Shanghai 2025: Zeekr 9X three-row flagship SUV debuts; 2.0T petrol hybrid, 898 PS e-motors, L3 ADAS

A day after initial images emerged, the three-row Zeekr 9X flagship SUV has made its debut at the 2025 Shanghai Motor Show.

This is a large vehicle as befitting its flagship “ultra luxury” positioning, with the 9X measuring 5,239 mm long, 2,029 mm wide and 1,819 mm tall with a wheelbase of 3,169 mm. In front, the 9X boasts what it calls the world’s largest integrated grille at 1,245 mm across its widest side at the bottom. Above that is also what Zeekr claims to be the world’s largest clamshell cover, covering an area of 2.15 sq m.

No access to the Zeekr 9X interior was granted at this time, but for rear seat passengers, Zeekr claims that the 9X features the largest rear doors of any new-energy (China’s term for electrified) SUV. These rear doors open to an angle of up to 80 degrees, also aiding access for third-row passengers, says Zeekr.

Confirming earlier rumours, the 9X is the brand’s first hybrid powertrain-equipped model that touts a pure electric range of 380 km on the CLTC Chinese domestic testing standard, which Zeekr claims is the longest EV range attained by any hybrid vehicle.

Electricity for the Zeekr 9X is stored in a CATL Xiaoyao battery, which is part of a 900-volt electrical architecture combined with a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol internal combustion engine which outputs 205 kW (279 PS) on its own.

Combined with electric drive from a 290 kW (395 PS) front motor and 370 kW (503 PS) rear motor for a combined output of 898 PS, the 9X is capable of a claimed three-second 0-100 km/h sprint, on to a top speed of 240 km/h. The 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine is paired with a three-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels, in conjunction with the dual electric motor setup.

Zeekr claims the 9X is the world’s fastest-charging hybrid SUV, with a rate of 6C charging (six times the kW rating of its battery capacity) enabling a 20-80% replenishment of state of charge in just nine minutes. The official battery capacity has yet to be confirmed by Zeekr.

Rolling stock for the 9X is a set of 22-inch forged alloy wheels; Zeekr says that each of these receive 30 hours of manual polishing to gain the desired mirror-finish. Chassis equipment for the 9X includes dual-chamber air suspension system, with dual-valve continuous damping control.

This can raise the 9X by up to 110 mm for maximum ground clearance of 288 mm, while the hybrid SUV is capably of climbing gradients of up to 70% in deep snow, according to the company.

This is complemented by 48-volt electric active roll stabilisation, which Zeekr says is a first for an SUV from a Chinese brand. This aims to maintain nearly-zero body roll during high-speed cornering, while traversing rough roads is aided by de-coupling the left and right wheels to reduce the effects of bumps.

For driving assistance systems, the Zeekr 9X also brings the debut of the brand’s G-Pilot H9 autonomous driving system, which Zeekr claims brings Level 3 assisted driving capabilities. This is powered by dual Thor chips for a combined computing power of 1,400 TOPS, facilitating five lidar sensors.

The Zeekr 9X shown here will go on sale in the Chinese market in the third quarter of this year. According to Zeekr Malaysia, there has yet to be confirmation of the 9X for the Malaysian market, though if it does, specifications may differ to those of the debut show unit.

2025 Zeekr 9X at Auto Shanghai, China

Zeekr 9X, official images

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