A fresh jolt of electricity is ripping through the Australian EV landscape, and its source isn’t the Silicon Valley behemoth we’ve become so accustomed to. Instead, the current is surging from the east. Meet the 2025 Zeekr 7X Performance All-Wheel Drive—the mid-sized electric SUV that has every Australian EV buyer and established competitor nervously checking their mirrors.
For years, the Tesla Model Y has reigned supreme, dominating the market with a compelling blend of performance, tech, and price. But the arrival of the $72,900 (before on-roads) Zeekr 7X Performance AWD is not just a new model launch; it’s a declaration of war. Backed by Geely (the same automotive giant behind Volvo and Polestar), Zeekr is delivering a level of luxury, performance, and charging tech that, for the first time, makes the Model Y look like a budget option, especially when you start stacking up the standard features.
🇦🇺 The Spec-Sheet Smackdown: Why the Performance AWD Hits Hard
Australians love a bargain, but we also demand serious grunt for our dollars. The Zeekr 7X Performance AWD delivers both in spades. Its headline figures are genuinely staggering and put it in a different league to its closest rivals:
- Twin-Motor, All-Wheel Drive: A colossal 475kW of power and 710Nm of instant torque.
- Warp Speed: A scorching 0-100km/h sprint in just 3.8 seconds—that’s quicker than many high-performance European SUVs.
- Future-Proof Charging: Based on an 800V electrical architecture, it supports lightning-fast DC charging up to a theoretical 420kW (or 360kW in local conditions), promising a 10-80% top-up in a mere 16 minutes from a high-powered charger. Compare that to the Model Y’s 400V system.
- The Golden Ticket: Air Suspension: Crucially, this flagship model is the only variant to come standard with adaptive air suspension and continuous damping control. This single feature is the biggest game-changer against the Model Y’s notoriously firm ride.
🛋️ Luxury or Lunacy? The Interior Revolution
Step inside the 7X and the contrast with the minimalist, screen-dominated Tesla cabin is immediate and stark. This is where Zeekr earns its self-proclaimed “premium” badge.
The interior is a revelation of comfort and high-end feel. It’s elegant, plush, and loaded with features that feel genuinely luxurious, not gimmicky. The Performance AWD spoils you with Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated and massaging front seats, and a 21-speaker Zeekr Sound Pro system. The seats, in particular, have been praised by early drivers as being supremely comfortable—a welcome departure from the firm foam of some competitors.
Instead of a single screen to rule them all, the 7X offers a sophisticated trio: a 13.02-inch digital instrument cluster, a massive 16-inch 3.5K Mini-LED central screen, and a vast 36.21-inch Augmented Reality Heads-up Display (AR-HUD). For those of us who prefer to keep our eyes on the road and still have essential driving data visible, the HUD alone is a massive win over the Model Y.
🛣️ Driving Dynamics: Comfort Wins the Battle
The true test of any EV in Australia is how it handles our patchwork roads, from city commuting to long-haul country driving. Here, the air suspension of the Performance AWD is the Model Y’s Achilles’ heel.
While the 7X’s rear-wheel-drive variants have been described as feeling a little soft or “spongey” when pushed hard on a racetrack (let’s face it, that’s not its natural habitat), the Performance AWD completely changes the script. The adjustable air suspension allows the car to glide over bumps in Comfort mode, soaking up the harshness that the Model Y’s stiff chassis transmits straight to your spine.
In its sportiest settings, the air suspension and Continuous Damping Control tighten things up significantly, managing the 2.46-tonne mass far more effectively than its lesser siblings. While it may not be a track-day hero like some rivals, its on-road refinement and ability to switch from luxurious cruiser to rapid GT is unmatched at this price point. It’s built for comfortable, high-speed touring—the perfect recipe for an Aussie road trip.
🔋 The Range and Charging Edge
Range anxiety is steadily becoming a thing of the past, but the 7X further alleviates any lingering doubts. Equipped with a large 100kWh NMC battery, the Performance AWD boasts a competitive 543km WLTP range. The Long Range RWD variant, with the same battery, pushes the envelope even further to an impressive 615km WLTP range.
However, the real flex is the 800V architecture. While Australian chargers capable of hitting the 420kW peak are still scarce, this technology future-proofs the vehicle and means that even on today’s fastest 350kW-class chargers, the Zeekr can suck down energy at a phenomenal rate, significantly quicker than its 400V competitors.
