RM360k In China, But RM800k Here? The Real Reason Why Zeekr 9X Costs Way More In Malaysia

If you've been keeping an eye on the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS 2026), you probably saw Zeekr Malaysia drop a massive bomb on the showroom floor. They just previewed their stunning new flagship SUV, the Zeekr 9X, and officially opened up the nationwide order books.

But while car enthusiasts are drooling over its jaw-dropping specs, it's the estimated price tag that has everyone doing a double-take: it starts from RM800,000.

If that figure holds up on launch day, it will officially become the most expensive Zeekr model on sale in Malaysia.

Naturally, this caused a massive stir online. Tech-savvy car buyers quickly pointed out that in China, the Zeekr 9X retails between 465,900 and 599,900 yuan, which converts to roughly RM280,000 to RM360,000.

Zeekr 9X seen at Auto Shanghai 2025

So, how does a luxury SUV double in price by the time it lands on our shores, racking up a massive RM440,000 markup? Is it just corporate greed?

The short answer is no. It all comes down to a fascinating plot twist in Malaysia’s automotive tax system. Here is the real reason why the Zeekr 9X costs way more locally:

The Plot Twist: It gets caught in Malaysia's brutal tax reality

Under the old tax guidelines, we might have hoped the Zeekr 9X could sneak into the country completely duty-free. However, Malaysia's blanket tax holiday for fully imported Completely Built-Up (CBU) electric vehicles officially wrapped up on December 31, 2025. Now, newly imported CBU alternative-energy vehicles face a completely restructured tax landscape.

But here is the real kicker: Zeekr 9X isn't even a pure EV.

Underneath its stately body, the 9X runs on the Geely Group’s advanced SEA Super Hybrid system, making it a Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV). Because it still carries an internal combustion engine under the bonnet, it never qualified for the unique EV safety nets to begin with.

Instead, its import taxation is determined entirely by its traditional engine displacement. Powering this beast is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, landing it squarely in the 2,000cc to 2,499cc tier. In Malaysia, imported passenger vehicles in this specific engine bracket are slapped with an excise duty of 90%!

When you compound that heavy 90% excise duty with standard import duties and local sales tax (SST), the price tag instantly balloons, easily explaining how it rockets past the original Chinese retail price to hit that estimated RM800,000 mark.

Is it actually worth the RM800,000 sticker shock?

First-class premium comfort and cutting-edge tech inside the front row of the Zeekr 9X.

The rear passenger lounge view.

While the tax structure explains the massive price jump, Zeekr ensures that wealthy buyers are getting an absolute powerhouse of a flagship for their money. Here is a quick cheat sheet of what this beast brings to the table:

• Supercar-Shaming Performance: In its most potent form, the 9X features three electric motors paired with that 2.0L turbo engine, pumping out an absolute mind-blowing 1,400 PS and 1,410 Nm of torque. It will literally rocket from 0-100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds, which is fast enough to scare actual Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
• The 'China's Rolls-Royce' Footprint: Measuring a massive 5,239 mm in length with an imposing front grille and stately, boxy silhouette, this SUV commands massive road presence.
• A Rolling First-Class Lounge: The three-row interior treats passengers to premium Nappa leather upholstery, a suede headliner, 'Nordic' natural wood veneer trim, a built-in refrigerator, and an insane 3,800W Naim audio sound system. It even features dual 16-inch 3.5K OLED touchscreens upfront, and a 17-inch ceiling-mounted display for rear passengers.
• 9-Minute Fast Charging: Built on a cutting-edge 900-volt electrical architecture, its high-voltage system allows it to juice up from 20% to 80% via DC fast charging in a ridiculous nine minutes, all while offering a combined hybrid driving range of up to 1,015 km (WLTP standard).

One quick heads-up before you place a booking…

Zeekr Malaysia is officially taking orders for this flagship hybrid starting today. However, if you are planning to head down to MITEC to check it out this week, keep in mind that the preview unit on display at KLIMS is a left-hand-drive model directly from China.

This means the final right-hand-drive units that are slated to launch locally in late 2026 or early 2027 might see some specification shifts to better suit the Malaysian market.

Would you drop RM800,000 on this ultimate high-tech tauke mobile, or does the local tax markup make you want to stick to traditional luxury brands? Let us know in the comments!