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The automotive landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade, with Chinese manufacturers evolving from budget copycats to genuine innovators capable of challenging established premium brands. This transformation has been most pronounced in the electric vehicle segment, where companies like BYD, NIO, and Zeekr have leveraged their domestic market experience to create products that compete directly with Tesla and European luxury brands.
The arrival of these vehicles in Western markets represents more than just increased competition; it signals a fundamental realignment of automotive excellence that no longer flows exclusively from Germany, Japan, or America.
Scott Gray’s comprehensive test drive of the Zeekr 7X on the Sunshine Coast provides exactly the kind of real-world evaluation that reveals whether Chinese electric vehicles can deliver on their ambitious promises. His detailed assessment covers the full spectrum of daily driving scenarios that matter to actual owners:
“I had my test drive of the 7X this morning at the Sunny Coast dealer and was able to take it for an hour. Their demo car was the base model RWD, which was originally the display car.
I’m extremely impressed – the car met all of my lofty expectations, I think it completely deserves the hype it’s getting.
The interior is superb, and the seats were soft but supportive. Importantly for me with my height (6’4), they have extendable under-thigh support, which should make long trips much more comfortable. The software seems better than everything else out there, other than Tesla. It was certainly quite intuitive, and the system was snappy and responsive. Love the info screen in front of the driver, too.
It was great to have an hour around an area I know very well to test out the car. I was able to take it on some windy back roads, suburban streets, the highway, and some heavy traffic through Maroochydore. I instantly felt at ease in the car and was able to place it without thinking, thanks to great visibility and well-calibrated controls. The adaptive cruise control/lane keep was excellent – it felt very trustworthy and kept nice gaps to other cars without being excessive. When a truck merged into a small gap in front of me, the car didn’t panic; it just gently eased off and built up a gap again. The lane centering was flawless.
I drove for a while with no music on and was very impressed by the isolation in the cabin. Road noise was pretty minimal on a variety of surfaces – certainly quieter than my Golf R and Prado.
I’ve ordered the long-range RWD, so testing this base model suited me fine. The acceleration on offer here is plenty for a daily driver SUV. I don’t feel the need to spend the extra on the AWD. It would be nice to have the height adjustment of the air suspension, but I thought the calibration of this suspension was a great balance of comfort without being soft and floaty. Ideal for the rough and potholed roads of SEQ.
Looking forward to hopefully getting mine in late Nov/early December!”
Gray’s observation that the Zeekr 7X “met all of my lofty expectations” carries particular weight given his ownership experience with both a Golf R and a Toyota Prado. These vehicles represent different approaches to automotive excellence; the Golf R prioritizes performance and precision, while the Prado emphasizes durability and capability. The fact that the Zeekr impressed someone familiar with both German engineering and Japanese reliability suggests that Chinese manufacturers have achieved the kind of well-rounded competence that defines successful premium vehicles.
What Chinese Manufacturers Do Right
- Chinese manufacturers leverage consumer electronics experience to create automotive interfaces that rival Tesla’s user experience while surpassing traditional automaker systems in responsiveness and intuitive operation.
- Advanced driver assistance systems from Chinese brands demonstrate sophisticated calibration that prioritizes smooth operation over dramatic intervention, building driver confidence through predictable behavior patterns.
- Electric vehicle architecture enables Chinese manufacturers to achieve noise isolation levels that exceed established German and Japanese premium vehicles through advanced sound deadening and aerodynamic design.
- Chinese manufacturers are localizing suspension tuning, feature sets, and distribution strategies for specific markets rather than simply exporting domestic market configurations, demonstrating serious long-term commitment.
The interior quality that Gray describes, particularly the extendable under-thigh support for tall drivers, demonstrates the attention to ergonomic detail that separates thoughtful design from basic functionality. At 6’4″, Gray represents the kind of challenging use case that reveals whether manufacturers have considered real-world comfort needs or simply focused on average-sized occupants. The fact that Zeekr included adjustable thigh support in their base model shows the kind of feature depth that Chinese manufacturers are using to differentiate themselves from established competitors.
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Gray’s assessment of the software interface as “better than everything else out there other than Tesla” represents high praise given Tesla’s reputation for user interface excellence. The description of “intuitive,” “snappy and responsive” operation suggests that Zeekr has avoided the laggy, complicated interfaces that plague many traditional automakers’ electric vehicles. Chinese manufacturers have leveraged their experience with consumer electronics and smartphone interfaces to create automotive software that feels modern and responsive rather than adapted from traditional automotive systems.
The adaptive cruise control performance that Gray describes reveals sophisticated engineering that goes beyond basic functionality to deliver genuinely useful driver assistance. His observation that the system “didn’t panic” when a truck merged into a small gap demonstrates the kind of calibrated response that builds driver confidence rather than creating anxiety. Many adaptive cruise control systems are either too aggressive, creating jarring braking events, or too passive, failing to maintain safe following distances. The fact that the Zeekr system “gently eased off and built up a gap again” shows programming that prioritizes smooth operation over dramatic intervention.
