ZEEKR X AWD Proper performance review of an excellent driver's EV. Rocket!

We've been waiting to the chance to take the 2025 ZEEKR X compact hatch out of town for a full-blooded performance review. And it didn't disappoint. If you're looking for a family electric car that also can really deliver on a twisty road, this could be for you. At $71k on the road for this AWD 425hp version perhaps a little expensive but such a fun sporty EV. I'd have one. Enjoy the review.
ZEEKR call it a "Luxury Urban Cross SUV" but we think "Compact Luxury Hatch" gives a clearer picture. Either way it's a little rocketship and if you want an electric SUV but a Tesla Model Y (or similar) is larger than you need you should consider this.
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For more information about this cool car
www.zeekrlife.com

[@Mauricio17-x1p]

Love your style guys-quirky and entertaining as we are informed by you both

[@MrThaiLuan]

Loved the review. As always, it's full of honest opinions, substance and character, interesting stats and comparisons, and I felt like I've learnt a lot of stuff that a salesperson wouldn't have told me. Unlike with other "influencers" who are barely more interesting than AI and talk way too fast while saying very little.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Thank you. We try to talk about the kind of things we'd want to know if we were buying it.

[@nunya2036]

Farkin awesome review, loved it. Best video I've seen on the Zeeker X.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Thanks heaps!

[@ShaneBaker]

Thanks for the review. FWIW, I'd like the pet mode! 😄 I'm waiting (impatiently) on the 7X.

[@jwickerszh]

You can turn down the indicator sound level, it's somewhere in the menus under "alert sound", it also turns down other alerts like the LACC warning when a lane change is canceled. I found the default setting to be to loud for me too, set to low is much better.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

That's good to know. Thanks for sharing. I regret we only had this car for a very short time.

[@maatwerkinterieurs4641]

Make shortcuts to turn off Lane assist etc. Graphs are shown when you tap the consumption bar on the main screen.

[@aussieebayfashion]

You can control the aircon, volume, music from the right button on the steering wheel. The three lines next to the button is to switch the control panel.

[@Martin-dx5zs]

I own the sister car to this, the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance Ultra, and I love it. Excellent build quality, super comfy ride but stellar performance.

[@therealjeffg]

Great review, nice car, but very expensive. Thanks for the fantastic stats tables….very useful !!

[@fleachamberlain1905]

Thanks for the road test. I was really looking forward to the fridge. That's a real shame. I'll keep looking.

[@waynerm002]

When I first saw this car reviewed in China, it had a big brake setup on it. I was surprised they didn't bring those over, especially as they kept the power rating on the AWD version. In Malaysia, the price they mentioned when the car (top spec) was first being shown was RM$180K- (AUD$64.5K), when it launched, it was updated to RM$174K - (AUD$62.3K). Personally, I feel it should be around RM150K with lower power output and more range but, Zeekr seems it want to be a Premium brand in China, as well as overseas and they powered and priced it accordingly to get sales and grow over a few years to solidify that position, without competing with Volvo and the other Europeans at this stage. I like it but prefer a bit more space. It did come in first place in 2024 crash and safety test for Chinese vehicles and 2nd overall for all cars. Fun, sporty, safe and not too pricey (well, let's hope you guys get it for less), it's a nice combination.

[@garrycroft4215]

I bought its sister car the Smart #1 Brabus back in October 2023 in the UK. Done 10k miles and absolutely love this car. Had several OTA updates including V2L and Rocket 🚀 Launch Mode making 0-100 in a mind bending 3.52 seconds. Because of our cold wet weather I’ve swapped the tyres to all season Pirelli’s, Which give better wet braking than Michelin’s Cross Climate 2s. It doesn’t have the recording camera but does have an electric sun blind for that huge glass roof. It’s not due for a service yet but unlike the Zeekr I will just take it to the Mercedes main dealership. To some up I will never sell this car I love it so much.

[@Benjay1975]

nice review, can you boys test drive the BYD seal Performance next please?

