Zeekr X is Volvo’s new competitor, but it has one major drawback

You may not have heard of Zeekr before, but that’s about to change. The brand has established itself in the Netherlands and the order books for two models have already been opened. Before you order one right away, Autovisie already dives into the Zeekr X – the brand’s most affordable electric vehicle. Does it compete with the Volvo EX30?

In addition to the Zeekr X, the 001 is also coming to the Netherlands. You can read more about the former Lynk & Co. and the gigantic 009 here.

Back to the Zeekr X, because we haven’t covered that model yet. The all-electric crossover is basically identical to the Volvo EX30 and the Smart #1. They are based on the same SEA platform from the Chinese manufacturer Geely.

Zeekr X is the new competitor of the Volvo EX30

With a length of 4.32 meters, the Zeekr is longer than the Smart (+6 centimeters) and the Volvo (+10 centimeters). And that provides significantly more luggage space. The Smart has 313 liters of luggage space, the Volvo 318 liters and the Zeekr 362 liters. However, you have to pay for this extra space.

Prices Volvo, Smart and Zeekr

The X has the same powertrains as the #1. That means 272 hp and 343 Nm rear-wheel drive with a range of 440 kilometers and 428 hp and 543 Nm all-wheel drive with a range of 400 kilometers. The price at Zeekr? 45,490 euros for the entry-level model and 50,490 euros for all-wheel drive.

At Smart you pay 41,395 euros for the entry-level model with the same drive and the fast all-wheel drive Brabus version costs less than 49 grand.

Volvo takes a slightly different approach and delivers the EX30 from 36,795 euros. For this money you get the 272 hp drive, but a battery with which you can only travel 344 kilometers. The version with a length of 440 kilometers, comparable to the entry-level model at Zeekr and Smart, costs 41,495 euros for the EX30. The AWD costs just under 50 grand at Volvo.

While prices are easy to compare, it’s absolutely not like Zeekr is charging more for the same car. The platform is similar, but the dimensions are different, for example.

Electric brothers not directly comparable

Each car has its own design and one model is equipped differently than the other. Unlike the Volvo, for example, the Zeekr has a digital instrument cluster and the X gets a huge 24.3-inch augmented reality head-up display.

The Smart #1 will be delivered after this summer, the Zeekr X will be in the Netherlands at the end of this year. The first Volvo EX30 will be delivered in early 2024. Don’t want to miss a test? Then subscribe to Autovisie Magazine.