Positioned between the 7X and 9X, the Zeekr 8X is expected to go on sale in the UK in 2027, as per Mat Watson of CarWow. Zeekr hasn’t officially confirmed the 8X, but it’s only a matter of time before Zeekr expands the UK line-up with more premium models.
We got to experience the car first-hand in a global-spec model, and here is what the Zeekr 8X feels like in real life, and what British customers can expect.
Design
The Zeekr 8X adopts a more upright design than the smaller X, Mix, or 7X. Up front, it gets split LED headlamps, a large grille and a tall bonnet. The front-end treatment differs significantly from the sleeker design used on the Zeekr 7X and 001.
From the side, the 8X features a boxier profile with a long wheelbase and large alloy wheels. The roofline remains relatively upright, while the rear quarter section uses squared-off proportions more commonly seen on large luxury SUVs.
At the rear, the SUV features a full-width LED light bar spanning the tailgate. The tailgate itself adopts a near-vertical design, helping maximise boot space.
The range-topping version receives unique bumpers, side skirts and a rear diffuser. It also rides on 22-inch forged alloy wheels and features additional exterior trim elements that distinguish it from lower-spec variants.
Interior
Inside, the 8X features a three-screen layout. The dashboard houses a 16-inch driver display and a separate 16-inch passenger screen. Rear occupants get an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher-spec versions add a 17-inch roof-mounted display.
Other highlights include a 29-speaker audio system, an augmented reality head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.
Seats are trimmed in Nappa leather and Alcantara. Front and second-row occupants get electric adjustment, heating, ventilation and massage functions. Buyers can choose between five-seat and six-seat layouts.
Experience in the Zeekr 8X
I spent time in the Zeekr 8X, and it immediately feels like a high-tech, luxury-focused SUV with a sporty edge. The electrically deployable side step helps with access, though ingress felt easy even without relying on it. The fully electric doors are a nice touch as well, closing automatically so I did not have to pull them shut manually.
Once inside, for my six-foot frame, the front seat offered good back support and pretty good under-thigh support. However, the side bolsters felt a little intrusive, and I would have liked the front seats to be slightly flatter.
The front headrest is not adjustable, though it still felt comfortable. I had about 10 cm of headroom in my usual driving position, and the dead pedal worked well with my UK size 11.5 shoes. The sport pedals are a nice detail.
The cabin has a strong mix of sportiness and luxury. I liked the head-up display, ambient lighting, grippy steering wheel, orange topstitching, two wireless phone chargers, two USB chargers and the useful dashboard grab handles.
The control layout is also well thought out, with buttons for functions such as demisters, suspension settings and rear loading height. However, the centre console storage is smaller than expected.
The rear seat experience is even better. Rear ingress was easy, and with the front seat set to my driving position, I had around 15-20 cm of knee room. The rear seats recline electrically, feel cosy, and offer great back support, adjustable headrests and very good under-thigh support. My feet slid under the front seat, and the slightly raised floor was not a major issue.
Rear passengers also get a control screen, individual climate controls, USB ports, outboard seat heating and ventilation, more than 10 cm of headroom and a roof-mounted fold-out screen. The flat floor means three abreast seating should be possible, though the middle passenger gets less under-thigh support than the outboard occupants.
Specifications
The Zeekr 8X measures 5,100 mm in length, 1,998 mm in width and 1,780 mm in height. The wheelbase measures 3,069 mm.
Built on the SEA-S platform with a 900V electrical architecture, the 8X pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine (205 kW peak) with either a dual- or tri-motor electric setup.
The dual-motor version (Max, Ultra, and Ultra+ trims) produces a combined 660 kW (898 PS) and 935 Nm of torque, with 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. The flagship tri-motor variant develops 1,030 kW (1,401 PS / ~1,381 hp) and 1,410 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 2.96 seconds.
The 8X is available with 55.1 kWh or 70 kWh ternary lithium battery packs. The top-range dual-motor Ultra+ (70 kWh) delivers up to 410 km of CLTC electric-only range and 1,416 km of combined range, while the heavier tri-motor flagship, despite sharing the same 70 kWh pack, is rated at 330 km CLTC electric-only and 1,210 km combined.
The 8X supports 900V/6C ultra-fast charging, taking the battery from 20%-80% in about 9 minutes.
Price
When the SUV eventually reaches the UK, it should sit in the £60,000-£80,000 bracket, positioning it above the Zeekr 7X and alongside premium electrified SUVs such as the BMW XM, Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid and Range Rover Sport PHEV.
Trained as an automobile engineer, I’ve been following the global car market since 2005. Over the past 17 years, I’ve been involved in online automotive analysis and publishing, traveling the world to drive, evaluate, and experience new cars and technologies.
