25.05.2026

GC Drives: Driving the Zeekr 009 feels like flying business class

Discover why this avant-garde electric MPV rivals the Lexus LM at a fraction of the price.

Words: Raja Amer, Motoring Editor

This article was made in partnership with Zeekr Malaysia.

 

When I drove the Zeekr 7X through Sepang's off-road circuit last January, the performance left me genuinely stunned. So when Zeekr extended an invitation to experience their flagship MPV The Zeekr 009, I arrived already prepared to be surprised. What I was not prepared for was to feel, somewhere between the second row and cruising altitude, that I had quietly left the road altogether.

First Impressions: Presence Before Performance

The Zeekr 009 announces itself the moment you approach it. The front fascia is genuinely futuristic with aggressive, sculpted, with a closed grille design and DRL signature that reads more spaceship than people-carrier. What struck me further were the wheels: a turbine-style design so architectural it makes the already-substantial arches appear even grander. For a vehicle stretching over five metres in length and nearly two in width, the Zeekr 009 carries itself with the quiet authority of something that knows it does not need to shout.

And yet everywhere we went, heads turned. That was the first pleasant subversion of expectation. Nobody expects an MPV to command attention. The Zeekr 009 simply has not received that memo.

The Cabin: Where Aviation Meets Automotive

Step inside and the context shifts entirely. The materials are luxurious in the way that actually matters — soft leathers on the dashboard, seat upholstery that communicates quality without the fingertips needing any further convincing. The ambient lighting wraps the interior in a warmth that feels considered rather than decorative. Twenty Yamaha speakers ring the cabin, and because the Zeekr 009 is already near-silent in motion — thick double-glazed glass sealing out the world with impressive efficiency — the sound system operates in ideal conditions. It is, frankly, extraordinary.

Then there is the mini fridge. A small touch, perhaps, but it lands correctly.

The Pilot Seats: A Civilisation of Their Own

If the 009 has a centrepiece, it is unambiguously the second-row pilot seats. My first contact with them produced an involuntary smile. Wide cushions, deep padding, broad armrests, supple leather, and a reclined seating position that communicates only one thing: you have arrived, and you are going nowhere in a hurry. Electric recline, leg-rest ottoman, ventilation, heating, massage functions, memory settings — the catalogue is complete. Integrated touchscreen controls, climate management, powered doors, entertainment — passengers govern their own world from here.

The legroom is almost unreasonably generous. The panoramic roof opens the cabin to sky. The Zeekr 009, I would argue, makes pressure entirely someone else's concern.

On the Road: Torque With Manners

The driving experience is where the 009 earns further respect. Three tonnes of premium machinery should, in theory, feel cumbersome. It does not. The torque delivery is immediate and authoritative — typical of an EV, yes, but surprising in application at this scale and weight. Suspension modes and drive settings allow meaningful calibration. The ride quality from the pilot seat is, in a word, calming.

The advanced camera system and driver-assistance suite make parking and manoeuvring this cathedral of a car a matter of mild concentration rather than anxiety. The 550km range means this is not a vehicle that imposes its charging schedule on your itinerary.

Where It Could Improve

One or two notes of dissonance. The steering wheel airbag cover material feels misaligned with the surrounding luxury — a minor but noticeable oversight. And while the near-total integration of controls into the central touchscreen is visually elegant, navigating menus at speed demands a patience that split-second driving occasionally cannot afford.

The Verdict

The Zeekr 009 is not competing to be the most practical MPV in its class. It is competing to be the finest room with wheels you have ever inhabited. Against the Lexus LM, and at a fraction of the consideration required for a Rolls-Royce, it presents a compelling and rather aristocratic argument.

Photo credit: Zeekr

 

In Malaysia’s premium EV space, it has also already found its footing. Standing as the No. 1 premium electric MPV and the best-selling model in its segment year-to-date 2026. That position is further reinforced by recognition at MCOTY 2025, where it was named Overall Malaysia Car of the Year, alongside Best xEV of the Year and MPV xEV of the Year.

Still, numbers and awards only explain part of the story. The real impression is more immediate: a sense of refinement that feels closer to business-class travel than conventional MPV ownership. Avant-garde in design, considered in execution, deeply serious about comfort. This is a vehicle for those who understand that how one travels is as defining as where one arrives.

 

zeekrlife.com/en-my/

About the Contributor

YM Raja Amer, MBA

Raja Amer is a former Malaysia SBK Superbike racer who traded the track for the page, now serving as Motoring Editor at GC. With a throttle hand honed in MSBK competition, he brings insider perspective to his coverage of everything that moves with velocity and style. His passions span the spectrum of motorsport and design, from the sculptural Italian artistry of MV Agusta motorcycles to the cutting-edge technology of Formula 1 and the raw drama of MotoGP. Whether analyzing aerodynamics or aesthetics, Amir explores the intersection where engineering excellence meets timeless design.

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