Zeekr 9X: Geely’s Hybrid SUV Storms China with 1,381 HP and a Wallet-Friendly Price

Zeekr just dropped a bombshell in the Chinese market, launching its formidable 9X full-size plug-in hybrid SUV. This isn’t just another family hauler, it’s a luxury beast packing up to 1,381 horsepower, a silky-smooth dual-chamber air suspension, and an impressive mixed range of up to 1,250 kilometers. The best part, it all kicks off with a starting price of 455,900 yuan, or about 63,910 USD, especially if you snatch one up before December 31, 2025, thanks to a sweet 10,000 yuan discount. This SUV means business, evident by the staggering 42,667 orders it pulled in during its first hour of presales.

Zeekr’s Bold Hybrid Move

Geely rolled out Zeekr in 2021 with a clear vision: a high-end brand focused squarely on battery electric vehicles, or BEVs. But this year, Zeekr made a significant pivot, embracing plug-in hybrids. The 9X, their flagship crossover, is the first fruit of this new strategy, hitting the market on September 29. It’s a strategic shift that shows how dynamic the Chinese EV market truly is, with manufacturers constantly adapting to consumer demands and technological advancements.

Size, Style, and Smart Tech

This big boy measures 5239 mm long, 2029 mm wide, and 1819 mm tall, with a generous wheelbase stretching 3,169 mm. To give you some context, it’s actually longer and wider than a Mercedes-Benz GLS, making it a truly imposing presence on the road. The exterior design is unmistakably modern, featuring striking C-shaped LED headlights, a substantial grille, and active air intakes. You’ll also notice traditional door handles, a refreshing change from the often-fiddly retractable ones, and a distinctive circular taillight unit. The 9X also offers a palette of five body colors: black, white, silver, gray, and purple, all rolling on stylish 22-inch rims available in various designs.

Underneath its sleek exterior, the Zeekr 9X is packed with advanced features. It can sport up to five LiDAR sensors, which are crucial for its sophisticated driver assistance systems. Its dual-chamber air suspension, paired with a dual-valve continuous damping control system, promises a ride that’s both comfortable and controlled, whether you’re cruising down the highway or tackling rougher terrain. The ground clearance can go from a low 178 mm to a commanding 288 mm, giving it impressive versatility. And here’s a cool party trick, the headlights can project images on the road, adding a unique way to interact with other drivers and pedestrians.

For those who love sharp handling, the 9X can be fitted with a 48V active stabilizer bar. This clever bit of engineering dramatically reduces body roll during aggressive cornering. It even has a safety-focused trick, it can lift one side of the car to minimize damage in a collision. Other impressive functions include the ability to safely drive over open wells and maintain a straight trajectory even after a tire puncture at speeds up to 120 km/h, showcasing how much thought went into its safety and stability.

A Cabin Built for Luxury and Connectivity

Step inside the Zeekr 9X and you’re greeted by a spacious six-seat cabin in a 2+2+2 layout, available in deep blue, beige, or brown interior themes. The centerpiece of the dashboard is a massive block featuring two 16-inch screens. If you want to save a bit of cash, you can opt for a single 16-inch monitor and knock 5,000 yuan off the price. Drivers benefit from a 47-inch augmented reality head-up display, while rear passengers get their own 17-inch 3K display mounted on the ceiling, boasting a swift 3-millisecond response time and five adjustable angles.

Depending on the trim, luxury appointments include a folding table for the right second-row passenger, four-way lumbar support, and a decadent 22-point massage function for the front and second-row seats. Privacy sunshades ensure a serene experience for all occupants. The second-row seats even rotate 180 degrees, echoing a feature seen in Geely’s Lynk & Co 900. Power-operated doors and an AI voice assistant named Eva round out the premium feel, making every journey a breeze.

Advanced Driver Assistance and Potent Powertrains

The entry-level Zeekr 9X comes equipped with the G-Pilot H7 driver assistance system, featuring a single LiDAR sensor and an Nvidia Thor-U chip delivering 700 TOPS of computing power. Move up to the top trim, and you get a serious upgrade: five LiDAR sensors, including a high-resolution 520-line sensor, and two Nvidia Thor-U SoCs, collectively churning out 1,400 TOPS. Zeekr confidently labels this as an “L3-ready model,” capable of point-to-point Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) and self-parking. It also boasts an Automatic Emergency Steering (AES) system, which can help avoid collisions at speeds up to 130 km/h, demonstrating the immense strides made in ADAS technology in China.

Under the hood, the Zeekr 9X offers a range of potent plug-in hybrid powertrains. The base model combines a 2-liter internal combustion engine with two electric motors, delivering a hefty 660 kW (885 hp). Paired with a 55 kWh battery, this setup offers 300 km of electric range (CLTC) and an impressive 1,200 km of mixed range. It’ll rocket from 0 to 100 km/h in a brisk 3.9 seconds. The next variant keeps the same engine and e-motor combo but ups the ante with a 70 kWh battery, extending the electric range to 380 km and the mixed range to a colossal 1,250 km. But if you’re chasing ultimate performance, the top-trim SUV boasts three electric motors, unleashing an astounding 1,030 kW (1,381 hp), hitting 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds, with a pure electric range of 355 km and a combined range of 1,165 km.

Charging is also a highlight, thanks to its 900V high-voltage system that enables 6C charging technology. What does that mean for you? It means you can zap the battery from 20% to 80% in a mere 8 minutes and 21 seconds. Even more practical, the gasoline engine can act as a mobile generator, charging the battery from 30% to 80% in 90 minutes, even when you’re cruising down the highway at 120 km/h. This flexibility is a game changer for long-distance travel, making range anxiety a thing of the past.

Pricing and Trims

The Zeekr 9X is available in four distinct trim levels, catering to various needs and budgets:

• Max Variant: Kicking things off at 465,900 yuan (65,310 USD), this entry-level model features the G-Pilot H7 system and a robust 4WD system delivering 660 kW (885 hp).
• Ultra Trim: Priced at 485,900 yuan (68,110 USD), the Ultra focuses on enhanced comfort with plush second-row seats and convenient privacy sunshades for every side window.
• Hyper Trim: Stepping up to 559,900 yuan (78,490 USD), the Hyper adds a 48V active stabilizer bar, active side support for the driver’s seat, rotating second-row seats, and the more advanced G-Pilot H9 ADAS.
• Obsidian Black: The top-tier Obsidian Black trim comes in at 599,900 yuan (84,100 USD), offering the pinnacle of luxury and technology.

With an ongoing discount of 10,000 yuan for purchases made before December 31, 2025, the effective price range for this impressive SUV is 455,900 to 589,900 yuan (around 63,910 to 82,690 USD). The high demand for the Zeekr 9X even led to scalpers flipping orders for significant markups, highlighting its popularity.

The Zeekr 9X is more than just a new SUV, it’s a statement from Geely about its ambitions in the premium hybrid segment, offering a compelling blend of power, luxury, and advanced technology that’s sure to turn heads in China’s competitive automotive landscape.