Zeekr 001 RWD 2025 Review

We tested the Zeekr 001 in the United Arab Emirates, where the base-model RWD Long Range Trim costs AED226,900 (equivalent to $92,000), while the range-topping AWD Flagship Trim costs AED271,900 ($110,250).

We expect the car to cost more in Australia if it’s green-lit for our market. But even so, it should substantially undercut the Mercedes EQE (from $134,900 plus ORC), BMW i5 (from $155,900 plus ORC) and Audi e-Tron GT (from $181,700 plus ORC).

All Zeekr models are backed by an eight-year/160,000km warranty on the battery and five-year/120,000km coverage on the rest of the car. This should provide at least some peace of mind, given that the brand has no previous track record in Australia.

Even the base model Zeekr 001 is crammed with mod-cons and goodies, including an 8.8-inch high-definition instrument cluster, 15.4-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display, eight-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging, four USB ports, two-zone climate control and three-colour ambient lighting.

Other standard features comprise an electric tailgate, panoramic sunroof, faux leather/Alcantara stitched seats, 12-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, eight-way electrically adjustable front passenger seat, two-way electrically adjustable rear seats, a 12-volt power outlet in the boot and 21-inch alloys.

The range-topping Flagship AWD model adds three-zone climate control, a Yamaha premium audio system with 11 speakers and a subwoofer, 12-colour ambient lighting, front seats with ventilation/massage functions and 22-inch forged alloys.

The Zeekr 001 is stuffed with a comprehensive quota of safety kit, including seven airbags, a 360-degree camera view (provided by 11 eight-megapixel cameras), Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Change Assistant, Traffic-Sign Recognition, Collision Mitigation Support, and Front and Rear and Cross Traffic Alert.

The barrage of driver-assist functions act on information from no less than 28 different sensors.

The Zeekr 001 has earned a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, which isn’t altogether surprising, considering it shares its Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA1) platform with the likes of the Polestar 4.

As mentioned above, the Zeekr 001 is underpinned by Geely’s proprietary SEA platform. This architecture’s inherent flexibility means it can be configured in a range of lengths, widths and heights, enabling it to support hatchbacks, C-segment MPVs and SUVs, as well as premium sedans and SUVs.

The Zeekr 001 rides on the SEA1 version, which is designed for vehicles with a wheelbase between 3,000mm and 3,019mm, while the SEA2 variant is designed for smaller vehicles.

Although 45mm shy of 5m long, the Zeekr 001’s expansive 3m wheelbase endows it with levels of rear-seat legroom not too far shy of a BMW 7 Series or Mercedes S-Class.

Zeekr quotes a torsional rigidity figure of 30,000Nm/degree for the 001, which puts it in the same ballpark as the 991 generation Porsche 911.

In the United Arab Emirates, the Zeekr 001 is offered with a choice of powertrain configurations.

We tested the base model RWD version, which is equipped with a single 200kW/343Nm synchronous electric motor driving the rear axle, with energy provided by a 100kWh battery pack.

Zeekr quotes a 0-100km/h split of 7.2sec for this model but, out in the real world, it feels substantially quicker than the raw numbers would suggest. More on this later…

The AWD Flagship model adds another identical motor to the front axle, so outputs are doubled to 400kW/686Nm, cutting the 0-100km/h sprint to a supercar-baiting 3.8sec.

Zeekr quotes a WLTC touring range of 620km for the single-motor RWD version that we tested. The dual-motor AWD model isn’t greatly compromised in terms of range as Zeekr quotes a WLTC figure of 580km on a full charge.

A 30-minute zap from a 200kW DC charger takes the battery from 10 to 80 per cent, while a 22kW AC wallbox can charge the battery fully (from 0 to 100 per cent) in 5.5 hours.

Our two-day test of the single-motor RWD model suggests a touring range of 500km-plus should be comfortably achievable in real-world conditions, provided you don’t flog the living daylights out of the car.

An updated version of the Zeekr 001 was recently launched in the Chinese market, equipped with an 800-Volt system that enables super-fast recharging (from 10 to 80 per cent charge in under 12 minutes), but this model is yet to be offered in export markets.

