2026 Zeekr X AWD: Premium small SUV arrives to take on established players

While many of you might be reading about Zeekr for the first time, and despite it being relatively new to the Australian market, this Chinese challenger brand is yet another that looks to be backed in a way to ensure long-term success. Certainly on face value. With parent company Geely overseeing Lynk and Co, Polestar, Smart, Volvo, Lotus and others, it’s fair to assume that Zeekr has a strong chance of success, not just in its home market, but globally.

The new X is closely related to the Smart #1 and #3, Polestar 4 and Volvo EX30, but it’s the latter most people who spoke to me over the course of my time with it wanted to know about. Does it stack up? Can it offer an alternative to the Volvo offering?

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How much does the Zeekr X cost to buy?

As tested, in AWD guise, the Zeekr X costs $57,900 drive away, while the RWD model costs $48,900 drive sway. Zeekr X comes in those two powertrain options, the AWD we’re testing here with dual electric motors, or the RWD, with it’s single electric motor. The AWD gets a 66kWh LFP battery, (61kWH for the RWD), with a claimed range of 415km against the RWD’s 405km. Interestingly, the 2WD can accept faster DC charging, 230kW against 150kW for the AWD.

How far can the Zeekr X AWD travel on a charge?

Zeekr claims a WLTP-tested range of 415km for the AWD and 405km for the RWD model. In regular city traffic, we saw live energy consumption averages between 16kWh and 17kWh/100km, while that climbed up to 19kWh/100km on a 110km/h freeway run. In stop/start traffic then, you will get close to the claim as we see with most electric vehicles that are clever enough to harvest back as much energy as they can.

The RWD model can accept 11kW AC charging, and DC fast charging up to 230kW, which means 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 18 minutes. The AWD, conversely, can accept 22kW AC charging, but only up to 150kW DC fast charging, getting from 10 to 80 per cent in approximately 30 minutes.

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What is the Zeekr X AWD like to drive?

The revised 2026 Zeekr X, in AWD guise as tested here by Wheels, is fast. Very fast. With dual electric motors and 365kW on offer, the small electric SUV fires its way to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds. And it feels every bit as fast as it is behind the wheel as it does on paper. Does the luxury EV buyer, willing to take a punt on a challenger brand, need that much pace? Probably not, but then there’s always a more sedate 2WD (5.6 seconds to 100km/h) variant for those not interested in bragging rights.

Interestingly, this new Zeekr X feels like it is better-equipped to deal with the mountainous power it generates, while not detracting from the sense of calm inside the cabin. Inevitable comparisons with the Volvo EX30 with which it shares a platform will come, but there’s an element of polish that Volvo has imprinted on its variation that Zeekr has gotten closer to now, but not quite matched.

Performance, then, is taken care of. Opt for ‘Normal’ or ‘Comfort’ mode though, and you get a much more relaxed driving experience. Riding on 20-inch rubber, the X is firm on poor surfaces but what’s interesting is how well it deals with sharp-edged speed bumps and raised platforms, with only repeated smaller ruts registering inside the cabin. While you might think that a softer ride would appeal, there’s a point to be made that the firmer ride is more Euro-adjacent, which is arguably the feel Zeekr is aiming for.

We liked the steering, the general balance and the way the chassis is controlled into and out of corners, even with some pace on hand. You can adjust the steering sensitivity, via the touchscreen, and while it’s no sports car in its responses and feedback, it is sharp enough to ensure you can have some fun on a twisty road if you really want to.

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How practical is the Zeekr X AWD?

Even on the freeway, when you hit coarse chip sections, the cabin insulation and lack of tyre noise is impressive. In short, we didn’t expect the Zeekr X to be as refined inside the cabin as it is, especially at highway speed with 20-inch tyres rolling beneath you. Some significantly more expensive EVs could learn a thing or two about refinement from the Zeekr X.

That’s why the safety systems noted in the pros and cons section get a mention. An updated suite of sensors and technology hasn’t completely removed the annoyances of the overspeed warning, or the driver attention monitor, which wanted to continually remind me that I wasn’t paying attention to the road ahead – I was. One example we encountered more than once, was the system taking issue with us exceeding 40km/h in a school zone. The only catch was that it kept happening outside of school hours.

Add that into the way the safety warnings cut into the podcast or music you’re listening too, and the lack of the final few degrees of polish in the tuning of other systems like lane-keep assist, and there’s some finishing work to be done by Zeekr to really lift the driving experience to another level. The good news is, they aren’t major issues by any means.

The cabin is comfortable though, with a premium feel, and requisite attention to detail that you’d expect at this price point. We’d leave the optional door poppers on the options list, but the cabin, the tech, and the way the X feels once you’re seated are all excellent.

Zeekr’s tweaks for this update have aped Tesla even more than before, but that’s not a bad thing, with the centre console especially, tidied up and much more useful. There’s a wireless charging pad with ventilation and space for a second phone, useful storage, and decent door pockets. We found the seats, and their various heating, cooling, and massaging functionality all added to the sense of luxury inside the cabin, and the controls used all feel to be high quality.

The lack of a proper sun blind under the panoramic glass roof irks on a hot day, where heat is radiated into the cabin as fast as the AC system can work to cool it down. There’s enough space in the second row for adults to be comfortable, but more than one USB-C port might be needed for the kids on road trips. While storage space in the boot has risen from the old model – 404L from 342L – most of that is under the floor and it’s not as capacious as some of the competition.

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Zeekr X AWD standard specifications

• 66kWh battery
• 20-inch forged alloy wheels
• Rear privacy glass
• Two-tone black roof
• Heated and ventilated from seats
• Front massaging seats
• Temperature controlled console fridge
• Heated second row outer seats
• 500W wireless fast charging
• 13-speaker Yamaha surround sound system
• Ambient interior lighting
• Five high definition cameras
• Five millimetre wave radars
• 12 ultrasonic sensors
• Remota paking assist
• Seven airbags

What warranty covers the Zeekr X AWD?

The vehicle itself is covered by Zeekr’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with a eight-year/160,000 kilometre warranty for the battery specifically. Across the first five years of servicing, the Zeekr X will cost $2662.

Should I buy the Zeekr X AWD?

Our launch drive is brief, and comparison testing awaits, but Zeekr is clearly onto something with its new and updated X. It sits in the segment so many Australians want to consider, especially so for an electric car. While the Volvo EX30 offers more polish, and the fine touches that a legacy brand can add, the X is a noteworthy entrant into the segment, and one that aims to appeal with sharp styling, a deep list of standard equipment, and a sense of luxury inside the cabin.

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Specs