First Look Review: The Zeekr 009 minivan attempts to do it all!

  • The MPV is equipped with Qilin batteries that offers 822 km (510 mi.) of CLTC range
  • Zeekr's second launch is based on the SEA Platform & offers seating for 6
  • Gets 200 kW motors on the front and rear & rides on 20-inch wheels
  • Gets optional air suspension, 'Smart Bar,' 15.4-inch touchscreen & rear tray tables

As automakers capitalize on China’s new three-child policy, the electric three-row MPV segment in the country is significantly expanding. Zeekr, a new Geely brand on the market, entered the segment not long after releasing its first model, which was the 001 SUV.

Called ‘Zeekr 009,’ the electric minivan, which reached Chinese customers in early 2023, is now available in Europe and other global markets. In March, I got a chance to fully explore the Zeekr 009, and here’s what I think about the three-row electric MPV.

Design

Zeekr 009 front three quarter right side live image
If I have to describe its front-end in a sentence, the Zeekr 009 is a stylish minivan with a futuristic light-up grille!

Zeekr designed the 009 at its global design center in Gothenburg, Sweden, with Stefan Sielaff, Geely Auto Group’s Vice President of Global Design, overseeing the project. The company manufactures it in Ningbo, China. I didn’t find any faults or quality concerns in the unit that I examined.

Front

Zeekr 009 front live image
The massive grille and split headlights of the Zeekr 009 complement its shape and proportions well.

At the front, the Zeekr 009 features a huge, Rolls-Royce-style stately grille with a thick slab of chrome at the top and vertical struts. However, options for less shiny grilles are also available. This grille consists of multi-purpose 154 LED dot-matrix lights. The new electric MPV has edgy split headlamps, consisting of inverted U-shaped DRLs on the top and horizontal main lamps in the middle section of the bumper.

Overall, I think the 009 has a rather busy front fascia. I would’ve liked a more conventional design for the lights and a less imposing look for the grille.

Side

Zeekr 009 side profile live image
The Zeekr 009 features 20-inch alloy wheels and electric sliding doors. The steeply raked A-Pillars add plenty of flavor to the design.

On the sides, in addition to some typical features of minivans, such as sliding rear doors, large windows, and upright D-pillars, the 009 has 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels, C-pillar trim, and standard door handles. The thick chrome strip above the windows strikes me as tacky, although the kick in the beltline before the C-pillar adds a neat touch. While flush-fitted door handles would’ve looked better, I found the traditional ones more convenient.

Rear

Zeekr 009 rear three quarter live image
The 009 mixes a traditional MPV shape with futuristic design cues. I particularly like the tail lamps and the connecting light band.

At the rear, the electric minivan features an upright tailgate with a huge windscreen, which is the largest in its class, T-shaped combination lamps, a narrow full-width light band right above the combination lamps, and a block-lettered brand logo.

Interior & Features

The Zeekr 009 has a sleek, curvy dashboard featuring an intricate pattern, a 10.25-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster, a large floating touchscreen infotainment system, and neat ambient light stripes. A high-set center console is connected to the dashboard, and there’s a large free storage space below it. Overall, I think it looks modern and elegant.

Zeekr offers the 009 in a 6-seat version and an even more comfort-oriented 4-seat version. This particular model was the 6-seat version, with a 2+2+2 seating layout. Zeekr sells it in ‘WE’ and ‘ME’ variants, and based on the features, I understand that the 009 I saw at the 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show was in the top-end Me variant.

Steering & armrest

The electric MPV features a three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel with a flattened bottom and contrast stitching. I think it’s perfectly sized and chunky enough to feel solid to hold. The floor console is set high and houses an armrest that doubles as a butterfly lid to secure a roomy storage compartment lying underneath.

15.4-inch touchscreen

The center touchscreen is a large 15.4-inch display with a landscape orientation and curved corners. For rear-seat entertainment, a ceiling-mounted 15.6-inch screen offers five pre-set viewing angle adjustments. This, and the center infotainment system, run on Zeekr OS software. The Yamaha premium audio system comprises 6 speakers integrated into the driver’s & middle-row occupants’ headrests and 14 more high-fidelity speakers around the cabin for an immersive surround-sound effect.

Connected car technology comes by means of ‘Mobile App’ remote control, while there’s an in-car app market as well. A high-speed 5G network is also available, with OTA vehicle updates offered by the company.

Sofaro first class seats

The second row features two ‘Sofaro first-class’ seats, upholstered in soft Nappa leather and have up to 12 cm (4.7 in.) of cushioning. They boast electric adjustments, massage options with memory and extra-wide headrests with side bolsters. Further, these seats can be heated or cooled and feature customizable profiles as well.

