After nearly a year of anticipation， the Zeekr 9X， dubbed the “Cullinan of Hangzhou Bay，” has officially launched. With an entry-level Max version priced at 465，900 yuan and the top-tier Yaohei version at 599，900 yuan， its price point is less than one-tenth of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
As one of the most premium models from domestic brands， can the Zeekr 9X truly offer an experience comparable to Rolls-Royce? The exterior and interior design of the 9X have been publicly revealed for some time， so we will focus on a more in-depth review of specific features.
The overall exterior design exudes a classic ultra-luxury aesthetic. Its 5.2-meter full-size body， vertical chrome grille， large diameter wheels， and “butterfly doors” all contribute to an overwhelmingly opulent presence. This design language clearly aims to emulate the visual cues of established luxury vehicles.
The front headlights utilize DLP technology， enabling “light carpet” illumination and projection capabilities. Zeekr has also developed various lighting effects to enhance the emotional experience. This combination of features might sound familiar; indeed， the supplier for these advanced headlights is Huawei， with similar technology also employed in the AITO M9. This partnership highlights the increasing collaboration between automotive manufacturers and technology giants in developing cutting-edge features.
The interior upholds a similarly luxurious standard. High-quality Nappa full-grain leather is used on all touch surfaces， offering a remarkably fine and tactile feel. The attention to material selection and craftsmanship is evident， aiming to create a truly premium cabin environment.
The Naim audio system， a component also found in Bentley vehicles， boasts a peak power of 3868W. Describing its performance is challenging; experiencing it firsthand is highly recommended. Even for those without a discerning ear， the system’s soundstage， frequency response， and resolution are profoundly impressive. However， a minor point of concern is the metallic speaker grilles， which have a somewhat sharp edge and could potentially cause discomfort. This is a small detail that Zeekr should address in the production models.
The rear-seat experience is paramount in a vehicle of this caliber. The Zeekr 9X comes standard with zero-gravity seats in the second row， which is a common feature in this segment. However， the massage function in the 9X deserves special mention. Utilizing two 12-liter air pumps， it can rapidly adjust the intensity and frequency of the massage. While claiming it rivals a professional masseuse might be an exaggeration， the 9X’s massage system provides a genuinely deep and relaxing experience， far beyond the typical airbag squeezing found in most cars.
While rear-seat entertainment screens are now commonplace， the 9X features a unique “flying wing” sliding screen. Controlled by a separate rail， it can move forward and backward. This innovative design offers two significant advantages. Firstly， it allows for the integration of an entertainment screen without sacrificing the panoramic sunroof， a feat not achievable in other vehicles with rear entertainment systems. Secondly， and more importantly for a luxury vehicle， it enhances passenger comfort and personalization. Instead of passengers having to adjust their seating position to align with a fixed screen for optimal viewing， the screen can now be moved to match the occupant’s preferred seating position， elevating the overall in-car entertainment experience.
The third-row experience is not a primary focus of this vehicle， evident from the narrowness of the central passagem， which is no wider than two fists. Although Zeekr includes a physical button for the second-row seats to move forward with one touch， neither method is particularly swift. The space and comfort in the third row are comparable to mainstream six-seater vehicles， suitable for shorter journeys. However， given the 9X’s positioning， the third row is exceptionally well-equipped， featuring heating and electric adjustment as standard. Uniquely， it also includes a separate sunroof and an electric sunblind for the third row. Considering the 9X’s target market， it’s likely that the third row will not be frequently occupied. If Zeekr were to introduce a “Glory” version， omitting the third row entirely and dedicating that space to a larger trunk and an even more luxurious second-row experience would better align with the vehicle’s premium positioning.
The 9X features a closed-chamber dual-air suspension system combined with dual-valve CCD， which represents the near-theoretical limit for semi-active suspension systems. Does this translate to a superior ride experience? Upon first driving the 9X， it offers a distinctly different feel from other Zeekr models. Previously， Zeekr vehicles were known for their sportier suspension with strong support. In terms of sheer technical capability， this suspension system holds significant potential for sporty tuning. However， it’s clear that the 9X is not designed with sportiness as its primary objective; instead， it prioritizes an exceptionally comfortable ride. In comfort mode， the “magic carpet” effect of the chassis is pronounced， effectively smoothing out road imperfections and minimizing vibrations transmitted into the cabin. Compared to a Rolls-Royce， the Zeekr’s “magic carpet” still retains a subtle connection to the road， offering a degree of feedback that instills confidence in handling. While the vehicle’s core identity is luxury and comfort， a hint of Zeekr’s inherent driving dynamics is still present.
