The Australian electric vehicle market has seen a seismic shift over the last two years, driven primarily by affordability and an influx of international competition. But as the dust settles in the budget segment, a new, more sophisticated wave is arriving—one focused on true premium luxury and cutting-edge performance.
Enter Zeekr.
This is not a budget brand trying to make a quick sale; this is a high-tech, design-led manufacturer that has just launched the stunning Zeekr X urban SUV and the colossal Zeekr 009 people mover onto Australian roads. Crucially, Zeekr arrives with a unique pedigree that connects it directly to some of Europe’s most established luxury players: Volvo and Polestar.
🧬 The Geely Family Tree: A Shared Foundation of Excellence
To understand Zeekr, you must understand its parent company: the Chinese automotive giant Geely. Geely is one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced car groups, with a stable of highly respected brands including:
- Volvo: The Swedish standard-bearer for safety and design.
- Polestar: The sleek, performance-focused electric brand.
- Lotus: The legendary British sports car maker.
- Smart: The city car brand, now a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz.
Zeekr is Geely’s new, dedicated premium electric sub-brand, founded in 2021. The name itself is a clever blend of “Generation Z” and the word “geek,” signifying a focus on high-tech, digitally native luxury.
The Platform Advantage: SEA Architecture
The core of Zeekr’s appeal lies in the shared technology it leverages from the Geely family. Both the Zeekr X and the highly anticipated Volvo EX30 are built on Geely’s modular Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform.
This shared architecture means Zeekr benefits from:
- World-Class Engineering: The platform is engineered to meet global safety standards, as proven by the Zeekr X achieving a coveted five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2024.
- Rapid Development: By sharing foundational components, Zeekr can focus on design, software, and features, allowing it to bring cutting-edge models to market faster.
- High-End Components: Zeekr uses premium hardware, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip for its infotainment system—the same high-speed processor found in many top-tier luxury vehicles.
While Volvo and Polestar push a distinct Scandinavian minimalism, Zeekr’s mandate is to push the boundaries of digital and expressive luxury, often packing in more technology and eccentric style for the price.
🚗 The Zeekr X: Funky Premium vs. Conservative Rivals
The Zeekr X small electric SUV is the brand’s volume seller and the one posing the biggest threat to established players like the Volvo EX30 and the BMW iX1.
Positioned as an urban crossover, the Zeekr X is designed in Gothenburg, Sweden—the same city as Volvo—but its design is anything but conventional.
Key Zeekr X Differentiators in Australia:
| Feature | Zeekr X | Volvo EX30 | BMW iX1 |
| Platform | SEA | SEA | FAAR (Modified ICE Platform) |
| Starting Price (Approx.) | ~$56,900 + ORCs | ~$59,990 + ORCs | ~$80,000 + ORCs |
| Length | 4,432mm (Longer than rivals) | 4,233mm | 4,500mm |
| Base RWD Range (ADR) | 540km (66kWh battery) | 344km (51kWh battery) | 439km (64.7kWh battery) |
| Key Tech Feature | 14.6-inch Central Screen + 8.8-inch Driver Display | Single 12.3-inch Central Screen | Dual Curved Screens (10.25″ & 10.7″) |
The Case for the Zeekr X:
- Size and Space: The Zeekr X rides on a significantly longer 2,750mm wheelbase than its Volvo EX30 counterpart. This extra length translates directly into better rear-seat legroom and more cargo space, addressing one of the most common critiques of the small EV segment.
- Performance: The dual-motor AWD variant is a pocket rocket, boasting 315kW and 543Nm of torque, rocketing from 0–100km/h in a blistering 3.8 seconds. This performance is comparable to premium sports cars, undercutting the equivalent AWD performance models from BMW and Volvo on price.
- The Wow Factor: The interior is plush, available in funky colour schemes like ‘Mulberry and Rose’ two-tone upholstery. Features like the Intelligent B-Pillar Display and the large 24.3-inch Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (on higher trims) push the tech boundary far past what is offered by its rivals.
It offers a compelling proposition: the safety and core engineering of a Volvo, but with a more flamboyant design, faster acceleration, more technology, and critically, a sharper price tag than both the Volvo EX30 and the BMW iX1.
💼 The Zeekr 009: Luxury on a Grand Scale
Zeekr didn’t just launch a small SUV; they debuted the Zeekr 009—an unapologetically large, six- or seven-seat electric people mover that is a genuine luxury contender, starting from $135,900 (plus ORCs).
With its colossal 116kWh battery, the 009 offers an estimated 582km WLTP range and features dual motors generating a mammoth 450kW. The cabin is an executive suite on wheels, complete with:
- 30-speaker 3000W Yamaha sound system.
- First-class captain’s chairs in the second row with heating, ventilation, and massage functions.
- A fold-down 17-inch 3K OLED screen for rear passenger entertainment.
The 009 directly challenges vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz EQV, positioning Zeekr as a brand that competes at the very top of the EV luxury scale, not just in the entry segment.
🇦🇺 The EV Evolution Perspective
Zeekr’s arrival signals the maturation of the Australian EV market. We are moving beyond the question of if a Chinese-owned brand can be premium, to how quickly they can deliver superior value and technology. By leveraging Geely’s global platform, Zeekr has side-stepped the years of R&D typically required to build a luxury brand, offering a genuinely compelling product on day one.
The commitment is real: Zeekr has established dedicated national sales offices in Australia, alongside Thailand and Mexico, proving that the Australian enthusiast is central to their global strategy.
But with more options comes more complexity.
As you weigh the Zeekr X’s superior range against the Volvo EX30’s pure Scandinavian aesthetic, or compare the 009’s luxury features to other top-tier options, you need precise, up-to-date information.
Don’t navigate this new landscape alone.
At EV Evolution, we encourage you to explore the EV Evolution AI-powered chatbot today. Our AI is trained on the latest local pricing, ANCAP ratings, and charging compatibility for every new model hitting Australia—including the Zeekr X and 009.
Ask the chatbot: “How does the Zeekr X’s boot space compare to the BMW iX1?”
Ask the chatbot: “What are the three interior colour options for the Zeekr X in Australia?”
About EV Evolution
EV Evolution is the leading online platform dedicated to Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts. We foster a vibrant community, delivering essential EV news and insights, and enhancing user engagement through our innovative, AI-powered chatbot for dynamic discussions. Our mission is to empower Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts by fostering a vibrant, AI-driven online community that connects, informs, and advances the nation’s electric vehicle landscape.
