A new challenger has arrived at the villa.
It isn’t a love interest, but the Zeekr 7L is definitely making waves. Even if sales charts haven’t screamed dominance yet, the buzz is real. Drivers are talking. Online traffic is spiking. CarExpert saw the engagement numbers and knew we had to get our hands on the 2026 7X Long Range for a proper long-term test. We need to know if the hype holds up.
The price tag? Just under $64k before on-road costs. That lands it right in the thick of the fight against the Tesla Model Y and BYD’s latest efforts. But is a Chinese brand’s mid-size electric SUV really worth the attention?
Let’s dig into the details.
The Price Tag and Who It’s Fighting
Money talks. The base 7X starts around $57.9k. But the Long Range rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variant we’re testing starts at $63.9k plus on-roads. Add Crystal White paint ($1500) and the Black/Grey PU interior upgrade ($1500), and our test mule sits at $66.9k plus on-roads, roughly $73.4k drive-away.
That’s expensive for some, competitive for others.
The 7X Long Range RWD competes directly with:
* Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range Awd ($68.9k+)
* BYD Sealion 7 Performance ($463k)
* Kia EV5 Earth ($44k)
* Cupra Tavascan Endurance (64.4k)
* Skoda Enyaq 85s Sportline ($44k drive-away)
Zeekr positions itself as premium, backed by Geely. But in the Australian market, it’s fighting for space against entrenched names and aggressive newcomers. The value proposition needs to be undeniable.
Under the Hood: Big Battery, Same Motor
Peel back the sheet metal. You get a frunk. Not much room for luggage, but it’s there.
Underneath, the Long Range variant swaps the base model’s 75kWh battery for a massive 100kWh unit. It uses NMC chemistry. The single-motor rear-wheel-drive layout stays the same.
Zeekr promises 420kW DC fast-charging thanks to an 800-volt architecture. Fun fact: Good luck finding an Australian charger that delivers that. We have to settle for the 350kW “Ultra-Fast” network and a handful of 400kW sites.
But the range? The WLTP figure jumps to 615km. That is serious distance.
Weight? The bigger battery adds only 20kg. Our test car weighs 2265kg. The motor produces 310kW and 440Nm. It’s not faster on paper than the base model, but the efficiency gains are the story here.
“Is the 615km range achievable in the real world? That’s the question we’re here to answer.”
Spec Sheet: What Do You Actually Get?
The base 7X RWD comes loaded. Standard kit includes:
* 19-inch alloy wheels
* LED headlights
* Rain-sensing wipers
* Panoramic glass roof with power sunshade
* Autonomous parking assist
* Sentry Mode
* 13.02-inch driver display
* 16-inch infotainment touchscreen
* Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
* Sat-nav
* 10-speaker audio system
* Two 50W wireless chargers
* Tri-zone climate control
* Four-zone voice commands
* Ambient lighting
* Leatherette upholstery
* 14-way power front seats with memory
* Heated front and rear seats
* Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
Step up to the Long Range RWD, and you get extra goodies:
* Rear privacy glass
* 36.2-inch heads-up display
* Power-adjustable steering column
* Massaging front seats
* Ventilated front seats
It’s a lot of kit for the money. Does it feel premium? Or is it just a lot of buttons and screens?
Safety Scores: Five Stars All Around
The entire 7X lineup holds a five-star ANCAP rating, dated 2025. No compromises on safety across variants.
Standard features include:
* Seven airbags
* Adaptive cruise control
* Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) for cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and junctions
* Auto Lane Change assist
* Blind-spot monitoring
* Cross-traffic alert (front/rear)
* Driver monitoring system
* Lane-centering and lane-keep assist
* Surround-view camera
* Traffic jam assist
* Speed sign recognition
It’s a robust safety suite. But does the technology actually help in dense Melbourne traffic or wide-open country highways? We’ll see.
Running Costs: Warranty and Service
Zeekr Australia offers five years/unlimited kilometers warranty. Roadside assistance is included. The high-voltage battery carries an eight-year or 160,00km warranty, guaranteeing 70% state-of-health.
Service pricing is still being finalized. Previously, the dual-motor Performance model had a five-year plan at $2385. Expect similar pricing here, but we’re waiting on confirmation.
Compare that to Tesla’s simpler but sometimes pricier servicing, and Zeekr is offering strong coverage.
The Verdict So Far
Early signs are promising. But we haven’t lived with the 7X Long Range RWD long enough to judge its soul.
Over the next few months, we’ll put it through its paces. Day-to-day commuting. Weekend trips. Software updates. Real-world range testing against that claimed 615km figure.
Will it frustrate you with its Chinese user interface quirks? Or will the comfort and range win you over?
We’re living with it. Watch this space.
Got questions about the Zeekr 7x long-term ownership costs? Or curious about how it handles snow (if you’re brave enough to take it there)? Drop a comment below. We’re reading every word.
CarExpert can help you negotiate a deal on the Zeekr 7X. Don’t pay retail if you don’t have to.
