Airline-style seats, a smooth, quiet ride: How this electric MPV rethinks luxury

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a novelty on Singapore’s roads. For newer brands such as Zeekr, the challenge now is not simply to sell an EV, but to give buyers a reason to choose one over the growing number of alternatives.

The Hangzhou-based electric automaker is positioning itself at the premium end of the market. 

Part of Geely Holding Group, Zeekr develops EVs using the group’s Sustainable Experience Architecture. This dedicated platform is the basic structure that underpins the battery, motors, chassis and other major components of the brand’s EV.

Its 009 MPV is perhaps the clearest expression of that ambition. Instead of relying on traditional notions of luxury alone, the electric MPV makes its case through space, refinement, safety and technology designed to make a large vehicle easier and more comfortable to live with.

In Singapore, Zeekr is represented by authorised retail partner Premium Automobiles.

Isabel Hong, general manager of Zeekr Singapore, added: “Drivers in Singapore are looking for versatile EVs that don’t compromise on comfort or cutting-edge technology.

“The Zeekr 009 answers that call by offering the experience of a first-class lounge on wheels, now with even greater everyday practicality and extended range.”

What makes the Zeekr 009 stand out on the road?

At 5,209mm long and 2,024mm wide, the Zeekr 009 has considerable road presence. But that size is tempered by clean surfacing and a streamlined silhouette, with the body shaped not only for appearance but also to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve stability at speed.

The blend of style and functionality is further evident in the rear lights, which stretch across the width of the car to give it a distinctive visual signature. 

Up front, intelligent matrix LED headlamps feature Adaptive Driving Beam technology, which automatically adjusts the light distribution according to driving conditions.

Space and comfort in the Zeekr 009

Inside, the Zeekr 009 can be specified as a six- or seven-seater, with massage, ventilation and powered adjustment for the first two rows. 

In the six-seat Flagship variant, the two second-row seats are designed to offer the sort of individual comfort associated with a first-class airline seat. 

They come with adjustable leg rests and headrests as well as concealed tables, creating a cabin designed as much for those being driven as for the person behind the wheel.

That flexibility could matter equally to an executive moving between appointments and a family heading across the Causeway for the weekend.

A 17-inch OLED roof-mounted display caters to rear passengers, while a 30-speaker Yamaha surround sound system handles the audio.

As a versatile transporter, luggage capacity in the electric MPV starts at 574 litres and can expand to 2,979 litres.

Delivering a quieter, more comfortable ride in the Zeekr 009

Some of the engineering that goes into the 009 is less obvious, but could be more noticeable from the passenger seat.

Acoustic side glass helps keep outside noise from intruding into the cabin. The air suspension, meanwhile, can adjust how the vehicle responds to changes in the road surface, while an electronically controlled damping system continually works to reduce unwanted body movement and vibrations.

Simply put, the technology is there to help a large MPV stay composed over uneven roads and keep its occupants comfortable.

Safety has received similar attention, with an aluminium-reinforced subframe and comprehensive airbag coverage complemented by features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and collision mitigation support.

A 360-degree camera and transparent chassis imaging also help the driver keep track of the vehicle’s surroundings. For a full-sized MPV that has to negotiate Singapore’s narrow multi-storey carparks, features such as automated parking assistance can be particularly useful.

What are the differences between the Zeekr 009 variants?

All Zeekr 009 variants sold in Singapore use a 116kWh battery. The single-motor, front-wheel-drive 009 Deluxe version has a WLTP range of up to 604km, while the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Premium and Flagship variants have a range of up to 582km.

All support 150kW DC fast charging, which can take the battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 30 minutes.

The differences become more pronounced when it comes to performance. The single-motor Zeekr 009 Deluxe produces 250kW of power and 373Nm of torque, taking it from 0 to 100kmh in 7.9 seconds.

The dual-motor Premium and Flagship variants raise output considerably to 450kW and 693Nm. They complete the same sprint in 4.5 seconds – unusually quick for a vehicle of this size.

That gives buyers a fairly clear choice: the Deluxe offers the longest claimed range, while the Premium and Flagship trade some of that range for substantially stronger performance and all-wheel drive.

What makes the Zeekr 009 a luxury MPV?

The numbers tell only part of the story. A large MPV ultimately has to work for the people who use it every day.

For families, that could mean having three rows of usable seating without giving up all the luggage room, or keeping children entertained on a longer drive. 

And for the driver, the smaller details may matter just as much. Cameras and parking assistance help with tight carparks, while a claimed range of at least 582km across the line-up makes longer trips into Malaysia more practical. 

These are not features unique to luxury cars. But bringing them together in a quiet, spacious MPV while offering a solid performance – especially in the dual-motor versions – is where the 009 makes a stronger case for itself.

For Zeekr, that may also be the more meaningful measure of luxury: not simply what has been fitted to the car, but how much easier and more comfortable it can make a journey for everyone on board.

The Zeekr 009 is available for test drives at the Zeekr Centre, 9 Leng Kee Road. Book your experience here.