We drove the 2026 Zeekr 8X Ultra — a 5.1-metre, 900V plug-in hybrid flagship SUV that launched in China on April 17, 2025. Here is everything you need to know.

What is the Zeekr 8X?

The Zeekr 8X is the brand’s new large, high-performance flagship SUV, built on the Haohun SEA-S Super PHEV Architecture — a platform shared with other Geely Group vehicles but tuned here specifically for the 900V high-voltage hybrid stack. It positions directly against traditional luxury SUVs from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi in the ¥300,000–500,000 / ~$41,000–69,000 segment, while undercutting them on technology per dollar by a significant margin.

Three standard trims are available: Max, Ultra, and Ultra+. A high-performance special edition called the Zeekr 8X Yaoying (曜影) rounds out the range.

Pricing

Max: ¥356,800 ~$49,200
Ultra: ¥376,800 ~$51,900
Ultra+: ¥426,800 ~$58,800
8X Yaoying: ¥500,800 ~$69,000

Powertrain & performance

All variants use a 2.0T PHEV-dedicated engine paired with dual electric motors and the 900V high-voltage architecture, with a combined system output of 660 kW (885 hp) for the dual-motor versions. The headline numbers:

• 0–100 km/h: 3.7 seconds (dual-motor variants)
• CLTC pure-EV range: 410 km
• Combined range: 1,416 km
• Fuel consumption in charge-depleted mode: 6.4 L/100 km
• DC fast charging: 900V platform, approximately 200 km in 10 minutes

The Yaoying edition adds a third electric motor, pushing system output to 1,030 kW (1,380 hp) and slashing the 0–100 km/h time to 2.96 seconds, making it one of the world’s quickest hybrid SUVs by official figures.

Engine-to-motor transition is seamless during normal driving — we noticed no lurch or hesitation at any point during the test. In pure-EV mode the SUV is whisper-quiet on the highway, with wind and road noise well-suppressed by the acoustic glazing and body sealing.

Ride, handling, and chassis

Despite a kerb weight of nearly 2.8 tonnes and a 5,100 mm body length, the 8X defies its mass on the road. The key is the chassis hardware: double-wishbone front / five-link rear, dual-chamber air suspension, dual-valve CDC dampers, and a 48V active anti-roll bar. This combination keeps body roll in corners impressively small, while at lower speeds the system softens noticeably to absorb urban imperfections.

Steering is precise and direct — feedback is not sports-car sharp but it is accurate enough that you always know exactly where the front axle is pointing. Turn-in is confident for a vehicle of this size. The biggest compliment we can pay is that the 8X feels at least one size smaller than its dimensions suggest

Interior quality & technology

Cabin ambience is genuinely premium. Large areas of soft-touch materials and Nappa leather cover every surface a hand touches; the suede-like headliner and door inserts add texture without looking overdone. Fit and finish is tight throughout.

The tech stack is led by a triple-screen layout plus AR-HUD, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip. The infotainment is quick, multi-tasking is smooth, and the voice assistant supports continuous four-zone recognition — practically every function from navigation to heated seats can be voice-controlled without menus. Physical shortcut buttons are retained for the most-used climate and media functions, which is a sensible choice.

The intelligent driving suite — branded G-ASD 4.0 / Qianli Haohun — covers highway NOA (Navigate on Autopilot), urban L2+ hands-on assistance, and full-scenario automated parking including remote parking. Even faded road markings on secondary roads handled without drama in our experience.

High-spec variants add a 17-inch 3K OLED rear-seat screen, a 5D cinema mode, Naim 29-speaker audio, tri-zone climate, and an in-car refrigerator. The Zeekr 8X also debuts China’s first cabin-driving integrated AI agent, called Super Eva, which combines voice, face recognition, and emotional sensing into a unified interaction layer.

Space & practicality

With a 3,069 mm wheelbase, rear-seat legroom is generous — a 175 cm passenger gets roughly 2.5 fist-lengths of knee clearance, and the completely flat floor makes three-abreast seating comfortable. The seatback reclines. A 190 cm driver can find a comfortable position with over a fist of headroom remaining. Boot space is large enough for full family luggage, a pushchair, or camping gear; with the rear seats folded, the load floor is flat and long enough to sleep in.

Worth reading review of the best Chinese SUVs of 2026

What we liked

• Genuinely impressive 900V fast charging — 200 km in 10 minutes removes long-trip anxiety
• Air suspension + 48V anti-roll combination punches above its price class
• Snapdragon 8295 chip makes the infotainment feel fast and stable
• 6.4 L/100 km charge-depleted consumption is about half that of a comparable petrol SUV
• Value-per-spec ratio against European rivals is extraordinary

What could be better

• Rear seat cushion sits slightly low; taller passengers may find thigh support lacking on long journeys
• The sport-tuned suspension, while impressive, will not satisfy buyers who want a pure “floaty” luxury ride
• Infotainment menu depth takes time to learn — some second-level menus could be simplified
• Wide body (1,990 mm) requires care in narrow urban car parks and alleyways
  

Verdict

The Zeekr 8X is a serious, well-executed flagship that delivers 900V charging, air suspension, advanced driver assistance, and a genuinely premium interior for a price that is hard to argue with compared to European alternatives. If you are in the market for a large performance SUV and are open to Chinese brands, this one belongs on your shortlist.

Scores Summary (from source reviews) 5/5

Space: 5/5; Driving: 5/5; Range: 5/5; Exterior: 5/5; Interior: 5/5; Tech: 5/5; Pricing: 4/5;