Xiaomi Launches YU7 SUV in China – A High-Tech, High-Range Challenger to Tesla
Xiaomi is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) market once again, launching its second model in China — the Xiaomi YU7 SUV. While its name might not be the most marketable, the vehicle’s impressive specs, competitive pricing, and the brand’s growing popularity could make it another blockbuster hit.
This launch follows the Xiaomi SU7 sedan, which has been an unexpected success story. In just nine months of 2024, Xiaomi sold 130,000 SU7 units, a milestone it had initially projected for over a year of sales. The SU7 has already stolen significant market share from the Tesla Model 3 and other electric sedans, proving that EV buyers are more loyal to innovation than tradition.
The Xiaomi YU7 – A Large SUV With Exceptional Range
The YU7 is a 4.99-meter-long SUV that blends sporty aesthetics reminiscent of the Ferrari Purosangue with cutting-edge electric technology. It features a 101 kWh NMC battery pack, delivering between 670 km and 760 km of range on the Chinese CLTC cycle. While these figures are often optimistic compared to real-world usage, they place the YU7 among the highest-range electric SUVs on the market.
Performance enthusiasts will be impressed by its 680+ horsepower all-wheel-drive version, while a more affordable rear-wheel-drive variant is also available. The SUV weighs 2.4 tonnes, reflecting its size and battery capacity.
Aggressive Pricing to Rival Tesla
One of the most disruptive elements of the YU7 is its pricing. Starting at 250,000 yuan (around $34,500), it’s positioned close to the base Tesla Model Y, but offers more space, greater range, and higher power at a similar price point. This aggressive pricing strategy could pressure Tesla and BYD in the Chinese market.
Xiaomi has not confirmed European exports for the YU7 yet. The company is focusing on ramping up production at its F2 mega factory, scheduled to open in early summer. With the combined output of its F1 and F2 plants, Xiaomi could produce hundreds of thousands of EVs annually.
Given the success of the SU7 — a model perfectly suited for Europe’s EV demands — the YU7 could eventually target European markets, especially as BYD’s Seal and Tesla’s Model 3 gain traction with long-range versions exceeding 700 km.
