Can a new car brand hit a homerun on its first attempt? Conventional thinking says no, because it needs to learn from experience and mistakes before being able to craft something amazing.

Well, Zeekr must be unconventional because despite being founded just three years ago, its X crossover has been hit out of the park. Well-planned and superbly executed, it is our Electric Premium Compact Crossover of 2024.

One look at the X and you know it's different. Its styling combines sleek lines and sharp angles, distinguishing it from rivals. Get behind the wheel and you'll find yourself in an upmarket interior, made from materials that look and feel premium.

The X's technology is presented in a slick manner. Rather than row upon row of buttons, the car's many features are in the infotainment system. Certain functions, like media, can be controlled with minimal movements via the ‘joysticks' on the steering wheel.

There are unique features, too, like an external loudspeaker that lets drivers talk to pedestrians (only when the vehicle is in Park). It also plays sound effects like a meowing cat, which would make people think there's a lost kitty in the carpark.

More useful, though, is the available freezer/chiller/warmer that can keep food and drinks cold or hot. It certainly makes one wish that other carmakers included such options in their models.

In Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) form, the Zeekr X isn't a high-performance crossover, but it certainly has pep in its step, courtesy of its electric motor that produces 268bhp and 343Nm of torque. Finishing the century sprint in 5.6 seconds, the X is more than capable of leaving slow traffic in its silent wake, while the 440km range should be more than enough for a week's worth of driving for the average motorist.

Keener drivers, on the other hand, will be pleased with the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) model. With 422bhp and 543Nm of torque, it does zero to 100km/h in a scintillating 3.8 seconds, while offering a range of up to 440km.