- Rolls-Royce looks, BMW price: The Zeekr 9X is a Chinese luxury SUV that mimics a Cullinan but costs half as much.
- Supercar speed meets family truckster: 0–100km/h in three seconds, three rows of seating, and plug-in hybrid tech.
- Australia could be next: Zeekr is eyeing right-hand drive production, and Australia’s on the radar.
The Zeekr 9X isn’t just another entry in the overcrowded SUV market it’s a direct challenge to luxury icons. Geely’s high-end electric offshoot has taken a hard look at the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, mimicking its silhouette, adding a chrome grille that resembles ship’s hulls, and going to town with diamond-cut lighting details (42,242 facets, if you’re counting). The result is an SUV that looks expensive, even if it isn’t as punchy as a Rolls.
At over 5.2 metres long with proportions that dwarf the Range Rover Sport, the 9X makes no secret of its aspirations. It’s flashy, unapologetic, and designed to command attention from Double Bay to Doncaster. Yallah!
Performance That Bites
Looks aside, the Zeekr 9X backs it up with serious hardware. A 2.0-litre turbo engine is paired with front and rear electric motors for a combined output pushing 665kW translating to a 0-100km/h sprint in around three seconds. That’s faster than a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT.
It rides on adjustable air suspension with up to 288mm of ground clearance, features a 900V charging system that juices the battery from 20 to 80 per cent in nine minutes, and uses five LiDARs to power its semi-autonomous ‘G-Pilot’ system. If Zeekr can deliver on its promises, it’s not just coming for your wallet — it’s coming for your assumptions about what luxury should look and feel like.
Will We See It in Oz?
The short answer: likely. Zeekr has confirmed that right-hand drive versions are in the pipeline and that Australia is firmly on their radar. With plans to sell 10,000 vehicles locally by 2026, the brand is already laying the groundwork through its X SUV and 009 people mover.
The 9X, especially in ‘Super Hybrid’ spec with a 1500km range, could appeal to Aussies looking for all the prestige and presence of a top-shelf SUV without the six-figure badge tax. A Zeekr spokesperson said they’re “exploring all relevant opportunities,” and given the brand’s aggressive global push, it’s not a matter of if it lands in Australia, but when.
And when it does, don’t be surprised if you see a “Rolls” rolling down Bondi that isn’t quite what it seems. Welcome to 2025!
