Electric MPVs remain a niche offering in the UK and most European markets, resulting in limited choice. In China, however, demand for high-end electric people movers aimed at VIPs and business executives is not slowing down, with a wide range of models on offer. The Zeekr 009 Grand is the priciest and most luxurious model of the lot.
Zeekr is planning to enter the UK in 2027, as per a recent article on electrifying.com, and it could consider adding the 009 Grand as an interesting alternative to the upcoming Mercedes VLE and VLS models.
We had a chance to get up close with the electric luxury MPV recently, and here are some interesting observations we made:
Design
The Zeekr 009 Grand retains the same overall exterior design as the standard model, but introduces finer detailing to convey greater sophistication and exclusivity. Zeekr offers only Ice Jade White and Polar Night Black colours, and the example we saw is finished in the latter.
The 009 Grand features an exclusive hand-crafted ‘Dark Badge’ front grille for a more upscale appearance. This closed panel requires six phases of manual work, totalling more than 30 hours, before Zeekr puts it through an exclusive black chrome plating process.
Also unique to the 009 Grand are 20-inch floating forged wheels, which undergo more than 20 hours of manual polishing and grinding in stages. Elsewhere, Zeekr distinguishes it from the regular 009 with additional chrome highlights.
Interior
Inside, the Zeekr 009 Grand feels like a completely different model, one that is noticeably more sumptuous and high-tech compared to the regular 009. It has an adjustable partition between the front and rear sections of the cabin, giving passengers in the back complete privacy.
Zeekr equips the 009 Grand with two VIP seats in the rear cabin, and the range of amenities here gives it the ambience of a high-end hotel suite.
A full-height partition incorporates a 43-inch 4K mini LED TV in its upper section, while the lower portion houses a hot-and-cold 18-litre refrigerator along with two open storage shelves suitable for items such as a laptop bag or handbag.
A flower vase mounted on the right side of the partition, which features an embossed window lattice design, along with Himalayan raw stone veneer on the rear doors, highlights the design team’s attention to the finer details.
At the flick of a button on this console, the sunshade slides out to cover the panoramic sunroof and the rear side windows and the partition glass slide up and, along with the rear quarter glass panels, turn on electrochromic shading.
Experience in the Zeekr 009 Grand
At 5’7”, I found ingress and egress in the Zeekr 009 Grand effortless. The front seats offer well-judged back and under-thigh support, with an abundance of headroom that reinforces the sense of space. Forward and lateral visibility are excellent, while the partitioned rear cabin means the driver relies on a digital rear-view mirror rather than a conventional glass view.
The rear cabin is where the 009 Grand comes into its own. Lumbar support is exceptionally well calibrated, and the seats provide a deep, supportive cushioning that prioritises long-distance comfort.
The headrests stand out for their softness, complementing a relaxed seating angle. The recline has a wide range, and the seats feature extendable leg supports, allowing occupants to stretch out almost fully.
Material quality throughout the rear cabin is of a notably high level. Crystal-finished switches and rotary controls have been used in several places, lending a sense of luxury without appearing excessive.
An 8-inch rear touchscreen allows control over climate, seating functions, and multimedia. The centre console integrates aircraft-style fold-out tray tables for both rear occupants, reinforcing the chauffeur-driven experience of this variant. It also has a dual electronic safe and two 50-watt wireless smartphone charging pads.
Specifications
In China, Zeekr offers the 009 Grand with two motors that produce 580 kW (778 bhp) of total power and 810 Nm (597 lb.-ft.) of total torque and give it AWD capability. A 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) sprint takes just 3.9 seconds, and flat out, the electric MPV achieves 230 km/h (143 mph).
A 108 kWh NMC battery pack powers the motors and delivers a CLTC range of 702 kilometres (436 miles).
Release date
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At the earliest, Zeekr may bring the 009 Grand to the UK in 2027-28. The company reportedly first plans to launch the 7X mid-size SUV in the market, and we expect to receive an official update on the product plan later this year.
Since 2014, I’ve worked as an international automotive editor, attending global motor shows, industry events, media drives, and tracking the latest developments across the sector, with a particular focus on electrified vehicles.