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Will try our best. I do have a Seal Dynamic RWD to review but struggling to get hold of a Performance 3.8

[@Mikeycambovideos]

It arrived!

[@juliandclarke]

Great vid. I agree the Zeekr looks a lot better than many Chinese EVs. I think the pull out knob on lower part of dashboard might have been the choke 🙂

[@Archie-y7l]

Apparently that front knob, click in and out is for hanging bags etc.

[@kaniel_outis1]

Don’t like the car but love your review 🤜🤛

[@Rankin9999]

In Vic you can buy from Doncaster Volvo dealership, who will also provide serving

[@TheBursaOfFabricius]

Any chance of doing a similar review of the BYD seal performance?

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Will try to get one. I have access to a RWD Seal but I guess peeps would prefer the AWD fast one

[@TheBursaOfFabricius]

Like the MG 4 Xpower and the Zeeker X AWD, they claim 3.8 sec to 100 kmh, but it’s more of a sedan.

[@Thinkofwhat]

Reckon Zeekr 7X would be even better!

[@honesty_-no9he]

The RWD of the X is the most practical. 7X is a totally different a large next level vehicle.

[@geoffsemon7411]

Great review guys. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you think of the Zeekr 7x when it gets here as that’s what I’m planning on buying. Adaptive suspension should keep wife happy on trips and sports mode for me if I can avoid losing my license 😂

[@FC_08]

Love the review. I'm waiting for the 7x and hoping the pricing is right - you mentioned 60k? Was that from Zeekr sources? It would be great if it came in at the price but I would imagine the X would have to drop in price to accommodate it - otherwise who would buy the X? My GV70 lease is up in October and I see the 7X as the perfect EV swap.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Zeekr haven't announced pricing for 7X yet. Another journo said that he'd been led to believe that kind of low 60s price whilst he was in China. Personally I'm very dubious. I would think it would more expensive than the X and that the entry-level 7X would start in the mid "7"s. Just my 0.02c. Hope I'm wrong.

[@FC_08]

@@inCARnationAustralia Yeah I agree, mid 60s at best with the current X pricing. If they come in at low 60s it could be a big seller mind you.

[@maxcarter970]

Thanks for such detailed no BS reviews. Interesting to watch from the sidelines as the EV market evolves. I find Chinese cars so cringey but no doubt they’ll improve the way the Koreans did. Come on Japan pull your finger out!

[@Martin-dx5zs]

Would LOVE to see a video on the EX30 at a track

[@jwickerszh]

In China the options are not that much extra, the whole Zero G seat + sliding console and screen + magic folding rear seats is RMB 20k (or AUD 4400). They are all useful at some point: the sliding console is nice to have more space as needed in the front to put a bigger bag in front of the console. The screen sliding is nice to entertain the passenger during a long trip (you'd have navigation in the HUD), and the rear seat folding is good not just to have a peat sitting in the back but also to carry big items as you get more vertical space that way than folding the seats flat. The B pillar camera+small LED screen is more a gimmick at 8000 (AUD 1759.98) and not worth it. The electric doors for 8000 (1759.98) might be worth it if you like that kind of feature.

[@Sensei.6011]

1:43 how did you buy a 2024-built MG4 XPower bEV for AU$40,500 driveaway? was it brand new or private-used or dealer-demo?

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Dealer demo. Alto MG Artarmon. 2023 model. 1500km on the clock. Christmas Eve. No trade. Didn't even need a test drive. They were more than happy to see it gone.

[@Sensei.6011]

@@inCARnationAustralia congrats well done. did you negotiate price down? what was the price driveaway of it originally when you walked in?

[@inCARnationAustralia]

@@Sensei.6011 Yes I think they were asking $45k or $46k. They had another in the signature green with lower km at $48k. Both had been sitting around for a while.

[@honesty_-no9he]

ZECF included !!!!!!

