving to China.

Article prepared with the support of AI tools.