On the ever-growing list of things I never thought I’d covet now sits a Chinese luxury MPV that goes by the name of Zeekr 009.
An electric seven-seater that can out-accelerate other cars while massaging your back and chilling your drink? That’s a billionaire’s fever dream. Yet, here we are, with a near-5.2 metre behemoth from a brand that barely existed five years ago, making a surprisingly convincing pitch for your dollar.
So, is the Zeekr 009 all sizzle and no steak? Or is it quietly rewriting the MPV rulebook while you were busy comparing SUV ground clearances?
Who, or What, is Zeekr?
Zeekr (a blend of ‘Gen Z’ and ‘geek’, apparently) is Geely’s upmarket EV sub-brand, the Chinese auto giant that owns Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and even a slice of Smart.
Since launching in late 2021, Zeekr has aimed squarely at the “premium electric mobility” segment, and the 009 is its most audacious attempt yet. The name might not roll off the tongue like 007, but once you’ve spent time in the 009, you’ll find yourself whispering it with unexpected affection.
The Spaceship Has Landed
In the metal, the 009 is massive, longer than a Toyota Alphard and broader than most things not classified as commercial vehicles. If it had wings, Changi Airport might mistake it for a regional jet. With a 3.2m wheelbase and 20-inch “Starlight” wheels, this is not a car you park discreetly.
The front fascia is a dazzling mix of LED claws and a silver-slat grille, which thankfully avoids the chrome overdose of its Chinese-market siblings. The profile is dominated by giant power-sliding doors and equally enormous windows, while the rear is conventional, albeit dressed with a light show.
It’s a design that demands attention, though whether it’s admiration or bewilderment you receive depends on your audience. Fellow motoring journalists, for instance, reacted like children shown a real spaceship.
All Aboard the Lounge on Wheels
Step inside and the Zeekr wastes no time making its case. This is the top-of-the-range Flagship variant, dripping in Nappa leather, suede, and soft-touch surfaces.
The best seat in the house is undoubtedly the second-row captain’s chairs. Heated, cooled, massaging, power-reclining, and paired with footrests, they’re the automotive equivalent of a La-Z-Boy.
Tap “First Class Mode”, and the seats recline to nearly 45 degrees, leg-rests rise, and a 17-inch screen drops down from the ceiling like a Netflix portal from heaven. There’s even a fridge hidden in the centre console for your drinks, because of course there is.
Boot space with all seats up is 574 litres. Fold the third row and you’ll free up more, though the floor ends up uneven, and it does limit how far the second row can recline.
The third-row seats themselves are manual and best reserved for kids or short jaunts.
Tech Overload? Almost.
At the heart of the dash sits a 15-inch 2.5K OLED touchscreen that’s responsive, sharp, and packed with more functions than some smartphones. You can open sliding doors, adjust seat massage settings, tweak the panoramic roof, or even launch a game of Candy Blast.
Add to that wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, 5G connectivity, OTA updates, an AR head-up display the size of your forearm, and eight USB-C ports, four of which are for the second row alone, and you start to feel like you’re in a rolling Apple store.
Credit has to be given to the 30-speaker Yamaha sound system too. It’s not the brightest or best sounding (though it does come pretty darn close), but what it trumps the competition in is immersion. You feel like you’re actually listening to a concert live on stage, with the crowds behind cheering on.
If sound is one of the top things you look out for when buying a car, Zeekr and Yamaha have got it absolutely nailed down.
But, while there’s plenty of clever tech, things like manual window blinds and the lack of tray tables on lower trims feel like oversights in an otherwise opulent experience.
Driver Still Matters
Now, you’re probably wondering, who’s actually driving this thing? In most cases, a chauffeur. But for those curious enough to take the wheel themselves, despite weighing nearly three tonnes, the Zeekr 009 surges from 0–100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. That’s thanks to a dual-motor setup with 450kW and 693Nm on tap.
It’s hilariously fast, not in a pinned-to-your-seat kind of way, but in that surreal “Did a house just zoom past me?” sense.
On the move, the air suspension and electromagnetic damping deliver a pillowy, wafting ride, although it can be a little too soft at times, especially over multiple sharp speed bumps. Leave it in Normal mode and everything feels refined, unhurried, and whisper quiet, exactly what you want in an electric luxury MPV.
Handling is surprisingly tidy. There’s a tight turning circle, decent body control, and driver aids that behave like they’ve been tuned by adults. The steering lacks feel, and the brakes are a bit grabby, but unless you’re planning to smoke other motorists on the road, you’ll be fine.
Range is officially rated at 582km WLTP, thanks to a massive 116kWh battery. But real-world figures suggest closer to 480–500km, especially if you’re hauling passengers and blasting the aircon.
Charging from 10–80% takes about 30 minutes at a fast enough DC fast charger, but if you’re stuck with a 50kW unit, expect a long lunch… and maybe dinner.
So, Who’s It For?
The Zeekr 009 isn’t for everyone. It’s not practical in the way a Kia Carnival is, and it doesn’t carry the badge appeal of a Lexus LM or a Mercedes-Benz EQV. But at just over SGD$400,000 with COE, it undercuts both while offering more tech, more pace, and arguably more luxury.
Luxury hotels, premium limo services, or families who’ve outgrown their SUVs but still want to travel in style, this is your spaceship. It’s quirky, indulgent, and oddly desirable.
The biggest hurdle? The badge. Zeekr is new. And resale value is, at this point, a mystery. But as a statement of intent, as proof that Chinese EVs can now rival the best in comfort, performance and design, the 009 is a thunderous mic drop.
And yes, because of Yamaha, I sorely want one.
Technical Specifications
Zeekr 009
Powertrain: Dual Electric Motors, All-Wheel Drive
Power: 450 kW (603 bhp)
Torque: 693 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
Acceleration: 4.5 Seconds (0-100km/h)
Top Speed: 210 km/h
Battery Capacity: 116 kWh
Drive Range: 582 km
Energy Consumption: 4.5 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$412,999 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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