Zeekr 9X SUV targets European luxury market with hybrid tech and lavish interior

Zeekr, the Geely sub-brand headquartered in Gothenburg, has unveiled the 9X, its largest vehicle and first with a straightforward luxury positioning. Designed in its Gothenburg studio, the 9X is a Range Rover-sized SUV with three rows of seats, a second row that rotates 180 degrees for a conference layout, and a Super Hybrid powertrain producing nearly 900hp with a 2.0-litre turbo engine serving as a generator. The interior features Nappa leather, hand-polished Nordic wood trim, hand-cut crystal controls, 32 Naim speakers, a 17-inch rear screen, automatic blinds, and heated/cooling/massaging seats in the first two rows. Initially available as a six-seater, the 9X targets premium competitors like JLR and Bentley. Zeekr Europe CEO Lothar Schupet stated the 9X is a response to next-generation luxury consumers, designed in Europe for European roads. Zeekr is already established in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, with German operations starting and other European nations spooling up; a UK launch is said to be on the cards. The 9X will launch in selected European markets from end of July 2026. VP of Design Stefan Sielaff, formerly Bentley's Design Director, noted the rare 180-degree rotating second row for Europe. Despite Zeekr's founding in 2021 and lack of heritage, the combination of quality and price is expected to shake up the big SUV market.