A detailed review of Zeekr’s first full-size hybrid SUV. An analysis of the 900-volt architecture, the record-breaking battery, and the claim for leadership in the ultra-premium SUV segment.

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🌟 The Concept: A Step Backwards or a Revolutionary Leap Forward?

The Zeekr brand, part of the Geely concern, was initially known solely as a manufacturer of electric vehicles. The introduction of its first hybrid model — the full-size crossover **Zeekr 9X** — might have seemed like an unexpected step backward, especially amidst the global shift towards pure electric transport. However, analysts and experts quickly concluded that Zeekr did not retreat; instead, it created an entirely new class of vehicle: the **Super-Hybrid**.

The market for large, premium hybrid crossovers, pioneered in China by brands like Lixiang, is already saturated. Zeekr wisely assessed the situation and decided not to engage in direct competition. Instead, they targeted a niche where competitors are virtually non-existent: the ultra-luxury SUV segment.

**The Zeekr 9X Target Audience:** People who can afford a Range Rover or a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but who simultaneously wish to use their vehicle in the city exclusively on electric power, without sacrificing absolute performance or the ability to undertake long gasoline-powered journeys. This is the **”No Compromise”** concept, which propels the 9X to the top and makes it a direct competitor even to a powerhouse like the Yangwang U8 from BYD, surpassing it in many dynamic and electric characteristics.

🔥 Performance: When Power Ignores Aerodynamics

Looking at the massive, angular body of the Zeekr 9X, it’s hard to believe in its energy efficiency. The design, which many compare to British flagships like the Cullinan, has its trade-offs. The coefficient of aerodynamic drag ($C_x$) is **0.28**. This is a relatively high figure for modern electrified crossovers (for example, the Tesla Model Y is $0.22$).

However, Zeekr’s engineers found an elegant solution to this problem: if the air cannot be cut through, it can be… pushed aside.

Technology: The Super Hybrid System

The Zeekr 9X’s powertrain is a celebration of engineering:

• **Electric Motors:** The top-spec 9X is equipped with three electric motors: a front one rated at **394 hp** and two rear ones, each at **503 hp**. The total peak power of the electric motors reaches **1400.8 hp** (or **1381 hp** in other sources). Even the base version (with two motors) boasts **897 hp**.
• **Gasoline ICE:** The two-liter turbocharged engine (presumably an adapted Volvo engine) produces a record-breaking **279 hp** for this type of hybrid and is primarily used as a generator (EREV) or engages at high speeds. Its thermal efficiency (efficiency ratio) is **46%**, which is one of the best figures in the industry.

**The Dynamic Outcome:** Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes just **3.1 seconds** (or even 3.0 s in some versions), placing the Zeekr 9X alongside supercars and making it one of the fastest hybrid SUVs in the world. The top speed is limited to **240 km/h**.

🔋 Battery and 900-Volt Architecture: An Absolute Record

The main difference between the Zeekr 9X and its competitors is its electric heart.

The Battery: Capacity Worthy of a Pure EV

The Zeekr 9X received a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery from CATL (Freevoy Battery/6C Xiaoyao) with a capacity of **70 kWh** in the top-tier trim. This is an absolute record for plug-in hybrids (PHEV), where battery capacity rarely exceeds 50 kWh.

• **Electric Range:** According to the Chinese CLTC cycle, the declared autonomy reaches **380 km**. In real-world conditions, even with losses and cold weather, the owner is guaranteed **over 200 km** of pure electric driving. This allows most drivers to avoid using gasoline throughout the entire work week.
• **Total Range:** Thanks to the efficient ICE and fuel tank capacity, the 9X’s total range exceeds **1000–1200 km** (up to **1500 km** in some versions), completely eliminating “range anxiety.”

Ultra-Fast Charging: 9 Minutes from 20% to 80%

The Zeekr 9X is one of the few vehicles utilizing a **900-volt high-voltage architecture**. This technology, previously available only in ultra-premium pure EVs, allows for fantastic charging speeds:

According to Zeekr, the 9X charges faster than 99% of all production electric vehicles worldwide, making it highly appealing even to those seeking fast charging.

💎 Luxury and Construction: An Ultra-Premium Contender

The Zeekr 9X is positioned as a direct competitor to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, not only in style but also in build quality and dimensions.

