Zeekr X (awd) News

A new electric car price war is forming.Chinese brand Zeekr is the latest carmaker to slash the price of one of its EVs.In the past week BMW has taken $8000 off the price of its iX1 and iX2 electric SUVs, and Volvo has also stripped out big dollars from its EX30 and EX40 compact electric SUVs.Now the Zeekr X small SUV starts at $48,900, drive-away, for the single motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) versions and $57,900 drive-away for the dual motor all-wheel drive (AWD) grade, and is due to land in showrooms at the end of next month.It is now cheaper than rivals such as the Lexus UXe, Mercedes-Benz EQ and Volvo EX30.That represents a massive saving from the previous $49,990 and $62,990 price tags, both before on-road costs.Zeekr hasn’t taken items out or reduced features to cut the price, quite the opposite, instead the X SUV has received a range of upgrades.Headlining the changes are updates to the base version’s ‘Golden Brick’ battery, which now allows a max DC charging rate of 230kW. This reduces the 10 to 80 per cent charging time to just 18 minutes.The all-wheel drive version maintains the same battery, which can only max charge at 150kW.Both cars also score a 50kW boost to their electric motors with what is claimed to be best-in-class acceleration figures of 5.6 seconds for the rear-drive version, or 3.7 seconds for the all-wheel drive version.The RWD version gets new heated first and second row seats, refreshed steering wheel controls and a 13-speaker Yamaha surround sound system.There is also upgraded safety tech across the range.

