My Zeekr 7X Decision – CleanTechnica

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With the Zeekr 7X achieving the rank of third among the top ten battery electric vehicles (BEVs) purchased in Australia in February (behind only the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion), it was great to have one visit our monthly coffee, cake and EVs morning tea. Steve Nixon was generous with information as I quizzed him (on your behalf) about his purchase. 

Zeekr is part of the Geely family. Here is Steve’s story on why he chose the 7X over everything else on the market:

After two years of research and watching EV popularity rise, I bought a Zeekr 7X to replace my 2016 MB GLC250d. The Mercedes was a great car to drive, lots of old tech but increasingly expensive to service/maintain with age — on average, AU$2,000 for a service every 12 months. I used a Mercedes specialist, not the dealer. The most recent expense was a front air suspension strut problem. Both needed to be replaced, as well as the air compressor and distribution box — $8,000, ouch. Switching to an EV, services are two yearly/40,000 km, with an optional health check every other year.

What I miss about the MB — radar cruise control was smooth and no phantom braking. Twice, Zeekr’s camera-based cruise control system has phantom braked me. Both were stationary vehicles turning right at traffic lights when I was going straight. It sees the object and brakes heavily (60 kph to approximately 30 kph) but does not come to a stop. It then realises the situation and accelerates back to the set speed.

I do not miss filling up — diesel economy was good, 6L/100km highway and 10L around town. The 2016 Merc didn’t have CarPlay, so I purchased a widescreen tablet with a bonus dashcam. Wireless connection to the tablet was fairly reliable, and my phone calls would come through the car speakers. A good compromise for several hundred dollars. Zeekr’s Apple connectivity and integration can be a bit hit and miss. At times, the Bluetooth will not connect and the 7X asks me to pair my phone. If I go into the phone’s Bluetooth and connect there, it’s fine. Can be annoying and slightly frustrating, as can the facial recognition which adjusts the driver’s seat and mirror position. I’ve nominated myself as the primary driver, so when the bride and I go somewhere, it assumes I am driving (just like the wife does).

MB is an instantly recognisable luxury brand; Zeekr is not (yet). I looked at MB EVs, but new prices were greater than AU$100,000 and unaffordable for me. I shortlisted: Tesla Model Y, Xpeng G6, BYD Sealion 7, and Zeekr 7X. I placed an order for an Xpeng, but put it on hold to wait for the facelift model due Q4 2025 (it’s still not here). In August 2025, I ordered my Zeekr. The more I read/watched, the more I knew the Zeekr was the right vehicle for me. I took delivery in November and love the car, how it looks, how it drives, and the tech package.

I have only driven 2,000 km. I am still getting used to the menu-based main screen. The driver’s display (16” centre mounted screen), 13” digital driver’s display, and large HUD show all the necessary information, including Zeekr’s map system, which is surprisingly good. The Zeekr assistant is terrible, difficult for it to recognise a command, even directions — so I use CarPlay. The phone app has some good features to remotely turn things off/on. My wife especially loves the A/C Rapid Cooling on 15 minutes before we drive anywhere. Ventilated seats are always on and the massage option for both front seats gets used semi-regularly. There are 21 speakers that produce a clear crisp sound, and speakers in the driver’s headrest for phone calls, making voice clarity excellent. Overall, a good user experience. I have not been back to the dealer or needed any after-sales service. First service is at two years.

I chose tech grey (green a close second), black/grey interior, Long Range RWD at AU$63,900 + on roads (~AU$69,000 total). WLTP is 615 km (we will see), 800V technology (fast charging when Australia catches up). I decided against the performance model, saving $10,000 but forsaking AWD, 21” wheels, automatic doors, less range, and 0–100 km/h in 3.8s (takes me 7s). I have not been on any long trips as yet (>100 km return). I have charged at an Evie public charger once to acquaint myself. The experience was problem free, but the charge rate did drop from 159 kW to 75 kW when all four charging stations were being used. I recall another 15 minutes was added to my estimated charge time.

The Zeekr is packed with safety features, including AEB (cyclist and pedestrian detection), Adaptive Cruise Control (including stop and go function), Blind Spot Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Assistance, Road Sign Recognition (in the current software release 2.0a), Driver Attention Warning, and 360 degree camera and parking sensors. In practice, ACC keeps you in your lane, at a safe distance, and will stop and start you at lights (if you are behind someone). If there is no car in front of you, you need to apply the brake at red lights and accelerate when green to then re-engage the set speed limit. The Zeekr won’t change your speed when road sign limits change, but if you press a button on the left hand side of the steering wheel, the car will recognise the speed sign and set that speed. I use “self-drive” on the highway (two presses of the right-hand stalk to engage “self-drive”). I get a blue steering wheel on the dash and blue arrows L & R when that lane is free. If I want to change lanes, I indicate L or R and the vehicle changes lanes without me using the steering wheel. If you take your hands off the wheel for more than 30 seconds, you get a prompt to hold the wheel.

I asked Steve to compare the models that he had cross shopped.

Tesla Model Y:

• had to be the facelift model — released late 2025 — nobody wants a new car with an old look
• cost was $10,000 more than a 7X, and Full Self Drive another $10,000
• the stark cabin was a bridge too far, we both like multiple displays (even the 9 year old Merc had a HUD), stalks, and some physical buttons

Xpeng 6:

• new facelift was expected Q4 2025, then delayed until Q1 2026, and still not here
• The white interior looked classy with dual displays

BYD Sealion 7:

• A great car but motoring journalists had it coming 3rd or 4th by comparison

Zeekr 7X

• I placed my order within the first 1,000, getting several free upgrades — choice of external colour (black was no cost), internal colour, extra two years of manufacturer warranty, roadside assistance, 10 year battery warranty, and 3 years of complimentary battery charging at Zeekr Kedron or Fortitude Valley (could mean free parking for the day also).
• I have solar and a battery at home, so I use my excess solar to charge, generally between 1100–1600 when wholesale prices are cheapest (<10c/kWh). Because I’m not doing long trips, I charge to 80% if I’m less than 50%. If there is no sun, I isolate my battery and charge from the grid, which takes me 2–3 hrs at 22kW — total cost is $2 to $3 (50% to 80%).

The greatest thrill is the acceleration; how it throws you back into your seat. I used Super Sports mode in the Merc a few times (generally at lights). It stiffened up the suspension and redlined in each gear (I know, childish, but fun). Well, the Zeekr is just as thrilling and but silent. Knowing you have so much acceleration is a comforting feeling.

I don’t like boxy looking cars. The new Kia EVs are good examples, awful IMO. I like the look and curves of the Zeekr; refined and stylish. I am a fan of the Tesla Model Y look with the facelift model over the old model. The continuous light bar front and back seems to be a market standard for EVs. When I open or lock the Zeekr, it displays a light show and some drivers have customised the sound files to play things like Star Wars and the Microsoft startup sound; not me, though.

Thank you, Steve. With many thousands more Zeekrs on order, I am sure we will be seeing them on the roads and in the shopping centre carparks often. Another step forward as Australia’s future becomes brighter and more electric.