Brian Tehan’s comment about needing all-wheel drive and height adjustment for rural NSW roads highlights the practical considerations that drive vehicle choice in Australia’s diverse driving conditions. His acknowledgment that “the roads in rural NSW aren’t much better than goat tracks” reflects the reality that Australian buyers need vehicles capable of handling both urban refinement and outback durability. The fact that Zeekr offers air suspension with height adjustment shows their understanding of global market requirements rather than just domestic Chinese preferences.
The noise isolation that impressed Gray, particularly compared to his Golf R and Prado, demonstrates how electric vehicle architecture enables superior cabin refinement. Without engine noise, road noise becomes the primary acoustic challenge, and the fact that the Zeekr performed better than both a premium hatchback and a luxury SUV suggests sophisticated sound deadening and aerodynamic design. This kind of refinement has traditionally been a strength of German and Japanese manufacturers, so Chinese success in this area represents genuine engineering achievement.
What Buyers Desire From Manufacturers
- Practical buyers prioritize efficiency, range, and daily usability over maximum performance specifications, making well-calibrated base powertrains more appealing than high-performance variants for most applications.
- Successful vehicles inspire purchase decisions after brief test drives through intuitive controls, predictable behavior, and obvious quality execution that builds immediate trust in unfamiliar brands.
- Chinese electric vehicles are successfully replacing multiple established vehicles in buyer garages, demonstrating the capability to serve diverse transportation needs with a single, well-executed product.
Gray’s decision to order the long-range RWD model after testing the base version shows confidence in Zeekr’s powertrain scaling. His assessment that “the acceleration on offer here is plenty for a daily driver SUV” reflects the reality that most buyers prioritize efficiency and range over maximum performance. The fact that he doesn’t “feel the need to spend the extra on the AWD” suggests that Zeekr has calibrated their base powertrain appropriately for real-world needs rather than just marketing specifications. This approach aligns with broader trends in the Chinese EV market, where manufacturers like BYD have achieved global success by focusing on practical electric vehicle solutions rather than just performance metrics.
The suspension tuning that Gray praises as “a great balance of comfort without being soft and floaty” demonstrates the kind of chassis development that requires extensive real-world testing and refinement. His specific mention of suitability for “the rough and potholed roads of SEQ” shows that Zeekr has adapted its suspension calibration for Australian conditions rather than simply importing Chinese market settings. This localization effort suggests a serious commitment to global markets rather than opportunistic export strategies.
The broader implications of Gray’s positive experience extend beyond individual satisfaction to demonstrate how Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are successfully challenging established automotive hierarchies. His comparison of Zeekr’s software to Tesla’s interface, combined with superior noise isolation compared to German and Japanese vehicles, shows that Chinese manufacturers are no longer competing solely on price but on genuine technical merit. This shift reflects the maturation of China’s automotive industry from low-cost manufacturing to innovative engineering.
The timing of Gray’s test drive, with delivery expected in late November or early December, reflects the rapid expansion of Chinese electric vehicle availability in Western markets. The fact that Zeekr has established dealerships on Australia’s Sunshine Coast shows its commitment to comprehensive market coverage rather than just major metropolitan areas. This distribution strategy suggests confidence in product quality and long-term market presence rather than opportunistic market entry.
For prospective electric vehicle buyers, Gray’s experience provides valuable insight into how Chinese manufacturers are positioning themselves against established competitors. His detailed evaluation across multiple driving scenarios, windy back roads, suburban streets, highway cruising, and heavy traffic, demonstrates the kind of comprehensive testing that reveals real-world capability. The fact that he felt comfortable enough after one hour to place an order shows the kind of immediate confidence that successful vehicles inspire in experienced drivers.
The competitive landscape that Gray’s experience represents extends beyond individual vehicle comparisons to broader questions about automotive industry leadership. Chinese manufacturers like Zeekr are leveraging their domestic electric vehicle experience, advanced battery technology, and software development capabilities to create products that challenge traditional automotive assumptions. The success of these vehicles in markets like Australia suggests that Chinese EV brands are progressing rapidly in establishing themselves as legitimate alternatives to established premium brands.
Gray’s positive assessment of the Zeekr 7X, combined with his decision to purchase based on a single test drive, represents the kind of market validation that Chinese manufacturers need to establish long-term credibility in Western markets. His experience suggests that these vehicles have moved beyond the experimental phase to become genuine contenders for buyers seeking electric vehicle excellence. The fact that he’s replacing both a performance hatchback and a luxury SUV with a single Chinese electric vehicle shows how these products are reshaping traditional automotive categories and buyer expectations.
Have you test-driven any Chinese electric vehicles, and how did they compare to your expectations? What features or capabilities would convince you to consider a Chinese EV over established premium brands?
Let us know in the comments below.
Image Sources: Zeekr Media Center
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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Source: torquenews.com
