Geely’s Zeekr 007 was launched in December 2023. It is winner of the Reddot Car Design 2024. With a starting price of 209,900 yuan (29,000 USD), this B-class all-electric luxury sedan is a direct rival to the Xiaomi SU7 and Tesla Model 3. Let’s examine this vehicle to see how it performs on suburban roads in China. 

Booking for a test drive

Like my experience with the BYD Yuan UP test drive, I had to make a reservation 2 to 3 days in advance to ensure the car is available. A sales representative will then call me to confirm the time and date of the test drive. 

Upon arriving for the Zeekr 007 test drive, I was waiting to be served in the largest shopping mall in Zhuhai. No, I was not there to buy a pair of running shoes or wait for a table at a restaurant. I was there to test drive a car. In China, NEV makers like having small showrooms (to display one or two vehicles) in shopping malls, providing convenience to shoppers and promoting their new brands to a broader audience. Car brands like Huawei’s Aito, Li Auto, and Nio are also located in the same shopping mall.  

First Impressions

Our test car was the Zeekr 007 Smart AWD, priced at 259,900 yuan (35,900 USD). Its outward appearance is sporty yet muscular. It is the only Zeekr model without the iconic Zeekr/ Lynk & Co separate daytime running lights, but the Zeekr Stargate 90-inch interactive light, which can project customizable images and text with a brightness of 10,000 nits. To improve aerodynamics, Zeekr has removed the car’s door handles. It has a continuous taillight design. Stefan Sielaff, the former Audi and Bentley designer, oversaw the design of the Zeekr 007. 

The Interior

Stepping into the Zeekr 007 Smart AWD is a luxurious experience. The doors open electronically with a press of a button on the B-pillar, immediately signaling the vehicle’s high-end status. The cabin is adorned with a combination of Nappa leather and suede, and the driver’s seat offers ventilation and massage functions for comfort and back support. The car is equipped with a 15-inch OLED center screen and a 35.5-inch AR-HUD, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 CPU, ensuring a lag-free and smooth user experience.

The Zeekr 007 Smart AWD doesn’t compromise on passenger comfort. Rear passengers will appreciate the spaciousness, with ample headroom and knee room. The back support can be adjusted electronically for personalized comfort. While sitting upright may be less comfortable due to the lowered H-point of the rear seats, taller passengers can still find comfort by placing their feet under the front seats. This design feature ensures a comfortable ride for all occupants. 

The large panoramic sunroof did not feel hot. It is integrated with a “nano-silvered privacy dome,” offering varying levels of transparency and thermal insulation.

Storage

There is a small frunk which can store the charging cables. The boot is deep with a large opening. The rear seats can be folded down for extra storage. 

Behind the Wheel

We took the Zeekr 007 on suburban roads in Zhuhai to see how it performed. Once I started driving the car, the first thing I noticed was how quiet it was. There is very little road noise inside the cabin. The car felt low to the ground, yet it provided decent visibility. The Head-up Display was a little too bright, which required getting used to. 

The Zeekr 007 is based on pure electric product architecture, Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA).  It has an integrated mega-casting rear-end aluminum body. “This car drives like a European car,” I said while driving. “Yes, we had the team from Lotus tune this car for us,” the Zeekr representative next to me responded. Not only is the steering precise and accurate, but it also provides adequate feedback from the roads. The vehicle gave me the confidence to turn corners at higher speeds. 

The Zeekr 007 Smart AWD has two motors: 165 kW in the front and 310 kW in the rear. This model can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds despite weighing over two tons. Remembering all the recent clips of the Xiaomi SU7 crashes, I was highly conscious during this test drive. I do not see headlines on social media that read, “Car News China reporter crashing high-powered EV in China.” When we arrived on a straight road with the car traveling at less than 30 km/h, the Zeekr representative quietly put the car into sports mode, “Do not go over the speed of 130 km/h.” It took a moment to set in. Then it happened. I floored the accelerator. Immediately, I heard screams from the rear passengers. I only took the Zeekr 007 from 30 – 60 km/h. But it felt so fast, and I found a grin on my face, enjoying that brief moment of pure acceleration that could only be found in the territory of the Honda NSX and Audi R8 V10 not long ago. 

The Zeekr 007 Performace can do 0 – 100 in 2.84 seconds with the same motor configuration but with a lighter body weight. Only available in “Kung Fu Yellow,” the performance version plays homage to Bruce Lee from the movie Game of Death. “How does the Zeekr 007 Performace drive?” I wandered aloud. “I have yet to see one,” the Zeekr representative replied. It is rarer than I expected. 

As we re-entered the shopping mall’s parking lot, we found a difficult parking space to test the auto parking system. We brought the car to a complete stop, and then the Zeekr representative used the 15-inch OLED center screen to select the desired parking space. On the first try, quite a few cars drove beside us, confusing the system. It took seconds for the Zeekr 007 to park successfully on the second try.

Battery Range

Our test car, the Zeekr 007 Smart AWD, has two battery options: Zeekr’s 75 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Golden battery (616 km CTLC) and CATL’s 100 kWh NMC battery (770 km CTLC), which is offered as an optional upgrade at 20,000 yuan (2,760 USD). The Zeekr representative informed me that more people buy the longer-range battery. 

Safety Features

Zeekr 007 has Zeekr’s Advanced Driver-Assistant System (ADAS) co-developed with Nvidia. Sensors used in this system include:

1. Lidar: lidar technology uses laser pulses to measure distances and depths to perceive surroundings accurately.
2. 12 high-definition cameras: these cameras offer a full view of the vehicle’s surroundings, aiding in lane-keeping, collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection.
3. 5 millimeter-wave radars: this radar technology improves the car’s object detection capabilities, even in challenging weather conditions.

Conclusion

Geely’s Zeekr 007 is a high-tech luxury sedan with personality. It is suitable for daily driving and long-distance travel. This car can be either comfortable or engaging when required. While the styling may not be for everyone, it is an excellent alternative to the Xiaomi SU7, Tesla Model 3, and BMW i3. Like its siblings, Zeekr X & Zeekr 009, it’s only a question of time before it’s launched beyond China’s borders.