We had seen it in preview in Oslo during eCar Expo 2025 (read our article here), and now I’ve had the chance to get behind the wheel of the new Zeekr 7X — the brand’s first SUV and third model to arrive in Europe.
The Zeekr 7X is also the model with which the brand debuts in Denmark (at the event we also met Christian Lystoft, Head of Denmark at Zeekr Europe), following its launch in Norway in November 2024 (where we had a chat with Lothar Schupet, COO of Zeekr Europe, and the team at Zeekr Technology Europe, who developed the platform and software). Denmark is therefore the fourth country for Zeekr, after Sweden, the Netherlands, and Norway. Belgium will follow, and between 2026 and 2027, France, Germany, Greece, and the UK.
New Zeekr 7X: our tops & flops
The Zeekr 7X is one of those cars that seems to excel at everything. The version I tested — the Privilege trim with all-wheel drive and dual electric motors delivering 639 hp — is both extremely comfortable and powerful, incredibly smooth on the road, and even shows an off-road attitude, including in muddy conditions (though not overly extreme). Currently the ultimate expression of the SEA platform — first introduced by Zeekr in 2021 with the 001 — it’s also the fastest-charging EV in Europe: it supports over 400 kW DC charging, and with the 75 kWh LFP Golden Battery, it takes just 12 minutes to recover 80%. That goes up to 16 minutes with the 100 kWh NMC battery featured in the test, assuming ideal charging conditions. The drive is pleasant and engaging, and feels safe despite a bit of rear-end slip, likely due to the wet surface. The tech setup is finally competitive with Tesla, though there’s still room for improvement. The Zeekr 7X is a very distinctive SUV in terms of looks, with interior quality that’s now vanished in many much more expensive cars. It aims to offer the best of both driving pleasure and overall user experience — inside the car and out.
What we like
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Impeccable build quality
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Customizable driving experience
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A truly well-thought-out car
What we don’t like
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Still too focused on the central screen
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Occasionally loses grip at the rear
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Door opening feels a bit artificial
Prices in Scandinavia
- Denmark: from 399,900 DKK (499,900 DKK for the Privilege we tested);
- Sweden: from 579,00 0 SEK (689,000 SEK for the Privilege we tested);
- Norway: from 500,087 NOK (570,694 NOK for the Privilege we tested);
The Hidden Energy of the Zeekr 7X
Zeekr was founded in 2021, just four years ago, but in only three years it has already developed a full range of vehicles in China, with around ten models. In Europe, for now, there are only three: the Zeekr 001 (the one that started it all, based on a concept that was originally meant to be a Lynk & Co model: read our test drive here), the Zeekr X (review here), which was also named the safest in its class by Euro NCAP, and finally this third model, which changes the game a bit.
The Zeekr 7X is still based on the Sustainable Experience Architecture, in its PMA2+ (Pure electric Modular Architecture) iteration — the latest version, which it shares with its low-slung sibling Zeekr 007, whose design it also replicates, and with the new Smart #5. This platform enables it to support an 800-volt electrical system.
The styling, too, has evolved significantly. Behind it is Stefan Sielaff, former designer for Audi and Bentley — and his influence is clear in the more European design language. The car is both designed and engineered in Gothenburg, in collaboration with the Chinese design center. The design follows the “Hidden Energy” philosophy: clean, flowing lines, like the almost shell-like hood that I really love, but paired with muscular contours and a strong road presence.
The technology is concentrated in what Zeekr calls the “Tech Zones.” Starting at the rear, you’ll find integrated taillights with built-in sensors and cameras, followed by a second glossy black area that houses the electronic door opening system. I have to admit, this feature didn’t completely convince me — while all doors can be opened and closed electronically, it often requires a manual push to finish the movement, which feels a bit clunky.
The Tech Zones continue at the front: a glossy black strip houses the daytime running lights, high beams, and low beams, along with a second layer that includes parking sensors and radar (no LiDAR on this version). NFC is integrated into the door, allowing use of a digital key paired with your smartphone.
This is a D-segment SUV, a direct competitor to the Audi Q6 e-tron, the upcoming successor to the Mercedes EQC, and the production version of the BMW Neue Klasse X, successor to the BMW iX3. Its dimensions are substantial: 4.78 meters long, 2.01 meters wide (including mirrors), 1.65 meters tall, with a generous 2.90-meter wheelbase. Inside, space and comfort are top-notch.
The version tested is the Privilege trim, the top of the range: it comes standard with 21-inch wheels and Zeekr-specific orange brake calipers.
Nothing’s missing inside
The long wheelbase provides plenty of space in the rear as well. I’m 1.94 m tall and I had tons of legroom. The floor is a bit high due to the battery (the platform is skateboard-style), but you can easily stretch your legs out, so it doesn’t feel uncomfortable.
On top of that, the passenger sitting behind the front passenger can adjust the backrest and even slide the front seat forward to get even more space. The materials are excellent too: the rear center armrest features dual cup holders and a phone compartment, with both USB-A and USB-C Thunderbolt ports. The perceived quality is very high.
At the front, there’s a 3D ambient light setup similar to the one seen in the Lynk & Co 02 (read our test drive here), and well-finished details on the center tunnel and door panels. The audio system is premium, featuring metal speakers developed in-house by Zeekr. The window controls are soft-touch and integrated into a dashboard with a design consistent with other Zeekr (and Geely Group) models.
