A shooting brake with 544 hp, 590 km of range, and a body style that nothing else on Canadian roads can match. This is Zeekr's statement car — and it's a bold one.
Overview
I've written about a lot of Chinese EVs for this site. Affordable hatchbacks, value-focused crossovers, sedans that undercut Tesla on price. The Zeekr 001 is different. This isn't a car that asks you to compromise in exchange for a lower sticker price. This is a car that walks into a room full of BMWs and Teslas and says, "I belong here."
The 001 is Zeekr's flagship — a premium electric "shooting brake" built on Geely's SEA platform, the same architecture that underpins the Volvo EX30 and Zeekr X. With a 100 kWh battery, up to 544 hp from a dual-motor AWD setup, and a body style that genuinely doesn't exist anywhere else in this price range, the 001 is Zeekr showing what Chinese EVs can do at the premium end.
I'll be upfront: I think the 001 is the most interesting Chinese EV currently in production. Not the best value — that title belongs to something like the BYD Dolphin. But the most interesting? The one that makes enthusiasts lean in? That's the 001.
The Shooting Brake Design
If you're not familiar with the term, a shooting brake sits somewhere between a sedan, a wagon, and a hatchback — a low-slung fastback roofline that extends into a large hatchback opening. Think Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, but more committed.
Why does this matter? The 001 offers 570 litres of cargo behind the rear seats — substantially more than any sedan in its class — with a wide hatchback opening that makes loading bulky items far easier than a traditional trunk. The long, tapering roofline is aerodynamically efficient, helping highway range. And frankly, it looks striking. In a market where every third vehicle is a tall, generic SUV, the 001's proportions — long hood, sweeping roofline, wide haunches — turn heads in a way that another crossover simply doesn't.
Key Specs
Long Range (RWD)
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated price | ~$55,000-$60,000 CAD |
| Range (WLTP) | 590 km |
| Estimated real-world range | ~500 km |
| Motor | 200 kW (272 hp) |
| Battery | 100 kWh (CTP, ternary) |
| 0-100 km/h | 6.9 seconds |
| DC fast charge | Up to 200 kW |
| Dimensions | 4,970 x 1,999 x 1,560 mm |
| Cargo | 570 L (rear seats up) |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
Performance (AWD)
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated price | ~$60,000-$65,000 CAD |
| Range (WLTP) | 546 km |
| Estimated real-world range | ~460 km |
| Motors | Dual motor, 400 kW (544 hp) combined |
| Battery | 100 kWh (CTP, ternary) |
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds |
| DC fast charge | Up to 200 kW |
| Dimensions | 4,970 x 1,999 x 1,560 mm |
| Cargo | 570 L (rear seats up) |
| Drive | All-wheel drive |
| Suspension | Air suspension with adjustable ride height |
Note: Specs based on global/European models. Canadian specifications may vary. WLTP range figures are typically 10-15% higher than real-world mixed driving.
Battery and Range
At 100 kWh, the 001 carries one of the largest packs in any EV under $100,000 CAD. The BMW i4 tops out at 83.9 kWh, the Polestar 2 maxes at 82 kWh. Zeekr matched the Tesla Model S on battery capacity at a substantially lower price.
Zeekr uses CTP (cell-to-pack) technology, eliminating the traditional module layer between cells and pack casing. This boosts energy density and improves thermal management — similar in concept to BYD's cell-to-body approach.
Canadian winter range estimates:
| Condition | Long Range (RWD) | Performance (AWD) |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (mixed driving) | ~500 km | ~460 km |
| Fall/Spring (5-10 C) | ~440 km | ~400 km |
| Winter (-10 to -20 C) | ~350-380 km | ~320-350 km |
| Deep cold (-25 C and below) | ~300-340 km | ~275-315 km |
Even in deep cold, the Long Range model should deliver over 300 km — more than enough for virtually any daily driving pattern in Canada. That large battery gives you winter margin that smaller-battery EVs simply can't offer.
Charging: Best-in-Class
The 001's 200 kW DC fast charging is the fastest among Chinese EVs heading for Canada. The BYD Seal tops out at roughly 110 kW, the BYD Dolphin at 88 kW. The 001 nearly doubles BYD's best.
In practice: 10-80% in approximately 30 minutes. A coffee-and-washroom stop on a road trip, not a sit-down meal. European testing shows the charge curve holds up well through the middle of the session, so that 30-minute figure isn't just a peak-speed fantasy.
Level 2 home charging takes approximately 10-11 hours on a 240V, 32A charger — overnight, no issue.
Interior: Premium, Not Pretending
The 001's cabin is where Zeekr justifies the premium pricing. This is not a budget interior with a premium badge — it's a genuinely well-appointed space that competes with vehicles costing $20,000 more from established European brands.
The 14.7-inch touchscreen is sharp and responsive, running Zeekr's own infotainment. The available 21-speaker Yamaha surround system has earned genuine praise from European reviewers — not just "good for the price" but actually good. Nappa leather seating, soft-touch surfaces, open-pore wood trim options. The fit and finish feels Scandinavian-influenced — this is where the Geely Zeekr connection to Volvo shows.
The 3,005 mm wheelbase translates into generous rear legroom, and a panoramic glass roof adds to the sense of space. My one complaint: like too many modern EVs, too many controls are routed through the touchscreen. Climate adjustments should be accessible without looking at a screen, especially when you're wearing winter gloves.
