ZEEKR 9X Five-Seat Variant Spotted in Spy Photos; PHEV Flagship May Introduce New Layout

ZEEKR 9X — the premium SUV flagship from GEELY — has recently been photographed undergoing road testing in camouflaged form, sparking widespread market speculation about its unreleased cabin layout. Auto blogger Han Lu shared the spy photos on Weibo (with over 9 million followers), revealing this 5.2-meter-long SUV undergoing trials in a new five-seat configuration.

Rumors suggest this variant will ditch the original three-row seating arrangement in favor of a 'two front seats + three rear seats' layout, with the rear featuring a long, fold-flat bench seat for three passengers. This change eliminates third-row space constraints while unlocking an exceptionally large, flat cargo area — balancing family commuting needs and practical load-carrying capacity. Core human-machine interface components — including the instrument cluster, central touchscreen, and steering wheel — remain unchanged from the original design.

Under the hood, the production model is expected to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain comprising a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and a silicon-carbide electric drive system, delivering a combined maximum output of 1030 kW (~1381 hp) and peak system torque of 1410 N·m. The battery pack — supplied by CATL — uses ternary lithium Freevoy chemistry and comes in two capacities: 55.1 kWh and 70 kWh. The higher-spec version achieves a CLTC all-electric range of 380 km. Built on a 900V high-voltage architecture, the vehicle supports 6C fast charging, enabling a 20%–80% charge in just nine minutes.

In terms of dimensions, the SUV measures 5239 mm in length, 2029 mm in width, and 1819 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3169 mm — providing ample foundation for the new cabin layout. Reports indicate this five-seat variant won't replace the existing three-row version but instead serve as a complementary offering targeting users who prioritize cabin flexibility and performance.

Domestic sales data shows rapid growth since ZEEKR 9X deliveries began in September 2025: 686 units retailed in September, rising to 3,762 in October, surging further to 8,121 in November, and reaching 9,482 in December. Momentum continued into 2026 — the March retail volume jumped 106.2% year-on-year to 10,060 units, followed by 9,315 units in April and 9,058 in May, consistently ranking among the top-selling new-energy vehicles in China each month, with a market share of 32.8% (source: China EV DataTracker). This sustained growth is seen as key validation for ZEEKR 9X's global rollout — overseas deliveries are scheduled to begin in summer 2026.

It bears emphasis that all current information regarding the five-seat layout, powertrain specs, and equipment details remains unconfirmed market rumor; ZEEKR has yet to release any official images, technical documentation, or production confirmation for this variant.