By: Tarek Hawchar
There is no easy way to describe the Lynk & Co 09! It is a three-row, seven-seat premium SUV with a captivating design, classy interior, and plenty of cutting-edge technology that provides a thrilling driving experience.
Founded in Sweden in 2016, Lynk & Co is an international brand with a European base.
Although it is a subsidiary of the Chinese auto giant Geely, which owns Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus, Lynk & Co’s cars are designed and engineered in Sweden, while built in multiple factories across China.
The Lynk & Co lineup includes a wide array of small, mid-sized, and large SUVs, ranging from the Volvo XC40-sized Lynk & Co 01, all the way to the Volvo XC90-sized Lynk & Co 09—all riding on Volvo’s CMA small and SPA large architectures, and merging both European and Chinese styling tastes.
Speaking of the 09, it was first introduced at the 2021 Auto Shanghai, as the largest SUV in the Lynk & Co’s lineup, and is built at the brand’s Meishan plant in China.
The 2024 Lynk & Co 09 has a busy, yet distinctive shape that makes it stand out among mid-sized luxury SUVs
Exterior
The 2024 Lynk & Co 09 has a busy, yet distinctive shape that makes it stand out among mid-sized luxury SUVs. While its front-end shape harkens back to Porsche SUV, the Lynk & Co 09's split-level LED headlights and intricate “Energy Cube” LED taillight design give it a classier and more luxurious look at night.
Overall, the 09 has a boxy, captivating design with a floating roofline and a raked rear windscreen. The front end is characterized by bug-eyed upper headlights with “Aurora Borealis” Daytime Running Lights, and a large anvil-shaped low grille with tall vertical bars that marks out the brand.
Aside from the flush door handles, contrast-colored roof, high beltline, and unique 20-inch alloy wheels, the taillights are carved into the fenders, giving the three-row family SUV a youthful and sporty look.
In terms of dimensions, the Lynk & Co 09 measures 5042 mm long, 1977 mm wide, and 1780 mm tall, with a 2984 mm long wheelbase, the same as that of Volvo's latest XC90.
Step inside the cabin and you will find yourself transported into a futuristic world, thanks to the different-sized screens that captivate your senses
Interior
Step inside the cabin of the 2024 Lynk & Co 09 and you will find yourself transported into a futuristic world, thanks to the different-sized screens that captivate your senses!
There is a large touchscreen at the center stack that dominates the low-profile dashboard, along with a fully digital instrument cluster, with a 12.3-inch screen displaying various data and the navigation map, not to mention the 12.8-inch W-HUD head-up display. The infotainment system offers smartphone integration with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The cockpit is slathered in premium Nappa leather upholstery. Seats are very comfortable, especially at the front where they are fully adjustable in 12 different ways and have a memory function as well.
Aside from the extensive use of high-quality materials such as the real aluminum trim, the 09 offers a wide range of standard features, such as four-zone automatic air conditioning with an active cabin air purifying system, a 14-speaker Bose premium sound system, a panoramic sunroof, a wireless charging, a compact steering wheel with paddle shifters, a hands-free smart electric tailgate, four USB ports, and a cooling glovebox, to name but a few.
With its three-row seating configuration, the Lynk & Co 09 is undeniably one of the roomiest SUVs in its segment
It goes without saying that the 09’s interior is spacious and practical. With its three-row seating configuration, the Lynk & Co 09 is undeniably one of the roomiest SUVs in its segment. While the 09 offers a high driving posture to make drivers stay comfortable on their trips, the second and third rows offer room for up to seven people, with more legroom and headroom than most mid-sized SUVs. Better yet, the power-folding third-row seats make folding seats as easy as pushing a button!
Regarding safety features, the 2024 Link & Co 09 accommodates myriads of high-tech assistant systems, including adaptive cruise control with queue assist, traffic jam assist system with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane keeping assist, a 360-degree panoramic camera, semi-autonomous parking with parking exit function, blind spot detection, front and rear parking sensors, and more features to complete the list of driver-assistance systems.
The three-row family SUV is powered by a mild-hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 254 hp and 350 Nm of torque
Engine and Performance
The 2024 Link & Co 09 is powered by a mild-hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 254 hp and 350 Nm of torque. The three-row premium SUV also features a belt-driven starter generator (BSG), a 48-volt traction battery, and a mechanical full-time AWD system supplied by BorgWarner. The mild-hybrid powertrain gives decent performance when mated to the slick Aisin eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Overall, the 09 rides on the SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform, making it the technical cousin of Volvo’s second-generation XC90. Though it is hard to say that the 2120-kg SUV offers a sportier driving experience, it still delivers on all fronts! When compared to other SUVs of its size, the ride is smooth and controlled without too much body lean. On the other hand, steering is light and devoid of feel, smothering any information you might receive from the wheels.
Our verdict
Although the Lynk & Co 09 isn't the most budget-friendly vehicle in its class, it is undoubtedly among the most spacious, technology-packed SUVs available on the market. With its striking, eye-catching design, modern and luxurious interior, and decent mild-hybrid powertrain, the family SUV stands out from the competition.