ZEEKR X 2024 Review

In the increasingly competitive D-Segment electric vehicle market in Malaysia, consumers' demand for "balanced value for money" has become increasingly evident—they want sufficient power experience without compromising practical range, while intelligent features and space performance should not be compromised either. The 2024 ZEEKR X Premium RWD is designed to address this demand, with its key selling points focused on delivering rear-wheel-drive driving pleasure, an official range of 446km, and nearly full intelligent safety configurations, all at a price of 155,800 Malaysian Ringgit. The core purpose of this test drive is to verify whether it can find the optimal balance among "price, performance, and practicality."

The exterior design of the ZEEKR X Premium RWD adopts a simplified technological style. The overall silhouette is compact yet not cramped. The front features a closed-off grille paired with through-type LED daytime running lights, which are highly recognizable when lit. The sharp design of the LED headlights on both sides echoes the air intakes on the front bumper, enhancing the sporty feel. The side profile features smooth lines, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, adding a sense of dimension to the side. The 19-inch multi-spoke wheels paired with 235/50 R19 tires create a visually harmonious proportion. The rear design is similarly simple, with through-type LED taillights echoing the front face. Although the diffuser design in the rear bumper is not too aggressive, it boosts the sporty ambiance. The rear windshield has a moderate tilt angle, ensuring a streamlined shape without compromising rear headroom.

The interior adopts a wraparound layout, with extensive use of soft-touch materials and leather wrapping, offering a nice tactile feel in easily reachable areas. The most noticeable feature in the central control area is the 14.6-inch floating touchscreen, which has a clear interface logic and high responsiveness, supporting Bluetooth, CarPlay, and Android Auto. Below the screen are reserved a few physical buttons, primarily for controlling air conditioning temperature and volume, which are convenient for blind operation. The instrument cluster is an 8.8-inch fully digital display, providing abundant information, including speed, range, and driving modes. The HUD (Head-Up Display) projects key information onto the front windshield, reducing distractions while driving. The seats are leather-wrapped, with the front row supporting six-way electric adjustments. The seat cushion and backrest offer sufficient support, making long-term sitting less tiresome. The rear seats are soft, and thanks to a 2750mm wheelbase, a 175cm-tall passenger would have about two fists of knee room and around one fist of headroom when seated. For storage, the trunk has a regular volume of 362L, which can be expanded by folding down the rear seats; it is sufficient for daily items like a baby stroller or luggage. The central front armrest box and door storage compartments provide practical space, and the front row is also equipped with a wireless charging pad.

In terms of power, the ZEEKR X Premium RWD is equipped with a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering a maximum power of 200kW (272PS) and a peak torque of 343N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is 5.6 seconds. During actual driving, the standard mode provides smooth starts, with a linear throttle response, making it suitable for daily commutes. When switched to sport mode, the power output becomes more aggressive, and pressing the accelerator deeply produces a noticeable pushback force, providing confidence during overtaking. The chassis employs a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort while maintaining a certain level of support. When driving over speed bumps or rough roads, the suspension absorbs most of the small vibrations, and the body doesn’t feel overly bumpy. Cornering control is well-handled, with minimal body roll. The steering wheel is precise, has little play, and feels light, making daily driving nimble. On the range front, the official all-electric range is 446km. During the actual test drive, in urban roads with air conditioning on and multimedia in use, the range fulfillment rate was about 85%, with power consumption of 17-18kWh per 100km, which aligns with expectations. Fast charging takes 30 minutes to charge from 30% to 80%, while slow charging takes 7 hours, catering to various charging needs.

The details of driving comfort are well-implemented, and the in-car noise control is excellent. At a high speed of 110km/h, wind and tire noise are within an acceptable range and do not affect in-car conversations. The energy recovery system offers three adjustable levels, with the lowest setting resembling the coasting feel of a fuel vehicle, making it easy to adapt. The active safety features are complete, including ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, 360-degree panoramic view camera, and more. In practical use, ACC maintains a reasonable following distance, lane departure warnings are timely, and the clarity of the 360-degree camera makes parking and reverse parking convenient.

Overall, the core advantages of the ZEEKR X Premium RWD are clear: at a price of 155,800 MYR, it offers the driving pleasure of a rear-wheel-drive architecture, a practical range of 446km, and almost full-range standard intelligent safety and comfort features. Compared to similar competitors, such as a certain compact electric car in a similar price range, it has a longer wheelbase, stronger performance, and richer features. It's suitable for families who value balance, capable of meeting the demands of daily commuting and weekend family trips. It’s also ideal for young individuals who pursue driving quality—the handling fun brought by rear-wheel drive and the acceleration experience in sports mode can satisfy occasional driving desires. Overall, the ZEEKR X Premium RWD is a D-segment electric vehicle with "no obvious shortcomings," achieving a great balance between cost-effectiveness and practicality.