While utes and family SUVs dominate the top ranks of the sales charts, small, affordable cars remain extremely important to anyone who doesn’t need so much car.That’s why it’s one of the key categories we’re paying attention to in the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year (COTY) awards, in this case specifically those models with entry prices below $50,000.Rather than just hatchbacks and small sedans, we’re including small SUVs in the category given the dwindling number of hatches on sale, and consumer tendencies to opt for a small SUV, even as a first car.Based on review data from our team of journalists, our shortlist of 10 finalists below (in alphabetical order) is a broad group with some interesting variety in their offerings.And, as you’ll notice, the cars eligible for the award don’t necessarily have to be new as of this year - they just need to be on-sale as of January 1, 2026, with a variant under the $50K mark.This category's winner and two runners-up will be announced on February 6, 2026. The Hyundai i30 has been a favourite for years, with its current-generation hatch nearing a decade old. From first cars to fleet cars and hire cars and even sports cars, the offering is broad.But there’s a recent development that judges have strongly considered, and that’s the discontinuation of the standard i30 hatchback in Australia. The well-liked but less popular sedan and the spicy N versions in both hatch and sedan have all been enough to secure the i30 a place amongst the finalists, though.We’re fans of the i30 Sedan, formerly the Elantra, for its packaging and its efficiency in its hybrid form, and the N version has been widely regarded as one of the best-value hot hatches in the world. With pricing from $29,250 before on-roads and the hybrid only $4000 more expensive, the i30 Sedan offers up decent value for money. Even the N only just sits over the $50K mark with its $52,000 starting price. Extremely strong points for the judges to consider.Well-loved by the CarsGuide team, the Kia EV3 is as good as we wish the larger and better-selling EV5 was. But Kia’s small electric SUV faces strong competition from cheaper entrants from China that offer strong showroom presence.Starting from $47,600 before on-roads, the EV3’s line-up stretches to a hefty $63,950, but most agree the base model is the smartest buy as well as the nicest to drive. Key points that have drawn judges to the EV3 are its cute (but not tacky) styling, its clever packaging, and the useful but not extravagant features.It’s one of the more expensive competitors in our finalists, and it’s being outsold by rivals quite convincingly, but the CarsGuide COTY doesn’t reward showroom figures. Game on.Like the i30 earlier in this list, the Mazda3 is a veteran of the new small car market, with its current generation having been unveiled in 2018.Once seen as pricey compared to rivals, the Mazda3 is now a rather budget-friendly option as cheaper cars have disappeared over the years - and its sleek styling has held up nicely to boot.Starting from $31,310 before on-roads, the Mazda3 has gradually changed with the times, having been through a couple of tech and line-up changes. The hatch and sedan both offer up a competitive front-row environment and engaging dynamics, and despite its age is still one of the best-selling small cars alongside the i30, both trailing the ever-popular Toyota Corolla.Judges have always noted its small boot and lacklustre rear seat, but the former still beats the Corolla and there aren’t many truly spacious second rows in hatches. Is standing out where it matters enough for the judges?Furthering the mix of old and new in the finalists for the category, the MG S5 EV has found favour with judges for backing up its excellent first impressions.Newcomers in the field of budget small SUVs have tended to disappoint, especially dynamically, but the CarsGuide team was impressed by not only how the MG S5 fares compared to the brand’s earlier efforts, but also how it performs even without comparing it to other MGs.Available from $40,490 drive-away and costing just $47,990 for its top-spec variant, its extremely competitive price and solid list of features bolster an already strong offering.Scoring highly in every category across CarsGuide’s review format, the MG S5 EV shouldn’t be considered an underdog in the COTY fight. Mini, even with its less traditional models, is near-universally loved. So it should be little surprise that one of its new models sits in this list.The Countryman is now available in both petrol and electric, though its starting price is a hefty $49,990 before on-roads for the base Countryman Core. That means it just sneaks into this COTY category, even if getting into its EV version starts from $64,990.Still, Minis are rarely on shopping lists for their value offering, and the Countryman offers impressive tech and features, plus dynamic driving and of course that fun Mini styling.In a category where value and convenience are key, it’ll be a hard sell, but the current Countryman is essentially a BMW for less money, and arguably more interesting. Take that into consideration, and things are looking up.It’s been a big couple of years for the Qashqai, with Nissan’s small SUV scoring a big facelift quite quickly after its current third generation showed up. In early 2026, the Qashqai will go hybrid-only and start from $45,640 before on-roads with its front-wheel-drive-only, 140kW e-Power hybrid the only option. But its petrol offerings fell within the bounds of the COTY judging timeline, and so are also part of the consideration.Attractive styling, smooth power delivery and handling, and a now up-to-date interior with practical features all contribute to a convincing package, but the imminent loss of its petrol-only models will mean the Qashqai is set to become around $10,000 more expensive than before at its base level.Nissan’s extremely competitive ownership offering (the warranty is 10 years and 300,000km if you service with Nissan, five-year/unlimited kilometres otherwise) makes the Qashqai even more tempting. Ticking a lot of boxes there.Stylish, niche, quirky… French. The Peugeot 308 in its current generation leans in hard to all of these things, not least because it’s only available in a single, high-spec hybrid variant for $48,990 before on-roads.It’s gorgeous inside, outside, and to drive, but it’s cursed with limited commercial and perceived value appeal - only 88 were sold in 2025.The 308’s features list is strong enough to rival much more expensive alternatives, and its strongest points in terms of dynamics are most likely to appeal specifically to driving enthusiasts.There’s a lot to like about the Pug 308, it’s just that most people forget it exists. A CarsGuide COTY trophy in the cabinet would surely help with the latter issue…Toyota’s baby icon has gone through some changes lately. In the last few years, we’ve seen it grow up from the simple, affordable ‘first-car’ option it once was to be a simple, much less affordable option. Oh, and now there’s a version of it that’s basically a rally car for the road.A Yaris used to be something you could reasonably buy new as a teenager if you were thrifty, now it’s a $28,990 (before on-roads) option at its entry level thanks to its increased level of safety kit and having gone hybrid-only,Fortunately, it’s still an excellent light car, and even though it’s outsold by all its rivals it still does exactly what a city car should do - getting you around efficiently and with no fuss.In terms of how it snagged a spot in the finals for this category, it helps that the GR Yaris hot hatch is one of the two best drivers’ cars Toyota currently builds.Getting into a German SUV doesn’t have to be an expensive operation, and the $34,990 starting price (before on-roads) for the VW T-Cross is proof. Even the top-spec R-Line comes in at $41,490, and the features list is healthy.To boot, the T-Cross is fun to drive, and judges enjoy its practicality inside, plus the sharp styling outside.While not as efficient as some in its class, nor as cheap to own in terms of servicing, the T-Cross offers a step-up from rivals in the class that are seen as practical budget offerings.Still, its last update was in 2024, so it’ll have some work to do to convince judges it’s still up to date.Alphabetically, and probably in terms of public familiarity, the last to make the shortlist is the Zeekr X, a small electric SUV designed in Sweden but built in China.Cousin to the Volvo EX30 and Smart #1, the Zeekr X has good pedigree and the performance to back it up.Liked by judges for its value, bold style and on-road performance, the Zeekr X is one of the bigger unknown quantities in this COTY category.A recent price cut makes it a $49,900 offering before on-roads, meaning it only just slips into the sub-$50K contest, but with its list of features it should prove a compelling contender. 

What feature of your car annoys you the most? I’ll go first. Our eight-year old Skoda locks itself after about 30 seconds. Sounds good, but it isn't. It’s led to all manner of annoying moments, but locking itself while the keys were inside the car probably wins — don’t ask.

It’s been on sale in Australia for less than 12 months but already the Zeekr X EV SUV has been updated in China with a substantial power boost.

