The Zeekr 9X is a new luxury SUV from China that’s turning heads—not just for its bold styling, but for how much value it offers compared to traditional premium brands. It’s already being compared to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, despite costing almost six times less.
Revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show, the 9X is expected to start from around £50,000, a dramatic saving compared to the Cullinan’s starting price of nearly £300,000. Yet the 9X still promises high-end features, a luxurious interior, and impressive performance.
Under the skin, the Zeekr 9X is a plug-in hybrid. It combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors, offering a total range of up to 932 miles. On electric power alone, it can travel over 186 miles, and it can sprint from 0 to 62mph in just three seconds—more in line with a supercar than an SUV.
Charging is just as advanced. Thanks to its 900V architecture, the 9X supports ultra-rapid charging up to 480kW, which can deliver 310 miles of range in only nine minutes.
The 9X is a large SUV, measuring 5,290mm in length—slightly longer than the latest Range Rover—and sits on a 3,220mm wheelbase. Inside, it offers either six or seven seats, or a four-seat “executive” layout for maximum comfort. Premium design touches include a distinctive rear light assembly with over 43,000 diamond-like facets.
Design-wise, the 9X draws inspiration from several high-end models. It has the imposing stance and chrome detailing reminiscent of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but also echoes the Rivian R1S and Range Rover in its shape and proportions.
Zeekr, a brand under Chinese automotive giant Geely (which also owns Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus), is aiming to disrupt the Western premium SUV market. Former Bentley design boss Stefan Sielaff has had a hand in shaping the brand’s look and feel.
While a UK launch hasn’t been confirmed, Zeekr is preparing to enter the British market from 2026. Zeekr Europe CEO Lothar Schupet has said the brand is already in talks with local dealer groups, and the company hopes to accelerate its entry. Given that the 9X is built on the same SEA platform as Polestar and Volvo models, producing a right-hand drive version should be straightforward.
In Australia, Zeekr is already on sale, and the 9X—or a slightly smaller version—is likely to follow.
The 9X is also the first Zeekr model to introduce the company’s G-Pilot intelligent driving system. Built on its Level 3 autonomous platform, it features a new digital architecture that speeds up internal system communication by 50%. It uses five LiDAR sensors (one long-range, four short-range) to offer full 360-degree coverage for advanced driver assistance.
Although final UK pricing hasn’t been confirmed, the Zeekr 9X is expected to cost between £51,000 and £102,000. That puts it at just a sixth of the cost of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, while offering high-end tech, performance, and luxury that could give European brands something to worry about.
