New Zeekr 9X Price Expectations in UAE — Where It Fits Among Premium EVs

Abu Dhabi: Chinese automaker Geely’s luxury brand Zeekr’s introduction of the Zeekr 9X is clearly a bold attempt in the luxury plug-in hybrid SUV segment. Therefore, it is not purely electric, but that is not an accident but a purposeful decision. The Chinese brand positions this six-seater as a performance-heavy family SUV that is not likely to force you to think about charging infrastructure every single journey. It was first launched in China at RMB 465,900 to 599,900 (roughly USD 67,000 to 86,500); the 9X brings quad-motor options, 900-volt architecture, and achieves 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds. 

We expect this shiny, powerful new hybrid to arrive on our shore by March 2026. Since the brand has not made any official announcement, the details are limited, but we will take a look at the global model and tell you where it fits among premium EVs. Where will Zeekr actually price this, and who's supposed to buy it?

Excellent Performance Numbers 

The 9X uses Zeekr's SEA-S platform with three powertrain options. The Base Max Edition gets dual motors making 660 kW combined; that is a massive 898 hp. The Hyper Edition ups the ante with triple motors delivering 1,030 kW, or 1,401 hp, and  both use a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder as a range extender, not primary power.

Variant	Motors	Power	0-100 km/h	Pure EV Range (CLTC)	Battery
Max Edition	Dual	660 kW (898 hp)	3.9 sec	300 km	55 kWh
Ultra Edition	Dual	660 kW (898 hp)	3.9 sec	288 km	55 kWh
Hyper Edition	Triple	1,030 kW (1,401 hp)	3.1 sec	355 km	70 kWh

The three-second speed looks quite dramatic but not necessarily useful for your daily driving. What matters more is whether 660 kW feels excessive when you are stuck at Al Wasl Road roundabout; the answer probably is yes. The real benefit is effortless highway driving and the ability to pass slower vehicles without drama.

The 900V architecture allows for 20–80% charging in around 8.5 minutes using high-power DC chargers. That's genuinely quick, but charger availability in the UAE remains uneven. DEWA and ADNOC have decent coverage in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but venture toward the Northern Emirates and you will want that petrol engine more than you think. So buyers need to think about how brands know this reality and know the infrastructure is going to expand, therefore bringing their latest PHEV to the UAE. 

Interior Space and the Six-Seat Configuration

Zeekr built the 9X as a three-row, six-seater, and the second row gets individual captain's chairs with Cloud Lounge functions with powered recline, leg rests, heating, and massage. The third row fits adults, unlike most SUVs where the last row is punishment seating. It claims 470 litres of boot space with all seats up, expanding to 2,148 litres with rear rows folded.

The 16-inch OLED centre screen runs dual Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chips. The Naim audio system has 32 speakers putting out 3,800 watts. AR-HUD measures 47 inches in projected size. The Nappa leather throughout. And it is properly premium inside. The interiors of the 9X are better finished than those of most Teslas, and they are probably comparable to Range Rover interiors, but without the heritage baggage. The 9X cabin feels Chinese-premium with lots of tech, excellent build quality, and a lot of attention to detail for screens and lighting.

The Hybrid Powertrain 

This is a plug-in hybrid, not a pure EV. The 2.0T engine produces 205 kW by itself. The total system range is claimed to be 1,160–1,250 km, depending on the battery size. Expect real-world hybrid consumption around 13-16 km. 

PHEVs work brilliantly if you have a home charging station and mostly do short trips. Your daily 40 km commute stays fully electric. But forget to charge for a week, and you are essentially hauling around 3,150 kg (Hyper Edition kerb weight) with a 2.0-litre engine doing most of the work. That's not efficient, and that is just carrying dead battery weight.

Most UAE buyers often use SUVs for weekend desert trips or Oman drives. The 9X can do this, obviously. But you'll burn through the electric range in 2-3 hours, then you're running on petrol alone. At that point, why not simply purchase a regular hybrid or diesel SUV instead of dealing with the complexities of a PHEV?

Where It Actually Fits 

Zeekr has not yet announced UAE pricing. Based on the China launch figures and the brand's positioning strategy, expect the following:

Likely UAE Price	Variant	Key Competitors
AED 260,000 - 280,000	Max Edition 55 kWh	BMW iX xDrive40, Mercedes EQE SUV
AED 290,000 - 310,000	Ultra Edition 70 kWh	Tesla Model X Long Range
AED 330,000 - 350,000	Hyper Edition 70 kWh	Range Rover Sport PHEV, Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid

The positioning gets a little delicate; at AED 260,000, the 9X undercuts established German EVs but costs notably more than Zeekr's own 7X, which is priced between AED 169,900 and 209,900, and 001 at AED 226,900-269,900. The problem really is brand equity. A buyer spending AED 300,000+ usually wants a known luxury brand. Zeekr is three years old in international markets and has a long way to go before it becomes truly recognisable.

If the Zeekr is pitched directly against the Range Rover Sport PHEV, which starts at around AED 486,000, it faces significant competition. The Zeekr offers more power, better tech, and quicker charging. But the Range Rover will retain 60–65% of its value after three years. The 9X certainly won’t have that effect, only if you decide to sell early; if not, then fine.

Who This Car Is Actually For

In the UAE context, the suitable 9X buyers are those who want cutting-edge EV tech, can trust and also believe in Chinese engineering progress, value performance numbers, and plan to keep the car for more than 5 years. Owners also need home charging and don't care deeply about brand or early adopters being comfortable with some uncertainty.

This is a smaller and narrower buyer profile in the emirate, and most SUV shoppers in this price range either go for established luxury badges for image or proven EVs like Tesla for charging network and resale confidence. Zeekr sits in the middle, arguably offering the best actual product but without the support structure to back it up yet.

Final Verdict

The 9X is a bold move by the Chinese brands toward bringing supercar-level performance, genuinely premium interiors, and impressive hybrid range to the large SUV segment. A lot is riding on the pricing, and if it stays within AED 280,000-320,000, in that case, the value proposition could be a lot more compelling on paper. We will have to wait for the official launch for the exact price, but the 9X certainly is an interesting PHEV that is going to come to the UAE’s market sooner than later. 

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