Xiaomi YU7 Electric SUV: Xiaomi is expected to finally announce its long-anticipated YU7 electric SUV this coming Thursday, May 22, at a special event celebrating the company’s 15th anniversary. The debut is the second for Xiaomi in the electric vehicle market, after it launched its SU7 sedan to market last year. Backed by fantastic specs and a futuristic design that combines high-tech and practical functionality, the YU7 is positioned as a head-on rival to Tesla’s Model Y in the premium electronic SUV domain.
The announcement comes after months of build-up, having been announced by Xiaomi since December 24 as the YU7 branding. Regulatory filings and spy shots have already hinted at what’s coming, but the announcement will finally reveal all about the latest car from this tech giant. In fact, Xiaomi President Lu Weibing has gone on record to show his own love for the model, saying he even wants to buy one.
Design and Dimensions
The Xiaomi YU7 comes with a smooth aerodynamic body, striking the perfect balance between sporty appeal and SUV aesthetics. It looks like a tux on an athlete, and that’s a good thing. At the front, there is a closed grille and the “water drop headlights” with X-shaped daytime running lights give it a family appearance with its sedan sibling, the SU7.
It has a length of 4,999 mm, a width of 1,996 mm and a height of 1,600–1,608 mm so it can be considered to be comfortably placed in the mid-size SUV segment. At 3,000 mm, the wheelbase is longer than the Tesla Model Y (2,890 mm), so we could expect a more spacious interior. Aerodynamics are improved with a hollowed-out section in the middle of the lights mounted on the roof as well as in the headlight assembly, sculpted hood sporting working air ducts and a roof-mounted spoiler.
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Powertrain and Performance
With the smooth design of a Tesla and a load of electric horsepower, the YU7 comes in varying configurations to sate both environmentally friendly commuters and power-hungry speed demons. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive model pairs a 220 kW (295 hp) front motor with a 288 kW (386 hp) rear motor with a combined output of 508 kW (681 hp). This powertrain also allows for a top speed of 253 km/h (157 mph), and is a true contender in the EV super-SUV market.
For those more interested in efficiency, a single-motor RWD model will be on offer as well, spinning a 235 kW (315 hp) motor and topping out at 240 km/h (150 mph). The YU7 uses different battery formats across its models, with the AWD examples riding on ternary lithium (NMC) packs and the RWD variant powered by lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. Range numbers are impressive, regulatory filings suggest CLTC ranges as high as 760 km for AWD models and (we think) 835 km for a recently registered single-motor version, although real-world figures will undoubtedly prove a bit more modest.
Interior and Technology
Climb into the YU7 and you find that Xiaomi is really good at consumer electronics now transmogrified into automotive form. The interior feels like a high-tech command center built around the driver, boasting premium materials and intelligent ergonomics. A dual-tone purple and cream leather upholstery option has been spotted in spy pictures, and this implies that Xiaomi is willing to offer some bold interior choices alongside some more typical ones.
The dashboard design is a new approach and has the Panoramic Head-Up Display (PHUD) which displays vital drive data on the windscreen. This driver-centric philosophy is continued with a floating center control screen housing Xiaomi’s HyperOS for painless cross-device compatibility. The steering wheel has a balance of form and function where Alcantara is paired with carbon fiber, and a unique red “Boost Mode” button for quick performance. Comfort touches are said to come courtesy of electric leg rests, wireless charging pads and what Xiaomi describes as “zero-gravity seats” on higher end trims.
Market Positioning and Prospects
The YU7 will face hefty competition once it arrives following its May 22 reveal, with established giants like Tesla’s Model Y being the elephant in the room, but the company has a few potential advantages, such as its massive consumer electronics ecosystem that’s giving it unrivaled flexibility in terms of devices and services, and manufacturing capabilities, as well as momentum from the successful launch of its SU7 sedan. As a newcomer who studied the veterans’ playbook before introducing its own tricks, Xiaomi seems set to make a splash.
The market reaction to the YU7 will depend on the pricing, which should be between 250,000–350,000 yuan (35,000–49,000 USD), according to industry analysts. This would position it against the Tesla Model Y but with potentially more features and space. The YU7 will also leverage on Xiaomi’s expanding automotive retail network of over 200 stores in 64 Chinese cities. The YU7 will be a key milestone of Xiaomi’s plan to deliver 300,000 cars in 2025, the company’s bold and ambitious goal for the automotive business.
The launch of YU7 is based on the development progress of Xiaomi, which is now a serious player in the EV space after its SU7 sedan hit remarkable sales numbers. But the company has also had setbacks, with complaints about quality and some safety concerns after a fatal crash of an SU7 in March. Industry observers and potential buyers will be closely watching how Xiaomi overcomes these impediments as it rolls out its second model.