Zeekr 7X Self-Parking and Route Planner Test: How Smart Is This Chinese Electric SUV?
On my first evening with a top-spec Zeekr 7X I tested the power doors in low light, Eco versus Sport mode, the 3D navigation, the charging-stop planner on a route to Budapest and automatic parking, twice, in a busy supermarket car park.
Before the efficiency run the next morning, I had a whole evening alone with the Zeekr 7X. I wasn't chasing numbers. I wanted to get used to the car and find out what sets it apart from other electric SUVs in its class. So I checked the power doors in low light, compared the drive modes, asked the navigation for a route to Budapest and let the car park itself, twice, in a supermarket car park. One attempt went perfectly. The other had me holding my breath.
The top trim, with doors that open themselves
The car I had was the most generously equipped version, with all-wheel drive. According to the official "Zeekr" Romanian specification sheet, the Privilege AWD has two motors producing 475 kW (646 hp), a 100 kWh battery, a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time of 3.8 seconds and an estimated WLTP range of 543 km (337 miles). Its 800-volt system accepts up to 480 kW of DC power, and the manufacturer quotes 16 minutes for a 10 to 80% charge.
The first thing I tried was the power-operated doors. They are part of the Comfort pack and, according to the manufacturer, open and close automatically and can stop in any position. I wanted to see whether the sensors still behave properly when there is little light. They do: the door opened without hesitation, and the driver's door closes by itself when you press the brake pedal after sitting down. My car also had ventilated front seats.
Eco or Sport: the difference is instant
I did a short burst of acceleration in Sport mode, not a full 0–100 run because there were cars behind me. It feels brutally strong, as you would expect with more than 600 horsepower. What happens in Eco is more interesting: from what I observed, the car uses only the rear motor there, even with the accelerator pressed all the way. The gap in energy use between the two modes should be large, and the energy management menu makes that clear.
3D navigation and the charging planner
I really liked the map. It is colourful, shows buildings in 3D and moves quickly. The official spec sheet describes it as navigation with real-time cloud data and smart route planning for electric driving, and my test confirmed the second part.
I started with 77% battery and set Budapest as the destination. The car picked the right route, via Târgu Mureș and then the motorway towards Arad, and suggested three charging stops:
- an OMV station in Târgu Mureș: about 23 minutes;
- Margina: around 21 minutes, from 10% to 67%;
- a Shell Recharge site in Hungary: about 17 minutes, arriving in Budapest with 10%.
Once I pressed start, the car estimated I would reach the first stop with 25%. You can also show the remaining range on the map and see exactly where each charger is. The sound menu is just as rich, with dozens of effects and speed-dependent volume settings. One useful detail from the spec sheet: the voice assistant in the local language is not yet active in Romania.
Automatic parking, tested twice
Automatic parking assist is standard on every 7X version, according to the manufacturer. The first attempt was between two parked cars in a supermarket car park. The car found the space, I confirmed it and it manoeuvred on its own. It was slower than other advanced cars I have tested, but it parked correctly at the first try. There was a shopping trolley behind and I was worried it would hit it. It spotted the trolley and stopped in time.
The second attempt was much harder: a very tight space, and I hadn't stopped perfectly lined up either. The car recalculated its position several times, got very close to the car in front and made several back-and-forth moves. I admit I was nervous. In the end it didn't finish the job on its own, but it left me in a good position and I completed the manoeuvre myself. Helpful, if not perfect.
What it means for drivers
If you are coming from a car without systems like these, the Zeekr 7X feels very high-tech. The charging planner does exactly what you need on a long trip: it tells you where to stop, for how long and with what charge you will arrive, so you don't have to do the maths yourself. Automatic parking works well in normal spaces, but in tight ones it is more cautious and slower, so the driver stays responsible and must be ready to take over. The power doors and their sensors are a real comfort bonus, especially in the evening. My efficiency results from the next morning, over 120 km (75 miles) of two-lane roads, are in my Zeekr 7X real-world test.
