Zeekr X Flagship AWD Review

Here we go again, another electric crossover with a sub-4 second century sprint timing here to laugh in the face of internal combustion performance.

As is becoming increasingly common across the EV landscape, every 'standard' practical, sensible EV will inevitably beget a performance variant. 

The logic is simple enough. Slap on another electric motor, and suddenly you just have an instant leap in performance.

And thus we have here the twin-motor, all-wheel drive Zeekr X.

Two electric motors deliver a combined 315kW and 543Nm of torque, propelling the X AWD from o-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds

Quick sense

You will note that there is in fact no 'Performance' moniker on this model - it is simply called the Zeekr X AWD. Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz each bestow their respective 'RS', 'M' and 'AMG' monikers to their respective performance EVs. Smart has its Brabus variants. BYD and Tesla have 'Performance' variants. Why be shy about the extra performance, eh?

In most instances, extra power also comes with extra "performance enhancers", often at the expense of comfort.

That's not really the case with this Zeekr X, and ironically something I appreciate about it. While tuned slightly differently to account for the extra weight, the overall chassis setup feels pretty much the same as the RWD model, which means that ride comfort hasn't been compromised in any way.

Plush, premium-feeling seats make every drive a comfortable affair

The Zeekr X comes with a full suite of safety and assistance systems

The driving experience thus feels familiar. The car is relatively compact and easy at the helm, and in a majority of instances will feel almost identical to the RWD model. There's a sense of measured competency, and ride quality is good throughout. 

It's of course when you put pedal to the metal that the difference is stark. This AWD model will sprint to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds if you need it to (you don't. Be honest). But it's worth pointing out that there isn't any 'drive mode' button (as you'd typically find in other cars). To get maximum instant power, you actually have to go into a menu and select it - once again highlighting that this model doesn't singularly prioritise performance/speed. 

As far as range goes, I would have clocked about 400km on a full charge - not far at all from Zeekr's claimed 420km.

The cabin is well-appointed and comfortable

The 13-speaker Yamaha sound system comes as standard

More stuff

Being the flagship of the range, the X AWD also gets basically all the available equipment as standard. Looking at the spec sheet, ambient light, ventilated front powered seats, a 13-speaker Yamaha sound system, and 19-inch allots are standard on this model (otherwise optional on the RWD model). The only items that are exclusive to this variant are the head-up display, intelligent B-pillar, a higher maximum AC charging rate at 11kW, as well as the option for 20-inch wheels.

Regardless of variant, the Zeekr X delivers a well-featured and well-executed cabin experience. Materials are good, the user interface quite sleek. I still think the window controls are inverted, and I'm still not a fan of pressing a button to open the doors from the inside.

This top-spec Zeekr X AWD may have mighty performance, but instead prioritises delivering a refined day-to-day experience

Make a pick

Importantly, this shouldn't be perceived as a 'performance' model, even though it ostensibly is. The actual performance, while there, is slightly secondary. Think of this rather as the higher-spec model, and it makes more sense. More standard equipment, with the side dish of more power, for $15,000 more.

Except, of course, it's not just $15,000 more. Road tax for this model is more than twice the RWD model, which certainly seems like quite a dear amount to pay for extra equipment and the occasional burst of immense pace.

Which inevitably leads me to the same conclusion when it comes to such variants - unless you really, really want all that extra power (and some people certainly do), most people would probably be better off with the standard variant. You can use the money saved to spend on the cost options to bring it up to spec. 

Here are other blisteringly quick SUVs to consider: 

The Smart #1 Brabus adds on to the base car's playful charms with ridiculous power

The #3 Brabus is a brutally quick and dynamically handy coupe-crossover

The BYD Sealion 7 combines space and comfort together with more power than you realistically need