Xiaomi YU7: Xiaomi's first electric SUV to challenge Tesla

Following the SU7 saloon’s strong debut, Xiaomi has now unveiled its first electric SUV to the world: the YU7, which looks set to give Tesla a serious headache - at least in China, where it will be launched first.

The Chinese brand is clearly aiming to repeat the SU7’s momentum with this new SUV, and the family resemblance is obvious. It carries the same smooth, contemporary styling and achieves a drag coefficient of Cx 0.245.

Among the more up-to-date touches are flush-fitting door handles and a full-width LED light signature running across the rear.

“V6”… electric

The Xiaomi YU7 will be sold in three trims: Standard, Pro and Max. The main differences are range and battery capacity.

Keeping the tongue-in-cheek approach already seen on the SU7, Xiaomi fits this SUV with the HyperEngine V6s electric motor - yes, V6, as if it were a combustion engine. Even so, the key talking point is its rev ceiling: up to 21,000 rpm.

The entry-level YU7 Standard uses a rear-mounted motor producing 235 kW (320 hp) and completes 0–100 km/h in 5.88 seconds. With a 96.3 kWh LFP battery, Xiaomi claims a maximum range of 835 km, although this figure comes from the CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle), which is considerably more lenient than Europe’s WLTP.

The YU7 Pro adds a second motor on the front axle rated at 130 kW (177 hp), bringing combined peak output to 365 kW (496 hp). Range drops to 770 km (CTLC), while 0–100 km/h improves to 4.27s.

At the top of the line-up, the YU7 Max also uses two motors: 220 kW (299 hp) up front and 288 kW (392 hp) at the rear, for a combined 508 kW (691 hp).

On the Max, the battery switches to NMC (with higher energy density) and grows to 101.7 kWh, enabling Xiaomi to quote a maximum range (again under CLTC) of 760 km.

In performance terms, it is the Max that sprints from 0–100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, and its top speed exceeds 253 km/h. The other versions “top out” at 240 km/h.

Thanks to an 800 V architecture, the YU7 supports ultra-rapid charging that can add roughly 620 km of range in only 15 minutes. Xiaomi also says the SUV can charge from 10% to 80% in just 12 minutes.

Screens are everywhere

Inside, the cabin is dominated by the Xiaomi HyperVision Panoramic Display: a 1.1-metre-wide panel housing three mini-LED screens across the top of the dashboard. Alongside this sits a 16.1-inch central display with 3K resolution and, for rear passengers, a 6.68-inch screen to control various functions and the infotainment system.

The Xiaomi YU7’s electrical system offers five driving modes, seven distinct interior lighting themes and a XiaoAI AI voice assistant. For driver assistance, the headline feature is standard-fit LiDAR with a range of up to 200 metres.

The centre console has shed some physical controls, but Xiaomi counters with a magnetic accessory ecosystem that includes shortcut buttons. These can be customised to trigger different actions, such as opening the glovebox or activating the rear camera. In total, there are nine magnetic zones available throughout the cabin.

With a 678-litre boot and one of the largest frunks in its class (141 litres, more than the Tesla Model Y’s 116 litres), the YU7 provides plenty of luggage room. Folding the rear seats increases total capacity to 1718 litres.

When does it arrive?

The Xiaomi YU7 goes on sale in China next month, with prices in its home market starting at €30,000 (253,500 Renminbi). That is well below Model Y pricing - the “target to beat”.

Orders are already open, and within minutes the total had already passed the 300,000-unit mark.

International expansion has not been ruled out, and there could be more news in 2027. Will it make it to Portugal?