Some Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are great. There’s no denying that. The Zeekr 001, for example, is a premium shooting brake that borders the luxury segment and comes with a 100-kWh battery for Tesla Model Y Performance money. The Zeekr X, on the other hand, is a bulbous, raised hatchback cosplaying as a small eSUV that wants to fight the likes of the Volvo EX30 or BMW iX1. It features a 69-kWh high-voltage energy storage unit and has a starting cost that’s similar to Tesla’s Model 3 Long Range.
The now-Texas-based brand found a way to convince people to pay used BMW X5 money for a battery-powered crossover that has a bland, noisy interior and a weird suspension setup that makes the occupants feel like they’re in a raised race-ready kart.
But with the European Union (EU) member countries and the European Commission now waiting for the parliamentary elections to pass and a new Legislative to form that can fully support the Executive body’s decision to stop Chinese EVs from flooding the Old Continent, automakers like Zeekr have a short window to capture more of the market with over 448 million inhabitants.
Two models – the X and the 001 – tailored for European roads and auto preferences have just been put through Euro NCAP’s tough and thorough testing procedure.
An almost stellar performance
Both EVs obtained a five-star rating, which means they are ideal for families and people who want a car that will protect them in case of a crash or help them avoid a nasty incident.
Surprisingly, the more expensive Zeekr 001 fared a bit worse than the more affordable and smaller X. The former obtained a safety rating of 89 percent for adults and 88 percent for children, while the latter was deemed two percent better at protecting adults and one percent safer for kids. Since they come with very similar tech and build quality, both EVs were equal when it came to vulnerable road users (84 percent) and safety assistance systems (83 percent).
So, they are in the B – A minus range grade-wise. The percentages measure how close the vehicles are to the ideal Euro NCAP outcome for these types of tests.
In the few European markets (Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Germany, France, and Denmark) where Zeekr sells its vehicles, the company charges between EUR 46,091 (USD 49,923) and EUR 50,447 (USD 54,641) for the X and between EUR 58,987 (USD 63,897) and EUR 65,958 (USD 71,449) for the 001.
Photo: Euro NCAP on YouTube
The former comes in two trims (single-motor Long Range and dual-motor Privilege), while the latter has three versions (single-motor Long Range, dual-motor Performance, and dual-motor Privilege). Keep in mind that European prices usually include the value-added tax (VAT), which is generally much higher than the sales tax new car buyers pay in the US.
The cool thing is that no matter the trim, the gross battery size remains the same: 100 kWh for the 001 and 69 kWh for the X. Both high-voltage energy storage units are built on the 400V architecture and use the nickel manganese cobalt chemistry.
Ready or not, here they come!
But why are Geely’s Zeekrs so special? Besides their great Euro NCAP scores, the EVs boast great software (which includes a Samsung-powered app store, facial recognition via an interior camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, phone-as-a-key, geofencing, and remote climate control), acceptable DC charging speeds (200+ kW for the 001 and 150 kW for the X), high-quality screens (yes, the driver gets one as well), satisfying sound systems, impressive materials, advanced suspension setups, spacious interiors, responsive steering, plenty of cargo room, and superb build quality.
The wagon-y Zeekr 001, with its frameless doors and a-la-Range Rover door handles, for example, is not even comparable with what Tesla makes. The blend of high-quality materials reveals a welcoming, luxurious interior. Besides that, the driver gets some important physical control buttons and knobs, padded wireless charger and door pockets, ventilated microfiber seats, high-definition 360-degree cameras, and plenty of USB-C and even USB-A outlets.
Photo: Euro NCAP on YouTube
The rear passengers have heated seats and can electronically adjust their backrests. The panoramic glass roof allows them to enjoy any trip and also protects them from prolonged exposure to sunlight by filtering unwanted UV radiation. The flat floor guarantees that three adults can comfortably sit on the rear bench.
Thus, this car is more of a rival for the likes of Mercedes-Benz EQE, BMW i5, or the VW iD.7. The main issue Zeekr’s rivals must face? The 001 can cost almost half of what the Germans ask for their EVs, depending on the trim. The Bavarians, for example, want almost EUR 71,000 (USD 76,911) for the entry-level rear-wheel-drive i5, which comes with an 84.4-kWh gross battery.
But going beyond affordability, Zeekr has also been trying to make the 001 exciting. The brand tapped Kimi Raikkonen to develop the “Raikkonen” mode, which fully unlocks the capabilities of the insane quad-motor 1,282-hp drivetrain that feeds onto a 100-kWh Qilin battery boasting the 800V architecture.
Photo: Zeekr
So, it’s not only fast in a straight line, but it can also charge pretty rapidly. That’s the 001 FR, an edition that has yet to reach the Old Continent. Oh, and did I mention that it can do the tank-turn trick virtually anywhere? That car costs USD 106,304 (RMB 769,000) in China. It comes fully loaded and only 99 are made each month.
This is what European brands are fighting against. Zeekr’s owner, Geely (who, among many others, also controls Volvo, Lotus, and Polestar), is slowly becoming much more important than the VW Group, whose portfolio includes big names such as Bentley, Porsche, or Lamborghini.
In the US, things are looking a bit better because there are a ton of incentives for carmakers and battery manufacturers to establish a comprehensive domestic supply chain. Moreover, the current administration has already introduced a 100% tariff on Chinese-made EVs. The European Union is lagging behind, and its auto industry stands to lose big, especially since the Inflation Reduction Act has forced European automakers to spend more in America than at home.
Ultimately, China is making some great EVs that are very competitively priced. That’s good for the environment but bad for EU business. We’ll see who wins in the end.