Plus, all 7X models are equipped with a handy 22kW AC onboard charger (compared to the Model Y’s 11kW), halving the time it takes to recharge at a three-phase public or home wallbox. A higher 2000kg braked towing capacity is another practical win for the Aussie family.
🛑 The Caveats: New Kid on the Block
No challenger is perfect, and the Zeekr 7X has a couple of hurdles to clear to truly win over the masses:
- Gimmicky Features: The electrically opening/closing doors on the Performance model are a talking point but have been described as annoying in real-world use. Furthermore, reviewers have noted a few “pointless features” in the vehicle’s extensive options list.
- Software Maturity: While the Qualcomm-powered system is snappy and fully localised with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Model Y’s software is still arguably more mature and minimalist.
- The Unknown of Support: Tesla has a vast (and growing) Supercharger network and an established service footprint. Zeekr, while backed by Geely, is a new brand in Australia. The long-term servicing and parts availability are still unproven, which is a key concern for new car buyers. They are trying to address this with a generous seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and eight years for the battery—a clear confidence play.
The Verdict: Time to Look Beyond Tesla
The 2025 Zeekr 7X Performance All-Wheel Drive is the wake-up call the Australian EV market needed. It’s not a cheap imitation; it is a genuinely premium, high-performance, and technologically superior product that directly addresses the criticisms of its main rival.
The Model Y Performance will still appeal to those who value the super-minimalist aesthetic, ultimate software integration, and the security of the Supercharger network. But for the Australian driver who prioritises luxurious comfort (thanks to that air suspension), blistering performance, next-generation charging technology, and an interior that feels like it belongs in a six-figure European SUV, the Zeekr 7X Performance AWD is impossible to ignore.
The Chinese challenger has not just arrived—it has landed with a massive, 475kW thump. The EV battle in Australia just got a whole lot more interesting, and for us, the consumer, that is excellent news.
Zeekr 7X Performance AWD vs. Tesla Model Y Performance: Side-by-Side Spec Comparison
That’s a fantastic idea! A side-by-side comparison of the high-performance variants is the best way to highlight their differences.
Based on the latest Australian specifications for the Zeekr 7X Performance AWD and the Tesla Model Y Performance, here is a direct comparison table:
⚡ EV Performance SUV Showdown
| Feature | Zeekr 7X Performance AWD | Tesla Model Y Performance |
| Price (AUD MSRP) | $72,900 (Excl. On-Road Costs) | $82,900 (Excl. On-Road Costs) |
| Drive System | Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| Power Output | 475 kW | 393 kW |
| Torque Output | 710 Nm | 639 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 3.8 seconds | 3.7 seconds (Rollout excluded) |
| Battery Capacity | 100 kWh (NMC) | Approx. 78-80 kWh (Usable) |
| WLTP Range | 543 km | 580 km |
| Architecture | 800V | 400V |
| DC Fast Charging (Peak) | Up to 360 kW | Up to 250 kW |
| 10-80% Charge Time (DC) | Approx. 13 minutes (at 800V charger) | Approx. 25-30 minutes |
| AC Charging (On-board) | 22 kW | 11 kW |
| Suspension | Adaptive Air Suspension | Sport-Tuned Fixed Suspension |
| Boot Space (Rear/Total) | 539L / 1,607L | 854L / 2,158L (Including sub-trunk) |
| Frunk (Front Storage) | 62L | 117L |
| Key Standard Features | Air Suspension, Head-Up Display (HUD), Nappa leather seats, Massage seats, 21-speaker audio, Digital Instrument Cluster, Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto | Premium Interior, Track Mode, Carbon fibre spoiler, Performance Brakes, Dedicated software/infotainment, Access to Supercharger Network |
Key Takeaways:
- Pricing: The Zeekr 7X significantly undercuts the Model Y Performance on price, making its high-spec features highly competitive.
- Power & Speed: The Zeekr has a substantial advantage in outright power (kW and Nm), though the lighter Tesla is slightly quicker to 100 km/h.
- Charging: The Zeekr’s 800V architecture offers a huge advantage in peak DC charging speed and faster AC charging (22 kW vs. 11 kW). However, in Australia, its 800V system is currently restricted on 400V chargers (like Tesla Superchargers) to about 80-90kW, meaning its full potential relies on next-generation 350kW-capable chargers.
- Features & Luxury: The Zeekr is positioned as a more luxury-focused vehicle, featuring air suspension, a HUD, and a more traditionally luxurious interior with features like cooled/massage seats.
- Practicality & Range: The Model Y has a clear edge in storage space (boot and frunk) and a marginally better official WLTP range.
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