Our test drive of the Ultra version did not include the 48V active anti-roll bars. Coupled with the vehicle’s comfort-oriented tuning， the sport mode， while present， is not overly aggressive. The suspension damping and lateral support remain relatively comfortable rather than rigidly taut. It is highly anticipated to experience the version equipped with active anti-roll bars， as this configuration is likely to represent the 9X’s full potential in terms of sporty driving dynamics.
Similar to the suspension calibration， the steering of the 9X is not overly sensitive. There is a noticeable play in the initial stages of the turn， meaning it doesn’t offer pinpoint accuracy. However， this tuning makes for a stress-free driving experience in everyday conditions. With a front wheel angle of 41.5 degrees， the turning radius is approximately 11 meters， which is an excellent figure for a 5.2-meter vehicle. Nevertheless， the steering ratio in low-speed situations， particularly during U-turns， can be quite slow， requiring numerous turns of the steering wheel and feeling somewhat cumbersome.
The Ultra version we tested is equipped with dual motors， delivering a combined power output of 660 kW. This level of power is more than sufficient for any driving scenario; in sport mode， a simple press of the accelerator will result in rapid acceleration. The 205 kW 2.0T engine primarily functions as a generator， though it can engage in direct drive when necessary.
Extended-range hybrid powertrains are a significant trend in the automotive industry. The 9X offers a choice of 55 kWh and 70 kWh 6C ternary lithium batteries. These batteries can charge from 20% to 80% SoC in just 9 minutes， making it feasible to operate as a pure electric vehicle for daily urban commuting.
Land Rover’s highly acclaimed all-terrain mode intelligently adjusts suspension height， power distribution， and differential locking based on the road conditions， allowing even novice off-roaders to tackle challenging terrain with confidence. Zeekr has incorporated a similar intelligent all-terrain mode into the 9X. In addition to standard road driving， an off-road course was arranged for testing. Due to recent rain， the course was particularly rugged and muddy. The 9X， in all-terrain mode， proved to be remarkably effortless to drive. Even in deep mud ruts， where one might expect to get stuck， the 9X navigated through with stability.
However， the ability to overcome obstacles is distinct from being suited for off-roading. Navigating a large， 5-meter-plus vehicle through narrow jungle trails can be a tiring experience. While the 9X possesses the capability， it is not recommended for owners to engage in serious off-road adventures. The 9X is best suited to fulfilling its role as a Rolls-Royce Cullinan equivalent.
Regarding NVH (Noise， Vibration， and Harshness) performance， mitigating noise in boxy SUV designs is challenging. In addition to conventional sound insulation materials and acoustic glass， Zeekr has incorporated active noise cancellation technology for engine and road noise. The actual noise levels are comparable to the Zeekr MEGA， placing them among the best in class， with excellent insulation from ambient and road noise. However， as it is not a pure electric vehicle， some engine noise is still audible during sudden acceleration in hybrid mode.
Overall， as a flagship product， the 9X lives up to its designation in terms of features and experience. The fact that it received over 10，000 confirmed orders within 13 minutes of its launch is a testament to the public’s strong approval. Furthermore， the reported high proportion of orders for the Hyper version suggests that at this premium level， cost-effectiveness becomes secondary to achieving the most luxurious experience. This indicates a shift in consumer priorities towards prestige and unparalleled refinement.
In conclusion， the question remains whether the 9X truly measures up to the “Cullinan” standard. From a purely technical and feature-based perspective， the Zeekr 9X arguably surpasses the Cullinan. However， for ultra-luxury vehicles， features are merely the foundation. True luxury lies in the ambiance， the brand narrative， and the ability to weave a compelling story – elements that transcend mere specifications. Cars like the Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga maintain their dominance and command significant price premiums due to these intangible yet widely recognized qualities. As domestic brands continue to excel in feature competition， the challenge lies in how to effectively articulate their luxury narrative and create unique value propositions that resonate with consumers， fostering a sense of exclusivity and belonging. This will be a crucial consideration for any brand aspiring to ascend to the pinnacle of the luxury automotive market.