For the most part, the Zeekr 001 is a polished executive express that can hold its own against the established Euro heavyweights in the premium EV segment.

There’s a quality feel to anything you can see or touch, so anyone with negative preconceptions about Chinese cars will feel much more at ease after scrutinising the Zeekr 001’s shutlines and poking around its innards.

There’s much to like about the car’s styling too. There might be a hint of Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo in its profile, but the Zeekr isn’t by any means a me-too design, as it has its own distinct visual identity.

As with most EVs these days, you simply unlock the car (the recessed door handles pop out when you do so), plonk down in the driver’s seat, select “D” via the stubby transmission lever and you’re underway.

The Zeekr 001 is generally very quiet and refined, although some wind rustle from around the A-pillars disturbs the serenity at highway cruising speeds. Ride quality, too, is fine over small bumps and corrugations, but larger undulations in the road surface cause the chassis to feel somewhat bouncy and wallowy.

We should point out the base model we drove rides on steel springs, but the AWD Flagship is equipped with air suspension, which may fare better across poor road surfaces.

Try hustling the Zeekr through corners and you’ll find it feels adequately taut and sharp up to a point, but it’s set up too softly to have any genuinely sporting aspirations. There’s more than adequate grunt, though, and even the single-motor RWD version feels much quicker than its 200kW output and 0-100km/h split of 7.2sec would suggest.

The hefty base model tips the scales at 2200kg (2335kg for the AWD), but there isn’t a perception of excessive bulk from behind the wheel. Even the car’s large-ish dimensions (it’s 4955mm long and 1999mm wide) seemingly shrink around you.

There’s a choice of two energy recuperation levels – Standard and High – but even in the latter mode there isn’t enough retardation when you lift off the throttle to facilitate one-pedal driving. You’ll still need to use the brake pedal in stop-start traffic and when mooching around town.

The Zeekr 001’s stylish design carries through to the interior, and there’s a real premium ambience inside the cabin. Attractive stitching complements the leather/Alcantara-look seats, and the soft-touch materials used on the dash, door trims and centre console also enhance the interior. Even the copper-toned faux metal trim that’s used throughout the cabin looks good.

The seating position is a tad higher than one would expect of a sedan with a mildly sporting orientation, but it’s not hard to find a comfortable position behind the wheel, as there’s ample scope for adjustability in both the seat and steering column. The seats themselves are superbly comfortable and supportive. Even the rear pews (sculpted buckets for the outer two seats) are fine for long trips. There’s more than sufficient knee- and headroom for taller occupants too, so the Zeekr also seems well suited as a chauffeur-drive limo.

The driver interface is dominated by the 15.4-inch infotainment screen, which you need to use to adjust all settings (including HVAC). It’s clearly laid out, but the dizzying array of menu options makes it hard to operate on the go, as you need to take your eyes off the road for a few seconds to find what you’re looking for.

Boot capacity is a respectable 539 litres with all the seats in place and the accommodating electrically operated tailgate makes it easy to heave large items into the luggage bay. There’s also a 12V power outlet back here, should you need it.

The Zeekr 001 makes a compelling case if you’re in the market for a premium EV with a dash of sporting flair.

It might ultimately lack the superlative chassis composure of a Porsche Taycan, BMW i5 or Audi e-Tron GT but the Zeekr is, for the most part, a very cohesive, refined and stylish package.

The Chinese-built debutant is a credible alternative to the electrified German heavyweights, and the fact it will leave a much smaller hole in your bank balance makes it all the more appealing.

2024 Zeekr 001 at a glance:
Price (in UAE): From $92,000 (RWD Long Range); From $110,250 (AWD Flagship)
Available: TBA
Powertrain: Single rear-mounted synchronous electric motor (RWD); dual electric motors (AWD)
Output: 200kW/343Nm (RWD); 400kW/686Nm (AWD)
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 100kWh lithium-ion
Range (WLTC): 620km (RWD); 580km (AWD)
Energy consumption: 5.47km/kWh (18.28kWh/100km)
Safety rating: Five-star (Euro NCAP)

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