Performance and Air Suspension
Let me be clear about what 544 hp and 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h means in context. That's faster than a Porsche Taycan base model. That's faster than a BMW i4 M50. From a brand most Canadians have never heard of, at a price that undercuts all of them.
The dual-motor AWD setup distributes power with torque vectoring between axles. European reviewers consistently praise the chassis dynamics — communicative steering for an EV, tidy body control through corners, and an overall balance that rewards spirited driving. At roughly 2,300 kg it's heavy, but the weight sits low and the suspension manages it well.
The Performance model's air suspension is a bigger deal than it sounds for Canada. Raise the ride height for unplowed streets or frost-heaved spring pavement. Drop it for highway efficiency. Switch between softer comfort and firmer sport settings. Air suspension at this price point is unusual — you typically need a Porsche Taycan or Mercedes EQE to get it. For Canadian road conditions, it's genuinely useful rather than just a luxury checkbox.
The RWD model at 272 hp and 6.9 seconds is the more relaxed option — still quick for any normal driving situation, with roughly 50 km of additional range.
Winter Readiness
We don't have Canadian winter data for the 001 yet. But based on the engineering and Scandinavian owner feedback, the 001 lines up well for our climate.
Working in its favour:
- AWD with torque vectoring for genuine all-wheel traction
- 100 kWh battery cushion — even with a 30% winter hit, you're at 300+ km
- Air suspension ride height — raise it for deep snow or unplowed roads
- Heat pump standard for efficient cabin heating
- Battery pre-conditioning — warm the battery while plugged in before departure
- Volvo-derived thermal management — the SEA platform was co-developed with engineers who understand Scandinavian winters
Zeekr has been selling in Sweden since 2023, and winter complaints have been minimal. Sweden isn't Winnipeg, but it's a lot closer to our conditions than most testing environments.
Canadian Pricing and Competition
- Long Range (RWD): ~$55,000-$60,000 CAD
- Performance (AWD): ~$60,000-$65,000 CAD
These include the current 6.1% tariff on Chinese-manufactured vehicles.
| Competitor | Price (approx. CAD) | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model S | $105,000+ | Far more expensive, established brand and Supercharger network |
| BMW i4 eDrive40 | $64,000+ | Similar price, less range (~480 km), no shooting brake style |
| Polestar 2 Long Range | $58,000+ | Sibling platform (both Geely), sedan body, smaller battery |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | $55,000+ | Comparable range, 800V charging, less power and cargo |
The 001's combination of body style, battery size, performance, and charging speed is genuinely unique at this price. No competitor offers all four at once.
Provincial incentives: At these prices, the 001 likely exceeds the MSRP cap for most provincial rebate programs. The Zeekr X has an advantage here.
Who Is the Zeekr 001 For?
Great fit:
- Enthusiasts who want something visually and mechanically distinctive
- Families who need cargo space but don't want an SUV — 570 litres with a hatchback opening
- Performance buyers who want 544 hp and air suspension without Porsche money
- Long-distance drivers who need a big battery and fast charging on Canadian corridors
Not the best fit:
- Buyers who need an established Canadian dealer and service network today
- Budget-conscious shoppers (the BYD Seal offers better value per dollar)
- Anyone uncomfortable with an unfamiliar brand at a premium price point
- Drivers who need maximum ground clearance — even raised, this is a low-slung car
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unique shooting brake body style — nothing else like it in this price range
- 100 kWh battery delivers 590 km WLTP range with genuine winter cushion
- 200 kW DC fast charging is best-in-class among Chinese EVs (10-80% in ~30 min)
- 544 hp AWD Performance model is properly fast (3.5 seconds to 100)
- Air suspension with adjustable ride height — practical for Canadian conditions
- Premium interior with Yamaha audio and high-quality materials
- 570 L cargo with hatchback opening — wagon-level practicality
- Built on the Volvo EX30's SEA platform with shared engineering DNA
Cons
- No Canadian launch date or confirmed pricing yet
- Brand recognition is near zero in Canada
- Premium pricing competes with established luxury brands
- Resale value is a complete unknown
- Too many controls routed through the touchscreen
- At nearly 5 metres long and 2 metres wide, tight parking is a challenge
- Provincial incentives likely won't apply due to MSRP caps
The Verdict
The Zeekr 001 is, in my opinion, the most exciting Chinese EV currently in production. The shooting brake body style is genuinely unique. The 100 kWh battery with 200 kW charging solves the range anxiety that plagues smaller EVs. The 544 hp AWD Performance model is legitimately fast. And the interior quality, backed by the Geely Zeekr connection to Volvo engineering, is premium in a way that feels earned.
Would I buy one? If I were in the market for a premium EV in the $60,000-$65,000 CAD range, the 001 Performance AWD would be on my very short list. The shooting brake body, the air suspension, the massive battery, the fast charging — nobody else offers this combination at this price. The risk is real: unproven brand, unknown resale, no Canadian dealer network. But the car itself is exceptional.
This isn't an affordable alternative to something better. This is the something better — for the right buyer, at the right time.
If the shooting brake doesn't suit you, the Zeekr X shares the same platform at a lower price. For a more conventional sedan comparison, the BYD Seal and Polestar 2 are the natural cross-shops.