[@horuscheng3476]

This car is considered a luxury compact vehicle in China, but some of its distinctive features have been removed, such as the electric doors, automatic parking, zero-gravity seats, and the ability to move the screen to the passenger side. Additionally, the voice assistant is not as fast in Chinese. However, its performance remains uncompromised. It has a sister, volvo ex30. This car is designed for young urban couples, with the rear seats intended for pets or friends, making it less suitable for families of five.

[@henrylawson430]

Ex30

[@paulb1951]

How much insurance you paying on the pocket rocket? Have the insurance companies worked out how fast they are?

[@honesty_-no9he]

I want you guys to go to China and drive the ZEEKR 007.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Me too buddy! But we're not yet on the Zeekr invitees list. Zeekr, are you ready this?

[@honesty_-no9he]

@@inCARnationAustralia Have you watched the Out of Spec ZEEKR 7X Golden Battery charging video? Watch "Fastest Charging EV In The World! 0-100% Zeekr Golden Battery"

[@bondirimski]

Looks good. Extra points for Zero Elon Cringe Factor! Points off for no dog mode!!

[@maatwerkinterieurs4641]

It definitely has pet mode. It’s in the slide down menu.

[@peterbutcher4848]

"Hi Zeekr" "Yes comrade" "I know secrets" " "Oh do tell, my handlers are listening"

[@markwilliamson3185]

Yeah that’s what I was thinking !

[@thearlongpark]

You are right, a lot of people don't want Tesla and it has nothing to do with Musk. It is simply with the car itself i.e. plain and boring, extreme minimalism, etc.

[@jwickerszh]

But when you use apple car play for navigation, do you get the navigation in the HUD?

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Good question. Don't know but I very much doubt it. I'll ask

[@tomule1]

In the European version, you do! Arrows and distance until you need to turn.

[@gfbprojects1071]

Fanfuckingtastic indeed! Well done 👍

[@themarvel2004]

Have your compared to a cupra born?

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Mark's driven them a bit and likes them. We had a chance to review one last month but we're waiting for the a VZ press car to be available. The base model is a lovely car, a bit pricey, but needs more get up and go. And the VZ fixes that. I hope we'll get one.

[@marksuzannebates1113]

BYD Seal performance 3.8 seconds $61,990. The fit and finish of the interior of the BYD Seal and Zeekr X are a long long way above the MG4. Also, most of the commenters on here would never have the brain capacity to convert a 928 to EV ;-)

[@hanneshonigmeister8454]

Well, in Europe if it comes over here, the price will be exatly the same - just in €. Like with the BYDs. The Seal e.g., is a nice car, but not for 45.000€ in the RWD version. You guys are really lucky, to get those cars for so "little" money. The MG4 Performance costs 42.000€ here, which is insane for an unknown manufacturer, unknown long term reliability (on salted roads) and unknown cost/delivery time of spareparts.

[@andders2477]

Its a nice car, better than ex in a lot of things. The look is dividing it has some bmw i3 from the side. Shame about the pet mode, that can not cost anything to put in when they have developed it.

[@fangitjoe]

Looks very decent. 425km WLTP will be around 340km (80%) real world , not 400km. Also 63 kWh (usable) at 18.6kWh/100km equates to 339km.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Although I only had the car for about 36 hours, I got the feeling it was more efficient than some I've reviewed. Cruising up the mountain to Mark's place (over 100km) I did better than the claimed 18.6. I got 15-16 on another trip. And on the downhill, 11.4 on the same trip that Mark started with a spirited climb at 35+ kWh/100km. So I think their 18.6 is conservative. The 80% rule is a good rule of thumb but in some cases I think this car can do much better.

[@zumezoom9593]

The boring part of ev driving is there's no engine or exhaust sound. But EVs are stupid quick, advanced tech, and with a simple dual motor for awd and really good contact tires EVs are not boring AT ALL

[@stizzygrayson5541]

Cool car but unfortunately is $10k overpriced. Watch Zeekr drop the price this year in order to get decent sales.

[@beetchhouse]

Yes, I agree and wish it had the LFP battery. If it did, then perhaps they would reduce the price.

