Can Zeekr 9X Compete With European EVs in the UAE?

Abu Dhabi: Chinese auto group Geely-owned, premium SUV brand, Zeekr, first unveiled the 9X, a flagship, full-size, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in April this year, where it created quite a stir.  The presale started at the Chengdu Auto Show in August 2025, and the official commercial launch in China followed in late September.

It is now available for pre-order in the UAE. This all-new PHEV SUV is making its way to international markets, including the UAE. Here, it enters a rather tricky space largely dominated by premium European electric SUVs. The likes of BMW iX, Mercedes EQE SUV, and Audi Q8 e-tron. These brands have a history and strong brand pull in the Emirates. Zeekr is trying to enter into their domains to disrupt the space with a solid product. It has specs and pricing working in its favour, but can it take on the Mighty European? Let's find out.

Zeekr 9X vs European EVs: The Real Battle

For long, European brands have been enjoying a tremendous run in the UAE market. Car buyers, enthusiasts love European brands. They are highly visible across cities and towns. You go to any street or mall in Dubai, and finding a German badge is just so common. Chinese brands looking for growth away from the domestic market are now expanding rapidly in the Middle East, and we see many cars on our roads made in China. They’re promising to bring the best product to take on established brands. This is especially true in the alternative energy vehicle, EV and PHEV. Chinese brands are taking the competition head-on, trying to win over buyers in the Emirates. Zeekr, the premium brand of the Chinese group Geely, faces its new offering. It's not about whether the 9X is good enough; it probably is. The real task is convincing buyers to trust a name they've never heard of over brands they grew up respecting.

And to make quite an impact, Zeekr is relying on its best offering, something the buyers would get excited about. And you would notice, PHEV, the 9X's pure electric range (CLTC) is up to 302 km (70 kWh battery) or 300 km (55 kWh). Total combined range (electric + petrol) reaches 1,200–1,250 km. That's more than many European rivals. The battery tech comes from Zeekr's parent company Geely, which owns Volvo and Polestar. So the engineering expertise is not a big problem, even if the badge doesn't carry weight yet.

Also, what works in favour of the 9X is really the price. European EVs in this segment are expensive. A BMW iX starts around AED 450,000. The Mercedes EQE SUV isn't far behind. The Audi Q8 e-tron sits in similar territory. These are established players with strong dealer networks and service centres across the Emirates. They offer refinement, build quality, and that intangible premium feel.

Zeekr take on that with its exceptionally attractive value. The 9X undercuts European rivals by a significant margin while offering comparable, sometimes better, tech and space. The interior is greatly impressive with ambient lighting, multiple screens, and a build quality that doesn't feel cheap. It's not Mercedes-level, but it's closer than you'd expect.

The real question is service and support. European brands have been here for decades. You can get your BMW serviced in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, or Al Ain without stress. Zeekr is building that network now. Early adopters will need to trust that the infrastructure catches up. That's something the customers will want to get into a premium car, and a big reason convincing buyers is a tough ask.

Range anxiety is less of an issue in the UAE than in other markets. Most driving happens within cities or between Emirates, and the distances are quite comfortable to manage. But charging infrastructure still favours established brands with partnerships already in place. Zeekr will need to work fast to build relationships with charging networks.

The 9X has one advantage European rivals don't: it's designed as a full-size SUV from the ground up. Most European EVs in this price range are SUVs retrofitted with electric powertrains. The 9X offers better interior space utilisation, more practical seating arrangements, and storage solutions that make sense for families in the UAE. So, looking at the market right now, it is hard to beat the marquee European brands; they have been around for a long time and defined the industry for decades. People have grown up with their car. However, the world of auto has been rapidly evolving with technologies and new brands. If you need seven seats and aren't concerned much about the brand, or rather are open to trying out a new one, the Zeekr makes a strong case.

Top Highlights

Exterior

• Modern and Sleek SUV design with a 3,169mm wheelbase for maximum interior space
• Frameless doors on create a modern, cohesive look
• Flush door handles reduce drag and improve aerodynamics
• Full-width LED light bar at the rear distinguishes it from conventional SUVs
• The panoramic glass roof extends across the first and second rows
• 22-inch(23-inch option) alloy wheels come standard with an aerodynamic spoke design
• Electric sliding rear doors make access easier in tight parking spots
• Low coefficient of 0.29 helps extend range efficiency

Interior

• Three-row seating configuration accommodates up to seven passengers
• Second-row captain's chairs feature leg rests and massage functions
• 17.3-inch 3K floating central screen Zeekr's proprietary infotainment system
• Nappa leather upholstery on higher trims feels genuinely premium
• Ambient lighting with 256 colours adjustable through the main screen
• 32-speaker Naim audio system developed with Yamaha for audiophile-grade quality
• Wireless charging pads for front and second-row passengers
• An intelligent fragrance system and premium features

Safety

• Multiple airbags, including curtain airbags for all three rows
• Advanced driver assistance systems with adaptive cruise control
• Lane keeping assist and lane departure warning come standard
• Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• 360-degree camera system with transparent chassis view
• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Traffic sign recognition adjusts speed alerts automatically
• Electric parking brake with auto-hold function for stop-and-go traffic

Powertrain

Specification	Details
Engine	2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 petrol, 275 hp
Thermal Efficiency	Over 46%
Electric Motors	1 motor (290 kW / 389 hp) front, 2 motors (370 kW / 496 hp each) rear
Total Combined Power	Up to 1030 kW (1381 hp)
Torque	Around 1410 Nm
Acceleration (0-100 km/h)	3.1 seconds
Top Speed	240 km/h
Battery Options	55.1 kWh or 70 kWh ternary lithium packs
Pure Electric Range	235 km to 302 km (CLTC cycle)
Charging	Fast charging: 20-80% in about 9 minutes (6C charging rate)
Fuel Efficiency	WLTC: 0.39 – 0.59 L/100 km
Drive Type	All-wheel drive (front + dual rear motors)
Suspension	48V active anti-roll bar, double wishbone front, multi-link rear
Weight	Approx. 3150 kg
Dimensions (L/W/H)	5239 mm / 2029 mm / 1819 mm
Wheelbase	3169 mm

Conclusion 

The Zeekr 9X is a flagship full-size, spacious SUV targeted at family buyers who prefer a three-row, loaded with tech, hybrid powertrain and also practical for everyday use. It's certainly not a budget EV but a premium hybrid one. There is a lot to this newest SUV that one would ideally see on paper, although the specs are competitive. The interior is truly elegant and seems well-done, the range figures are strong. But competing with European brands in the UAE is not necessarily about specs or look. Zeekr is asking buyers to take a chance on a new brand. That's a tough sell in a conservative market where people keep cars for years and expect hassle-free ownership.

But the company is offering a rather compelling value proposition. The price difference is substantial. If Zeekr manages to provide what it is promising and establishes a solid service network quickly, it has a chance. Early adopters in the UAE who could give it a chance, with an attractive price and a hybrid powertrain as key factors. The 9X offers more space than most European rivals and tech that feels current.

Will it compete? It certainly isn’t a cakewalk, but appears to tick all the right boxes. Then comes the next but difficult question. Will it succeed? That is not an easy answer. Because it depends on several factors, like how well the brand executes beyond the product itself. The SUV is special and something really exciting, and it is ready. Now Zeekr needs to prove it can support owners properly in the UAE market.

If you’re among the buyers looking for a new full-size SUV, then it is worth the wait for this car to arrive right next to the showroom near you.