- Zeekr X offers sharp looks, strong performance and competitive pricing
- Infotainment system plagued by lag and poor navigation app
- Key fob drains battery unusually fast, frustrating owners
- Numerous small flaws undermine its premium aspirations
The Zeekr X is Geely’s latest attempt to crack the premium compact EV market, and at first glance it looks like a winner.
With bold design, punchy acceleration, competitive range and fast-charging capability, it sits in the same niche as the Volvo EX30, BYD Sealion 7, Xpeng G7 and Volkswagen ID4. It is already on sale in Australia, with plans to expand into the UK.
Built on the same platform as Volvo’s EX30, the X addresses some of that car’s biggest criticisms by reintroducing an instrument cluster and placing more functions on the steering wheel. Yet for all the improvements, Zeekr’s model adds a fresh set of frustrations that quickly overshadow the good.
Infotainment proves unreliable
Chief among the concerns is the infotainment system. On the surface, its home screen is clear and reasonably intuitive, but the deeper you dig, the more problems appear. The native navigation app is hard to read, especially on sunny days, with poor contrast and cluttered layouts.
Worse still is performance. During testing, Android Auto frequently lagged or froze, leaving the driver to reset the system using a cumbersome button combination.
Each reset took about two minutes, making it impractical for everyday use. Considering this is 2025 and Zeekr is positioning the X as a premium vehicle, such glitches feel unacceptable.
A worrying key fob issue
Perhaps more troubling than infotainment quirks is a problem with the car’s key fob. The device, which runs on a CR2450 button cell battery, appears to drain power much faster than expected. Instead of lasting years, as most fobs do, some users are finding their batteries flat within just a few months.
That leaves drivers fumbling with backups, as the RFID chip can still unlock and start the car when pressed against sensors on the steering column and armrest.
But for an everyday item that should just work, it feels like a significant oversight. Owners have also noted that the fob’s painted plastic casing scratches easily, adding to the impression of cheapness.
Smaller flaws erode the premium feel
Beyond those two headline issues, the Zeekr X suffers from a host of small but irritating problems. Door buttons sometimes require double presses. The bonnet occasionally fails to latch properly.
The driver monitoring system nags constantly, even when the driver’s eyes stray momentarily from the road. Volume controls are split between categories, leading to confusion about which setting is being adjusted. The head-up display can also be vague with its turn-by-turn guidance.
Each of these might be forgivable in isolation. Together, they create the sense of a product that is not fully finished. Software updates may resolve some of these issues, while others could be addressed in future revisions. But in its current form, the experience falls short of expectations for a premium EV.
Where the Zeekr X shines
That said, the car is not without merit. On the road, it is comfortable, quiet and responsive. Both the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions deliver brisk acceleration, while handling remains composed. Charging from 10 to 80 percent takes less than 30 minutes on a DC fast charger, which is competitive for its class.
Inside, the X feels stylish and contemporary. Features like an RGB light bar across the dash and a panoramic moonroof lift the cabin’s appeal. Boot space is respectable, with up to 1,182 liters available when the rear seats are folded.
The exterior design is sharp but understated, with subtle branding and a choice of two-tone finishes. Quirky touches, such as an external display showing charging status and a library of sound effects, add personality, even if they verge on gimmicks.
Verdict
The Zeekr X is a car that should be better than it is. The fundamentals are sound: strong performance, modern design, and competitive pricing. But those strengths are undermined by an unreliable infotainment system, a flawed key fob, and too many small annoyances.
Zeekr, a young brand, could eventually fix these problems through over-the-air updates and hardware improvements, just as BYD did after its Australian debut. Until then, however, the X cannot be recommended over better-sorted rivals like the Volvo EX30 or BYD Sealion 7.
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