Zeekr X Urban Review: The Sweet Spot

For many years before, we’ve been conditioned to expect base models within the range to be less equipped and literally stripped bare, bar the essentials.

Performance gets dulled, equipment disappears, and what you’re left with is a car that exists largely to hit a price point.

But the Chinese have redefined that understanding.

Yes, power has been dialled back to meet Cat A regulations, but the Zeekr X Urban still retains the same 66 kWh battery, much of the premium equipment from its pricier siblings and - perhaps most importantly - much of the character that made the standard Zeekr X interesting in the first place.

And in today’s market, that matters more than ever.

The Variant That Makes The Most Sense

Even with Cat A COE prices climbing in recent months, it still sits below Cat B as of early May. And once you factor in lower road tax and overall ownership costs, there remains a meaningful financial argument for cars like the X Urban here.

What strengthens that case further? Just how little this car feels like a compromise.

Unlike many entry-level variants, the Urban doesn’t strip away the essentials - you still get the striking design, the panoramic roof, powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control, and a surprisingly premium-feeling cabin.

More impressively, ventilated front seats come standard here - a feature that’s optional on the Cat B variant - and in Singapore’s increasingly unforgiving heat, you’ll appreciate that far more often than, say, an extra burst of acceleration.

The omissions are mostly in areas you can arguably live without. The excellent Yamaha sound system from the pricier versions is absent, and some novelty features didn’t make the cut; but the fundamentals remain very much intact.

Which naturally raises the question: Do you actually need the more expensive version?

On The Outside

The Zeekr X has never been a subtle-looking thing, and the Urban continues that tradition.

Between the sharp surfacing, hidden door handles, and those distinctive slim front lights, this is an EV that still manages to command your attention for more than a passing glance. Some will love it, while others may not entirely know what to make of it - but that’s precisely what gives the X personality in a segment increasingly filled with interchangeable-looking electric crossovers.

The Inside Story

Inside, the dual-tone cabin carries over that same expressive energy. It feels youthful, helped by thoughtful material choices and trim finishes that stop the cabin from becoming another minimalist EV interior.

And while some might compare this to the Volvo EX30 that shares the same underpinnings, the two cars approach things very differently. The Volvo leans into Scandinavian restraint and simplicity, while the Zeekr feels more playful and extroverted in its execution.

Frankly, neither approach is better than the other; they simply speak to different buyers.

Driving It

On paper, 148 bhp may not sound especially exciting in a nearly two tonne electric crossover, but out on the road, the X Urban rarely feels wanting.

With 343 Nm of torque available instantly, the car still gathers speed confidently and cruises at highway pace with far less effort than many other Cat A EVs. In fact, it’s one of the few cars in this segment where you occasionally find yourself brushing the speed limit unintentionally rather than struggling to reach it.

And while it understandably lacks the shove of its Cat B siblings, there’s a strong argument that this level of performance is already enough for how most people drive in Singapore.

More impressive still is the ride quality. The suspension setup delivers a composed and mature character over uneven roads, giving the X Urban a comfort level that ranks among the better offerings in this class. Noise insulation isn’t quite as hushed as its more expensive stablemates, true, but refinement remains perfectly acceptable overall.

Efficiency also turned out better than expected during my drive, returning a respectable 6.4km/kWh.

In A Nutshell

The trade-offs? Few and far between, really.

Zeekr’s fit and finish is class-leading, and buying the Cat A variant somewhat allows you into a world of luxury you might otherwise not find in the market at this price point.

There are things you’ll need to bear with, however. Audiophiles will raise their forks to the inferior sound system after they’ve sampled the Yamaha system in the other variants. The center console armrest isn’t the softest, and there are interesting storage solutions around the front, including the slot for your phone charging.

But viewed in the broader context of Singapore ownership, the X Urban ends up feeling less like the “entry-level” variant and more like the one that strikes the best balance.

And that’s what makes it so compelling.

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks)

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