First we had to get our heads around the multitude of new brands going on sale in Australia, now we’re trying to cope with the massive power outputs of the models as Chinese brand Lynk & Co launches its 900 large SUV with a plug-in hybrid system producing a colossal 540kW.The price is relatively small too with the Range Rover-sized, and also extremely luxurious 900, listing for about $62,000 in China.There is more than a passing resemblance to the Range Rover, with the hulking 900 featuring a set-back cabin, tall windows and rounded rear end. Inside the cabin has a minimal design with a giant media screen spanning most of the dashboard.The 900 has three rows of two seats with the second row able to be turned to face the third. A giant drop-down roof-mounted  30-inch 6K media screen is also available for entertainment. Powering the 900 is a choice of two powertrains. The first is a plug-in hybrid 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four cylinder engine making a 140kW and that in turn is paired to two electric motors: a 160kW unit on the front axle and a 230kW motor at the rear. Total combined output is 530kW.The second is also a plug-in hybrid but it uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine with two electric motors - one at the front making 123kW and a rear motor making 230kW for a combined 540kW.As for battery size the 1.5-litre variant has a 44.85kW unit while the 2.0-litre version has a 52.38kWh pack. According to Lynk & Co both 900 models have a combined range of up to about 1350km (CLTC)The big news really is the price with the 900 listing from $62,000 in China. It's not known if Lynk & Co will launch the 900 in Australia. Currently the company is holding off its arrival into our market until its parent company, Zeekr, establishes itself here.The past two years have seen numerous Chinese car manufacturers enter the Australian market including BYD, Geely, Leapmotor, Deepal and JAC.Zeekr, which is owned by auto giant Geely, recently took control over Lynk & Co and it is expected to arrive in Australia by 2028.Zeekr meanwhile has launched it little X SUV and its 009 people mover and a mid-sized 7X will arrive in 2025, too.  Zeekr's 9X which uses the same foundations as the Lynk & Co 900 may also arrive in Australia.

Zeekr has cut up to $7000 off the price of its X small electric SUV as it fights off competition from fellow Chinese brands and other rivals such as Tesla and Volkswagen. 

If you’re lost in a sea of announcements of new Chinese brands in Australia, we don’t blame you.But there could yet another as Lynk & Co now comes under Zeekr management and Geely consolidates its two international premium brands.Last month, as part of a brand-wide attempt to lower overlap and streamline costs, it was announced that the hybrid and combustion focused Lynk & Co would come under the control of EV-only Zeekr.To clarify this a little further, it's easiest to think of Geely as having the same poisiton Volkswagen in the VW Group, with Zeekr more like Audi in the wider Geely group.As it is, the brands already share their premium SEA and CMA platform underpinnings as well as many design elements, but are beginning to form significant overlaps in each model range as Zeekr grows.What do these changes mean for the Australian market where Zeekr has only just launched?Speaking to CarsGuide at an international media event in China, Zeekr’s Australian head of marketing Andrew Haurissa explained.“Right now, it’s hard to say. Based on the way we’re moving into different powertrains right now there could be a chance vehicles might happen — it depends whether there’s an appetite for that in the market, but the acquisition or transfer of ownership is certainly a fruitful one for the brand.”“Zeekr will have its own design language and Lynk & Co will have its own design language — they’ll share platform and technology and handling as well.”“It really depends on the product which is made available in right-hand drive — Lynk & Co right now is left-hand drive only and our main focus is Zeekr, getting that brand up and running — we’re only new in Australia, only next week will we have cars out in the market and in the hands of the press.”When asked whether Geely HQ was flexible around what the Zeekr and Lynk & Co ecosystem might look like in local markets like Australia, Haurissa said this was likely to be the case.“I would say so, there might be a plan up the sleeves not in Australia but from a global perspective. Things are moving so fast, Zeekr is moving fast, but we’re also measured in the way we progress."We wouldn’t want to make a decision based on a flurry or forced into a necessity. It needs to be more thought through. We’ve got an ambition of selling, globally, a million cars by 2027. Is it achievable? Absolutely and there’s a strong chance we’ll get there with more products coming into each market.”Zeekr will be one of the first to test our market’s taste for Chinese premium brands.While mainstream options like GWM and MG are marching up the price-scale now, it is only after years of hard work winning sales at price points now abandoned by Japanese and Korean brands.The market is going to be tough, too, with Aion, Jaecoo, Smart, Leapmotor, XPeng, Zeekr and more all hoping premium vibes and sharp prices will tempt traditional Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz buyers.Despite this task, access to Lynk & Co’s range of sporty hybrids could help maximise its appeal in a market where the pace of growth of EV sales is slowing while demand for hybrids seems ever increasing.Its primary current export model to Europe is the 01 SUV which rides on the same CMA underpinnings as the Volvo XC40 using a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. It scores a claimed 75km of fully electric driving range and produces 206kW/535Nm from an electric motor paired to a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine via a three-speed hybrid transmission.As it stands, the Lynk & Co 01 would slot between the fully electric X small SUV and the incoming 7X mid-sizer, as well as offer a plug-in hybrid alternative to its electric or MHEV Volvo XC40 platform-mate.Meanwhile, in the Chinese market Lynk & Co’s expansive range includes everything from the combustion 03 sedan to the Volvo XC90-based 09 SUV, making potential differentiation from Zeekr’s incoming range significant.Regardless, it seems obvious the brand has been re-positioned under Zeekr as a pre-emptive move to be more strategic about each brand’s future products.

ANCAP has released a raft of new scores for eight new models which have landed in Australia this year, with some notable new entrants falling short of the maximum five-star rating.

Zeekr is on the cusp of launching its first model in Australia, the X, priced from $56,900 before on-road costs.

Another week, another new car company joins the Australian market.