Body and Chassis: Rigidity and Smart Suspension

The vehicle’s construction features an uncompromising approach:

• **Body:** The unibody construction, utilizing high-strength steel and aluminum alloys, ensures a torsional rigidity of **41600 Nm/deg**, a figure characteristic of sports or ultra-premium SUVs.
• **Suspension:** Double wishbone in the front and multi-link in the rear. The main feature is the **dual-chamber air suspension** with adaptive dampers and **48V active anti-roll bars**.
• **Adaptability:** The suspension provides a nominal ground clearance of **178 mm**, which can increase to an impressive **288 mm** for serious off-roading. The active stabilizers make the crossover obedient on asphalt, virtually eliminating body roll, and automatically disconnect off-road to improve wheel contact with the surface.
• **Safety:** An innovative feature is the suspension’s ability to instantly **raise the attacked side** of the vehicle in the event of an unavoidable side impact, directing the collision force onto the strong sill, bypassing the doors and B-pillar.

Interior: Natural Materials and Space

Inside the Zeekr 9X, the Chinese auto industry definitively sheds stereotypes about low-quality materials. Here, **natural leather**, genuine aluminum, and even **natural wood** are used.

• **Configuration:** Two options are offered: **six-seater** (three rows of individual seats, the basic 897 hp version) and **four-seater** (the top-spec 1400 hp version). Considering the length of **5239 mm** and the wheelbase of **3169 mm**, the space for four passengers is truly limousine-like.
• **Comfort:** The seats (including the front) are equipped with 6-way adjustment, heating, ventilation, memory settings, and 22-point massage. The front passenger seat features an ottoman.
• **Trunk:** The trunk volume is **470 liters** with the ability to expand to **2148 liters** with the seats folded, underscoring the practicality of the SUV body.

🧠 Technology and Autopilot: A Glimpse into the Future

Zeekr did not skimp on computing power or sensors. The vehicle is equipped with the **G-Pilot H9** autonomous driving system.

• **Sensors:** The autopilot uses **five lidars** (including a lidar above the windshield), numerous cameras, and radars.
• **Computing Center:** The system is based on **two Nvidia Drive Thor-U chips** with a total processing power of **1400 TOPS** (Trillions of Operations Per Second). Interestingly, Zeekr remains faithful to Nvidia chips, while other Chinese manufacturers are seeking local alternatives.
• **Autonomy Level:** Despite the enormous power, Zeekr promises a **Level 3 (L3)** autopilot. This means that the electronics actively assist, but the driver must be prepared to take over control at any moment.
• **Multimedia:** The system uses two **Snapdragon 8296** processors (with 60 TOPS of power) and features 16-inch displays, as well as a massive 47-inch AR-projected screen.

✅ Strengths and Drawbacks

Pros of the Zeekr 9X:

• **Unprecedented Dynamics:** 0-100 km/h acceleration in 3.1s thanks to up to 1400 hp.
• **Record Electric Range (PHEV):** 70 kWh battery, providing up to 380 km on electric power.
• **900-Volt Architecture:** Ultra-fast charging capability (9 minutes to 80%).
• **Ultra-Premium Comfort:** Natural materials, spacious 4-seater cabin, massaging seats, and active suspension.
• **Innovative Suspension:** Dual-chamber air suspension, active stabilizers, and emergency body lift function.

Weaknesses and Concerns:

• **Price and Availability:** The expected starting price of **1 million RMB** (about $140,000) makes it very expensive. In many markets, this high price may be exacerbated by taxes.
• **Aerodynamics:** The high $C_x$ coefficient (0.28) will inevitably affect efficiency at high speeds.
• **Real-World Range:** The declared 380 km (CLTC) may be significantly lower under actual operating conditions.

💡 Conclusion: Reimagining the Hybrid

The Zeekr 9X is not just a crossover; it is a statement of intent. Through its premium brand Zeekr, Geely demonstrates that the Chinese auto industry is capable not only of copying but of surpassing recognized global leaders in the most technologically advanced and luxurious segments.

The Zeekr 9X is the choice for those seeking the maximum combination of electric eco-friendliness for daily driving and incredible power for the open road, all wrapped in a luxurious, uncompromising design. It is a car that forces the whole world to reconsider its understanding of the term “hybrid.”

Official pre-sales for the Zeekr 9X begin in August 2025, with first deliveries expected in the autumn. The world is waiting to see how real this “King of Hybrids” proves to be on the road.