Zeekr's two largest SUVs are coming to Australia, and they're bringing a powertrain twist that most buyers haven't seen here before.
The Zeekr 8X and 9X will both launch in Australia with extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) drivetrains. These pair a petrol engine with electric motors and a battery, giving you EV-style driving most of the time and a petrol safety net for longer trips. But Zeekr's chief engineer has now confirmed something buyers should file away: full BEV versions of both models are technically straightforward to produce.
Carseekers has been tracking both SUVs since they were confirmed for the Australian market.
The BEV Door Is Open, But Not Yet Official
Speaking at Auto China 2026 in Beijing, chief engineer for mechanical architecture at Zeekr Europe, Kennet Pettersson, said both the 8X and 9X could come out as BEVs with minimal additional development.
The reason is straightforward. Both models were designed from the ground up as electric vehicles. The EREV drivetrain was added afterwards. Removing the engine and adding a larger battery is, in Pettersson's words, something they could do quickly.
There are no current plans to build BEV versions of either model. But if you're buying an EREV and hoping a pure EV version arrives later, the engineering case for it is already made.
Size, Power and Range That Match the European Flagships
The Zeekr 8X is a two-row SUV measuring 5100mm long, 1998mm wide and 1780mm tall on a 3069mm wheelbase. That puts it in the same size category as a BMW X7.
The 9X is larger again at 5239mm long, 2029mm wide and 1819mm tall on a 3169mm wheelbase. This is a full-size luxury SUV by any measure.
Both use a 205kW 2.0-litre petrol engine paired with electric motors. Dual-motor versions produce 660kW and 935Nm. The tri-motor variants push that to 1030kW and 1410Nm. EV-only range is around 350 to 400km depending on the variant, with total combined range exceeding 1000km.
Both models run on a 900V electrical architecture with 6C charging, meaning a 20 to 80 per cent charge takes approximately nine minutes.
What Australian Buyers Should Expect to Pay
Chinese pricing for the 8X starts at 376,800 yuan, which converts to roughly $77,000. The 009 in Australia starts at $115,900, so the 8X is positioned well below that.
Expect the Australian 8X to start somewhere between $85,000 and $100,000. The 9X will almost certainly attract Luxury Car Tax, meaning it opens above the current $91,387 threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles. Pricing in the $100,000 to $120,000 bracket is a reasonable expectation.
For comparison, the Zeekr X recently saw significant price cuts in Australia, showing the brand is willing to move on pricing when it needs to. Whether that pattern continues at the premium end of the range is the open question.
Where They Sit in the Australian Lineup
Both the 8X and 9X will slot above the existing Zeekr X and 7X electric SUVs in Australia. They also introduce EREV technology to the Australian Zeekr lineup for the first time.
Zeekr has also confirmed the 007 GT EV wagon, likely to be known as the 7GT locally, for Australian introduction within the next 12 months. The brand is clearly investing in building out its Australian range across multiple segments.
Local arrival for the 8X and 9X is targeted for very late 2026 or sometime in 2027. Specifications for the Australian market haven't been confirmed. Watch for pricing announcements as the launch window approaches.
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The finer details
Your questions answered.
Are the Zeekr 8X and 9X coming to Australia?
Yes. Zeekr Australia has confirmed both the 8X and 9X for Australian delivery. Both models will initially launch with extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) drivetrains pairing a petrol generator with an electric motor, though Zeekr has indicated pure BEV variants may also be offered depending on Australian demand.
What is an EREV and how does it differ from a PHEV?
An EREV (extended-range electric vehicle) uses a petrol engine purely to generate electricity for the battery — the wheels are always driven by electric motors, not directly by the petrol engine. This creates a fully electric driving feel with the petrol engine acting as an onboard generator. Unlike a PHEV, the petrol engine never directly drives the wheels.
How does the Zeekr EREV drivetrain compare to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?
The EREV architecture is more EV-like than the Outlander PHEV's parallel hybrid system, as the petrol engine never directly drives the wheels. This creates smoother, more linear performance. The Outlander can run the petrol engine through the drivetrain at high speeds for efficiency; the EREV never does this, which some buyers prefer for driving feel.
How much will the Zeekr 8X and 9X cost in Australia?
Zeekr has not confirmed Australian pricing for the 8X and 9X. Based on Zeekr's positioning as a premium Chinese brand above MG and BYD in price, expect the 8X and 9X to enter above $80,000. Final pricing will be announced closer to each model's Australian launch date.
When will the Zeekr 8X and 9X be available in Australia?
Zeekr Australia has confirmed both models but has not published specific on-sale dates. Based on the confirmation timeline and Zeekr's current pace of Australian market development, arrivals in late 2026 or 2027 are the working expectation. Register interest with Zeekr Australia for priority notification.
Is the EREV drivetrain suitable for long-distance Australian driving?
Yes. The EREV architecture addresses the main EV barrier for long-distance driving — range anxiety — by providing a petrol safety net that eliminates dependence on public charging for extended trips. For Australian buyers who want EV driving most of the time with the flexibility to drive through outback routes without charge planning, EREV is an effective solution.