Retractable leather-lined tray tables are housed within the inner armrests, and the side armrests feature a storage compartment. Additionally, a small touchscreen designed into the sliding doors allows for interaction with the climate control system. I found the individual seats in the second row to be quite comfortable

Zeekr 009 third-row seat live image
Individual seats get a reclining function in the third row.

Sunroof & storage

The Zeekr 009 features a dual-sunroof design that provides an impressive 7.4 square meters (79.6 square feet) of glass real estate, allowing light to flood the cabin for a greater sense of space and airiness. The maximum storage volume of the trunk is 2,979 liters (105.2 cubic feet).

Some of the Zeekr 009’s other features include wireless phone charging, ‘AI Mate intelligent assistant’ with deep learning capabilities, Face ID recognition, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control with autonomous emergency braking, Driver Status Monitoring, Lane Change Warning & Lane Keeping Assist, among other safety features.

Specifications

Zeekr 009 front three quarter live image
The Zeekr 009 is a full-size MPV with a long wheelbase that measures 3,205 mm (126.1 in.).

Zeekr claims the 009’s shell consists of the world’s largest single-piece die-casted rear aluminum body. Measuring 1.4 meters in length and 1.6 meters in width, this rear body comes from the world’s largest, 7,200-ton die-casting machine. Single-piece die-casted body makes the vehicle stiffer, which reduces deformations in the event of an impact.

Powertrain

The electric minivan is propelled by two high-performance Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors with a combined output of 400 kW (536 hp) and 686 Nm (506 lb.-ft.) of torque, spinning all four tires using an intelligent four-wheel-drive system. Power for the electric motors comes from either a 116 kWh or 140 kWh ternary lithium-ion battery pack. The larger of these packs offer a maximum range of 822 km (510 mi.), while the smaller unit allows a range of up to 702 km (436 mi.), as per a CLTC combined cycle.

The Zeekr 009 is the world’s first model to integrate batteries with CATL’s third-gen ‘cell-to-pack technology’. The so-called Qilin batteries have the potential to offer a range of over 1,000 km (621 miles), thanks to a high-volume utilization efficiency of 72% and a high energy density of up to 255 Wh/kg.

Zeekr 009 rear three quarter left side live image
I feel that the Zeekr 009 has the space, comfort, features, and the range to compete in the U.S. market.

The Qilin batteries have been developed by CATL for both Li-NMC and LFP cells. The 255 Wh/kg energy density is possible with Li-NMC cells, while the highest possible energy density with LFP cells is 160 Wh/kg. Zeekr hasn’t revealed the 009 MPV’s charging speeds, though CATL claims its new-age batteries can be fast-charged from 10-80% SoC in just 10 minutes!

AspectZeekr 009 Specification (WE)Zeekr 009 Specification (ME)
Length5,209 mm (205 in.)5,209 mm (205 in.)
Width2,024 mm (79.6 in.)2,024 mm (79.6 in.)
Height1,848 mm (72.7 in.)1,858 mm (73.1 in.)
Wheelbase3,205 mm (126.1 in.)3,205 mm (126.1 in.)
Seating Layout2+2+22+2+2
No. of Motors22
Drivetrain LayoutAWDAWD
Power400 kW (536 hp)400 kW (536 hp)
Torque686 Nm (506 lb.-ft.)686 Nm (506 lb.-ft.)
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) Acceleration Time4.5 seconds4.5 seconds
Battery Pack116 kWh NCM140 kWh NCM
CLTC Range702 km (436 mi.)822 km (510 mi.)
Zeekr 009 specifications (Source: Zeekr)

Price

In China, the base WE variant of the Zeekr 009 electric MPV is priced at CNY 500,000 (USD 68,991), and the top-end ME variant at CNY 588,000 (USD 81,134).

Also Read: First Look Review: VW ID. Buzz heads to U.S. dealers later this year

TopElectricSUV says

In China, the premium MPV market is dominated by foreign carmakers, with Buicks, Toyotas, Hondas, VWs, and even Mercedes models competing relentlessly with local players. However, with the emergence of the new energy vehicle segment, Chinese brands have stayed ahead of the curve with vans like the Voyah Dreamer, Denza D9, Maxus MIFA 9, and the Hongqi HM9 grabbing the limelight. For Zeekr, the launch of the 009 presents another opportunity to not just improve sales, but also its brand appeal.

Zeekr 009 FAQs

What is the Zeekr 009’s price?

Base variant: CNY 500,000 (USD 68,991); Top-end: CNY 588,000 (USD 81,134)

What is the Zeekr 009’s range?

The 009 comes in 702 km & 822 km (436 mi & 510 mi) range versions.

Which are the rivals to the 009?

The Maxus MIFA 9 and the Voyah Dreamer are two close rivals of the 009.