[@waynerm002]

I would like the price to be lower as well but, comparing it to it's platform mate the Volvo EX30, it is better equipped and feels more premium. Volvo is the one that needs to drop their price, although, with less premium features, the EX30 ends up with a bit better range.

[@stizzygrayson5541]

The Zeekr 7x will be amazing. I hope the cheapest model is around 70k on the road. Fingers crossed

[@diycave5144]

Agree

[@carrefourcn]

Don't worry, it would be 12k cheaper after 1 year 😊😊

[@simonbroomfield6895]

FORD MUSTANG MACH E GT?

[@AdrianoCasemiro]

The only thing I don't like about it is I don't own one.

[@mrgee918]

😂

[@JonathanJCrabtreePodometicMath]

Were the brakes rubbish? All sub 4 second cars with 'adequate' brakes that fail under repeated heavy braking must be BANNED! (And that includes the Tesla Model 3 Performance.)

[@maatwerkinterieurs4641]

The AWD has the better brakes. 34,5 meters from 100-0 km/h

[@thearlongpark]

as far as I know, only Tesla M3 Performance has fail break under repeated heavy braking.

[@ravingmad765]

3:55 two old guys trying to find a button in the dark...

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Wait til you're old and see how you go sunshine. I may not look it but I'm still a goofy teenager at heart. The point is, there's no way to attach that key to a keyring and nothing physical to distinguish the buttons. At night it's a pretty useless trinket unless you want to turn your phone torch on. Luckily there is a keycard, and the Zeekr App., so you don't need it.

[@sirishkumar-m5z]

The digital key feature of the bZ4X enables smartphone-based locking, unlocking, and starting functions. It provides secure access and convenience, reducing dependency on physical keys while ensuring safety​​.

[@TimeSeparate]

Faster 0-100 than a Porsche Cayman GT4. Guess Electric is the great equaliser. A ‘performance ice’ made redundant. Unless you Track your Car, 99% don’t.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Yeah it's funny how after decades of caring about nothing except power, speed and acceleration - some ICE car guys suddenly don't care about horsepower any more. Performance doesn't matter. Suddenly what's really important in a car is how quickly or slowly you can fill her up at the pump (and blow $150)

[@ianmutch1370]

Thanks for a honest report. I want one 😅 The only worry is that in China lately BUD bid an IPU update over the air 🤔 and 500 cars stopped when they turned off the computer to load the firmware, resulting in no breaks *breakbywire going through redlights, and not deaing able to unlock the car. 😮 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWKwiJ-bjd2gm7csi=W93tWGL8lWjgthO1

[@michaelb4525]

Overpriced for unknown Chinese brand. Depreciation will be massive.

[@hondacar]

Slightly overpriced, but I agree, even through my computer speakers the road noise seemed quite intrusive.

[@TheHayabusa09]

Those panels(both sides) above the charging door (C-Pillar) look incredibly out of place..

[@inCARnationAustralia]

They do look strange don't they. Very different from the rest of the car, and from the upcoming 7X which looks more homogeneous.

[@mersinalou7397]

Far too expensive for what it is in 2025 given the competition here atm and coming this year

[@GerardBendotti]

ZECF 😅

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Somebody noticed!

[@markfarnell183]

way to much gadgetry for me

[@allanchapman6250]

Tesla are bland looking 😢😢😢😢😢

[@mohgujai]

EV's are boring as they don't corner well, slow to react on handling, and they fall flat after 0-100. Too much electronics to safeguard you too

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Don't corner well? Matey if you'd been in the car with Mark you'd have a sore neck today. Lucky we've both spent decades in race cars so we're used to it. Did you not see how that car changed direction in the first 30 seconds of the video? C'mon dude. And did you not hear what Mark said? Too many people just resort to these cliches. Fall flat? nope

[@stophdoggy6625]

Yeah, every EV is rubbish ‘cos it’s not as light or dynamic as a Caterham! Seriously, so looking forward to your 928 drive/report!

[@TimBorg]

SUV's and Pickup Trucks are not cars and are not interchangeable terms for car reviewers you are crap