Zeekr 9X: China's bargain Rolls-Royce SUV is coming to Europe
A Chinese luxury SUV that rivals the Rolls-Royce Cullinan in size and features but costs a fraction of the price is heading to European showrooms, as Chinese automakers continue their rapid expansion into Western markets.
The Zeekr 9X, a flagship plug-in hybrid SUV from Geely's premium electric vehicle brand, has achieved remarkable success in China and is now targeting European buyers. In its home market, the five-seat version starts at approximately 451,900 yuan ($66,530), while the 2027 Rolls-Royce Cullinan commands a starting price of $442,750 in the United States.
Zeekr is owned by Geely Automobile Holdings, part of the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group conglomerate that also owns Volvo, Polestar, and holds a stake in Mercedes-Benz. The brand was founded in 2021 as Geely's premium electric vehicle division and went public on the New York Stock Exchange in May 2024, though parent company Geely announced plans to take it private again in May 2025.
Impressive specifications and market performance
The 9X measures 5,239mm long, 2,029mm wide and 1,819mm tall, making it 32mm longer and 75mm wider than the Mercedes-Benz GLS. It features a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine paired with either two or three electric motors. The tri-motor variant delivers 1,381 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds.
Advanced technology includes 6C ultra-fast charging on a 900V high-voltage architecture, allowing the battery to charge from 20% to 80% in approximately nine minutes. The vehicle offers a combined range of up to 1,250 kilometres.
Sales data from July 2026 shows Zeekr delivered 45,731 units of the 9X crossover, with cumulative deliveries surpassing 65,000 units. The model has topped China's high-end SUV segment for seven consecutive months, demonstrating strong consumer acceptance in its home market.
Chinese brands gain European foothold
The European launch comes as Chinese automotive manufacturers significantly increase their presence on the continent. Chinese brands accounted for approximately 6% of EU car registrations between January and April 2026, double the 3.2% market share in the same period of 2025. Chinese manufacturers now capture over 15% of the European electric vehicle market.
However, the expansion faces regulatory challenges. The European Union imposed tariffs ranging from 7.8% to 35.3% on Chinese-made electric vehicles in late 2024. In January 2026, Brussels introduced a minimum price undertaking system that allows Chinese manufacturers to avoid tariffs by committing to minimum selling prices.
These trade measures have influenced market dynamics. Electric cars produced in China accounted for 17% of the EU battery electric vehicle market in the first quarter of 2026, down from a peak of 22% in 2024 when tariffs were introduced. Western brands including Tesla, BMW and Volvo have shifted production from China to Europe in response.
The Zeekr 9X's European arrival will test whether Chinese luxury vehicles can successfully compete with established premium brands in Western markets, particularly given the significant price advantage it offers over traditional luxury SUVs.
