Further on the Zeekr X SUV – a compact Chinese electric SUV released last October and like many Chinese EVs already price reduced. Two models, the rear wheel drive now $56,900 and the AWD $64,900 which I’m driving with dual electric motors fed by a 66kWhour battery. The performance exhilarating – 0 to 100km/hour in just 3.8 seconds – that performance is very polished, and the Zeekr X feels premium in all it does – from my perspective a cut above most similar priced SUV’s that I’ve driven. The styling sharp, distinctive and different, a body with great interior room for a compact SUV. Fit and finishes are quality. Range 400kms which around town I found accurate but on the open road the brisk performance eats up the battery much quicker – I averaged 16kW/h/100km consumption around town but on a hard throttle it rose to 20kWh/100km fairly quickly. Charging on my 11kW AC wall charger took 5 ½ hours from 20 to 80 percent of charge. A supremely comfortable small SUV apart from some pitch on a rough surface accentuated obviously by the additional battery weight but more than acceptable. Active safety elements however too intrusive particularly the driver distraction alert. Warranty underdone too at 5 years/ unlimited km. I’m David Berthon

IMAGE CREDIT / Zeekr Australia

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