Everything is centered around the 16-inch central display, which acts as the control hub for almost everything. This might slightly penalize the Zeekr 7X in Euro NCAP crash tests, as they are now advocating for the return of physical buttons. Thankfully, physical controls remain for volume, play/pause, trunk release, and drive mode selection.
There are also two wireless charging pads for smartphones, complete with cooling systems — although since they’re lined with velvet, phones tend to slide around a bit. You also get a closable cup holder section and a large center console compartment with space for the car key.
The steering wheel, mirrors, and head-up display are all adjusted electronically via the right spoke of the steering wheel — which, luckily, has physical buttons. Still, I personally prefer manual adjustments: they’re more intuitive.
Moving on to infotainment: Zeekr calls itself a tech company, and it shows. In addition to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, there’s a full Zeekr Store with dedicated in-house apps and frequent updates based on user feedback — just like Lynk & Co. The built-in navigation system works surprisingly well and even gives additional info about the places you’re visiting. Also included is Zeekr GPT, the brand’s AI voice assistant, which learns your driving style and habits over time.
Everything can also be controlled remotely via the app — and here Zeekr did a great job. I got to try the app myself and explore all its functions. Besides unlocking the car, turning on the climate control, or opening the charging port, you can adjust the ventilated seats, heat the steering wheel, set the battery’s maximum charge level, and schedule charging or trips — including suggested charging stops along the way.
None of this is groundbreaking — most carmaker apps offer similar features. But the difference here is that the app is smooth, and more importantly: it works.
The drive is Comfortable — and you can make it your own
When you drive it, the first thing you notice about this car is how comfort-focused it is, and overall, how well-balanced the setup feels. There’s just one small issue — which I’ll get to in a second — that I think was mostly due to the heavy rain on the day I drove it. Yes, I somehow managed to enjoy four weeks of sun in Copenhagen, only to find rain in Portugal. Anyway, overall, I really liked the setup.
The main credit, in my opinion, goes to the air suspension, which is adjustable over many levels: you can go from a very low ride height in Sport mode — perfect for conditions like the ones we had — all the way to a much higher setting in Off-Road mode, where it gains about 5–6 cm of ground clearance. We tested this mode too: obviously, it’s not meant for hardcore off-roading like we’ve done with the Hilux (read our test drive here), for example, but it handles muddy and water-logged terrain pretty well. With Off-Road mode activated, it gets through without issues. That’s also thanks to the generous torque available from the dual electric motors.
Customization doesn’t stop at the suspension — you can also tweak the steering. I set it to a stiffer mode and lowered the suspension a bit, which I think is the sweet spot. The stiffer steering makes it much more stable and enjoyable to drive. Speaking of which: the sound insulation is excellent.
That said, there is a small issue. On a setup that is generally very stable and planted, I noticed a slight tendency to lose grip at the rear. I’m not sure if it was due to the rain, but even taking some roundabouts at a slightly brisk pace — nothing extreme — the rear slipped a little. I’ve seen this before on other vehicles built on the same platform. It’s nothing that couldn’t be improved with more refined suspension tuning in future models, or a sharper stability control intervention.
Still, you get the full Zeekr Assistance System onboard, with all the active safety features: ESC, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and more. As is often the case with modern cars, these systems can feel a bit intrusive. Luckily, you can easily turn them off by pulling down the quick menu on the main screen — but they do make themselves known, especially when the speed limit changes or a new road sign is detected.
One quirky detail: the headrests have built-in speakers. They enhance the immersive sound experience, but also play navigation instructions so only the driver hears them, especially if audio guidance is turned off for everyone else.
Back to the ride: it’s very “Zeekr-like.” We’re talking about a premium brand with a sporty edge and dynamic DNA — especially in this Privilege trim. As we saw, it even has dedicated brake calipers up front. The steering is pretty precise too, especially for a D-SUV that leans toward comfort.
The 360-degree camera is especially useful in Off-Road mode — but not only. It helps with city maneuvers too, since the rear is quite compact and visibility is limited.
As for performance: it’s got two electric motors, 639 hp, and does 0–100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The WLTP range is around 545 km. After two hours of driving — including hills and highways — I was still at 77% battery, so range seemed to hold up well, although this wasn’t a full range test, just a first drive.
What really stood out, though, was the charging speed. This version comes with the larger 100 kWh NMC battery. Thanks to its 800V architecture, it can go from 10% to 80% in just 16 minutes using the fastest chargers (up to 360 kW). Depending on the version, it supports up to a whopping 420 kW — an insanely high figure, though we don’t have chargers that powerful in Europe yet.
The version with the smaller battery — a 75 kWh LFP pack called the Golden Battery, developed in-house by Zeekr — currently offers the fastest charging speed in Europe. It does 10–80% in under 13 minutes, and in one demo we saw, it only took 11 minutes — seriously impressive.
This is definitely a strong point: we’re looking at a well-thought-out 800V architecture. Even at 77%, performance hadn’t dropped since the beginning of the test. On top of that, even the base trim comes with a surprisingly rich equipment list — features and options that many rivals only offer in their higher trims.
